SportsLine.com Report
April 23, 2000

1999-2000 in review

Let the salary cap clearing begin.

The Bulls, who figure to clear nearly $25 million in salary cap money, are poised to go after some of the NBA's big free agents -- like Grant Hill, Tim Duncan and/or Eddie Jones.

It remains to be seen if winning six NBA championships in eight years before the start of a complete rebuilding program two seasons ago will be enough to lure anyone from one of the top free-agent classes in recent season.

While preparing for the upcoming offseason, the Bulls endured their second-straight season to forget.

What they found out in posting the worst record in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season is that rookies Elton Brand and Ron Artest can play.

Now, what they need is to bring in players to fill the ample holes around them.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT: There were two. In mid-December, they went down to Miami and hung a 92-85 overtime defeat on the Heat. Brand had 24 points, Toni Kukoc 23 in that victory over the Atlantic Division champs. Later in the season, the Bulls got 31 points from Kukoc and 24 from Artest in a victory at Seattle.

SEASON LOWLIGHT: It did not take long. The Bulls lost 15 of their first 16, with the lone victory coming by a point, 92-91, over Boston.

KEY STAT: 3-37. The Bulls were 3-37 in games decided by 10 points or more. It shows they will need more than one key free agent to gain respectability.

The Personnel File

MVP: Brand. He came as advertised. The top pick of the draft averaged 19.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, shot 48 percent from the field and went to the free-throw line nearly 600 times. The power forward was named co-Rookie of the Year with Houston's Steve Francis and looks to be a pillar on the team for the next decade.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: The play of rookie forward Artest. Everyone figured that Brand would put up big numbers, but few figured that 16th pick Artest would be good for 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals a game.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Not being able to be more competitive in front of the sellout crowds that continue to show up at the United Center.

COACH: The Bulls are 30-102 under Floyd, but he'll be asked back to continue the rebuilding.

Offseason tinkering

THE DRAFT: Once more, the lottery. The Bulls could have as many as three first-round picks. Look for them to go after backcourt help, eyeing players like Michigan State's Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson, along with Ohio State's Scoonie Penn.

FREE-AGENT MARKET: The Bulls are loaded with free agents to dump -- B.J. Armstrong (he announced his retirement), Randy Brown, Fred Hoiberg, Michael Ruffin and Dickie Simpkins. Most of these guys, if not all of them, will be gone in order to clear salary cap dollars.