Hard to believe basketball is back at the final pre season game Friday. And then you tee it up how are you look at your team right now without -- and they started develop some chemistry. Well I think someone in Tom is taken the attitude from day one that you know he wants to see what he has to we do have a lot of new faces this year you know face it we. And we had to make some changes in the off season. And that Tom has approached it very consistently I think he's trying to find the groups that that he wants out there. And it's been a good pre season I think our guys got a lot of reps a lot of time together on the floor and you know we we were optimistic we we understand and we we have to -- -- believe this you know -- don't look at it as they're not here right now and we don't know when he's gonna come back. And we know we've gotten thirteen guys right now they're going to compete and we're looking forward to. Just clear that the revisions taken with Cincinnati and Derek you know put him out there on media day -- and maybe they're not the story anymore. Do you feel it's important for him to. I don't he's going to come back when he's physically ready but do you think it's important to come back a permanent mental reasons at some point the seasons. He he's only one that can can answer that I I do think that when you when you look at it. Players have had this injury which is you know it's not a significant a vast wondering if you have. There's there's some elements to it and the first thing is for him to get this rehab going in and get him through that process and get him comfortable. At some point this couple come to get on the practice floor. There on the basketball court and you know he's a ways away from that but. Once he's there then it becomes a mental thing and I think that's different for every guy that's that's had this injury so. You know we're gonna be very cautious with him. You know Derek his -- attacked this rehab and full force and he's he's done a great job and he seems to be in -- -- real good frame. Right now when you see him in and he's going through is his stuff but. You know I as an athlete you know he wants to play but there's still a lot in between now and getting him back on. Isn't that part of the ongoing challenge for for them fits in to talk about you know you have one team. Lets you know -- professionals proud guys in the yet that the Derrick Rose watch. And they're not really compatible can you don't want wondered did distraction and you've got to respect the fact the guy you do MVP. Back to play you know to -- ever put together what two guys that are pretty good and and proud veterans and it could still be a very good seem. Without him and how do you balance. You know how do you balance that lower at try not to make it Derrick Rose watched him in its. And I comes on real good job here pre season. You know approaching it that way you know I mean any any says every every time did you -- -- if we have an injury or anything you know it's like look the next guy's got to step up we got to play. And we aren't you know we're not conceding anything to you know start the year are we at a disadvantage yeah we and I think. There's as much the fact we've got to blend in a lot of new players this year but. You know Tom Tom is the is Boozer isn't a game and preparing your team to play. And when you watch your classes another very. Consistent. We are guys you know there's some were we just not everyday you he emphasizes the same things and starts on the defensive end of the floor. And and our guys respect that and the one thing that did you know we've learned in two years with Tom is that our team's going to be prepared and they're going to compete. And I that's not a change. John obviously a lot of teams and he's made a lot of flashy moves in the off season you guys a little bit more under the radar I'm -- for two years ago. You know was kind of the same situation are you pretty confident quietly guys in the front office about -- know this team's capabilities this season. Well I think that. One thing you always have to remember is that it's long seasons since 82 games and a lot of things can happen. But the chemistry of a team -- with new players doesn't always happen you know right at the beginning. So so I'm more optimistic but we also know that these has improved I mean you didn't look what Brooklyn's Don they're going to be a better basketball team Boston. Is going to be good Miami's at the top. Indiana has been you know a rival -- now for several years and and they're very good so. Did you you know overall you can't really worry about those those guys. And I again I think that's where Thomas after a good job and -- I was focused on our task at hand. And like I said would be ready to play that's one thing we never worried about. When you go out and recruit players to come here the bench -- is not here. But because you guys utilize so effectively is it easier to get guys the -- and that come here be part of the new bench. Well you know that that kind of took on a life of its own. You know we used to be very honest you know when the new CVA. Care about last year. This offseason that pose some problems for us and you know we have to to be realistic and look at him and an address some so. You know kind of put us in the position where we had you know to to look at some some available players and you know you are. Is on the phone with agents every day and you know -- he you know he's lenses you know let us in terms of trying to identify who would fit in. Like I said it's going to be a process and do these things always are when when you've got to. Blend in new players and you know they're not being there are -- hurts but that was one of the reasons that we identified Kirk. In and try to get him back is because we we all have a comfort level with him Tom was. Excited about trying to get them on board and you know we we feel that he. Given his defensive component what he's done for us in the past we feel like he's he's a a perfect fit person and will help us kind of weather that's how different of a player is he then when he left -- in in terms of reasons create news he's gotten injured right now we're groin injury which you don't home you know this to the extent of that but what are the Bulls getting. In this version of -- kind of -- you ever since he left us he's had a couple of of injuries and you know once significant that he had. We had them in the playoffs couple years ago but. I think that you cook's in great shape. You know what I when I saw him come in the summer. Good to see his body he would he looked mean and trim or not and he's taking care of himself to one thing that. That more veteran players you know you get in your thirties than they really have to this but the premium on taking care of their bodies and it's it's such an important thing and I and the guys have heard like prepare Milton. This year this off season he spent a lot of time stretching and flexibility. And beyond shutting routes how to twist this season he's he's been really good and he puts a lot of pressure from defense is with his ability to run and and come off screens so. You know guys like he and Kirk. They have to go to pay attention their bodies and take care of it I got a lot of confidence in -- obviously you there's nothing do about injuries we format in the past and all players can do is take care of themselves and put themselves in position to be healthy and hopefully they say healthy. I was pretty severe ankle injury that took him have him in the playoffs. He's look what he's been running the floor pretty well pre season what's your take time out there. PI and he's been terrific. You know you look at. When he gave us last year and the you know I still think back to affiliate when he hurt himself. And he tried to come back and play and anybody saw that injury I mean you know yeah I mean he went all the way over on that thing and for him that. It says everything about him as one of the reasons that that you know we we feel so. So good about Joseph came -- and what he brings to doubles is because of that heart that he has. And and he's getting better and better spent a lot of time this summer improved trying to improve his game you're spending time with -- you know Kareem is. Well documented and that he's. They're great heart and I think he's gonna and he's ever really good year. Getting back to rip you know obviously did a Latin offseason to really try to no creative bounce back season -- -- Maybe he's not the same rip Hamilton we saw a couple of years ago with the Pistons when he was an all star. But -- -- and use them rip can know be a primary option for you guys and be a consistent guys if he stays healthy to see. Or more -- and I you know the the thing is what it last year was was such difficult year you know when we brought repair. It was the lockout year lockout descended we had a short. Can't anyway he he missed a good portion of that. And then you know we thrown right into games and it probably wasn't fair to him and and had the injuries and that this was such a disjointed a year. This summer he's he's paid attention to his body and he spent a lot of time you know with the flexibility in great shape he always this. And the thing that I really like about -- still. Very good at coming off screens and -- with speed and you know the ability to catch and square up and shoot and that puts pressure on the defense. And that's the thing we've seen pre season with him Kirk is you know crooks are very willing to throw the ball ahead. Rips a real good -- -- and wherever throw up and you know did an offense quickly so those are little things that that I think we're brings the table and but he got so much for it depends on our Helton and we you have stay healthy. When you look at who you hired at UK coach. Every year we see 510 different changes of coaches what was it about com as an assistant that has translated being so wildly successful well I think preparation and continuity of if you just he does the same thing every day. And his work ethic and beyond compare I mean you guys will come in the building at 9 o'clock and I sometime he's -- there. So I I think his his work ethic his love for the game. Those are all the things that that kind of signaled what he's about and were lucky to have. If you laws are being asked slugger broke me through this holiday and he does I don't know I thought I focused and. Yeah slugger who'll surprise -- how lost I know is is the pre season McMillan always kind of struggled at the start here. -- you saw -- can contribute a little other others besides shot making but primarily that's one of the big reasons why he signed him. Yes. You know we talked a minute ago about some landing in new players friend. -- Lou -- one guy that has struggled in terms of finding. You know kind of is offense for -- you know what Nate Robinson has come in and you know been terrific with his energy you know this isn't -- -- has -- minute -- ability makes shots you know those are things we need because. If there's an area where you know you you have some turn -- in our ability to score consistently. So we need Marco and know that I haven't played I would say to myself all the needs a couple good games -- a couple games for comes out makes couple shots kind of finds his rhythm and -- up and yes exactly I mean of those kind of things. And he's a very good player I I think he's just had a tough time kind of -- right now. That little thing had a fascinating summer represented his country at the Olympics. Comment in their little -- -- at the end of last season about how to do proceed with his wrist injury and for the knees surgery -- wouldn't and that big debate ensued. How did you watch the Olympics and and a what would you say in terms of where he is health wise and also just isn't in the fact his decisions. Q do you feel very firm and a -- respected that and them looks like that you know he. Seen the made the right yeah and you know it. We wait a long time to represent London and you think about this history and how we got over there and what that meant to his family so. He he had every right to to participate in and we're glad he did I mean. We always worry about injuries with guys -- car that's certainly you know that that's how it is and and its fit convene the difference between success and failure. But. Lose a pro and he's he's handled. Everything with us with class. He's been as a -- for pro for a for a lot of years so. We need him yet again it goes back to our team we need each guy to play his role. We need blue you know like last night you know is a great line and in our pre season game he he he we need that from him and there but he's proven over the top over time and Tom I was really happy for him and all of us were proud of him to be able represented. You know London and in the Olympics and for that to be there in that and you know. It in London itself. What a great opportunity for him. Kasey mentioned Marco and how he struggled a little -- on and off and on the side that equation you've got like Nazr Mohamed 35 years old. Know people he didn't play that must what's in the last season Oklahoma City I think some people kind of wrote them off a little bit how pleased with you how pleased are you the way he's playing so far. How incredibly I mean you. In this position a lot of times you know like car and I will sit and talk and if you. You come across -- I mean like the most professional guys and in the world and Ozzie is one of those guys he takes care of himself. He knows how to play. And as you seen in pre season and he can make that spot -- he's crafty those type things and you know having lost -- -- which was you know big loss for us because we did you know we felt we invest a lot of lot in him. You know we needed two find a replacement. In Nazis being great and he'll be really good -- locker room. You know we we feel good now their bigs you know because we got Carlos we got Joseph team we've got Taj. And now we got Nazr and that we think are very rotations pretty sound weird things stand with -- from the time he's been there for the open talk about contract well I know guard mark are -- -- agent have met several times and we have a week left. I'm sure there and many more and obviously we'd like get something done and I know -- -- too and you know until it's not done you remain optimistic that will get done. You have had a number of different roles broadcasters. Assistant. Scouts I was only assistant for very short time -- 72 intent was our record I -- so I that I that I was easy so you read that you had every kind of job you do you like what you're doing now do you miss. More at the data dates of -- -- you're happy with not mom I'm in the right role for myself and you know I've gone I work very closely together. On the fact I've had longevity with the Bulls. Just been here since 85 in some capacity that paid fifty -- for you have had Jerry Krause and that is stepped up tonight -- coming out of San Antonio. But. -- -- on first and incredible for me then very very loyal and you know so this this is it's a proper role for me my I think my value lies and been able to work with car. You know we try to make the best decisions for look for the Bulls organization every day and that's central bottom line thank you for being here tossing the Bulls they can go ahead of the courts that.