Captain Kirk again
BULLS | Hinrich, Deng, Hunter selected for leadership roles
Although the roster has undergone many changes, the one constant in the Bulls' locker room the last few years is Kirk Hinrich being named a team captain after the annual players' vote.
Hinrich, Luol Deng and Lindsey Hunter were the top vote-getters in this year's election and will serve as captains for the upcoming season.
(John J .Kim/Sun-Times)
''It's something I try to take seriously,'' Hinrich said. ''It's something to have your teammates vote for you to be a leader of the team and I just try to do as much as I can to try to fulfill that role.''
The most obvious role of a captain is to meet with the officials at midcourt before a game, but there are other duties that change from team to team and year to year.
''It's always different,'' Hinrich said. ''You just try to have a feel for things. You've got to know when to say things and you always try to lead by example.
''We've got a lot of young guys. We're trying to bring them along as quickly as possible and I just try to set an example every day. For me, I try to set an example by playing hard, bringing energy and trying to play the right way.''
Mostly, though, he's focused this season on bouncing back from the worst of his six NBA seasons. Hinrich was limited to 51 games because of a thumb ligament injury that required surgery and established career lows in points (9.9) assists (3.9) and minutes (26.3).
His new role as sixth man and first guard off the bench may not allow him to match his career high of 16.6 points during the 2006-07 season, but the Bulls definitely need Hinrich to score more than he did last season.
''I still feel very confident in my ability,'' he said. ''No matter that I'm coming off the bench. I still feel I can play very well in this league and accomplish things, so I'm just excited to have the opportunity coming forward. We're all excited for Thursday.''
After the disappointment and uncertainty of the last couple of seasons, Hinrich is optimistic the Bulls can resume their climb up the Eastern Conference standings.
''We can definitely make a step up in the East,'' he said. ''It's not gonna be easy, but a good, solid goal for us would be trying to get homecourt [in the first round of the playoffs].
''But we have to start out the season good. We have a tough, tough early schedule and kind of traditionally we've been slow starters around here. That can't be the case. We have to get off to a good start.
''Hopefully, we can make a step forward to really where we want to be.''