Joakim Noah likes the Bulls’ chances despite the expected loss of Derrick Rose for most of next season.

"I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks, but I know he's working really hard at getting back as soon as possible," Noah said. "Obviously, it was a tough break for us, but we're going to bounce back.

"Right now, people are sleeping on us, and we're all right with that. We know at the end of the day, come playoff time, we'll be ready to go."

The Bulls lost two of their top defenders, Ronnie Brewer and Omer Asik, to free agency.

"I'm just focused right now on what I can do to help the team," Noah said when asked if he's concerned the Bulls didn't improve. "Obviously, we've lost some pieces. We've added some pieces. It's exciting.

"We've gone through a little bit of adversity, but I think we're a team full of fighters. That's what I love about Chicago, about the Bulls."