By Brunson Bench Buddy B-Huge.

Rick Brunson's 2003 ended the same way it started: DNP-CD. With Eddie Robinson back in the rotation it appears as if Brunson can worry less about playing and now concentrate on towel-waving and butt-slapping. Even better for Bulls fans, a guy the team cut in pre-season, Trenton Hassell, playing 39 minutes while accumulating 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. He even made the key basket that put the game away in the fourth quarter. As well, another guard the Bulls let walk away, Fred "The Mayor" Hoiberg, had 6 points and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes of action.

I'd like to point out that the Bulls let Hoiberg and Brunson leave the team via free agency and then cut Hassell. So Minnesota, owners of a 20-10 record, acquired Hoiberg and Hassell without giving up anything while the Bulls (9-22) thought Brunson was worth enough to the team to trade somebody for him. Now Minnesota uses both former Bulls in significant roles while Brunson sits on the bench. Jon Paxson sure is making people in Chicago forget about Jerry Krause.