Tim Floyd finally "resigned" from a job he never should have had, which can only be a good thing for the tykes he didn't want to play: Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry.

Bill Cartwright replaced Floyd, which should be even better for them. Cartwright won three championship rings as an NBA center, two as a bench assistant to Phil Jackson and, most crucially, ranks as the only guy around considered a Jerry Krause sympathizer and a credible coach.

Glenn Rogers says that Pat Riley needs to forget the notion that the Heat might get back in the playoff hunt, that Larry Brown took another jab at Iverson, that Krause denies there was a power struggle between him and Floyd, that Lucas claims he'd be the best point guard ever if it weren't for drugs, and that Dan Issel got a severance package worth close to the $5 million he was scheduled to be paid this season and next.

During Media Day in 1997 to usher in the new season, Jerry Krause, general manager of the Chicago Bulls, was questioned by reporters wondering how the franchise would fare once Michael Jordan retired.

"Players don't win championships," Krause responded. "Organizations win championships."

Krause was trying to convey that becoming a championship-caliber team isn't as simplistic as being lucky enough to land a superstar. An organization must be astute at talent evaluation to bring in role players.

And the right coach is needed to guide the personnel.

Despite those valid points, Krause's words revealed jealousy that Jordan received most of the glory for Chicago's success during the 1990s.

But after forcing Coach Tim Floyd to resign last week, Krause confirmed that Chicago's six titles had little to do with his vision.

Krause, who inherited Jordan after Rod Thorn selected him in 1985, must have compromising pictures of owner Jerry Reinsdorf. That's as good an explanation as any for why Krause remains in power.

The Bulls are a case study that rebuilding is fraught with perils that can set a team back for years. But more than anything, it shows that management, which misconstrues fortune for brilliance, can turn a once-proud franchise into a laughingstock.

Krause's master plan began after the Bulls won the 1998 title. He decided not to re-sign Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Coach Phil Jackson.

Looking toward the future can be prudent, but Krause's initially questionable decisions have turned out to be stupefying.

Over the summer, Krause traded for Charles Oakley, ostensibly to help groom Chicago's younger players.

Last season, Oakley slapped two opposing players in separate incidents. It wasn't long before Oakley made derisive public comments about Floyd that brought a $50,000 fine.

Before the 2001 draft, Chicago traded Elton Brand to the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 2 pick, which turned out to be Tyson Chandler, a high-school star. Unless Chandler becomes the next Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the move borders on incompetence.

The 22-year-old Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds during his first two seasons. And almost as significant, Brand was a classy player with a strong work ethic who showed optimism about Chicago's future.

Most players would have demanded a trade after Chicago's summer of 2000, when everything was supposed to come together like a finished Rubik's cube.

The Bulls had millions to offer to Grant Hill, Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady.

But players like Glen Rice used the Bulls to get more financial attention elsewhere. And Chicago had to overpay Ron Mercer, whose NBA career achievement consists of scoring for losing teams.

Krause deserves credit for contributing to Chicago's championships with some prudent moves: fleecing the Sonics in the Olden Polynice-for-Pippen trade; hiring Phil Jackson out of the CBA; selecting Horace Grant in the 1987 draft; and dealing Oakley for center Bill Cartwright despite Jordan's objections.

Although Reinsdorf has been overlooked in Chicago's troubles, the aloof owner deserves almost as much blame as Krause. Reinsdorf sided with Krause while passing on hiring Jordan into management upon retirement.

And in the summer of 1996, Reinsdorf showed that ego and arrogance are part of his organization's culture.

Jordan became a free agent after the Bulls defeated the Sonics in the 1996 NBA Finals. Jordan had been the NBA's best bargain during the first four championships before Chicago signed him to a record one-year deal for $33 million.

"We shook hands, but one comment stuck with me when we left," Jordan recalled in a revealing interview years ago with the New Yorker. "And I lost total respect for (Reinsdorf) when he said it: 'I know I'm going to regret what we just did.' "

Now, Bulls fans regret Krause's philosophy that organizations win championships.

The two Jerrys have shown that in Chicago's case it was mostly the players ? especially someone named Michael Jordan.

Chicago

- Maybe John Lucas was right.

Lucas, coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, wasn't in a hurry to declare the Cavs as a team ready to make that next step up. Sure, the Cavs de feated the New York Knicks at home on Friday night, and many in attendance were in a celebratory mood - except Lucas. He knew better. And last night might have proven his point.

Twenty-four hours after snapping a two-game losing streak, the Cavs suffered a 103-80 loss to the Chicago Bulls last night at the United Center. This was the Cavs' worst loss since a 20-point defeat at Dallas on Dec. 13.

"This was Memphis all over again," said Lucas, refering to Memphis winning its first home game on Nov. 17 against the Cavs. "Here's a game that was going to be tough because it was like a playoff game for a team trying to win for their new coach. We didn't match their intensity, and we didn't shoot the ball well."

The Bulls (5-23) are arguably the worst team in the league. Depending on the day, it's either the Bulls or Miami.

Last night was also the coaching debut of Bill Cartwright, who took over for Bill Berry after two games. Berry took over for Tim Floyd, who resigned last week.

"I knew we were walking into a lion's den because of their new coach, and we're coming off an emotional home win," Lucas said. "It was a bad night for us. Just a bad, awful night for us."

Chris Mihm, who fouled out, led the Cavs with 13 points. Andre Miller had 10. Ron Mercer led the Bulls with 15. Ron Artest had 14 and Trenton Hassell had 12.

The first quarter was so tight that neither team could get more than a three-point lead. The Cavs (11-18) led by two with three minutes left in the period, but a quick Bulls' spurt gave them a 19-16 lead. Jones led the Cavs during the first quarter with seven points. His trey near the end of the quarter tied the score at 19. Hassell snapped the tie with a jumper for a 21-19 lead going into the second quarter.

The Bulls continued its spurt during the second quarter. Marcus Fizer's two free throws gave the Bulls a 28-19 lead. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who came in early during the quarter, stopped the Bulls' spurt behind two free throws. It only delayed two quick Bulls' buckets for a 32-21 lead with 7:53 left before the half.

The Cavs were due for a move, and it came in the form of Mihm. Mihm scored six of the Cavs points during a 12-4 run for a 38-33 deficit.

But Fizer and Mercer shredded the Cavs' defense by scoring inside and out. Fizer started the scoring campaign with a layup, and Mercer ended the 9-2 surge with a jumper for a 12-point lead.

Lucas was caught in the heat of the moment when he received a technical with less than a minute left. Lucas was enraged when Ricky Davis was called for a foul when he blocked Fizer's dunk. The Bulls closed out the half with a 53-40 lead.

The Bulls outshot the Cavs 42.9 percent to 38.9 percent from the field in the first half and outrebounded the Cavs, 27-19. Fizer and Mercer led the Bulls with 11 points each. Mihm scored 12 first-half points for the Cavs.

The Bulls ran away during the third quarter. The Cavs were in such a funk that when Mihm fouled out with 2:37 seconds left in the quarter, the Bulls held a comfortable 76-53 lead.

The Cavs are 1-3 since starter Lamond Murray injured his back against Indiana on Dec. 22. Murray said he's day-to-day.

With or without Murray, the Cavs have to find a way to regroup before its next game on Jan. 2 against Golden State.

"There's no time to hold our heads down," Bryant Stith said. "We have to move on and get the new year started on the right foot. It's going to take a lot of focus on our part."

Bill Cartwright has played for a No. 1-ranked college basketball team at the University of San Francisco.

He's played in front of rabid and critical fans at Madison Square Garden as a New York Knick. He's endured Michael Jordan's wrath and the crucible of NBA Finals games.

Cartwright's been nervous only once.

Last night, his debut as the 14th coach in Bulls franchise history, wasn't that time.

``I had to throw out the first pitch at Candlestick Park after one of the Bulls' championships,'' Cartwright recalled. ``I remember thinking as I walked out, `God, I just played basketball in front of a million people on TV.' But I was shaking.''

An announced crowd of only 16,342 -- the smallest of the season -- came to the United Center to watch Cartwright's debut. But they made their feelings known with a prolonged standing ovation as Cartwright walked calmly onto the court, trailed by assistants Bill Berry and Pete Myers.

Cartwright, wearing a slight smile, casually waved an index finger in recognition.

He then watched the Bulls make his debut a success, snapping an eight-game skid with a 103-80 victory over the Cavs. Ron Mercer's 15 points led seven Bulls in double figures as they matched their highest scoring output of the season.

``I'm only as good as these guys,'' Cartwright said in his typically humble manner.

The previous 36 hours had been busy ones for Cartwright.

He ran his first practice Friday and followed that with his introductory news conference. He made calls to his father and six sisters. He fielded calls from his high school and college coaches.

He had yet to hear from some of the coaches who had shaped him, people like Phil Jackson.

``But I'm tempted to call him,'' Cartwright said. ``I may need some meditation.''

The Bulls did anything but sleepwalk through a first half in which they immediately displayed an increased defensive intensity that Cartwright had promised.

The Bulls held Cleveland to 38.9 percent shooting and 40 points in the first half and forced eight turnovers. At one point, Cartwright stood clapping as the Bulls almost forced the Cavaliers into a 24-second violation.

Offensively, Marcus Fizer responded to being placed back in the second unit behind Charles Oakley by coming off the bench to score 11 points before halftime, six on dunks.

The Bulls increased their lead to 23 by the end of the third quarter as Ron Artest scored seven points in the quarter.

Before the game, Cartwright emphasized that rookies Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry would continue to get opportunities to play but that their playing time would hinge on their performance.

Curry took advantage yesterday with a season-high-tying 10 points. Curry also displayed an increased toughness and aggressiveness as he got to the free-throw line seven times, making four.

As the Heat mulls a major rebuilding program built around huge salary cap space in 2003, coach/president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison should examine the Chicago Bulls and determine what not to do.

The Bulls' rebuilding has stretched into its fourth year, with no end in sight and a future built on two teenagers (Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler) who are nowhere near ready to be starters.

Chicago's discouraging predicament -- which led to coach Tim Floyd's resignation last week -- stems largely from general manager Jerry Krause's poor personnel moves after Michael Jordan's departure, and an inability to attract marquee free agents.

With Miami positioned to have well over $20 million in cap space in 2003 -- and much more if Eddie Jones or Brian Grant are dealt -- here are some lessons the Heat should learn from the Bulls' failures:

Do not hire a college coach. Floyd -- whose 49-190 record is the worst in NBA history among coaches with at least 200 games -- joins Rick Pitino, P.J. Carlesimo, Jerry Tarkanian, Leonard Hamilton and John Calipari as college coaches who couldn't connect with pro athletes.
``It's hard for college guys to come up,'' Bulls F Charles Oakley said. ``Relating to players is what the league is coming to. You need to get somebody who played the game.''

Floyd was disliked by his players -- he declined to speak to them before leaving -- and had friction with Krause about personnel decisions.

``Coaching at this level is different from other levels,'' Bulls PG Greg Anthony said. ``It's the only level where there's a sense of coaches and players being peers than the traditional relationship of the coach being the end-all and having players follow suit.''

If you're fortunate enough to draft an outstanding young player, do not get greedy and trade him for a draft choice. The Elton Brand/Chandler trade looks dumber every day.
Chandler plays sparingly and averages barely four points and three minutes. Brand averages 19.7 points and 11.0 rebounds and has put the Los Angeles Clippers in position to have a winning record for the second time since moving from San Diego in 1984.

``That was a heck of a trade -- Elton has made such an impact,'' 76ers coach Larry Brown said.

If you cannot attract top free agents, don't throw huge dollars at mediocre ones as Chicago did with Ron Mercer (four years, $27.6 million) and Eddie Robinson (five years, $41 million).

Don't acquire a potentially disruptive veteran, as Oakley has been.
Although the portent of cap space brings hope to the Heat, there's no guarantee Miami will have more luck attracting free agents than the Bulls, who failed to land Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady and others.

But three factors work in Miami's favor: South Beach and the South Florida weather; Arison's sterling reputation for running a first-class operation; and the Heat's training facilities, among the best.

The question is whether the Heat will have a dynamic personality in place to spearhead free agent recruiting. Riley hasn't committed to coming back next fall, let alone in 2003.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Dan Issel's gone in Denver, but problems remain. ``There are some behaviors that have to change with this group,'' interim coach Mike Evans said.
Responded PG Nick Van Exel: ``That's one of our problems, right there. Something is always said, but you don't know who they are talking about. They never want to say names. No accountability.''

Asked whether Issel's resignation quelled his desire to be traded, Van Exel said, ``Not one bit.''

Magic coach Doc Rivers, whose contract runs through 2004-05, says he will not consider possible overtures from the Knicks. Rivers, on Floyd: ``He was in an impossible situation. He didn't do anything wrong. Maybe taking the job.''

Brown, who considered quitting after last season, says he won't leave Philadelphia now despite the team's poor start: ``I have too many good things in terms of coming to practice, watching the young guys develop, watch my older players get better. Those far outweigh all the negatives.''

Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, hospitalized with exhaustion in 1999, vows to persevere through a miserable season: ``I love this job more than I ever have.''

Mavericks C Shawn Bradley, signed to a seven-year, $42 million contract over the summer, has gone from starting to playing little. ``The ankle was bothering him, but the bottom line is he wasn't getting it done,'' coach Don Nelson said.
While Bradley sat, Nelson used Juwan Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Wang Zhi-Zhi and Danny Manning on Wednesday against Spurs PF Tim Duncan, who scored a career-high 53 in the Mavs' OT win.

Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal has been told to expect pain in his sore right big toe all season. ``I need new drugs,'' he said.

Wizards SG Hubert Davis showed refreshing humility when explaining why he shouldn't be expected to provide similar production to injured SG Richard Hamilton: ``He's better than me.''

When Bucks SG Ray Allen, in his sixth season, missed the first games of his NBA career last week because of knee pain, coach George Karl started Michael Redd (who's earning $465,000) instead of Tim Thomas ($9.7 million). Thomas said he understands Karl's belief he's more valuable off the bench.

After Phoenix F Shawn Marion dunked in the final second of a 12-point Suns win, Portland PG Damon Stoudamire threw the ball toward the Phoenix bench. ``If I was 6-7, I would have hit him in the mouth,'' the 5-10 Stoudamire said. ``This ain't the NCAA tournament.''

Are times changing in cold, windy Chicago?  Bill Cartwright and his two assistants Pete Myers and Bill Berry took the court for the first time as the Chicago Bulls coaching staff Saturday as the Bulls took on Cleveland, Cartwright declaring he wasn't nervous.

The result was not another now-patented Bulls blowout loss, but rather a game of high defensive pressure coupled with an even scoring spread (7 players in double digits) that saw the Bulls equal their season high output of 103 points, and more importantly score the blowout win by 23 points.

Cartwright stepped onto the floor before the game to a prolonged ovation, then concluded proceedings by saying "I'm only good as these guys".

But how good are these guys, and how good is Cartwright?  Are things changing for the better in the Windy City, or was this just luck?  Only time will tell.

Tip-off: 8:30 tonight at United Center.

TV/radio: WUAB Ch. 43; WTAM AM/1100.

Injuries: Cavs - Michael Doleac (ankle), Jeff Trepagnier (knee) and Tyrone Hill (back) are out. Lamond Murray (back) is doubtful. Bulls - Jamal Crawford (knee), A.J. Guyton (hamstring) and Eddie Robinson (toe) are out.

Notable: The Bulls are on an eight-game losing streak. . . . The Cavs defeated the Bulls by 13 in Cleveland on Dec. 18.

DALLAS - Against the worst team in the league, the Mavericks saw their seven-game streak of scoring at least 100 points end Thursday night. But with Don Nelson using mass substitutions as though it were a summer-league game, the offensive inconsistency should be excused.

Besides, the most important streak is still intact, as the Mavericks won their eighth consecutive game, beating the Chicago Bulls 89-74 at the American Airlines Center.

The Bulls' players have pushed for a coach who has had NBA playing experience, and come 3pm Friday they will have their opportunity when it is expected that Bulls GM Jerry Krause will announce that Bill Cartwright will be his next coach.

Cartwright has been an assistant coach since 1996, a period which spanned tentures of both Phil Jackson and Tim Floyd, attributes which Cartwright insists will help him.  Bill Berry, the team's current interim coach, will return to an assistant role and will be joined by Pete Myers.

'Cartwright's promotion follows the trend of two previous successful Krause hires: Doug Collins and Phil Jackson. Those two were former successful NBA players who had little or no head-coaching experience when Krause tabbed them to lead the Bulls,' writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

"I think the world of him," ex-Bulls guard and now Bulls radio analyst John Paxson said. "He's a real even-keeled guy and his demeanor, if he's put in that position, will be good for this team. He has a belief system on how the game should be played."

Even though the job has not yet been announced, he already has a response ready for those waiting to ask about the playing time of teenage toddlers Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler -- a question that ex-coach Tim Floyd was often bombarded with.  "They'll stay out there as long as they're playing all right," Cartwright said. "As soon as they hurt the team, they will come out. We're still trying to win some games here."