Our movement around the floor was not as sharp as it has been. We did a lot of stumbling around out there tonight.

Occasionally, I may say something to see if I can get a response. Certainly, they responded, not that I want to take any credit for a comment like that. Each time they could have faded away, they found a way to come back and get after it again.

It's not only that we talk to them. The league does a good job, and the players association, of going through all that at the beginning of the year. The players have union meetings where that's discussed.

[Bulls center Eddy Curry looks fitter than ever, and it's not just because he's sporting a new mini 'fro hairstyle. The 6-foot-11 man-child worked out most of the summer with personal trainer Tim Grover and showed up for camp at his listed 285, some 20 pounds lighter than he finished last season.] He's in the best shape of his pro career, ... We're excited about it. Hopefully he can settle in now and work on his game and have a great year.

Without him, I find myself stumbling and in the dark…. Loving him so much and not having him with me is the hardest thing I've ever done.

I would never commit ahead of time that he wasn't going to play. I would hate to tell somebody they're not going to play or their minutes would be limited, then all of a sudden 6 minutes into the game put him out there. That wouldn't be fair. I think it's better that he stayed ready, but unfortunately he didn't get in.