By TOM ENLUND
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 13, 2002
Back in 1995, when Bill Cartwright's 16-season career as a player in the National Basketball Association had ground to a halt, he naturally starting seeking out alternative means of employment.

Topping the list of possibilities for the former Chicago Bulls center was an opportunity to manage a chain of fast-food restaurants in his hometown of Sacramento, Calif. It was something that had a strong appeal to Cartwright.

"You do everything," he said. "You've got to really know what's going on."

But Cartwright never got past a preliminary look into the burger business. Bulls general manager Jerry Krause was soon knocking on his door and lured him back to Chicago to become an assistant coach under Phil Jackson.

Cartwright was hired by the Bulls in September 1996, and last fall entered his sixth season on the Chicago bench. Then, 27 games into this season, coach Tim Floyd was dismissed and Cartwright was promoted. Monday, he took another step when he received a three-year contract extension. Cartwright is now considered one of the cornerstones of the Bulls' latest rebuilding effort.

"Interesting how things work out," Cartwright said before his Bulls lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, 110-81, Tuesday night at the Bradley Center.

"I wasn't concerned (about the future). I was more concerned with how the team was doing. Everything works out for the best."

It's not often that an extended losing streak translates into additional job security for a coach, but that is what has happened in Chicago. The Bulls, who extended their losing streak to seven games and own the league's worst record, remain confident that Cartwright is their man for the long term.

The Bulls are still mired at the bottom of the Central Division but have responded favorably to Cartwright. After starting the season with a 4-23 record under Floyd, Chicago is 12-26 under Cartwright.

Players who have been associated with Cartwright say the contract extension was an excellent move by the Bulls.

"He's very deserving," said Bucks guard Greg Anthony, who played for Chicago earlier this season. "No. 1, he's a class act. No. 2, he's a great communicator. The guys have a lot of respect for him and he'll get a lot out of the players. I was happy to see them do that. He's definitely got them headed in the right direction. There is plenty of potential on that team."

Said Bulls guard Jalen Rose: "I'm happy for Bill. He's paid his dues as a player and as a coach. He deserves the opportunity and he'll do a good job with this team."

Unlike Jackson and Floyd, who did not always exist harmoniously with Krause, Cartwright does not hesitate to profess his loyalty to the team's operations chief.

The Krause-Cartwright bond goes back to 1988, when Krause traded Charles Oakley to the New York Knicks for Cartwright, who then went on to play six seasons with the Bulls and was the starting center on their first three championship teams. When Cartwright returned, he was fitted for two more championship rings as Jackson's assistant.

Cartwright says he owes his career to Krause. Not only did Krause trade for Cartwright but he helped find him a throat doctor after Cartwright had undergone several unsuccessful surgeries to repair a fractured larynx. Cartwright speaks in raspy tones today.

"Without the Bulls, I wouldn't have five rings, wouldn't be coaching and may not be speaking," he said.

Cartwright and Krause came to the new agreement after a brief conversation Friday. Cartwright did not even bother to get his agent involved. The former contract specified that both parties had to be satisfied with the job he had done in order for him to remain as the coach next season. Otherwise, he would go back to being an assistant.

Cartwright likes the nucleus of players he is inheriting.

"It's good, very good," he said. "We've got good guys, young guys for the most part. Guys that have a big up side. Guys who compete. That's important. Our job this summer will be to see how much can we improve the young guys. That'll be a big key to our season next year."