CHICAGO

Jerry Krause said he doesn't regret breaking up the Michael Jordan-led dynasty or rebuilding with two teenagers even though the team is now one of the worst in the National Basketball Association.

Krause has been heavily criticized for the team's performance since Jordan and Coach Phil Jackson temporarily retired after the Bulls won their sixth NBA title in 1998.

Their departures persuaded Krause to trade Scottie Pippen and Luc Longley, free agents looking for multiyear contracts, and part ways with Dennis Rodman. Since then, the Bulls have finished last in the Eastern Conference every season and now have the league's worst record at 4-19.

"Without Michael, we didn't think we could win," Krause said. "We weren't going to keep that team together without giving long-term contracts to older players. Pippen hasn't had a great year since, and Luc is retired."

Krause also defended his decision to trade 22-year-old Elton Brand, the team's leading scorer and rebounder last season, to the Los Angeles Clippers for high schooler Tyson Chandler during the June draft. The Bulls also got Brian Skinner, whom they traded for Charles Oakley.

"Nobody can say whether it's a good trade or a bad trade for three years," said Krause, in his 17th season as Chicago's executive vice president of basketball operations. "We think Tyson is an unusual athlete. Every scout was for it."

Brand is averaging 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds for the Clippers, whose 14-11 record is their best start since 1992. Chandler has started only one game and is averaging 3.6 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Krause obtained another high-school player, Eddy Curry, with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Curry hasn't started a game and is averaging 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Krause, 62, didn't plan to rebuild the team with teenagers, but changed his strategy after failing to land top free agents Tracy McGrady and Eddie Jones in 2000. Both Florida natives chose to play for teams in their home state, with McGrady going to Orlando and Jones to Miami.

"It isn't something we did that caused these things," Krause said. "I couldn't control where they were born. That's a hard thing to overcome."

The Bulls were so convinced that Jones was coming to Chicago that they prepared a news release announcing his signing.

"At the last second he called me and he was in tears, saying he was going to Miami," Krause said. "Obviously, that derailed us some."

Still, the biggest rap against Krause is his decision to break up the Bulls after Jordan left.

"We had the decision made for us when Michael decided he wasn't going to play anymore," Krause said.

Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who has a close relationship with Krause, declined to comment.

Steve Kerr, who played on the Bulls' last three championship teams, said Krause must take some of the blame for Chicago's post- Jordan ineptitude.

"Obviously the plan, whatever it was, didn't work," said Kerr, now with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"If you look at it that way, you have to look at the people who are running the operation."

Toni Kukoc, Kerr's teammate on those three title teams, said the Bulls should concentrate on the future by letting the teenagers play.

"They should see what the kids can do out there," he said.

Injuries, as well as inexperience, have hurt the Bulls this season.

The one notable free agent Krause did sign, Eddie Robinson, has played in only three games because of a toe injury and promising guard Jamal Crawford, the eighth pick in the 2000 draft, is recovering from knee surgery. Ron Artest, the team's third-leading scorer last season, was activated off the injured list yesterday.

"We haven't played with our whole team yet and once we do, we know we are going to get a lot better," Crawford said.

The Bulls have also had off-court distractions.

Coach Tim Floyd resigned on Monday after Krause had denied reports that Floyd wanted to leave. Floyd will be replaced by assistant Bill Berry on an interim basis.

Krause also fined 17-year-veteran Oakley, who was brought in to mentor the team's younger players, $50,000 for criticizing Floyd's juggling of the lineup.

All the losing and controversy hasn't gotten to the thick-skinned Krause, however. Even during the team's heyday, he was often criticized for his brusque manner and tendency to take credit for the team's success.

"That doesn't faze me in the least," Krause said. "We won six championships and got ripped."