The Bulls spent the past three days trying to acclimate three new players ? Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Jermaine Jackson ? to their system.

There were at least two perspectives on the difficulty of the adjustment the three former Knicks have faced.

?The thing that?s been very evident is how hard our guys play compared to guys from other programs,? coach Scott Skiles said. ?We practice hard, we prepare hard, and we play hard. Our guys are now in the habit of doing that.

?Sometimes when we pick up other guys or sign another guy in the middle of the season or something, they?re caught a little off guard by how we do it.?

Thomas said he could tell last season how hard the Bulls play and didn?t think it was difficult at all to match his new teammates? intensity at practice. Thomas feels he has had it tough because he?s trying to learn both forward positions.

?It?s kind of difficult on guys that are as talented as I am ...(that) can play different positions on the court, because coach wants to use you in all those situations the best as he can,? Thomas said. ?You need to know each and every set. Once I get it down, I?ll be OK.?