All things are difficult before they are easy.

Attribute these words to Dr. Thomas Fuller, and apply the sentiment to the hottest NBA team on either side of the Mississippi - the Chicago Bulls. By beating Charlotte last night, Chicago brought its record to 22-19, and inched into a tie with Orlando for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. A 101-93 win at home over a struggling expansion team is the easy part, especially since the Bulls didn't play very well. Five straight wins, and twelve wins out of the last thirteen games is also the easy part. True to Fuller's words the hard part came before; the team began this season with nine straight losses. At that point, most folks - myself included - figured it would be another dismal season. Not so. Jim Litke's story gives a quick overview to the change in fortunes that followed.

© 2005 by justin michael cresswell