Bulls Eliminated From Playoff Hunt

Basketball experts and fans alike predicted the Bulls to seriously compete for the Eastern Conference title this season, considering the roster of players who came within one victory of securing the second seed in last year's playoffs.

But instead of building upon last year's 49-win season, the Bulls slid back into mediocrity. With Tuesday night's 95-88 loss to the Miami Heat, the Bulls officially secured their status in the draft lottery. That's right, the Bulls have been eliminated from the playoff picture for 2008 after making the playoffs the past three seasons.

Currently sporting a 30-47 record, this team would have done nothing even if they had squeaked into the playoffs as the eighth seed in the incredibly weak East. At least this way, they have some hope that the ping pong balls will fall in their favor and they can land a top three draft pick.

Regardless of where they end up picking in June's draft, their first round choice won't be the only new face in camp next fall. GM John Paxson has lots of work to do this off-season, trying to determine which pieces of his core to keep and which to cast off. This time there will be big changes. In addition to a new coach, Chicagoist expects to see either Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon gone. Will Paxson finally break up his core to land the all star this team needs? Last year, he demured while Kobe Bryant remained in L.A., Kevin Garnett landed with Boston and Pau Gasol joined Bryant with the Lakers. And how'd those moves work out?