I'm officially in the Chad Ford fan club after reading today's NBA Mailbag

Q: I'm struggling to figure out how veteran teams like the Hawks and Knicks made your "worst" list, but the Bulls didn't? Their only significant offseason signing was Scottie "Crypt Keeper" Pippen. I think that the loss of Jay Williams for the season makes that, at best, a draw. Do you really see Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler and Jamal Crawford improving THAT much? -- Steven Anderson, New York FORD: Yes. The Bulls played .500 ball over the last 14 games of the season and they did it, in large part, because of the contributions of Curry, Crawford and Chandler. Crawford averaged 16 ppg and six apg as a starter last season. In April he averaged 23 ppg and 6.5 apg. The key for Crawford was getting consistent minutes without having to compete with Williams for playing time. I think he's ready to bust out this year. Curry showed a similar breakthrough at the end of the season. His average for April was 20.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg. In March it was 17.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg. All the while he was shooting over 60 percent from the field for the last two months of the season. Chandler's improvements were more modest. He upped his averages to 12.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg and 2.2 bpg in February, and in March his numbers were 11 ppg, 10 rpg and 1.7 bpg. Put those three together with Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall, Pippen and newcomer Kirk Hinrich and I think you have a team that could win between 40-45 games next season and break a five-season playoff drought.

I was so happy when I read that response. especially since the question was from a typical delusional Knicks fan.

Raptors Sign Former Bull Rick Brunson

::sniff:: its always tough to say goodbye

Same old Scottie:

Q: Did the resignation of Krause make the Bulls a more attractive team for you to play for? [Pippen]A: Without question. Doesn't it make things better for [the media] also?

I wasn't even going to post this article until I read that last question, the other ones are pretty boring. I remember seeing Pippen on "the best damn sports show period" during last season and he said all that stuff with Krause was overblown, but I guess that's not the case. Remember, opening night this year will include a banner being raised in the United Center commemorating Krause's career. I wonder if Pippen will turn his back :)

Shape of things for Bulls: Less triangle, more running:

"It might not be as momentous as the running of the bulls, but the running of the Bulls could prove to be far more popular among players and fans alike. When the Bulls open training camp next month, the emphasis will be on a faster pace that plays to the strengths of Jamal Crawford and rookie Kirk Hinrich in the backcourt, as well as Tyson Chandler, Scottie Pippen, Eddie Robinson, Jalen Rose and, at times, even Eddy Curry on the wings. 'One of our priorities will be to push the ball more next season,' general manager John Paxson said. 'That is something that (Coach) Bill (Cartwright) wants to do. He wants to run more.' The quicker pace won't come a minute too soon for several Bulls players, a number of whom have complained privately and publicly in the past about the restrictive nature of the triangle offense. While the triple-post offense won't be scrapped entirely, it may be used less than in the past."

How ironic that they talk about reducing the triangle offense *after* Jay Williams gets hurt. He was the main vocal protestor to the offense, although I always viewed it as whining. They've been using the triangle less than people think the past few years, so really this isn't that big of a change. The article goes on to say how Crawford and Hinrich will benefit the most from this, and that gets me pretty psyched.

Hey here's more on Jay Williams' appearance on "beg, borrow and deal"

ESPN's reality series, "Beg, Borrow and Deal 2," got a little bit too real -- or rather surreal -- for former Duke basketball player Jay Williams. Williams, who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on June 19, was videotaped on his motorcycle during the episode, which was taped in May. In last week's episode of the cross-country sports challenge, which features former Duke football player Charles Porter as a contestant, the two competing teams met at the Chicago Bulls training facility for a head-to-head showdown. Williams, fresh off his rookie season with the Bulls, helped with the competition. Afterwards, Porter asked Williams if he could arrange a ride for Porter's team. The two discussed the plan as Williams straddled his motorcycle in the parking lot. "That's hot," Porter said, pointing to the bike. "I'm not supposed to have it," Williams said, and then he sped off through the parking lot, not wearing a helmet.

Like I said before, that's bizzare. (as you can guess theres not much news today)