---

By Brian A. Lester

The glory years won't be returning to Chicago this winter, but at least hope has been restored.

In a summer where the Bulls have lost Jay Williams for the season and perhaps for good after his devastating motorcycle wreck, the news that Scottie Pippen is coming back to the Windy City is definitely positive.

It's been five miserable seasons since the Chicago dynasty was torn apart like notebook paper, and it's about time this once proud franchise is doing something to show the fans it doesn't want them to suffer for all eternity.

Granted, the Bulls aren't instantly going to skyrocket in the win column because of the addition of Pippen, but for a young team desperate for some sense of direction, Pippen's presence is as priceless as one of the moments on a MasterCard commercial.

Pippen understands what it takes to win. He is a leader that brings years of experience to the table, and he has the six championship rings to prove it.

He is exactly the type of player that can help mold Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry into ballers who will solidify the future of the Bulls.

He is the type of player who, when the Bulls are down 10 points entering the fourth quarter in a hostile arena on the road, can provide calm reassurance that everything will be fine if the others follow his lead.

And he is the type of player who can still produce offensively and defensively, a veteran that gives the Bulls a reason to believe the team's fortunes can change.

The Bulls have what it takes to make a push to the playoffs in a wide open Eastern Conference.

Consider that two teams, Milwaukee and Orlando, slithered into the playoffs with only 42 victories last season. It's quite possible that the growth of the young Bulls combined with Pippen's help may add 10 or 12 more wins to last season's total of 30.

Sit back, Bulls fans, and enjoy the opportunity to be optimistic. Pippen is home again,and that's the best news victory-starved Chicago basketball fans have had to smile about in a long time.

Brian Lester is a sportswriter in Ohio and can be reached via email at BAL4@aol.com.