'01 EC200 Front Rim Question

[Hapnin]

Hello all. New here and a new GasGas owner. Actually I'm a first time dirtbike owner as well so please excuse my "rookie" questions.

I recently bought a 01 ec200 and the front rim needs new bearings (which I have on hand) and it was also missing at least 3 spokes. I'm sure this had something to do with the wore out bearings. I've never replaced spokes on anything before so I'm looking for some guidence. Are the nipples tightened until the spokes 'bottom out'? And I assume that I would just work my way around the rim in a criss cross pattern or what? There doesn't seem to be any real damage to the rim itself so I figure this would be my starting point to see if I need a new rim. Am I headed in the right direction?

Thanks for any help and thanks to those responsible for creating this site. Hope to be around here for a while.

Steve.