There are plenty of guesses as to why injured forward Ron Artest decided to accompany the Bulls to New York for the conclusion of their seven-game trip.

The trip does afford the Queensbridge, N.Y., native an opportunity to see family and friends. Or maybe Artest has watched the rise of rookie Trenton Hassell and is worried his minutes are in jeopardy whenever he returns from having surgery on his right ring finger.

Artest despises flying, so the reason has to be a good one. Or maybe not.

"I'm about ready to come back [in mid-December], so I'm going to start going to all the games and feel like I'm part of the team," Artest said.

That's it? What about Hassell?

"I'm not worried about that at all," Artest said. "I played one-on-one against him every day this summer and knew he was good enough to play. He plays the same way I do; he's just smaller. I like the way he plays."

So does the Bulls' coaching staff. Injuries to Artest and Eddie Robinson have given Hassell an opportunity, and the second-round pick has responded with impressive offensive acumen and the ability to guard more than one position on defense.

Hassell is a 6-foot-5-inch-guard, while Artest is a 6-7 swingman. Artest is known as the Bulls' best perimeter defender, but coach Tim Floyd said Hassell is no slouch in that department either.