Life without Michael Jordan is about the same for the Chicago Bulls as it was with him at this time last year.
When Jordan retired in October, two days before training camp opened, it appeared to doom the chances of a fourth straight NBA championship for the Bulls and turn the dynasty into just another basketball team.But 24 games into the season without Jordan, the Bulls are riding an eight-game winning streak - the longest in the league - and have won 12 of their last 13 games. Overall, they are 16-8 and trail the first-place Atlanta Hawks by only 1 1/2 games in the Central Division.
Last season after 24 games, the Bulls were 17-7 en route to their third consecutive title.
"A lot of people thought we'd be a .500 team," coach Phil Jackson said. "In our minds, we knew we were better than that."
Veterans Scottie Pippen and B.J. Armstrong have become the new leaders and a benchful of uncertainties have turned into contributors.
Toni Kukoc, the 25-year-old rookie from Croatia, has shown flashes of the brilliance that made him a European star. Pete Myers, Steve Kerr and Bill Wennington all have helped.
"We always said that they should play as a team," Jackson said. "As far as knowing each other, they are doing a great job. If the offense and defense are good, and the team is working at doing things well, you are not surprised with success."
Pippen downplays any surprise over the team's performance or his own.
"I know we've surprised a lot of critics with the way we've played, but we aren't trying to prove anything," Pippen said. "We're a good team, we're playing very well as a team and we're winning.
"I've always carried myself as an all-around player."
The new players have mixed in well because the Bulls have always played well as a unit, he said.
"This is not meant as a shot at Michael, but he didn't win three titles by himself," Pippen said.
Kukoc said that picking up the Bulls' system hasn't been easy, but he is getting more comfortable.
"The last couple of games were better," Kukoc said after scoring 21 points in Wednesday's 106-98 win over Minnesota. "I had a period (of games) I didn't like at all the way I played. The last couple of games I'm happy about."
Equally comfortable is Kerr, who's become the league's top three-point field goal shooter.
"I've had stretches like this before," he said. "I'm shooting the ball well. Certainly there is going to be some games where I cool off a little, but I feel if I can get consistent minutes I can shoot like this most of the year."
The much-traveled Myers, who played the past two seasons in Italy, has needed to use all of his speed and defensive skills in an attempt to replace Jordan in the backcourt. He has averaged 9.0 points.
Wennington has been another unlikely hero. He was expected to be waived, but when Scott Williams got hurt, Wennington made the roster.
Wennington scored 19 points against Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon Nov. 23. He is averaging 6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.