Don't panic, Pax: Stand pat

John Paxson has been called a lot of things lately, most of them wrong.

In reality, the Bulls' GM is -- or at least he was -- an optimist, and an inexperienced one at that.

The result of being new to the position is Paxson did what a lot of green GMs in Chicago have done, and some continue to do:

He became a collector of talent, rather than a builder of teams.

Paxson thought he could merely draft and hoard, and eventually his team would become a conference champ.

In the meantime, he ignored the most obvious of needs, the low-post presence, even while some of us suggested as long as three years ago that with Kevin Garnett the Bulls could win immediately.

But Paxson ignored our advice and Garnett, then passed on Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, Gasol yet again, and even Shawn Marion.

And the Bulls flounder.

If Paxson's guilty of anything, it's of falling in love with his players and refusing to deal any of them, inflating their value in his mind while opposing GMs scoffed at his proposals.

It's also possible Paxson didn't understand the tenuous nature of NBA windows, and how quickly they can close today.

Or, maybe everyone's gone off the deep end, after having seen players dealt that would have helped the Bulls advance more quickly than they can on their own.

Perhaps, the impatience of the fans and media undermines Paxson's long-term plan, and creates an illusion under which many forget that this season began under a confluence of the most bizarre circumstances.

There were the Kobe Bryant talks, the contracts left unsigned by Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, a slew of injuries, and the odd tactics of a coach who eventually quit on them.

It is not inconceivable for the Bulls to return largely intact next year and, if healthy, compete for the No. 3 seed in the East, even if Paxson merely keeps together the core of Deng, Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha.

Assuming Paxson finds himself a new coach and a low-post, offensive presence, there is still time for this group of Bulls to become a threat in the East.

Maybe, just maybe, this is not as bad as it seems, and perhaps this is not the time for Paxson to panic.

After waiting too long to make some obvious moves that would have advanced the cause, maybe the best move now is the least obvious, the one a patient front office would embrace.

Maybe, instead of panicking, the Bulls ought to do the one thing they've proven to do well: wait.

Twins killing

If the Twins are still willing to deal closer Joe Nathan, as has been the talk since last July, the Cubs ought to be just as aggressive in pursuing the established short man as they are in their chase for Brian Roberts.

It'd be nice to have both, and the way the Cubs throw around money, why not?

Memory lane

Dutchie Caray on her late husband, recalling a time when Harry called her from home while she was out of town:

"I told him to take the trash bags out to the street on a certain day, but he calls one morning and says, 'Dutchie, I took out a new bag from the box and I don't understand it. It's only got one side.' I laughed so hard, but he'd never seen one before.

"I explained that you had to open it up and unfold it. That was my Harry for you.''

Make me laugh

Some of David Letterman's Top Ten Patriots Excuses:

Since when is that Dude allowed to catch a ball with his head?

Everything was fine until Dr. Phil tried to straighten us out.

Should have campaigned harder in Florida.

Entire team stayed up late night before watching Hannah Montana concert movie.

Thought game was supposed to be played on Super Tuesday.

Howling

Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson is undergoing a complete makeover, and debuts his new 'do and duds live on Channel 7 Monday at 11:45 a.m., complete with player reaction in studio.

The good cause

Wolves Wives will be selling Valentine's Day pucks at both games this weekend, with proceeds benefiting the Dan Snyder Memorial Fund and Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization.

The autographed pucks ($10 donation) are wrapped with candy and a card for one free Chipotle Burrito. If the puck is signed in gold, you get to meet that player after the game.

Visit chicagowolves.com for more info.

The quotes

Fred Couples, on Tiger Woods tearing up Torrey Pines:

"What he's going to do is screw up the U.S. Open for everyone else. If he had shot 10 or 11 under, the USGA would have said, 'Well, maybe we have it in the right spot.' Now, they may have to regroup a little.''

Miami mazel

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle: "They're knocking back Maalox shooters and overturning golf carts in Perfectville. Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins boys probably fell asleep at halftime Sunday night, but they were giddy when they got the news (Monday) morning, just before Bingo, that the Patriots had been stopped one game short of perfection."

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "Bob Knight's grandchildren scared that he has more time to visit.''

Best forecast

Only 84 days to the first Party in the Park.

And finally ...

Comedian Alex Kaseberg: "Roger Clemens told a Congressional committee that he did not use steroids. In fact, Clemens lied enough to become an honorary Congressman.''

Listen to Barry Rozner throughout the week on WGN 720-AM.