Only one Bulls rookie figures to get much time

When the Bulls open the season Thursday against San Antonio, it looks like playing time of the two first-round draft picks will be decidedly different.

Power forward Taj Gibson figures to get at least 20 minutes per game early in the year, thanks to his strong preseason. He was hurt by foul trouble, but Gibson was a smart, steady player in preseason who played dependable defense and knocked down most of his open shots.

Forward James Johnson, meanwhile, displayed an interesting combination of skills and athleticism, but was a little erratic in preseason. He’ll probably be the 10th man in the rotation and could collect a few DNPs.

“Rookies tend to make more mistakes than others and mistakes beat you,” coach Vinny Del Negro said following Tuesday’s practice at the Berto Center. “James, the last few days, has done better defensively and is understanding things a little bit better, so that’s a positive.”

Del Negro has talked often this week about using Tyrus Thomas at small forward, so he could slide over when Luol Deng is out of the game, freeing more playing time for Gibson and Brad Miller.

Of course, the rotation could get a little tricky with both Thomas and Deng in the starting lineup. Maybe Thomas will get an early hook, then come back to replace Deng at the end of the first quarter.

ROSE, BULLS FEELING GOOD
The positive comments continued to flow at Tuesday’s practice. Guard Jannero Pargo (sore back, hip) skipped most of the workout, but did get plenty of shots up. Otherwise, Derrick Rose’s ankle continues to get better and the Bulls think they’re ready for the season to begin.

“My ankle isn’t really hurting,” Rose said. “Every day I come in, it’s getting better. Today, I really didn’t have to warm up that much to get it loose, so that’s a nice feeling to go out there and just warmup up a little and get it right. Hopefully when I come in tomorrow, I’ll have to do less.

“I wasn’t exhausted on the court. Hopefully. I’m getting back in game shape. I hope I play a lot of minutes (against the Spurs).”

Here’s some more feel-good comments from Tuesday:

--Rose on teammate Luol Deng: “He’s been the leading scorer two days in a row on my practice team. He’s been shooting the ball well.”

--Del Negro on Deng: “I think the last two days of practice have been Luol’s most effective – especially today. He really shot the ball well, was active.”

--Joakim Noah on the team’s preparations: “We’ve had our two best practices of the year so far, I feel. We just have to keep it up.”

BYARS MAKES OPENING ROSTER
Swingman Derrick Byars officially made the Bulls’ opening night roster and should be in uniform against the Spurs. But he’s not sure how long he’ll stick around.

But getting this far is a personal victory. During his first two years as a pro, Byars was released by the Magic and Thunder a couple days before the season opener.