Del Negro declined a request through a team spokesman to address the issue further. Reached outside the Berto Center, Gordon said the incident was no longer an issue and he had no problems with Del Negro.

Gordon did not curse his coach directly but used profanity to emphasize his frustration, believing he had been falsely accused of the transgression.

Minutes earlier, frustration and disappointment were the main topics of questioning for Del Negro and his players. That's because general manager John Paxson thoroughly and specifically had detailed Thursday what he believes plagues the 18-25 Bulls, most emphatically poor defense and lack of offensive trust.

Any critical assessment Paxson gave voice to, including pointing a finger inward, already had been shared with Del Negro in their daily meetings.

"Of course -- we talk every day," Del Negro said. "What did he say that was so bad? Who isn't disappointed? I'm disappointed. The players are disappointed. There's nothing wrong with [saying the Bulls aren't very good right now].

"No one likes to lose. But we're preparing. We're organized. We're trying to get better. What are you going to do, sulk or go to work? I'm going to go to work. That's the way I work."

Del Negro said critics can evaluate him as much as they want and if "you're not willing to handle the fire, then you shouldn't do this job." He also addressed the team's poor defense, which ranks 24th in allowing 102.3 points per game.

"You have to get better defensively by working at it, controlling the paint," Del Negro said. "We haven't done that consistently. We're young up front. That has a lot to do with it. Drew [Gooden] has been out. That hasn't helped.

"The packages we're doing defensively are what every team does. There are no hidden miracle offenses or defenses. It's how you execute it and how you practice it. I'll put my staff up with any other staff as far as organization and practices and experience. The players have to learn to transfer what they learn in practice to the games. Sometimes it goes through them. Sometimes it doesn't.

"Our mistakes are coming at the end of games, which have hurt us. The frustration builds. But the guys have a good mind-set."

Asked if players listen to Del Negro, rookie Derrick Rose offered a detailed answer.

"I know a lot of us do," Rose said. "The people who are not, coaches are trying to get to them and talk to them and have meetings with them. I'm talking about during the games. Like, following game plans. I'm not saying players are being rebellious or doing it their way. It's just miscommunication on the court."

Luol Deng said a spate of injuries has hurt chemistry and defined roles.

"I just don't feel we're all on one page in terms of injuries and guys coming back and guys not knowing what's going on," Deng said. "We have to do a better job.

"Like when we played the Spurs, you see the difference with guys knowing their roles going into each game. To be a successful team, that's what we have to get into. Once we do that, we'll execute even better.

"It's easy to point fingers when something goes wrong. I know I haven't played well. A lot of us haven't. You have to look at yourself first."

Gooden visited a specialist for his strained left groin Thursday and the timetable for his return is uncertain but could be lengthy.

"My mind-set is every day I come in and do my job and work hard and try to get this young team developed," Del Negro said. "You need a lot of talent and dedicated guys. And when you have young guys who have had as many injuries as we've had, there are going to be inconsistencies. That's just part of the business. Defensively, we're getting a little better. I feel good about stuff.

"As bad as things are, we're not that far out of the playoffs. If we can get better in some areas and get on a roll, we're right there. I'm more optimistic than a lot of people because I know how hard the guys have worked."

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ASK K.C. JOHNSON

Do you think there is any chance that John Paxson could take over for Vinny Del Negro as the head coach of the Bulls, a la Kevin McHale? It seems to be working well in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves are in a similar position of trying to evaluate talent during a rebuilding year. Remember that Michael Jordan did offer Paxson a shot at the head-coaching position for the Wizards in 2001. And where better to evaluate the talent to build around Derrick Rose than as the head coach?

Michael Noh, Wilmette

That certainly would make Sunday's road game in Minnesota more interesting. However, Paxson long has stated he has no desire to coach. It's why he turned Jordan down then and why your theory now, while entertaining, won't happen. Paxson served as an assistant for one season under Phil Jackson and discovered he didn't like the lifestyle or job.

For more answers to readers' questions, go to chicago tribune.com/askkc

kcjohnson@tribune.com