"If the Bulls want the perfect excuse to alter their longstanding ban against wearing headbands for Richard Hamilton, they have precedence in Tyrus Thomas.

The mercurial forward received permission to wear a headband in November 2006 to secure a mask that protected Thomas' broken nose.

"To be honest, that hasn't even come up yet," general manager Gar Forman said. "Rip just got here. We might (allow it) if (the mask is) required.""