Oh, what could have been for the Chicago Bulls.

General manager Jerry Krause had the team pointed in the right direction. Solid draft choices were developing alongside solid free-agent acquisitions.

But solid wasn’t good enough for Krause.

He wanted spectacular.

In the 2001 NBA Draft, he thought he would reach those spectacular heights he envisioned by adding the teen “skyscrapers” Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

Krause was seduced by their size, which he believed would evoke memories of original Twin Towers Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon. He was so sure they would dominate, especially in the Eastern Conference, where size was a rare commodity.

So what have we learned from Curry and Chandler’s fourth season?

Size doesn’t matter. Heart, effort and staying healthy do.

But for the next 450 words, pretend June 27, 2001, never happened.

Pretend the 2001 NBA Draft was merely a dream while I take everyone on a whirlwind journey not only to what could have been for the Chicago Bulls, but what should have been.

It’s been a long rebuilding process, but seven years after the once great Chicago Bulls dismantled and dream of returning to the promised land, a trip to the NBA Finals, could become a reality.

A changing of the guard occurred in the offseason as long-time general manager Jerry Krause stepped aside and hired John Paxson to take the reins of what Krause believed was a completed reconstruction project.

Coach Bill Cartwright knows there are high expectations for his young team, especially after making the playoffs last season before being ousted by the eventual champions, the Detroit Pistons.

The Bulls will be led this season by All-Star power forward Elton Brand. “The Double-Double Machine” has emerged during his five years in the league as a consistent force, team leader and fan favorite.

Brand will be joined in the frontcourt by reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Ron Artest, who led the league in steals and nervous breakdowns last season. His demeanor may be eccentric, but his talent exceeds that of many in the league.

Brad Miller continues to be penciled in as “the man in the middle” for the Bulls and will be expected to improve upon the 12 points, 10 rebounds and two Shaquille O’Neal fistfights he provided last season.

The 2001 first-round draft pick Jason Richardson will be expected to make that next jump to stardom in his fourth year. His athleticism is unquestioned and his jump shot is developing, making a deadly combination for opposing defenses.

The biggest key will be point guard Jay Williams. Acquired in a 2002 draft day trade with the Golden State Warriors that sent Jamal Crawford and the Bulls’ first-round pick west in order to move up in the draft, the Bulls’ floor general will continue his ascent to stardom after averaging 17 points and nine assists a game last season.

The bench will be just as key. Trenton Hassell, Carlos Boozer, Marcus Fizer, Jarvis Hayes, Fred Hoiberg, Jake Voskuhl and rookie Jameer Nelson will all need to provide quality minutes to spell the Bulls’ starters.

With the pieces in place, 2004-2005 could be a magical season for this young Bulls squad.

Speaking of teams being resurrected, the UCLA Bruins and DePaul Blue Demons are expected to return to the ranks of the elite this season, led by senior centers Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, respectively.

Both players are at the top of most All-American lists and both believe they made wise decisions by staying four years in college instead of declaring for the draft out of high school.

DePaul and UCLA will both be ranked in the Top 10 to start the season. They have Curry and Chandler to thank for that.

Ah, how perfect it would have been.

Brand, Artest and Miller muscling up against the Pistons’ frontcourt in a revival of the earlier Chicago-Detroit rivalries.

Jay Williams staying off crotch rockets and throwing alley-oops to Jason Richardson.

Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler helping college teams win, not professional teams lose.

But instead, Bulls fans have been treated to an 0-4 start this season.

Here’s hoping they turn things around, but for the time being, pardon me for dwelling on what should have been.

A resurrection, not a disaster.

Jeff Feyerer is a senior in ALS. He can be reached at [email protected].