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.''