Bulls coach Tim Floyd knows there's going to be speculation suggesting the reason he started rookie Tyson Chandler on Wednesday was because of pressure from general manager Jerry Krause, which is something both men deny.

Whatever the motivation, Floyd made a move that many in the city--and likely a few in Bulls management--were happy to see.

The 7-1 Chandler made his first regular-season start against the Detroit Pistons after playing a combined 20 minutes in the Bulls' first three games. Chandler will remember the event for his first play, an incredibly athletic one-handed, alley-oop slam. But other than that, it was a night to forget for the home team.

Even with Jerry Stackhouse shut down, the Pistons controlled the game and had no trouble rolling to a 97-73 victory against the Bulls before a crowd that appeared thinner than the 17,023 announced.

Chandler played 21 minutes, shooting 1-for-5 and finishing with five points. After his dunk, Chandler was called for a foul, turned the ball over and watched Cliff Robinson bury a three-pointer. Chandler had two rebounds and five turnovers.

''I think I played fairly well,'' Chandler said. ''The dunk was just one play. I need to continue to make plays during the course of the game.

''It was very exciting. Coach gave me an opportunity to go out and play.''

Floyd wasn't too harsh in critiquing Chandler's effort.

''I thought he tried to do what we asked him to do,'' Floyd said. ''He can play better and he will play better, and the experience will help him somewhere down the road.