The Chicago Bulls might start thinking about the "Curse of MJ" ever since Jerry Krause began the re-building process by breaking up the 6-time champion Chicago Bulls of the Jordan and Pippen Era.  

They have been re-building ever since, getting high picks, shuffling rosters, and trying to find the right combination to put them back into the playoffs.  

Actually, they'll settle for respectability at this point.
 
Having just traded their top scorer, Jamal Crawford, the Bulls are very short on players with experience achieving success in the NBA.

Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry haven't come near the lofty expectations held for them when they entered the league.

And now matching last year's 23-win total is starting to look like it could be a stretch.

"This is a process. We're trying to change things over time, not overnight," general manager John Paxson said.

Jamal Crawford was shipped to New York in a deal that was largely about saving for the future since it will net the Bulls about $18 million over the next four years.

"The fans have been unbelievably patient and gracious to our organization," Paxson said. "What I'm trying to do is assemble a group of guys that they'll enjoy watching. That they know they're going to get their money's worth when they come to the United Center. That they know are going to be working hard and competing day in and day out. That's the only way I know to go about it."