Chicago Bulls Notes, Quotes 2009-01-29 News Chicago Bulls

--Guard Derrick Rose was officially tabbed to participate in the rookie-sophomore game during All-Star weekend in Phoenix, joining the likes of Miami forward Michael Beasley and Memphis guard O.J. Mayo on what should be a powerful team. Rose also confirmed that he's agreed to participate in the skills competition, which in the past has featured four guards dashing through a sort of basketball obstacle course. Utah's Deron Williams won last year's event, while the sophomores are riding a six-game winning streak over the rookies. "It's going to be a fun experience," Rose said. "This is going to be our first time participating in the All-Star weekend, so it's going to be nothing but fun there."

--During a recent five-game losing streak, four of the losses came by five points or less. That track record put a focus on the Bulls' recent failures in late-game situations. Rookie Derrick Rose usually has the ball in his hands late in games and he missed twice with a chance to win Sunday's game at Minnesota, which the Bulls eventually lost 109-108 in overtime. "As a team, we haven't executed as well lately," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "It's not one person's fault or one particular players' fault, it's a team. There are options (for Rose). All your plays have three or four options in them. We're getting to kind of one or two. We have to get to the third or fourth and make plays."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Knowing the rookies this year, there are some real competitive guys that are playing. We're going to try to win it, nothing less." -- Guard Derrick Rose, looking forward to playing in the rookie-sophomore game during All-Star weekend.