<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN ANTONIO -- With Luol Deng still away from the team, Andres Nocioni was elevated to the starting lineup Thursday night and had a prime opportunity to make a case for him being the Bulls' starting small forward when the regular season starts. Nocioni, though, said his focus is on winning -- not whether he starts. ''For me, if I start or come off the bench, it's the same,'' he said before the Bulls' 99-67 rout of the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. ''I want to play. That's it. I want to help this team win. ''I don't have any problem if Luol Deng is the starter or me. I just think about my team, my game, and I don't need to think [about whether] I'm the starter.'' Such selflessness is rare in any athlete these days, but it's especially refreshing considering Nocioni was one of the Bulls' best players during last season's playoff series against the Miami Heat. The more important the game, the bigger he seems to play. In some respects, it seems as if Nocioni would prefer a reserve role. ''I think I can help the team coming from the bench,'' he said. ''Sometimes I can change the rhythm of the game, and that can help the team. But every game is different.''</div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">First paragraph - "With Luol Deng still away from the team," Where is he?</div> He is ironing out some issues with his passport. He was getting his British passport. Here is the article on it... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Luol Deng made a quick trip to England and missed Wednesday?s practice. Deng collected his long-awaited British passport with his brother Ajou and plans to return in time for Friday?s home game against Minnesota. Deng was born in Sudan but left for Egypt to escape a civil war and later moved to England with his family at age 9. He considers London his hometown but had trouble getting British citizenship because he left to attend high school in the United States. Deng expects to compete for England?s national team, starting next summer, with hopes of building a competitive squad by the time London hosts the 2012 Olympics.</div> http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?id=239932
This kid has true heart. This is what more NBA players should be like, not caring about starting and stats, but winning.
Nocioni is the man, didn`t he give himself the nickname Red Bull last year during the playoffs? He has a huge love for the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For starters, Andres Nocioni will not be one when the Bulls begin the regular season Tuesday on the road against the Miami Heat. Nocioni, who was the only Bull to play all 82 games last season (starting 43), seems OK with coach Scott Skiles' decision to bring him off the bench. ''It's no different for me. I feel comfortable in either position,'' Nocioni said after practice Saturday. ''I want to play, that's it. He's the coach. If he thinks it's better for the team, it's better for me, too.'' Nocioni scored 15 points (7-for-14 shooting) and had five rebounds in almost 27 minutes off the bench in the Bulls' 108-97 home win over the Toronto Raptors in their exhibition finale. ''I think I need to bring energy from the bench,'' he said. ''I think when you come from the bench, you need to be more prepared. When you start the game on the bench, you need to think about what the team needs when you come in.'' </div> Source
