Duhon takes blame for oversleeping
The Bulls suspended Duhon for their game against San Antonio on Monday, and Duhon said he likely will find out today whether they will fine him or dock his pay for the game -- which comes to $36,878.05, one-eighty-second of his $3.024 million salary.
''I think it's an unpaid one; I'm pretty sure it might be,'' Duhon said of the day off. ''I overslept and just have to deal with the consequences. The team expects you to be there, so I understand. You just have to man up, take full responsibility and make sure it doesn't happen again.''
Coach Scott Skiles said he was disappointed that he had to discipline one of his players, particularly because the Bulls have had a reputation of not having to deal with off-court concerns.
''We have team rules and team policy that we all abide by,'' Skiles said. ''The season's too long and there are too many games and there are too many players to be a grudge-holder or anything. But there are always some team rules, and to keep the integrity of the team at a high level, you've got to abide by it.
''For instance, when I first came into the league, we were fined $50 for every play we didn't know during the game. They'd just look at the tape and say, 'That's $50, $50, $50.' In today's dollars, maybe that's $500, and I'm sure guys wouldn't do that.''
Duhon believes Skiles will put the incident behind both of them.
''That's the type of guy he is,'' Duhon said. ''He's hard-nosed, and no matter who you are, the rules apply to everybody. It's something we talk about at the beginning of the year, that there's no tolerance and it goes for everybody. You just have to take responsibility and take the punishment that comes with it.''
NOTES: Bulls coach Skiles could have his two favorite football teams playing for the NFL championship.
''I grew up a Bears fan and became a Colts fan when they moved to Indianapolis,'' said Skiles, a native of Indiana. ''So it's a possible Bears and Colts Super Bowl, and I'll go with the Bears on that one because I grew up a Bears fan.''
• • Guard Andre Barrett was excused Monday because of the flu.