Just how much influence does Jerry Krause have in coaching the Bulls? Are they more concerned with winning or development? How eager are they to trade one of their young point guards, particularly Jamal Crawford? Do the Bulls believe Jay Williams is a bust?
Those are some of the questions that could be answered Friday when Williams, the prized No. 2 draft pick, is eligible to come off the injured list. The question is whether Williams will be activated–the Bulls are 3-1 without him. And if he is activated, what becomes of Rick Brunson, his replacement?
Brunson has been the Bulls’ most effective point guard this season, a floor leader who Eddie Robinson says is their best at knowing when to deliver the ball on the fast break. Coach Bill Cartwright has used him extensively in the fourth quarter and at the end of games.
But if Brunson remains active, it presumably would mean reduced playing time for either Williams or Crawford. If Crawford’s time is reduced again, it would decrease his trade value. If Williams’ time is reduced, it would raise questions about whether the Bulls believe they made a mistake in the draft.
“It’s a tough call,” Jalen Rose said. “Look at the way Rick has been playing and what he has brought to the team. He seems to be a guy who helps us win games. He has been effective out there.”
Krause and Cartwright will probably make the decision just before the Bulls play Friday in Portland.
“Rick has played very well,” Krause agreed Tuesday before the Bulls left for a five-game Western Conference trip leading up to the All-Star Game. “Bill and I will talk it over.”
Though it’s a decision on a third point guard, one who hadn’t even played until last week, it could say a lot about the direction of the team.
Brunson is a journeyman who has played in Australia and three years in the CBA. Five NBA teams have cut him, but he has been something of a revelation since replacing Williams on the active roster Jan. 20.
In four games, he is averaging 11.5 points on 65 percent shooting. He has 5.8 assists per game and just one turnover. His 17-point game in the victory over Washington was two off his career high. The Bulls are in their best stretch of the season with Brunson helping them to one of their two road victories, their first victory against Michael Jordan and a win over Houston and Yao Ming.
“I would like to see coach Cartwright make the decision to help the team win,” Brunson said. “If that’s playing Jay or myself or Jamal, that’s fine with me. I told him I’m in his corner. Whatever he wants me to do, I’m willing to do.
“Nothing surprises me in this league. If [I go back on the injured list], I’m not going to run through a wall and go crazy. I’ll just accept it and root these guys home.”
The obvious choice would be to deactivate rookie Lonny Baxter, who hasn’t played in the last six games and has played just 24 minutes and scored 10 points this month.
But that would mean the Bulls will have three point guards for whom Cartwright will have to find playing time. It would probably mean little playing time for Williams or Crawford.
Crawford has averaged just 21.5 minutes per game since Williams was sidelined with his sore ankle. Brunson has averaged almost 26 minutes and has been on the floor for most of the fourth quarter, and it seems likely Cartwright would rely even more on the veteran on the road. Cartwright has made it clear he doesn’t intend to play Williams, Crawford or Brunson as a shooting guard.
Before Williams went on the injured list, Cartwright said he would return Williams to the starting lineup when he is ready. If he does, it likely would mean little time for Crawford. League insiders say the Bulls would like to trade Crawford, but diminished playing time would decrease his value.
Krause could decide to put Brunson back on the injured list and split time between Williams and Crawford, as the Bulls have done all season. But that would be a backhanded way of dictating who plays, which Krause insists he has never done.
“Bill will make the decision who plays,” Krause reiterated Tuesday. “Bill and I will sit down and decide who is on the roster. After that, it’s Bill’s problem.”
Cartwright, in a Zen mood Tuesday, said only that these things have a way of working themselves out.
“Things become clearer as we get closer,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Krause also said he has no trouble with three point guards on the roster.
“I’d rather have the luxury of too many good players than not enough,” he said. “The problem in past years is we didn’t have enough talent. Now we have a plethora of talent at several positions. Until we have a way of solving that, it will stay.”
Krause said he remains confident in Williams, who is shooting 37 percent and averaging 9.5 points. Williams was put on the injured list because he appeared to be losing confidence.
“This is the first time in [his] life he has struggled at anything,” Krause said. “At times we all struggle for the first time. He’s going to fight through it. Jay Williams is a winner. He has a chance to be an outstanding player in this league.”
Williams should be in the starting lineup Friday. The Bulls are betting their future on him. Whether Brunson is backing him up will tell a lot about their plans and whose priorities are the most important.
