[JordanPippenRodman]

Bulls Should Compete For Title

The fireworks in Chicago hardly went unnoticed around the league on the Fourth of July, and an unscientific poll of some NBA personnel came up with this: The Bulls are a popular pick to win the NBA title. GM John Paxson has done a brilliant job putting the pieces in place, and it's now up to his guys to deliver an Eastern Conference championship. After that, this tough-minded, fearless defensive club should handle the best from the West, and there's your NBA title in Chicago. True, they still lack a low-post offensive presence, but Paxson has time to find that before the season begins. Even if he doesn't, no team is perfect, and the Bulls have more spots filled than most right now.

--Arlington Heights Daily Herald.