"The buoyancy Kirk Hinrich displayed after Thursday's practice in talking about his promotion to the starting lineup contrasted sharply with John Salmons' understandably downbeat nature about his demotion.

Then again, their disparate personalities and playing styles -- Hinrich's hyper hustle vs. Salmons' composed calm -- are a big reason coach Vinny Del Negro made the change, confirming a Tribune report. Taj Gibson also will replace Brad Miller for Saturday's home game against the Hornets.

"I just think it's another ballhandler out there, another pick-and-roll guy," Del Negro said of Hinrich. "Kirk's one of our best defenders, if not our best defender. We can play with a little more thrust or pace with Kirk.

"John and Brad are still going to get minutes, but where we're at right now warrants some kind of change. It's not engraved in stone or a permanent thing. But right now, I just feel that's the direction we need to go."

It's instructive to remember that Hinrich has started 82.4 percent of his 461 career games, although all of those 380 career starts came before this season.

"That doesn't matter because I have a comfort level starting, absolutely," Hinrich told the Tribune. "I feel I play well with that unit. I've played a lot with them (off the bench) anyway. I guess the only difference is bringing energy and aggressiveness at the start.

"Mentally, I feel I can get my offense going a little bit and help us in that department. Coming off the bench is an adjustment trying to get your offense going.""