Since nobody took ownership in the waning minutes of Saturday's overtime loss to the Thunder, it followed that nobody took charge with vocal leadership Sunday.

"I don't think that's one of the team's strengths right now," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Our younger guys will develop into that, Derrick [Rose] especially."

It's an old theme with these Bulls, who, even when they were making regular playoff appearances, spoke more with their play than their words. Even when Scott Skiles had the Bulls among the league's defensive elite, players took charges more than they took charge.

"It's tough when you have your captains out," Del Negro said. "But still when you're a captain, no matter if you're in street clothes or not, you have a responsibility and a respect from the players that it has to come from them. It can't always come from me or the coaching staff. As guys take more ownership of the team and understand what leadership and work ethic are all about, guys follow suit."

Indeed, captains Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng are out, though both practiced Sunday. Hinrich even took contact on his surgically repaired right thumb for the first time and might play Thursday or Saturday. Deng might return after missing eight games with a sprained ankle to face Portland.

Drew Gooden has posted three straight double-doubles since returning from his sprained ankle, but recently he talked about how sitting lessened the impact of his words. Gooden takes his leadership seriously, which is why he traveled with the team even while hurt.

But the veteran forward said the energetic practice and optimistic work ethic precluded the need to talk.

"I believe in team meetings," Gooden said. "They've worked in the past. Some have gone well. Some have gone wrong. It's not time right now to push the panic button and have mandatory meetings. Guys know what they need to do. If there's any time where a meeting needs to be called, it will be called."

At least Del Negro followed through on his promise to address the three two-on-one fast breaks the Bulls botched in Saturday's loss, with Larry Hughes twice and Ben Gordon once refusing to pass to an open Rose.

"If they can't make good Basketball decisions, then I'll have to make good coaching decisions and get us to share the ball more," Del Negro said.

Said Gordon: "Just didn't make the right play at the right time."

But the coach acknowledged there is little the Bulls do consistently well on which to fall back.

"We want to get in the open court, share the ball, run pick-and-roll," Del Negro said. "We're also trying to focus on the defense but simplify it. One of the reasons we have to simplify is we've had so many mixed lineups, so many guys in and out.

"When you're doing that, you're changing guys' roles and minutes and substitution patterns and comfort level. That has an effect, especially for a young team."

And now, here comes Portland.

"We haven't played Portland yet, have we?" Del Negro tried to joke. "That wasn't us out there."