"I like facing various challenges and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to come out here and work hard," states Mike Wilks.

September 23, 2004 -- Things are starting to get busy at the Berto Center. Veterans such as Scottie Pippen and Antonio Davis made appearances at the team’s practice facility this week and even though the team’s three rookies missed most of the action while attending the NBA Rookie Transition program, enough players were on hand Wednesday for several five-on-five pick-up games.

Mike Wilks was among those working out in preparation for the team’s upcoming training camp, which officially opens October 5 with two-a-day practice sessions. Wilks, acquired along with Eric Piatkowski and Adrian Griffin for Dikembe Mutombo earlier this month, is part of a backcourt that has no shortage of smaller guards. Wilks knows it’s a huge challenge and that it certainly won’t be easy, but as he told Bulls.com, you can count on him making the most of it.

Bulls.com:
How’s your transition to Chicago gone since the trade?

Mike Wilks:
“Since I’ve gotten here, I’ve just been getting acclimated with the team and I’m really enjoying it so far. We’ve had some good workouts. I’ve been in the weight room; I’ve been working on my conditioning and just scrimmaging. It’s fun because I’m doing what I love to do. So far I really love it here. I’m originally from Milwaukee so I’m a hop, skip and a jump away from home. I’m really looking forward to the season.”

Bulls.com:
What kind of things do you bring to the table for this team?

Wilks:
“I’m one of those hard-nosed point guards. I try to come out and bring some defensive intensity. I try to pick guys up full court and make it hard on the [opposing] point guard. From an offensive standpoint, I’m solid. I just try to take care of the ball, get my teammates shots, and knock down my open shots whenever I get the opportunity.”

Bulls.com:
You’ll be backing up Kirk Hinrich, who comes off a tremendous rookie season. What do you know about Hinrich?

Wilks:
“Kirk has a great game. I’ve watched him a little bit and we played against him this past year when I was with Houston. He’s a great player with an all-around game. He can shoot it, he can handle it, and he can get his teammates the ball. So I’m excited to play with a great point guard like that. Hopefully I can help make him better.”

Bulls.com:
Have you had a chance to talk with John Paxson or Scott Skiles about the role they hope you will fill here in Chicago?

Wilks:
“We haven’t gone into depth yet. Right now I’m just focusing on working out and getting acclimated and getting familiar with each other. They tell me that they are excited to have me here and I’m very excited to be here. I’m very thankful for this opportunity.”

Bulls.com:
What’s your impression of the Bulls’ young big men?

Wilks:
“I think Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry have a great upside and a lot of potential. I know they both like to get up and down the court and run. As a point guard, I want to push the ball to give them an opportunity to get some easy baskets. I think they are tremendously talented.”

Bulls.com:
How do you feel about playing with some of the other guys on the roster? There’s speculation that he may retire, but today, Scottie Pippen was in for a workout.

Wilks:
“It’s a great opportunity. I grew up watching Scottie Pippen and now maybe I’ll have the opportunity to play along side him, a true champion. It’s a tremendous honor. I’m looking forward to hopefully learning a lot from him, watching how he goes up and down the court, seeing how he plays the game, and learning how he communicates with his teammates so I can try to grow as a player. I’m also very impressed with Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. We have a young team, but it is a talented team. So far I’m impressed by guys’ work ethic. We’re coming in at nighttime and getting shots up on our own. When we’re doing conditioning drills, guys are going hard. I believe that the guys here are hungry and hopefully we can make a statement this year.”

Bulls.com:
The Bulls roster is full of smaller guards. Besides Hinrich and Gordon, you’ll be competing against Frank Williams, Chris Duhon and Jannero Pargo, not only for a roster spot, but for playing time. What is your mentality heading in to training camp as it approaches?

Wilks:
“I’m thankful for any opportunity I get. Coming out of college at Rice, a small Division I school, I was an undrafted, small, 5-11 player. People didn’t believe in me. So all my life, growing up in the inner city, I’ve faced adversity and had people tell me I couldn’t do certain things. I like facing various challenges and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to come out here and work hard. I tell myself to be the best Mike Wilks that I can be, to come out and work hard, have a great attitude, and do what the coaches say. I want to make my teammates better and be a good teammate. However the chips fall from there, at the end of the day I’ll know I gave it my best and I can walk away with my head up high.”

Bulls.com:
John Paxson and Scott Skiles worked this summer to change the culture that surrounds this team. They seem to be working towards acquiring defensive-minded, team-oriented guys. Do you fit that bill?

Wilks:
“I think so. I like to pick up the ball [on defense] full court, hustle and do the little things out there. Sometimes that can be the difference between winning and losing. I feel like we have a group of guys that are willing to do those little things so I’m looking forward to this season. I’m excited because this is a group that appears as if they are going to work hard. They’ve been working hard so far, on the defensive end as well as on the offensive end. Hopefully it will all pay off.”

- Adam Fluck, Bulls.com