Sincerest Apologies To John Paxson

Back in February, everything was going against Bulls GM John Paxson.

Reports of being a lame duck GM on his way out surfaced, and then the Bulls failed to acquire Amare Stoudemire ... a rumor that had been picking up steam and looked close to happening but fell apart.

Instead, Mad Pax brought in Brad Miller, John Salmons, Tim Thomas and others while trading away fan-favorite Andres Nocioni and a bunch of scrubs.

So what does Miller do in Game 6? 23 points, 10 rebounds and five key points down the stretch in regulation when I was ready to wave good-bye to Chicago playoff basketball. Including a 3-pointer. Kinda makes this statement by yours truly seem silly.

Nothing says block dominance like a 7-footer spotting up for three -- unless his name, of course, is Dirk from Dallas.

Miller was 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

As for Salmons: a team-best 35 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists ... making my claim of Salmons being Thabo's American clone seem very silly.

Yet, there is one person who saw it all coming. Our NBA expert, Jeff.

I disagree sir.

It's a good trade. Brad Miller is a great passer and will finally take up space down low and John Salmons is a jack of all trades.

For once the Bulls will have a guard with some length that can shoot and defend pretty well.

And that's why he is our hoops expert.

Again, my sincerest apologies to Pax. My bad.

Is John Paxson asleep at the wheel? [The Big Dead Sidebar]