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Rose claims he'll never record a triple-double

Washington rookie point guard John Wall collected a triple-double in his sixth NBA game Wednesday against Houston, finishing with 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

Derrick Rose has played in 177 games, including playoffs, and is still looking for his first triple-double. If Rose can be believed, it will be a long wait.

“That's something I don't think I'll ever get,” Rose said Friday at the Berto Center. “So that's a huge accomplishment (for Wall), especially at a young age.”

Rose and Wall, a couple of point guards taken No. 1 overall in the draft and coached in college by John Calipari, will square off for the first time in the regular season today at the United Center.

The two faced off in the preseason, but it wasn't very eventful. Wall finished with 11 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Rose had 18, 5, and 5 as the Bulls won easily.

“It's fun. Every point guard brings something new,” Rose said of the matchup. “He brings quickness and strength. Tomorrow's going to be an exciting night.”

Before completing his triple-double, Wall reportedly received a pep talk from Magic Johnson, who sat courtside at the game with Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, and watched video of John Stockton.

“Sometimes I get too excited and try to make the spectacular play instead of the simple play,” Wall said after Wednesday's game. “Tonight I did the right thing in making the simple play.”

The idea that Rose will never get a triple-double sounds preposterous, but he might be providing some reasonable insight.

During his Bulls career, the closest Rose came to a triple-double was Game 4 of the Boston playoff series, when he collected 23 points, 9 assists and 11 rebounds in a double-overtime win.

Otherwise, the best he's done is fall three statistical measures short. He had 23 points, 8 assists and 9 rebounds against Indiana on Feb. 22, 2010; 16, 8, 9 against Indiana on Mar. 28, 2009; and 28, 10, 7 in Game 1 of last year's playoffs at Cleveland.

Rose has three double-doubles this season, but his best rebound total is 6.

“It's all about winning games and that's all I'm trying to do right now,” Rose said, “put my team in position to win every time I step on the court.”

Scottie Pippen attends most Bulls home games these days, so maybe he could deliver a Magic-style pep talk for Rose and urge him to get a triple-double. Pippen had 19 in his Bulls career. Michael Jordan isn't known for triple-doubles, but he had 29, including seven in a row in 1989.

Since the championship era ended, the Bulls have had just five triple-doubles two by current Wizards guard Kirk Hinrich and one each from Chris Duhon, Jalen Rose and Jay Williams.

Wall could be a triple-double machine if he can keep up his current pace. Through Thursday's games, Wall led the league in steals at 3.2, while averaging 19.3 points and 9.2 assists.

“For a rookie in the league, it's very, very impressive,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He gets the ball in the open floor, if your defense is not tight, he's in the paint and it just creates havoc.”

Rose said he doesn't know Wall very well off the court. Rose played for Calipari at Memphis, while Wall had the same coach at Kentucky last year.

“It's going to take more than one person to beat us, especially with the type of defense we've been playing,” Rose said. “I think as long we make players do what they don't want to do, I think we'll be all right.”

Bulls still working to improve defense

<P><B>Bulls tipoff</B><P>

<P>Bulls vs. Washington Wizards at the United Center, 7 p.m.</P>

<P><B>TV: </B>Channel 9</P>

<P><B>Radio:</B> WMVP 1000-AM</P>

<P><B>Update:</B>While rookie PG John Wall is producing impressive numbers (19.8 points, 10.2 assists), the Wizards were just 2-4 heading into Friday's home game against Charlotte. Defense has not been a strength, with Washington giving up 106 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 48 percent from the field. Forwards Andray Blatche (17.5 ppg) and Al Thornton (16.0 ppg) are scoring well. Ex-Bull Kirk Hinrich is producing 11.0 points and 3.8 assists in 36 minutes.</P>

<P><B>Next: </B>Tuesday vs. Houston at the Toyota Center, 7:30 p.m.</P>

Mike McGraw