<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls should stop kidding themselves. The season is over. Does anyone think wins over Cleveland and Washington mean anything? If anyone takes a realistic look at the team, it's hard to make a case, even when Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler return, that this team has the elements of greatness. Look, I believe Curry and Chandler will be very good players. But it's their third season now and they haven't given one reason to believe either could ever lead or carry a team. There's no shame in that. It just means you still have to find that. Jamal Crawford? Nice player, but are we talking Kobe Bryant? This is what the Bulls need to do: Get McDyess and Charlie Ward, the latter having fallen to third point guard with Illinois' Frank Williams starting for the Knicks. Combined, McDyess and Ward make almost $20 million and are in the last season of contracts. The Knicks are looking to compete now. Would the Knicks take Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams? Probably not Williams. The Bulls might have to sweeten the pot with Crawford. Or Kirk Hinrich. The point is getting $20 million off the books. The Bulls still would have Curry and Chandler and be far enough under the salary cap to offer a maximum deal starting at about $15 million and going to almost $100 million to Bryant. Forget what you may have heard or think you've seen. Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal haven't forgotten about their feud, and Bryant still wants out. The speculation of late is that Bryant would go to the Clippers or Spurs, both of which will have about $10 million in salary-cap room next season to start a deal. But would Bryant want to play in L.A. in the shadow of O'Neal and the Lakers? Joining Tim Duncan could produce a dynasty, but would Bryant like being the second guy again and playing in such a small market? The Knicks are said to be of interest, but they can't get below the salary cap for any major offer. Chicago could be the perfect place. Yes, Bryant still has those "legal issues," but it's worth the risk for a team because of his talent. I'd certainly take a chance on Bryant. The Bulls could present a classic situation: Two terrific role-playing big men in Curry and Chandler, a guard partner in Crawford or Hinrich, a big city looking to embrace a winner, a large contract and plenty of endorsement opportunities. It's fine for the Bulls to try to build a hard-working, disciplined team, but they still need a truly great player. Can you recall a memorable game Curry or Chandler has had in three years? LeBron James has one just about every week. And keeping Davis and Williams will only take minutes from Curry and Chandler. The Bulls should keep them but not be afraid to take a chance on greatness.</div> Chicago Tribune
