Bogans may end up starting shooting guard for Bulls

The battle for the Bulls' starting nod at shooting guard was expected to be a two-man competition between Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver. But a new candidate -- and perhaps even a new favorite -- has emerged.

While Brewer was sidelined until this week with a sore right hamstring, veteran Keith Bogans stepped in to start the first three preseason games and has been impressive.

''Keith's been around a long time,'' coach Tom Thibodeau said. ''He's started a lot of games in this league, he's a veteran, he's a defense-first guy, he's a tough guy, he knows how to compete, and the team functions well with him on the floor.

''You can't leave him unguarded at the three-point line, so he creates space and allows Derrick to get into some penetration. He's a willing passer [and] he hits the open man, so he's done a good job so far.''

Also in Bogans' favor is his close relationship with Thibodeau.

''I've played for him before, in Houston when he was under Jeff [Van Gundy],'' Bogans said. ''Me and Thibs ... we would always talk basketball. He always liked the way I played, and I always liked Thibs as a coach, even when he was an assistant. He's a head coach now, and I like him even more.''

''A long time ago, I was told I couldn't shoot,'' he said. ''That's something I've worked on in my career and something I still work on today. ... If you ... work on your game, the game will take care of you -- but you have to put the time in."

As for possibly starting, Bogans said he's only concerned about being ready for whatever role he's used in.

''I'm just coming out, I'm practicing every day, I'm playing hard, I'm trying to learn a new system,'' he said. ''[Starting] would be nice, but I'm not totally banking on it. If it happens, it happens; if it doesn't, I'm still going to play the same way.''