<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><font id="section-label">Welcome</font> <font id="text"> K.C. Johnson, 12:30 p.m.</p> Hi there. Welcome to Full-court Press, the blog about all things Bulls and the NBA.</p> Covering the NBA is a nutty existence, maintaining a frenetic pace for 10 months and then doing virtually nothing for two. So after a very relaxing August and September, I just hope to remember how to use verbs in these early stages of training camp.</p> This should be a fun season. And we promise to deliver breaking news and then some in this space. Some days, when the coffee is flowing just right, you can expect multiple updates. Other days, when the 10 a.m. flight is canceled or the middle seat occupant forgot to shower, the entry may be short. And a little cranky.</p> But if you love pro basketball, this is your place. After all, it is written by people who do.</div></p> http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....fullcourtpress/</p> </font></p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><font id="rail-text"><font color="#990000">October 02, 2007</font></font></p> <font id="section-label">Looking for leaders</font> <font id="text"> K.C. Johnson, 2:15 p.m.</p> The Bulls open the first week of training camp to college and minor-league coaches and the media. There's only one rule, per coach Scott Skiles: Show up before it starts or you don't get in.</p> It's the only time all season beat writers get to view an entire practice, and some interesting subtleties can be revealed.</p> In Tuesday's morning session, Skiles placed first-round pick Joakim Noah with regular starters Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Ben Wallace. The benefits for Noah are obvious and detailed in our story in Wednesday's Tribune.</p> But, tellingly, Skiles also explained another benefit to the move: "Our young guys have been so quiet. So this also gives them an opportunity to speak a little bit and get him in the right spots."</p> Indeed, it was interesting to watch Hinrich, Deng and even Gordon pull Noah aside at certain times throughout the practice and explain a play or drill to the rookie. The Bulls may be young in age, but not in experience.</p> I've talked to Hinrich several times throughout the years about being a leader. As a point guard and coach's son, he's been considered as one. But Hinrich is a quiet guy and admits -- despite being voted a team captain in recent seasons -- the role doesn't come easily.</p> Following last summer's participation with Team USA, a noticeable change took place in Hinrich. You could see his confidence grow and his leadership emerge more frequently. You could tell he felt he belonged.</p> Despite not participating with Team USA last summer, Hinrich appears like he'll be more vocal again this season. Noah will be listening.</div></p> </font></p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><font id="rail-text"><font color="#990000">October 03, 2007</font></font></p> <font id="section-label">Best foot forward</font> <font id="text"> K.C. Johnson, 1:46 p.m.</p> Three practices down, and a noticeably slimmer Andres Nocioni has experienced no pain in the right foot that was plagued by plantar fasciitis last season and in the playoffs. One of the reasons Nocioni said he dropped five pounds to get to 220 was to lighten the burden on his foot.</p> Coach Scott Skiles said he never worries about Nocioni's weight because the hyperactive forward plays with such a relentless and physical style. "If he feels comfortable with it, I feel fine with it," Skiles said.</p> Nocioni's presence can't be understated. While the Bulls have added size with Joe Smith, Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray, Nocioni can play in either big or small lineups because of his versatility. His ability to stretch defenses with his three-point shot also creates matchup problems.</p> This injury never really goes away. Skiles, who also endured it occasionally as a player, has talked about experiencing an occasional flare-up and he's been retired for more than a decade. This situation with Nocioni will be an ongoing story.</div></p> </font></p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><font id="rail-text"><font color="#990000">October 04, 2007</font></font></p> <font id="section-label">Rookie reality check</font> <font id="text"> K.C. Johnson, 1:29 p.m.</p> Training camp is for coaches to find their legs, er, voices, too.</p> Scott Skiles, as typically happens, is showing a little wear and tear on his vocal cords after two days of double sessions and a Thursday morning practice.</p> But that didn't stop the Bulls' coach from stopping practice and, well, forcefully reminding rookies Joakim Noah, Aaron Gray and JamesOn Curry that their effort lacked during a defensive shell drill.</p> "If you haven't noticed how hard this guy, this guy and this guy go," Skiles screamed, pointing at Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and Andres Nocioni, "then you haven't been paying attention! Now step it up!"</p> There might've been some more colorful language in there. But, hey, even blogs, like newspapers, have family standards.</p> Moments later, Skiles praised Noah for a boxout and pulled Gray aside for some more private pointers. Age-old coaching philosophy, to be sure, following criticism with coddling. Skiles does it well, and these rookies are in for a solid basketball education.</div></p> </font></p>
