Six years after the rebuilding process began; Chicago still sits at square one. Some bad drafts and even worse blockbuster trades can easily be traced back as causes for the mediocrity, but the Bulls finally seem to be putting the past behind and building for the future with young players from winning programs.

Hinrich and Gordon look like the team's franchise backcourt for the next decade. Nocioni and Deng are intriguing tandem at small forward and if he can ever stay healthy, Chandler could blossom into a perennial All-Star at power forward. What Chicago needs to do now is cast a critical eye on all their sometimes spectacular parts and figure who's worth a lucrative contract extension and who's a fraud that will never live up to expectations.

Grade: C ... The Bulls need to move on from their torturous relationship with Eddy Curry. Whether it's his drive, his conditioning or his lack of court awareness, Curry just doesn't seem like he'll ever deliver on his enormous promise. NBA history certainly supports that so it's time for Chicago to get back what it can for Curry while he's still young.

Patience didn't pay off in dealing with Curry, but it will be the key for John Paxson in the next two seasons. The Bulls will be coming into substantial cap space next season and the year after. But although it's been years since Chicago was a contender, Paxson needs to avoid the temptation to bring aboard a high-priced free agent as a quick fix. The Bulls need to continue building through the draft with character guys and PLAYERS ... not just guys who look the part of stars, but don't have the track record.