Chicago Bulls 2001-02 Capsule
COACH: Tim Floyd (fourth season, 45-169 overall)
LAST SEASON: 15-67, eighth in Central Division
ARRIVALS: F-C Tyson Chandler (trade with LA Clippers), C Eddy Curry (first-round pick), G Trenton Hassell (second-round pick), F Charles Oakley (trade with Toronto), G-F Eddie Robinson (free agrent), G Greg Anthony (trade with Portland), G Kevin Ollie (free agent)
DEPARTURES: F Elton Brand, G Corey Benjamin, G Bryce Drew
SLAM DUNKS: Not many. Ron Mercer (19.7 ppg) can score, although he takes a lot of shots to get his points. G-F Ron Artest (11.9) is a solid defender but will miss the first two months with an injury. Robinson (7.4) is an athletic talent who will be starting for the first time in his career. Oakley (9.6, 9.5 rpg) and Anthony (4.7) should be able to provide leadership for a very young bunch that includes teen towers Chandler and Curry, neither of whom should start.
AIRBALLS: The roster is made up of players who were or would be nice complementary pieces elsewhere but must shoulder the load here. The list includes Robinson, C Brad Miller (8.9, 7.4), G Fred Hoiberg (9.1, 4.2) and G Kevin Ollie (3.1). The Bulls will be looking for improvement from 2000 first-round pick F Marcus Fizer (9.5, 4.4), who really has to get better to avoid being labeled a bust. G Jamal Crawford, the other gem from the 2000 draft, is out for the season with a torn ACL. As of now, A.J. Guyton (5.8, 1.9 apg) is the starting point guard.
IN THE ZONE: Eventually, the Bulls will be able to play a lethal zone, with 7-footers Chandler and Curry dominating the paint. But that is years away. Surprisingly, there are some good 1-on-1 defenders here in Oakley, Anthony and Artest once he is healthy, so there is some defensive flexibility.
OUTLOOK: Believe it or not, the Bulls could be worse than last year, which means they could be among the worst teams of all time. The trade of Brand, the injury to Artest and the reliance on so many young, inexperienced players all add up to another long season -- one that will include comparisons to the 9-73 Philadelphia 76ers of 1972-73.
