Both Paxson and Skiles have said on numerous occasions that the rest of the season is going to be about instilling a winning attitude and building for the future, not tanking games in order to ensure a top pick in the draft. But you have to wonder, based on some of the moves both men have made recently.

Paxson has relied on the minor league system as a talent pool to fill out his roster down the stretch, signing the likes of Paul Shirley [of the ABA?s Kansas City Knights] and Linton Johnson [Rockford Lightning of the CBA] to 10-day contracts, in addition to Ronald Dupree [NBDL?s Huntsville Flight], who was signed for the remainder of the season back on Jan. 28. Skiles, meanwhile, has refrained from using the likes of Eddie Robinson, who had seemingly found a role on the team only a couple of short weeks ago, Marcus Fizer, who is now on the injured list with a mysterious ?sprained left ankle? injury, and Corie Blount, recently released by the club, instead opting to give a look to Shirley, Johnson and Dupree- players who?ll likely not even be on the team next season.

While Johnson enjoyed a 10-point, 14-rebound effort in 35 minutes of action versus the Pistons, and has played well since returning to the Bulls- as most minor-leaguers initially do when they get called up to the show- is fielding a squad of cast-offs really sending a message to fans that you?re all about winning? And even if Paxson in the end finds a diamond in the rough and one, or even two, of his minor-league projects winds up with the team next season, is there any way the current roster, in these next few weeks, can escape the culture of losing that has permeated the franchise over the last six seasons?

In a word, no.

Signing NBDLers may send a message to the young, underachieving core of the team that it?s time to buckle down in the off-season and truly work hard at becoming better players if they want to remain in the fold, but both Paxson and Skiles surely know- at least we should hope so- that these last few games really mean nothing in the end.

Nothing, except securing the best possible chance of gaining the top pick in June?s draft.