(My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Bulls showed some signs of life last season under Bill Cartwright. Once again, United Center was a place that opposing teams didn't want to visit, as the Bulls posted a 27-14 mark in their own edifice. Chicago's immaturity was evident in its 3-38 mark on the road. If the Bulls could have done anything at all as the guest, they would have made the playoffs in the mediocre Eastern Conference.

Last year, the Bulls appeared to be in great shape when they drafted Jay Williams out of Duke. Williams, however, was not the savior many thought he would be. He has developed a reputation as a prima donna, and has clashed consistently with Jalen Rose. Williams was outplayed for most of the season by Jamal Crawford, who happens to be very close with Rose. The Bulls bickered for much of the season, with this troika at the root of the bitterness. The topsy-turvy battle for the point guard spot effected the team's ability to execute. Chicago was 27th in the NBA in both foul shooting and turnovers.

Despite the internal strife that existed for much of the season, the campaign had to be viewed as a success overall. The previous four seasons, the team averaged 16.5 wins per campaign - making its 30-win total a welcome improvement.

Rose is a consistent performer and a veteran leader on this young team, but the Bulls are pinning their hopes to the two high-schoolers they selected in the 2001 Draft -- Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry. Chandler displayed some enormous performances last season and Curry came on strong towards the end of the season.

Starting Lineup: C-Eddy Curry, PF-Tyson Chandler, SF-Eddie Robinson, SG-Jalen Rose, PG-Jay Williams.

Bench: F-Marcus Fizer, C-Dalibor Bagaric, F-Lonny Baxter, G-Jamal Crawford, G-Trenton Hassell, G-Fred Hoiberg.

Team Needs: Overall depth.

Draft Selections: 1st round (7th overall), 2nd round (36th overall), 2nd round (45th overall from Phoenix).