With the only known interview for the vacant general manager’s position still unscheduled, John Paxson is left to contemplate the possibilities this Bulls team presents.
Their 26-14 home record is fifth best in the Eastern Conference. Rival coaches and general managers speak favorably about the stockpile of young talent. Eddy Curry is leading the league in field-goal percentage.
And then there are nights like Friday at the United Center.
Tyson Chandler got placed on the injured list with esophagitis, ending his season. Donyell Marshall sat with a right shoulder strain. Eddie Robinson sustained a migraine headache just before tipoff and sat. New Jersey’s Kenyon Martin inadvertently elbowed Jay Williams in the head, drawing blood and opening a three-stitch cut.
Oh, and Marcus Fizer drew a technical foul–in street clothes.
So what.
The depleted Bulls dressed 10 players and still jazzed a sellout crowd of 22,087 with a 95-86 victory over New Jersey, denying the Nets an opportunity to assume the lead in the race for top seed in the Eastern Conference.
With so few options, coach Bill Cartwright started his forbidden backcourt in Jamal Crawford and Williams for the first time. They combined for 33 points and 14 assists, and Crawford’s steal and breakaway dunk with 1 minute 22 seconds remaining served as the exclamation point.
Curry’s 24 points led the Bulls, while Jalen Rose added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
“This was our best win of the year,” Cartwright said. “A lot of teams would’ve quit. We have reasons to–late in the season, out of the playoffs, injured. But our guys are resilient.”
Whomever club Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf hires–and nothing developed Friday to alter Paxson’s status as the leading candidate–will bring a different philosophy than Jerry Krause.
But Friday night suggested the job might entail more tweaking than overhauling.
The Bulls will have their mid-level salary-cap exception available this summer and will be seeking a defensive-minded small forward with solid perimeter skills. A veteran inside presence along the lines of Corie Blount–huge on Friday with nine points and 10 rebounds–is needed again.
And a decision on how to handle the backcourt must be made. Anytime Crawford and Williams play together, they demonstrate at least some potential for a powerful pairing.
“We attacked the basket,” Williams said.
Crawford is eligible for a long-term contract extension, as is Fizer. Both are under contract next season regardless. Whether or not to tie them up long-term is a decision facing the new general manager.
“I want to do a long-term deal here,” Crawford said.
Chandler and Curry eventually will demand maximum salary extensions, which could affect how Fizer and Crawford are handled.
But Crawford also enjoys a close relationship with Chandler and Curry. Keeping him happy could bode well for future negotiations.
Chandler finished with averages of 9.2 points and 6.9 rebounds, up from his rookie year averages of 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. He also shot 53.1 percent, which would’ve ranked fifth league-wide if he had reached the minimum number of 300 field goals.
“He had a great year,” Cartwright said.
Players are hearing the likely scenario of a revamped front office with Paxson and an increased role for B.J. Armstrong, currently scouting in Virginia.
Just as Paxson and Armstrong speak highly of each other, players speak highly of them.
“I know both of them well,” Curry said. “My first choice would obviously be B.J. because I have a real nice relationship with him. But I also have a good relationship with Pax. Whichever way they go, I’m going to be happy for either one. I think they’re both good people to lead this organization.”
