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Skiles' search goes onEight games remain until an offseason in which general manager John Paxson hopes to make major changes. Meanwhile, Eddie Robinson is rooted to the bench, Tyson Chandler's role is diminished and Jamal Crawford rarely plays fourth-quarter minutes anymore. These playing-time issues could hurt whatever trade value these players have. But if that's the case, management isn't letting on. From Day 1 of his tenure, coach Scott Skiles has been resolute in giving playing time to those he believes work and play the hardest. In the fourth quarter of Monday's loss in Miami, that meant 12 minutes for Ronald Dupree, 11 for Jannero Pargo and eight for formerly forgotten man Marcus Fizer. "I'm simply trying to find any group of guys who play with intensity," Skiles said. Skiles also discounted the theory that even those who won't be back with the Bulls have nothing for which to play. "It's foolish if guys are thinking that," he said. "Common sense would dictate that the better year you have, even if you're going to go somewhere else, the more [money] you're going to get." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Bulls' Chandler suspendedNEW YORK (AP) Chicago Bulls forward-center Tyson Chandler was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Monday for throwing a punch at Atlanta's Michael Bradley. Chandler, who tried to hit Bradley in Chicago's loss to the Hawks on Saturday night, sat out the Bulls' game Monday night against the Miami Heat. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Minor-league system could help young guysIs it about time the NBA got serious about establishing a viable minor-league system? While the Continental Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League are nice, as Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel writes they are just not doing enough for the game. Imagine how much it would have benefited Magic rookie point guard Reece Gaines to be sent down for seasoning? Or Magic center Zaza Pachulia? Or Detroit center Darko Milicic, the No. 2 pick in last year's draft? Instead of languishing on the bench, Gaines could have repaired his broken confidence -- and maybe his shot. Then he could have been called back up from the minors to the majors without the Magic losing his rights. Players in the Continental Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League, which has NBA ties, are brought up routinely in a procedure similar to those in baseball and hockey. But it's never worked the other way with youngsters and rookies already in the NBA. "I like the idea. That would be terrific," Magic Coach Johnny Davis said. "I think that's something that is needed for our league. Baseball does it." Chicago is experiencing first hand the effects of players coming into the league too young and taking longer than expected to develop. While Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford have all shown flashes - some bright - in their young NBA careers thus far, all three would have benefited from a minor system which allowed them to hone their skills under the watchful eye of the Bulls rather than lose big and often. Maybe Portland would not have given up on a young teen named Jermaine O'Neal if there was a minor-league alternative. The idea would have its rules. Schmitz' idea is to limit the concept to a player's first two seasons. Or maybe even expand NBA rosters or allow flexibility. Teams would retain rights to players, maybe several clubs -- say Orlando, Miami and Atlanta -- could field a farm team in a joint venture. As one league scout and former coach says, "It would be a win-win deal. We really need it now with all the young guys coming in. Guys who sit on the bench for a year or two lose their value." With yet another draft containing a strong High School representation something has to be done. General Basketball, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Bulls Mar 2004 Archive
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