:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20678691/20130303_ajw_ss1_448.0.jpg)
The Indiana Pacers host the Chicago Bulls, including the expected return of Derrick Rose, on Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to tip off the NBA preseason.
As expected, Frank Vogel confirmed on Friday that he plans to start Lance Stephenson, which keeps the starting unit from last season intact for at least one game. Danny Granger will also be in the mix, and as you can hear in the Indysportslegends.com video below, Vogel expects Granger to play about half of the game.
Nice. That should be a solid chunk of playing time for Granger's return to the court which from this vantage point, is far more interesting than Rose's return. Of course, much of the NBA-loving world will be focused on Rose, which should make for an interesting atmosphere at the Fieldhouse.
Here's a nice clip of Vogel's comments following Friday's workout.
Check out the rest of the links:
Video: Vogel, George talk about returns of Derrick Rose, Danny Granger - IndySportsLegends.com
Vogel mixing and matching | Pacers Blogs
Returns of Granger, Rose create rare exhibition event - 1070 The Fan
Granger Hoping to Silence Skeptics | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Bulls injury update: Joakim Noah out for preseason opener, Kirk Hinrich plans to play - Blog a Bull
Chicago Bulls: Watch for Derrick Rose-Kirk Hinrich pairing - chicagotribune.com
Bulls training camp 2013: starters get "planned rest", scrubs get waived - Blog a Bull
Joakim Noah out several preseason games with groin inury - CBSSports.com
Video: Bulls' Noah on missing Saturday's game -- chicagotribune.com
Indiana Pacers are paying the cost to not quite be the boss - SBNation.com
Derrick Rose of Chicago Bulls says there's no holding back in his return - ESPN Chicago
Roy Hibbert's Team USA chances bleak - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN
Kiszla: Nuggets will play smashmouth basketball from now on - The Denver Post