<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chicago Suntimes)</div><div class='quotemain'><h1 class="story_headline">'X' Texas from circus trip </h1> <h3 class="story_subhead"> Bulls | New Celt Garnett comes calling on Dec. 8 </h3> </p><div class="date">August 3, 2007</div> <div class="byline">BY BRIAN HANLEY bhanley@suntimes.com </div> General manager John Paxson seems as content with the Bulls' upcoming season schedule as he is with his efforts to trade for Kevin Garnett, who ultimately was dealt to the Boston Celtics this week. ''All I can say is that I had many conversations with Minnesota, but I don't know if we were ever close,'' Paxson said of trade talks with the Timberwolves. ''Some people will never understand the myriad of scenarios that are discussed and ultimately why a team does what it does.''</p> The Bulls will first face Garnett and the Celtics on Dec. 8 at the United Center. The Bulls begin the 2007-08 campaign on Halloween night at New Jersey. Their first home game is Nov. 2, against the Philadelphia 76ers.</p> They are scheduled to play on national television 30 times.</p> The so-called annual ''circus trip,'' when the Bulls vacate the United Center for two weeks in November while Ringling Bros. sets up its tent, is without the usual Texas triangle. Losses at San Antonio, Houston and Dallas last season began what was a 1-5 trip.</p> ''Overall the schedule is very fair,'' Paxson said. ''The first West Coast trip is only four games, even though it is a six-game trip overall. We will have the chance to come home for [Thanksgiving] a few days before going to New York to play the Knicks. The 20 back-to-backs is also lower than in years past, which is very good.''</p> The first back-to-back set for the Bulls will be in the same building when they face the Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers on Nov. 17-18 at the Staples Center.</p> The Bulls' second six-game road trip begins Jan. 30 at Minnesota.</p> ''We do have a very tough stretch leading into the All-Star break and right after where we play 11 of 15 games away from the United Center,'' Paxson said.</p> Other home highlights include the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers on March 6 and April 11; the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 8 and Jan. 19; the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 3; the Lakers on Dec. 18; Greg Oden and the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 3; the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 27 (noon); and the defending-champion San Antonio Spurs on March 20.</p> The Bulls' Dec. 31 home game against the Orlando Magic will tip at 1 p.m. The Bulls have eight day games.</p> </p> NOTE: The Bulls signed second-round draft pick JamesOn Curry.</div></p> LINK </p><hr width="100%" size="2" />Obviously the circus trip seemed easier, but nice to see that after some further analysis from him, with fewer back to backs, it seems to be easier overall. </p>
