Tim Floyd says he's tired of answering the same old questions. Charles Oakley says the NBA exhibition season is "a joke." And fans are bracing for the worst?again.

Ready or not, the regular season is set to begin Wednesday night for the Bulls, who rallied for a 110-106 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday in front of an announced crowd of 16,250 at the United Center.

The Bulls, who open the season at home against the Indiana Pacers, wound up 3-5 in the preseason, ending a five-game losing streak.

Oakley, the veteran forward, says he doesn't put much stock in exhibition games.

"A lot of teams don't respect preseason," said Oakley. "It's a joke now ... a lot of guys sit out. Some guys say they are hurt. Then come Wednesday , the guy is well all of a sudden. This whole league is a joke if you ask me."