Good article recently in the Chicago Tribune on Bulls veteran Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich, who has started the past several years at point guard for the Bulls. However, when the Bulls drafted the talented Derrick Rose with their #1 overall pick, Hinrich was out of the starting lineup. Although it has been a tough transition on him, he has handled it all with class & a team first attitude:"Kirk is a starter in this league," guard Ben Gordon said. "He's handled [coming off the bench] well, and that just shows what kind of pro he is. It says a lot about his character."He's still a very, very good player, regardless of the circumstances. He's not going to complain. He's going to do his job every day."
Hinrich has started just two games this season after starting 96.7 percent of his games in his first five seasons. For the first time this season, Hinrich dropped his guard about the difficulty of accepting a reserve role.
"It's been challenging at times trying to stay with it," he acknowledged. "I've been playing well but in somewhat limited minutes."It's a different mind-set coming off the bench. You try to bring energy and give your team a lift. As a starter, you know you're going to play more minutes, and it's more getting off to a good start in both halves and finishing games strong. But if you play long enough in this league, you probably have to be able to do both."
Hinrich said Rose's ability and humility have helped him accept his role.
"Derrick is a heck of a player," Hinrich said. "It's also been easier to handle because we've been playing so much better. When the team plays together and we execute and play hard, it definitely makes it easier."
Executives, teammates and others around the team acknowledge Hinrich's more assertive leadership this season. That has afforded Del Negro the luxury of knowing Hinrich won't create waves over his new role."
He's a pro," Del Negro said. "It's not about personal accolades. It's about understanding what's best for the team. He works as hard as anybody. I knew he'd be prepared because he always is."
