Dave Cowens, 57, was hired Thursday to coach and be the general manager of Chicago's expansion WNBA team.

"This seemed like an adventure, this seemed like something a little bit different, so I put it all together and decided this was the best thing for me to do," Cowens said.

Cowens spent 10 out of 11 seasons in Boston during his Hall Of Fame career.

"Eddy Curry failed Tuesday to receive clearance from Bulls management to resume physical activity, and the fourth-year center's future playing status remains as murky as it has been throughout the eight weeks since it was determined he had had at least two episodes of heart arrhythmia."

Medical tests done Monday showed little change in Curry's heart this according to a team source.

Curry will have more tests done in the coming weeks.

For now, he focused on getting cleared to play while deciding on an agent.

Curry becomes a restricted free agent on July 1.

On Monday, Bulls center Eddy Curry will receive his diagnosis from cardiologists on his heart condition and he is hopefully that it will allow him to resume his NBA career.

"I'm ready to go,'' he said. "I'm hoping that the Bulls say that soon. I'll be cleared to play by the doctors [today]. ... It was just an irregular heartbeat. It lasted like a day, then it went away. It was nothing -- just an irregular rhythm that I wasn't used to.''

Curry will become a restricted free agent on July 1.

According to the Daily Herald, John Paxson and the Chicago Bulls will attempt to maintain their core this summer, but they will pursue a reliable frontcourt player who could come off the bench and produce.

Toni Kukoc, Donyell Marshall and Michael Ruffin are three players that fit the Bulls plans.

Kukoc, Marshall and Ruffin have ties to Chicago, as all three are former Bulls and Marshall's fiancee and three kids live in the suburbs.

Chicago Bulls Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, B. J. Armstrong, has decided to pursue other opportunities and will step down from his front office duties with the Bulls.

?B. J. has meant a great deal to the Chicago Bulls, both on and off the court,? said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President John Paxson.  ?All of us in the organization wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.  He will always be a Bull.?

Armstrong added, ?I will always consider myself a part of the Chicago Bulls organization and will forever cherish the support I have received over the years from the incredible Chicago fans.  I love the people who live in this city and the passion they have for their teams and that is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.  This is a first-class organization and I want to thank Jerry Reinsdorf and John Paxson for the opportunity to be a part of the rebuilding process in Chicago.  It has been incredibly rewarding to watch these talented young Bulls players develop into a competitive and exciting team.  I am honored to say I was a part of it, and I know that this team has a very bright future.?

Armstrong, 37, spent five seasons with the Bulls? front office, after an 11-year career in the NBA, seven of which came in a Bulls uniform.  Selected by the Bulls with the 18th pick of the first round in the 1989 NBA Draft, Armstrong was a member of Chicago?s first three World Championship teams (1991-93).  Chosen by Toronto in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, and later traded to Golden State, Armstrong spent the 1997-98 season with Charlotte, before signing with the Bulls as a free agent on Aug. 30, 1999.  He retired as a Bull following the 1999-2000 season and joined Chicago?s front office in July of 2000.

After a fantastic turnaround season that ended in heartbreak, the Chicago Bulls must now deal with a load of decisions concerning some key free agents.

Bulls? General manager John Paxson has made it clear he wants to re-sign restricted free agents Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Chris Duhon, as well as unrestricted free agents Othella Harrington and Adrian Griffin.

And it is quite clear that the free-agent Bulls would like to remain in Chicago.

?Without a doubt," Harrington said. "This has been one of the most fulfilling seasons for me, just because of the group of guys and the way we worked and the way we came together as a team."

Said Griffin: "I definitely like playing here and playing for [Scott] Skiles."

Chandler will have some value in the open market, however, he enjoys playing in Chicago.

"I have to let the off-season unfold," Chandler said. "I love and respect all of my teammates and coaches. I wouldn't ask for any other."

Curry and Duhon have also expressed interest in remaining in Chicago.

"We have a lot of things going for us," Paxson said. "Chicago speaks for itself. We're back on the map now. We've got a young team that's exciting. Players like the way we play. But it will take a certain type of player that will want to come here. They're going to have to accept what we demand of them--effort every night, effort in practice. Those are the type of players we'll pursue."

Team sources have said that budding Bulls center Eddy Curry is no longer undergoing any testing with the exception of blood work.  He is scheduled for a magnetic resonance on May 23rd.

A final diagnosis has not been made, however team physicians Brian Cole and Kathy Weber have said that Curry?s condition, ?appears to be benign.?

"There are issues we're still going through," Paxson said Saturday. "I'm optimistic it will all work out. I wouldn't have done this any other way given the information we got through the early tests.

"We have to explore everything. Eddy knows that. I'd be doing the same thing if he were my son. I want to make sure he's healthy enough to play. When we get that clearance, we'll move forward."

Both similar players in their time, Bulls general manager John Paxson is intent on keeping Coach Scott Skiles in Chicago.

The Bulls have until June 30 to exercise Skiles? one year option, however Paxson would rather sign Skiles to a long-term contract instead.

?That?s as important as signing any player, because Scott?s a very good coach and he?s a huge reason why we were so good this year,? Paxson said.

?I?ve already spoken to Scott about it. It?s going to come down to, obviously, us seeing things in the same way. I want him here. I?ve made that clear to him. I think he?s one of the best coaches in the league.?

The Washington Wizards lost the first two games of their first round series versus the Chicago Bulls, but they reeled off four straight victories to advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs where they will face the Miami Heat.

The Wizards outscored the Bulls 26-17 in the 4th quarter in their 94-91 victory in Game 6.

The Bulls had control of the game, but after Kirk Hinrich stole the ball from Larry Hughes with just over two-minutes to go in the game, Gilbert Arenas came from behind and blocked Hinrich's layup.  The Wizards then had a fastbreak and Brendan Haywood converted on a tip-in.

Antawn Jamison then made a baseline jumper to give the Wizards a six-point swing.

In the final seconds, the Bulls were down three after Juan Dixon made one of two free throws, Andres Nocioni missed a good look at a 3-pointer and then Tyson Chandler grabbed the rebound, but instead of dishing the ball out for another 3-pointer he mysteriously took an 18-footer.

"He was totally unaware of the situation," said analyst Bill Walton after Chandler took the ill-advised shot.

B.J. Armstrong will be leaving the Chicago Bulls to pursue other opportunities, according to a team source. Armstrong's contract expires in June, but an official announcement should come shortly after the playoff run ends.

Amstrong's profile has gradually diminished since Paxson took over in April 2003 as GM, a role for which Armstrong had hoped to be considered more seriously.

Hired by former GM Jerry Krause in July 2000, Armstrong rarely is seen around the Berto Center anymore. Several NBA scouts said Armstrong didn't attend last month's predraft camp in Portsmouth, Va., a staple for their business.

It's unlikely Paxson will hire his brother, Jim, the recently fired Cleveland GM, to replace Armstrong. Cleveland still owes two years of salary to Jim.