Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman made an ambiguous response Tuesday night to rumors about the status of coach Vinny Del Negro.

An internet report said late Sunday that the Bulls had decided to fire Del Negro as soon as they find a suitable replacement.

"Vinny is our coach, our goal is to get better each and every day," Forman said in a meeting with media prior to the Bulls-Indiana Pacers game.

Forman added that the team "are not going to talk about specific articles or rumors that may cross the Internet or the newspaper or TV."

"There is a lot of season left this year," Forman said. "Today we are half a game out of the playoffs with 50-odd games left to play. We like our young core. That doesn't mean we aren't exploring options to make our team better."

The Bulls are 11-17, and pressure on Del Negro grew strongest when the Bulls lost to Sacramento last week after leading by 35 points in the third quarter. Since then, the Bulls have lost at New York and beat New Orleans at home Saturday.

Forman also admitted that there have been things that have gone against the team.

"Up to this point in our season, we have had a number of injuries to our key guys, and have had a very difficult schedule up to this point of the season," said Forman.