Oct. 28--Season openers typically bring unfettered optimism, and while that dynamic is in abundance at Bulls camp these days, there is uncertainty as well.
How many minutes will Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah play in Wednesday's opener against the Knicks? Will Tom Thibodeau use an eight- or nine-player rotation? Will Jimmy Butler's sprained left thumb heal in time for him to play? How will rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic -- if the latter plays -- react to the bright lights?
This is for sure: Rose closed the preseason in very strong, borderline dominant fashion. And Kirk Hinrich will be a stabilizing force in the season's tough early going.
Yes, Hinrich.
Thibodeau said he hasn't "heard anything yet" regarding minutes for Rose and Noah but confirmed that the decision is coming from "doctors and trainers" since both players are returning from knee surgery. As for the rotation, Thibodeau said it will be based on performance while admitting "there's a lot up for grabs."
Butler didn't practice but continues to improve from his sprained left thumb and Thibodeau said "he's moving in the right direction." So, apparently, is the second unit featuring the rookies who played in up-and-down fashion during the preseason.
"We're winning every time we play the starters (in practice)," said Taj Gibson, who preached patience for the rookies, saying they will figure it out.
And then there's Hinrich, a Thibodeau favorite. The veteran guard will start if Butler can't play. And he once again will play a critical role backing up both guard positions whenever Butler returns for good.
After two straight injury-plagued seasons, Hinrich enjoyed a relatively healthy 2013-14 campaign. He missed only five games to a back injury and four to a hamstring tweak. Hinrich is optimistic for a repeat after an atypical offseason in which he said he stayed in condition but didn't do as much on-court work.
"I feel better in this camp than I did last year," Hinrich said. "It's just a matter of keeping it that way. I feel like I did a good job this offseason of working but also resting.
"Last year, my minutes weren't as high as the year before and I felt good. It's hard to help if you're not healthy. So I just want to stay healthy and whatever it takes to do that, that's what I'll do."
Hinrich missed the Bulls' run to the 2011 Eastern Conference finals after getting traded to the Wizards in June 2010 for the salary-cap space to pursue LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in free agency. He recognizes the opportunity in front of this team, which is widely expected to challenge James and the Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference title.
Entering his 12th season, Hinrich doesn't know how many title chances are left.
"Cleveland is going to be really good," Hinrich said. "I think we can be real good too. We have a lot of good new pieces. The core that we have back has proven to be solid. And Derrick looks great.
"The window may be closing for me and I want to keep it open as long as I can. I want to give all I've got but at the same time enjoy it."
Layups: After fellow TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley named the Bulls the Eastern Conference's "clear favorite" if Rose remains healthy, Shaquille O'Neal called Pau Gasol "old" and said "he's done" at a New York news conference. ... Gibson helped recruit Carmelo Anthony but downplayed that storyline for Wednesday. "That's all in the past," Gibson said. "He made the right decision for his family. We understand that. There's no bad blood."
kcjohnson@tribune.com
Twitter @kcjhoop
