Eddie Robinson's silver Bentley was parked in a handicapped spot at the Berto Center Sunday, sitting alongside the gutted wreckage of what was his enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

Hobbling on a fractured left toe that's likely to require surgery and a six- to eight-week rehabilitation period, Robinson chose not to speak with reporters.

But coach Tim Floyd will take the podium today at the Bulls' Tip-Off Luncheon, and he'll try to encourage fans who weren't that optimistic even with Robinson healthy.

''Not good at all, not good at all,'' Floyd said after practice Sunday.

Robinson will have the toe re-evaluated today, but Floyd can't afford to wait for further test results. With Ron Artest out another eight weeks with a surgically repaired right ring finger, Floyd will have no true small forward on his roster when the Bulls open the season Wednesday by hosting the Indiana Pacers.

''It sets you back a little bit,'' Floyd understated. ''It certainly looks more like last year's roster with [Ron Mercer at shooting guard, Fred Hoiberg at small forward and Brad Miller at center].''