Lindsey Hunter might be one of the only people in the United Center who is not totally consumed with excitement.

The 17-year veteran has been through so many opening-night festivities over the years that the routine has started to become routine.

"It's not the fact that it gets old," Hunter told me before the game. "It's just you're so accustomed to it that you treat it just like every other night. You prepare the same way. There are no surprises anymore.

"You just can't wait to get the ball thrown up and get this season going. I think as a team you're so eager to try to get back to the playoffs, that you start trying to fast forward [everything]. It's important for us to try to take it one game at a time and stay focused and try to become a great team."

Bulls head coach Vinny Del Negro feels the same way. He just has a few goals for his team as they get set to face off against the Spurs.

"Play hard," Del Negro said of his expectations. "Get after it defensively. Build on what we did in the preseason. Rebound the ball better -- we have some more size with Luol [Deng] being back and John [Salmons] at the two. We have some more options. More depth, more versatility which is always positive, even though a couple of those guys are young. They've been productive in preseason and we'll see if they can turn it all over to the regular season"

Rose watch: Del Negro reiterated that the Bulls would take a wait-and-see approach as it pertains to Derrick Rose's minutes tonight.

"It's a long season," Del Negro said. "I'll try to limit his minutes as best I can and see where we end up."

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