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Training camp is past with the two-a-day practices. There are no more relatively meaningless preseason games. It’s a normal 82-game season. Yes, it’s time to begin the regular season for the Bulls Wednesday in the United Center against the Sacramento Kings. And while everyone is relieved, perhaps no one will be more so than Taj Gibson.

Because once the Bulls …

I must admit I have trouble asking men about certain parts of their anatomy. Well, women, too.

But as the fearsome and fearless if not feckless journalist and prober, all questions must be considered.

So here we go again about Kirk Hinrich’s groin tweak.

I still flinch writing it.

In any case, as expected Hinrich sat out Friday’s final preseason …

After all those mostly underperforming “M’s,” — Minnesota, Milwaukee and Memphis — the Bulls get a look at a real contender Tuesday at the United Center, the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though mostly overshadowed by the Lakers and their high profile additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, most around the NBA still consider the Thunder the favorites …

So how do you like me now, Carlos Boozer might have been saying Friday night in the Bulls’ 92-81 preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Boozer didn’t say anything of the sort as he doesn’t much speak that way. But it was the kind of game—24 points, mostly with strong post moves, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals—that many …

Taj Gibson may be the Bulls, at least the Bulls without Derrick Rose.

“It’s up to us to fill in the blank spots and recover for what we lost and do what we need to do,” Gibson said as with the Bulls also preparing to host the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday at the United Center in the team’s fourth preseason game. …

When the Bulls took the court and opened the preseason against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday at the United Center, they did so with a different look.

The most significant change, of course, was that Derrick Rose remains on the sideline as he rehabs a torn ACL. With Rose out, Kirk Hinrich started at point guard in his return to …

It didn’t appear like the Bulls would able to count on Luol Deng this season.

Deng seemed to be facing wrist surgery. Nevertheless, he was playing in the Olympics, which produced some tension between he and management. There were trade rumors.

But as the Bulls prepare to open the preseason Tuesday at the United Center against the Memphis Grizzlies, Deng …

Maybe this 2012-13 Bulls season, or at least the part until and whether Derrick Rose can return to play, will and should be known as “Booz and Rip unchained.”

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Carlos Boozer said. “I did a lot of things this summer. I’ve got a lot to show.”

Added Richard Hamilton: “I probably have to …

The NBA officially opens its season, as it did Monday, with so-called “media day,” which is not unlike baseball in February. You know, when the Cubs believe they can win a World Series and Ozzie Guillen isn’t going to say or do anything stupid this year.

It’s the time when anything is possible, and sometimes it is.

So why can’t …

It’s been 203 days since that discouraging, draining May 26 night in the United Center. But now: They’re back!

The Bulls Friday again play NBA basketball, the first of two preseason games before the opening of the labor-shortened, 66-game season Christmas Day against the Lakers. The Bulls Friday visit the Indiana Pacers, whom they defeated in a rugged five game …