It didn't take Darius Songaila long to earn his place in the Bulls' starting lineup.
Bulls coach Scott Skiles used Songaila at power forward Tuesday night against Memphis in the Bulls' 95-88 exhibition loss at the United Center.
"He's played well enough to warrant it, for sure," Skiles said before the game. "I'd like to see what he can do to start the game."
Skiles, and an announced crowd of 16,732, saw Songaila score a team-high 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting. He also grabbed eight rebounds, another team high. The first-year Bull, who late in the summer signed as a free agent after playing his first two NBA seasons with Sacramento, played 27 minutes.
"He's done a bunch of things well, just in limited minutes," Skiles said. "He's going to be physically overmatched, I guess you could say. Guys are going to be taller than him. He's played that position anyway. I wanted to give him a fair look."
The 6-foot-8-inch Songaila also is expected to start in the Bulls' final exhibition game Wednesday night at Minnesota. The Bulls are 3-4 going in.
"It's always good to know the coach has enough confidence to put you in the starting lineup, especially when you're coming into a new system," Songaila said.
Songaila is as pleased with his playing time as Michael Sweetney is with his. Sweetney was acquired along with Tim Thomas from New York in the Eddy Curry trade.
Sweetney, who turned 23 Tuesday, scored 15 points in 21 minutes. Skiles used him off the bench and started Songaila in his place.
