Being an NBA head coach is a stressful and often frustrating job, a position which sees grown men often ride a wave of emotions.  In a game which is decided by a single possession these bottled emotions may explode, but is there a fine line which a head coach must be careful not to cross?

Bulls coach Bill Cartwright may have crossed that line last night in Chicago's 77-75 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, offering some harsh words for some of his players, forward Marcus Fizer in particular.

"Rick Brunson wasn't very good. But who was good? Nobody. It's terrible. Marcus Fizer was terrible, a [expletive] embarrassment."

Fizer has been one of the Bulls most solid players through the last two months of the season, even winning the game against the Houston Rockets on a hustle play with 0.4 seconds left at home in the Bulls' last game.  According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson Fizer was visibly upset after talking with reporters, near tears and punching his locker.

Cartwright took exception to Fizer?s tendancy to look for calls as he drove the ball into the lane, a trait he despises.  Fizer?s dives to the basket last night resulted in contact but no whistle.

"We're not looking for any fouls, period," Cartwright said. "You just play. It's as simple as that. That's part of the problem too. Nobody's going to bail you out here on the road. You have to earn your way."

Fizer didn?t agree with Cartwright?s assessment, suggesting that his coach look at what is going on before his actions rather than criticize when the players are out there trying to win.

"We were out there trying to win the game," Fizer said. "I don't agree with [Cartwright] at all. I went at it with a purpose.?

"Each and every time I took the ball to the basket, I ended up on my head. I would think that would be an example of someone trying to win a ballgame."

Last night was the first of Chicago?s five game West Coast swing, with stops in Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver still to come.

"The Clippers didn't have anything to do with how we're playing," Cartwright said. "It's our inability to be ready to play, to be ready to guard, to be ready to rebound, to be ready to make a shot. We had guys not show up. And until we have guys who play on the road as well as home, we may not win a game. Who knows??

It was another game in which the Bulls showed an inability to simply win on the road, despite appearing to have control during the fourth quarter.  The Bulls lost a five point lead in the fourth quarter, prompting Cartwright to smash his clipboard in frustration as yet another winnable game fell through his fingers.

"We should be past this," Cartwright said. "And that's what's disappointing."

Eighteen hours on and Johnson writes in his latest article that Cartwright regrets nothing he has said on the issue.

"I don't regret anything. I told these guys this morning, 'The reason I was upset is because I think you're good when you play right. And you should be upset too.'

"If I single out guys, it's because I expect more from them. It's not to belittle them. It's because I think they're pretty [darn] good. A guy like Marcus has to be more consistent because I think this guy is the best sixth man in basketball."

Fizer seems to have calmed since the incident also, saying "I can handle adversity, and I don't dwell on the past at all. It's time to move on, and that's what I think we've done."

For the record Bulls GM Jerry Krause is standing by Cartwright on the issue, saying that his coach was simply blowing off steam and has a handle on the situation.

"I would assume he let off a little steam, which is fine," Krause said Thursday. "Coaches are allowed to do that. And I'm sure he told Marcus before he told you. Bill knows where to go with that. He's very bright and knows how to handle himself. If he thinks somebody needs to be criticized, he'll do it. Bill handles things very well."

The Bulls are expected to bring rookie Jay Williams off the injured list before tonight's game against the Blazers, while Rasheed Wallace returns after his seven game suspension for Portland.  Lonny Baxter will take Williams' place on the injured list, allowing the Bulls to run with three active point guards.

How rare is it for someone who is averaging 13.0 points and 6.7 assists on the season, shooting 16 of 23 from the field and committing just 2 turnovers in 74 minutes despite playing the point guard position to be placed on the injured reserve despite not being injured?

This is something that Rick Brunson may be facing Friday against Portland with teammate Jay Williams once again healthy.  The Bulls have been playing well with him in the lineup, snapping their road losing streak and beating Jordan's Wizards, but as phenominal as he has been someone is going to be disappointed writes Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald.

"He is playing pretty good, isn't he?" Cartwright said. "Quite the predicament. I'm not going to worry about it today. I don't know what we're going to do. Honestly, I don't."

"Somebody's not going to be happy, but what the hey? It's not my problem."

Brunson admitted that this is something he has thought about, stating that he'd be disappointed if he is placed back on the injured reserve but he is a professional.

"Oh, definitely, especially when I feel I can help this team win," Brunson said. "I really believe that. I think I bring a different type of energy, aggression to help us win.

"As a professional or as a man, you have to evaluate yourself. I don't lay down for anybody. I come to work every day, whether it's a game or a practice, and I'm going to bring it every day."

It is no secret that Jay Williams and Jamal Crawford have been involved in an intense battle for the point guard position this season, but with Jay Williams currently on the injured list new factors have arisen making some decisions even harder.

Rick Brunson has been terrific for the Bulls in his three games since coming off the injured list, shooting 69.6 percent while doubling his career points average.  But the most impressive stat of Brunson's game has been his assist-to-turnover ratio, an unheard of 10-1, and according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune he has been exactly the type of player that coach Bill Cartwright has looked for to run the team.

Jamal Crawford, who outplayed Jay Williams before Williams went to the injured list, has been starting for the Bulls but Brunson has been playing just as many and in most cases more minutes than the ex-Michigan guard.  Williams practiced for the first time in a week on Saturday and is eligable to come off the injured reserve on Friday, leaving a huge question as to who will replace Williams on the sidelines.  Brunson was the obvious choice before his stellar play propelled the Bulls, but Johnson writes that the decision might not purely be of the on-the-court variety.

'From management's perspective, Williams has to be activated even though his rookie season has been inconsistent. He was the No. 2 pick in the draft, part of the core the franchise is counting on for the future and a player heavily tied into the team's marketing campaign.

Crawford outplayed Williams before the latter went on the injured list but has watched his playing time dwindle as Brunson has glittered. Still, the Bulls can't afford to put Crawford on the injured list because that would harm whatever trade value the former first-round pick has,' writes Johnson.

"I don't know," Cartwright said. "It's quite the predicament. Somebody's not going to be happy. But that's not my problem."

One solution would be to let Jamal Crawford play some time at the two guard position, but Cartwright has made it clear recently that this is not something that he will be doing any time soon.  But something has to give.

"I couldn't imagine Rick going back on injured reserve," Crawford said. "Jay will be healthy. And I couldn't imagine myself on injured reserve. It'll be interesting."

Williams countered: "I'm going to try to get my spot back."

"I feel I can help this team win," Brunson said. "I think I bring a different type of energy and aggressiveness."

Michael Jordan said goodbye to Chicago last night, and the fans let him know how much he is appreciated. Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that during the introduction of the starting lineups, Jordan received a three-minute ovation. HE then went to center court and grabbed the microphone.

"Thank you," Jordan said to the 23 thousand-plus fans. "It's truly been a pleasure. You guys have given me great pleasure to play in the city of Chicago. I love you all. Still support the Chicago Bulls. Thank you for the support over the years. I love you all. Thank you very much."

His speech was an attempt to get everyone focused on the game. "I felt if I said something they could cut the lights out and get to the game," said Jordan, who spontaneously took the microphone at halfcourt. "I'm glad for the ovation that they gave me."

This was his last appearance in Chicago as a player. Jordan reiterated during the pre-game shootaround that this would be his final NBA season. When he?s retired in the past, he has always left the door open for a possible return. But not this time. "I'm 100 percent sure this time. I've fulfilled my dreams," he said. "Playing is not an option."

"I'm glad that it's over with," Jordan said of his farewell to Chicago. "We both had a chance to say good bye. Let's move on to the rest of the season and move on with life."

So this is it.  The final hurrah for Michael Jordan in the Windy City, the place that he built and where his legend developed.  Take a good look at the picture above, because after tonight there will be no encore.

As you may have guessed Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards visit Chicago for the final time this season, the game also marking the final time that Jordan will play an official NBA game in the city.

"I love that place," Jordan said. "I truly appreciate coming back there to play. It's tough to be in another uniform, but those things happen. It's part of the business. It's a pleasure for me (to go back). I look forward to it."

Jordan's presence for the last time has touched everyone, even Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf who made a statement about the occasion.

"Although this is Michael's final appearance as a player at the United Center, the spectacular memories that he has provided during his career, not only to Bulls fans but fans throughout the NBA and the entire world, will last forever. [Friday] will be one more special moment to add to the collection."

The Bulls have promised to let the standing ovation Jordan is destined to receive run it's course, no matter how long it lasts.  The team has also prepared a video tribute for Jordan which will run during a timeout early in the second quarter, Jordan himself not wanting anything more than that.

While the Bulls have hopes of helping Michael left the United Center floor one last time with his familiar Bulls white victorious.  "That would be a great going-away present for him," said Jalen Rose, but Jordan's current coach has other plans.

"I know [his teammates] and myself want him to end his career at the United Center with a win," former Bulls coach and current Wizards coach Doug Collins said after Washington's practice Thursday. "Last time it was Game 5 of the NBA Finals and they lost to Utah. That looked like it was going to be his last game there."

"I want this one to be a win."

"I know [the Bulls are] going to allow everybody to say thank you," Collins said. "The people know what he means to this city and they're going to show him.

"He's the most beloved athlete in Chicago ? for what he brought to the city in the championships and the winning attitude.

"For 10 years plus, the Chicago Bulls were the universal team, and Michael Jordan was at the hub of that."

Michael Jordan has never been one to hold firm on a decision.  After retiring from the NBA after the 1993 season Jordan came back in March of 1995, winning three more championships.  As he closed out his stellar career with the Chicago Bulls with what "was" referred to as "The Last Shot", Jordan again felt the tickle has he returned to the NBA last season with the Washington Wizards.  Jordan is now half way through the last year on his two year contract and has already announced that this will be the final hurrah.... or will it?

Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune is no stranger to Jordan, and if what Smith says is true the NBA will have a very interesting scenario.  As Jordan perpares for what might be his last game as an NBA player in Chicago today Smith delivers the bombshell that talk around the NBA is that Jordan will join the ownership of the expansion Charlotte team starting in the 2004-05 season.

Smith says that Jordan still has juice in the tank, and John Stockton of the Jazz is living proof that a 41 year old can still be successful in the NBA.  'After a year off, why couldn't a 41-year-old Jordan come back and shoot jump shots when it could mean millions of dollars for his next investment?,' asks Smith.

Jordan states that he is going back to his front office job with the Wizards once he hangs up his sneakers while Charlotte owner Robert Johnson says he has his management team in place.

But Jordan back home in North Carolina makes much more sense writes Smith, with Jordan being both the lead figure in a new franchise in his home state and having the greatest ever as the public figure in the first primarily African-American-owned franchise in pro sports.  Jordan with the Wizards simly isn't a fit long-term, and it may be time for him to move on.

Jordan would be free to flee if he so desired, his five year deal with the Wizards concluding at the end of next season.

Washington have learnt first had the value of having Jordan's name linked to the franchise, even though it took Jordan pulling on a Wizards jersey for them to start to turn around the ship and become a drawing ticket.  Jordan could have a similar drawing power in Charlotte, a place where he'd be able to start fresh with his own team to mould without the pressure of having to get results immediately.

Larry Bird, who tried to get the new Charlotte franchise, was said to be unenthusiastic about acquiring an existing franchise because he wanted the challenge of building a team from the ground up.  

Larry might have missed his opportunity, but Michael may not.

Is it possible for a team to be born to lose?  If so look no further than the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls were beaten by the Orlando Magic last night 94-91 at TD Waterhouse Center despite shooting 60% in the opening half and despite holding the Magic without a field goal for 12 minutes, 46 seconds over the third and fourth quarters.

That not enough?  K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes that you can now throw Jalen Rose scoring 28 points and Marcus Fizer and Rick Brunson both scoring 17 apiece into the equation, as well as the Bulls holding Mike Miller and Pat Garrity to 7-of-24 shooting.

"It wasn't any one thing," Cartwright said eventually. "It was a lot of little things."

"They were more aggressive," Cartwright said. "They set screens and knocked us back. We drove and looked for fouls instead of playing."

"We beat ourselves," Brunson said. "They had back-to-back games, and we didn't take advantage."

Hurting and down on form, Bulls rookie Jay Williams finally gave in and was placed on the injured reserve before the Bulls snapped their 19 game road-losing streak to the Atlanta Hawks.

K.C. Johnson writes that the move was as much about psychological problems as they were physical for Williams, the Bulls hoping the timeout period will be used to clear the rookie guard's head.

"Sometimes when you're in the heat of battle, you don't realize everything that's going on," Williams said. "Now I can sit back and watch and evaluate how I can make us better as a team."

In what is fast becoming the most disheartening season of their miserable four years in beautiful Philips Arena, the Hawks reached another low point Monday.

The team blew a nine-point advantage going into the fourth quarter of the 115-102 loss to Chicago, and the Hawks couldn't argue if any of the 9,961 in attendance on MLK Day charged them with quitting after getting the lead or having the audacity to start coasting.

That would be an awful condemnation of a team that stands 13th in a 15-team conference, but there wasn't much the Hawks could offer in defense of such charges after they were run over by the Bulls, a team that had been road kill for 19 straight games.

No explanation, no remedy "except for hard work," guard Jason Terry said.

But this was the 41st game of the season. If they haven't learned a lesson with a 14-27 record at the halfway mark of the season, when does it sink in?

"I don't know," the Hawks' Ira Newble said.

"It's got to start with practice tomorrow," Terry said.

And so on and so on.

Coming into the 2002 NBA Draft Jay Williams was the cannot miss player according to Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune, now the Bulls guard seemingly cannot hit.

Williams, the second overall pick behind Houston's Yao Ming who continues to impress, cannot seem to get his game together and is an emotional wreck - two factors which do not bode for the struggling Chicago Bulls.

"I don't understand," Williams whispered. "I can't seem to get going, get clicking. I end up messing up or I'm too hesitant. I'm not playing like myself. The ankle hurts. I always feel like I'm beat up. It's hard for me. I'm trying, but I feel average. I don't feel like I'm explosive, that I have average speed. It's hard for me to play that way.

Williams had more turnovers (6) than points (5) in the team's latest road loss over the Heat, and heading into today's game in Atlanta Williams is playing the team game and states all he wants to do is win.

"Jamal [Crawford] is playing well. Do whatever is best for the team. If he's playing for me, so be it. I just want to win."

Williams and Crawford have been involved in an intense battle for the point guard position for the Bulls, but Crawford's stellar play against the Heat pointed out that off-guard may be the best position for the talented 6-5 guard, allowing both Crawford and Williams to be on the court at the same time, but it is a position which his coach Bill Cartwright refuses to allow him to play.

"We're not going to put Jamal at [shooting guard]," Cartwright reiterated after Sunday's practice. "Get over it. Let it go. He's a point guard. That's what he is."

Williams, averaging only three points on 18% shooting during January, is clearly hurting and Crawford appears likely to draw his third start of the season today, working out with the starters as Williams rested his ankle.

"It's hard to make cuts, hard to play defense," Williams admitted.

'There are two phrases those around the Bulls never expected to hear: The city is throwing a thank-you party for Jerry Krause, and Jamal Crawford is playing better than Jay Williams,' writes Smith, yet Cartwright remains committed to his rookie.

"The pressure's not going to go away," said Cartwright. "Let's say he doesn't play Monday or the next game. He has to play sometime. He's got the same job. That's not going to change if he comes off the bench. He's got to perform, execute, he's got to orchestrate, he's got to guard and make plays. So what's the difference?"

"We're barely to halfway," Williams said with a sigh. "I hope it gets better."