The Washington Wizards may have conducted the most anticipated news conference Monday, but anticipation also filled the Berto Center as Bulls operations chief Jerry Krause dared dream of an extended season.

"The object is to play in May,'' Krause said. "You come in with the knowledge that if everything goes well in terms of injuries, we certainly think there's an opportunity there. ... The goal used to be to play late in June, but you have to be realistic.''

The Bulls are blending optimism with realism, and the biggest reasons are rookies Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, veteran Charles Oakley and prized free agent Eddie Robinson.

"Look at the Seattle Mariners,'' Oakley said. "They traded three superstars and have the best team in the league. Nobody expected them to win anything, so it can happen.''