The hangover from an impressive road victory and a short practice Sunday did nothing to change the stance of the principals involved in the latest episode of Bulls bickering, which could threaten team unity just seven games into a season that will determine so many futures.

If anything, coach Bill Cartwright, Jalen Rose and Jamal Crawford dug their heels in deeper, even after the two players met for 30 minutes with general manager John Paxson.

One day after Rose and Crawford called themselves "scapegoats" for being removed from the starting lineup, Cartwright passionately defended his decision and hinted he would follow suit Monday night against Denver.

Crawford, meanwhile, raised the prospect that Cartwright's decision could induce players to choose sides and create disharmony.

"It sure is a possibility," Crawford said. "I don't know if players will come out and say it, but they definitely look at [the situation] as something needs to happen. Are we really putting our best people on the floor to try to win games? They look at it like that. They see what's going on. Nobody's blind."