Bulls notes

Luol Deng returned Monday from a three-game absence because of a hamstring injury. He didn't start for the first time this season and scored two points on 1-for-5 shooting in 16 minutes. Said coach Vinny Del Negro: ''If you put him in the starting lineup, and all of a sudden in five minutes he's struggling, it could throw the rhythm off of the other guys.'' Deng admitted his rhythm was off. ''I was very rusty,'' he said. ''I just really couldn't get it going. Hamstring-wise, I'm glad I went out there. I didn't feel anything.'' ... How much is Joakim Noah's lack of conditioning a problem 14 games into the season? He waved to the bench to be taken out only nine minutes after the opening tip Monday. And Noah played only 19 minutes Sunday at Denver. Noah played 16 1/2 minutes Monday, none in the fourth quarter, and scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds. ... Even with the inconsistent play of Noah and Tyrus Thomas, Drew Gooden downplayed questions about the lack of production of his younger ... (link)