--It seemed to be a minor coaching decision when rookie C Aaron Gray was added to the starting lineup for the season finale against Toronto to replace a delayed Joakim Noah. All Gray did was pile up 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first quarter, then barely miss recording the Bulls' first 20-20 game in four years. The 7-footer from Pittsburgh finished with 19 points and 22 boards while playing a career-high 35 minutes in the Bulls' 107-97 victory.

"I just have to be ready to play whenever I am called on, whether it is eight minutes or 30 minutes," he said after the game. "(Wednesday night), it was tough out there the last few minutes."

--G Kirk Hinrich does not plan to attend Team USA training camp and will bypass a chance to earn a spot on the Olympic team because his wife, Jill, is expecting the couple's first child. Hinrich played a significant role on the United States team that finished third at the FIBA World Championships in Japan two years ago.

After a couple of point guards were added to the roster, Hinrich left the national team following a mini-camp last summer and passed on a chance to battle for a spot on the Olympic qualifying team.

"It wasn't like I was upset about anything. It just wasn't working out for me," he said. "This summer, it definitely wouldn't work out for me."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"If something changes, it's a part of the business. One thing I've learned is you have to develop tough skin and you have to roll with the punches. I think everybody's expecting something to change. It's going to be interesting." -- G Ben Gordon, looking ahead to the off-season after the Bulls finished with a disappointing 33-49 record.

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