Chandler couldn't be happier now that he's with Hornets

NEW ORLEANS -- The Bulls were on Tyson Chandler's mind quite often last season, his first with the Hornets after being traded for P.J. Brown in 2006.

"I was sitting by the TV and wishing all my negative vibes on them," Chandler said prior to Monday's game. "But not anymore."

Of course, Chandler was laughing hard as he said this, willing to poke fun at his forgotten ill will.

The Bulls could use some of Chandler's upbeat personality in the locker room these days.

Chandler said he barely recognizes the current Bulls. Only five of his former teammates remain and the Bulls already traded away the player they replaced him with, Ben Wallace.

"I knew that was going to happen," Chandler said of the trade. "I knew they had to do something with the way things were going."

There's a good reason Chandler doesn't miss the Bulls much anymore. He's averaging 12.3 rebounds and 11.8 points for the Hornets, who have been one of the West's top contenders all season.

"I definitely didn't see myself being a Hornet," he said. "(But) that's the best thing that could have happened to me.

"(The playoffs are) going to be great. I feel like we've got an opportunity to go all the way. I've never been on a team that I've really felt that and really believed that in my heart."

More money, more problems: Tyson Chandler can relate in some ways to the Bulls' struggles, which seemed to begin when Ben Gordon and Luol Deng did not sign extensions before the Oct. 31 deadline.

Chandler didn't sign an extension after his third season either, but he really struggled after signing a new six-year, $63 million deal with the Bulls. He was traded to the Hornets a year later.

"It can be tough definitely, playing and thinking about that," he said. "I was in a situation where I knew I wasn't signing (an extension). They had a good first three years, so I think they were expecting to sign.

"That's when it kind of gets tough. Then you've got to get out there and feel like you've got to prove what you're worth."

Bull horns: This was the second straight game in which the Bulls have been outscored by 20 points in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia did the same Friday. … Kirk Hinrich went scoreless with 5 assists in 16 minutes of action. … The Bulls had 11 active players since Chris Duhon stayed home with an illness. … Referee Bennett Salvatore was on hand to work his 1,500th career game.

Tonight's tipoff

Bulls vs. New Jersey Nets at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WMVP 1000-AM

Update: This is as big a game as the Bulls have left on the schedule. New Jersey is a half-game behind Atlanta for eighth place in the East, with the Bulls 2 games behind the Nets. The Bulls already lost the season series to the Nets after suffering a pair of overtime losses on the road. This is New Jersey's only trip to Chicago this season.

Player to watch: Guard Devin Harris is averaging 16.6 points and 5.6 assists since being acquired from Dallas. The Nets are 5-8 since trading away Jason Kidd.

Next: San Antonio Spurs at the United Center, 7 p.m. Thursday

-- Mike McGraw