K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bulls have a problem on their hands. Jamal Crawford?s fight for playing time has increased tensions in the clubhouse. And the tension isn?t likely to go away any time soon.

In the middle of October when coach Bill Cartwright kicked Crawford out of practice after an argument, Crawford was quoted as saying: "I told my teammates I was sorry. But I also told them that it could happen again."

It happened again earlier this week when Crawford had some choice words for Cartwright after being pulled from a game.

Johnson writes, "There are positive aspects to Crawford's latest outburst--the leadership of Jalen Rose and Fred Hoiberg, Cartwright's willingness to forgive, Crawford's competitiveness. But the dominant story is this: It's yet another reminder of the volatile situation general manager Jerry Krause has handed Cartwright."

"And that situation won't go away unless Krause deals Crawford, which he has declined to do when able and repeatedly has said he won't do in the future."

The latest contraversy arose on Christmas Eve, exactly 12 months to the day when Tim Floyd suddenly resigned as Bulls coach after never truly being placed in a position to win, making way for Cartwright to take over the reigns.

Cartwright is shaking the newest situation off, suggesting this is simply another bump in the road to success.  He also said that unlike the majority of other coaches in the league he does not hold grudges against his players.

"Confrontation is part of basketball," Cartwright said. "Guys play at a high emotional level. Guys express themselves differently. I had an opportunity to talk to Jamal and I told him, `Nobody wants you to do as well as I do.' He'll learn. I'm not worried about him at all."

"I will say I'm one of the few coaches in the league who won't hold it against him. I'll give him another opportunity. If he's going well, I'll leave him. If not, he's coming out."

Thus far Crawford is averaging just 0.3 minutes more per game than during his rookie season, a fact that Crawford is upset about.  

"I feel like nobody's really seen anything yet," Crawford said. "I'm not complaining, but I know I'm better than somebody who plays breather minutes. I guess my true game will come out sooner or later."

"At times it's easier, at times it's tougher," he added. "I'll always be a team player. But you ask Jay, Jalen, whoever, they want to be out there playing for the team."