''He didn't practice,'' Del Negro said. ''He had breakfast and did a few other things.''

Rim shot, please.

Both players were injured in the Bulls' first preseason game on Oct. 2 and were listed as day-to-day. Neither is expected to play tonight when the Bulls face the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center.

With more than two weeks to go before the regular-season opener Oct.29 against the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center, there's no sense of urgency to get both players back on the court just yet -- but don't try convincing Rose of that.

''It's killing me right now because this is the longest I've ever sat out with any injury,'' he said. ''I want to get out there playing, but they're being cautious.

''Being on the sidelines during practice is boring. I want to be out there playing.''

Rose, who has an ankle injury, said he has started on a special treadmill that reduces the runner's body weight and expected to get back on the court sometime this week.

Thomas, who is nursing a hip injury, is on the same timetable.

BUSY WEEK

Until now, the Bulls' preseason games have been spaced out, with three days between each of the previous three games. But that changes starting tonight.

After facing the Bucks in a rematch of Saturday's 98-86 loss in Green Bay tonight, the Bulls fly to Minnesota and play the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. After a practice day on Thursday, they host the Washington Wizards on Friday night at the UC.

''You always want practice time, but they're scheduled, we have to go back-to-back,'' Del Negro said. ''It's not a long flight to Minnesota, so that's a plus.

''I'd like to get our bodies healthy and try to gear up as we move forward a little bit later in training camp. We'll play hard [tonight] and get after it against Minnesota.''

ROOKIE TREATMENT

Because Rose was a starter and such a key player last season as a rookie, the veterans took it easy on him as far as rookie hazing. He didn't have to perform many of the menial and humiliating tasks usually given to first-year players.

The Bulls players apparently are making up for it with two victims (err, rookies) on the roster this season.

Part of the official gear for each of the team's first-round picks -- James Johnson and Taj Gibson -- is a pink backpack that is very popular among grade- school girls. Johnson has a Dora the Explorer model.

''I had it easy last year,'' Rose said. ''[Sunday] was Jannero [Pargo's] son's birthday and they made them wear like Spiderman costumes and stuff, so I feel bad for them this year.''