Bulls' guard Kirk Hinrich is adjusting to life alongside rookie Derrick Rose this preseason.

Hinrich, who has been Chicago's primary point guard the last five seasons, had just six points and one assist in team's preseason loss Dallas on Thursday.

The adjustment to off-guard won't be an easy one.

"It's more just a comfort thing," Hinrich said. "I feel I can do real good things with the ball. Off the ball, it's just a little more challenging. I have to be a little more precise in everything I do because usually whether I'm running the floor or coming off a pin-down or something, I have a bigger guy on me. That's the main adjustment, just the comfort level."

Hinrich improved in Chicago's second preseason game, recording 13 points in a loss to Indiana on Friday.

Coach Vinny Del Negro is confident in Hinrich's ability to play shooting guard.

"Kirk has a real good feel -- he can guard both positions," Del Negro said. "He's a veteran guy, which helps Derrick. He's been really helpful in practice working with Derrick, which is great. And he can take some of the pressure off his ball-handling, too. He can kind of float, and Derrick finds him. He gets easier baskets at times. So he doesn't always have to control the basketball."

Via Courier News

Chicago Bulls

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