It's too early to compare John Paxson to Jerry Krause in terms of talent evaluation, but the contrast in other areas is dramatically evident.

I'm not talking about physical appearance. I'm talking about style.

After covering my fifth Bulls draft Thursday, I realized it was the first time the team's general manager didn't feel compelled to talk down to reporters or to blast speculation that Dwyane Wade was his first choice.

Paxson hasn't mastered the art of trying to deceive the masses, and he doesn't seem intent on learning. In fact, Paxson admitted having Wade and Kirk Hinrich atop his board.

Imagine that.

Inside the war room, Paxson didn't act like someone who never had held a front-office position and had been a radio analyst until 2-1/2 months ago.

"Pax handled himself extraordinarily well,'' Bulls coach Bill Cartwright said. "While the calls were coming in, he handled every one real well. He knew what he wanted to say and what deals he liked and what deals he didn't like. He was pretty damn outstanding.

"But that's Pax's personality. He really thought out all the scenarios of things that could happen and was prepared in his mind to say yes or no. There was no give-and-take because there was nothing to give and take. It's not like we had a lot of decisions to make. It was made well ahead of time. It was not dramatic at all. It was boom, boom, boom.''

When Paxson learned the Mi-ami Heat was going to take Wade at No. 5, he talked with the To-ronto Raptors about moving up to No. 4. When the Raptors weren't offering the right deal, Paxson took Hinrich at No. 7.