DEERFIELD, Ill., April 14 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bulls will hold a news conference late Monday to announce the hiring of John Paxson as their new Executive Vice President and General Manager.
Paxson replaces Jerry Krause, who resigned a week ago, citing health problems.
Paxson, a player, assistant coach, and broadcaster for the Bulls, was selected over B.J. Armstrong, another former Bull with championship rings, who is in his third season as a special assistant to the general manager.
"When Jerry resigned, I wanted a general manager who understands the game, our direction, our talent, and our tradition," said Bulls owner and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. "He provided all those things, and became an important part of the Bulls' tradition. We fully expect him to further develop and motivate the character and talent of our current young players so that they can experience that same tradition."
Paxson spent all but two years of his 11-year career with the Bulls, and was a valuable shooter on three straight championship teams, led by Michael Jordan, from 1991-93. He is best known for hitting the winning three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals against Phoenix, clinching the Bulls' third title.
"I am really excited to accept this challenge, and look forward to working with the basketball operations staff," Paxson said. "The Bulls organization has meant a lot to me over the years, and getting the chance to help lead the team back to the upper echelon of the NBA is a true honor."
After retiring in 1994, Paxson was a Bulls' assistant during the 1995-96 season, and has been a broadcaster for the team for seven years, both on radio and television.
Now Paxson, the brother of Cleveland General Manager Jim Paxson, must continue the rebuilding process of a team which bottomed out after the retirement of Jordan following the Bulls' sixth championship of the decade in 1997-98.
The Bulls are 29-52, with their final game of the season at home against Philadelphia on Wednesday. They have not made the playoffs since the departures of Jordan and coach Phil Jackson, but improved their win totals each of the last three years from 15 to 21 to 29.
Krause, 64, stepped down as Bulls' GM last Monday after 18 seasons on the job, ending a tenure that was among the most successful in NBA history.
Rod Thorn was the Bulls' general manager who drafted Jordan, but it was Krause who put the players around him, and added the coaching and administrative staff that helped win six NBA titles between 1991 and '98.
Krause built the current Bulls around Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, and selected Jay Williams of Duke with the second overall pick in the 2002 draft. However, Krause was roundly criticized for trading Ron Artest, Brad Miller, and Ron Mercer to Indiana for Jalen Rose last season.
