Bulls forward Marcus Fizer has been in the headlines many times this season, and today he makes the front page yet again.  Fizer's season, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, officially came to a close yesterday when a magnetic resonance imaging test revealed that his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee is torn.

Fizer's season started off on the wrong foot when he arrived at training camp out of shape, 20 pounds over his playing weight.  As the season got going Fizer's playing time deminished to the point where he was receiving a regular 'Did Not Play - Coaches Decision' in the box score.  Fizer never complained about his playing time, continuing to work on his game and wait for his opportunity.

Fizer did get his opportunity, performing exceptionally well over the last two months as the Bulls sixth man.  Many have labelled him the team's second best player over the span, but despite his strong play Fizer again found himself in the headlines only a few days ago when his coach Bill Cartwright labelled him 'a f@#king embarrassment'.

Fizer's first game since his coaches comments came against the Portland Trailblazers, and unfortunately for the former fourth overall draft pick it would also be his seasons last.

The injury occurred when Fizer landed awkwardly after stretching to catch a pass from Corie Blount that led to a layup late in Friday's loss at Portland, writes Johnson. After scoring, Fizer hobbled to midcourt, where he fell to his knees and pounded the hardwood.

"It's something I always feared," Fizer said. "But I know this isn't the end of my career."

While the Bulls have yet to make an official announcement on the extent of the injury - the team placed Fizer on the injured reserve and activated center Dalibor Bagaric before the Bulls played the Sonics yesterday - management is already making plans for Fizer  to have season-ending surgery with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.  Dr Andrews is the same physician who repaired guard Jamal Crawford's knee last season and Roger Mason's shoulder this year.  Rehabilitation is expected to take six to eight months following the surgery.

"He's handled everything like a pro and worked so hard," general manager Jerry Krause said. "I feel bad for him. And I feel bad for us too. This takes away one of our best players. I think he would've been Sixth Man of the Year."

Said Cartwright: "I [felt] he was going to make another step up and take on more responsibility. It's a blow."

Fizer and Crawford have both been involved in heavy trade talk this season, but Fizer's injury now makes it unlikely he'll be leaving the Windy City over the next three weeks.  Krause claims that the Bulls trade deadline discussions will not be altered with Fizer's injury, stating that the forward was going to remain in Chicago even if healthy.

"Sure, Marcus is an asset, but by the same token there wasn't any intention to trade him," Krause said. "He had played so well and justified all the things we thought about him when we drafted him. I wasn't thinking about it from that angle."

"I think I've been through more than anybody who has ever played here," Fizer said. "First, the two losing seasons and then coming into my third year and not even playing. I'm glad that's behind me."