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With Drew Gooden back, Luol Deng possibly being back on Friday against the Washington Wizards (7-27), Kirk Hinrich possibly coming back at the end of the month, the Bulls (15-20) look like they're returning to full strength, which hasn't happened yet this season.

The Bulls also snapped 3 game losing streak by beating the Sacramento Kings (8-28) 99-94 on Tuesday.

With some situations that have come up and are forth coming, I felt the need to get the expert opinion of someone with knowledge of the team.

Even though Stacey King and Neil Funk still haven't grown on me on the WGN and WCIU broadcast of the Bulls game, it is always nice to hear what team updates K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune has to offer.

1) When a losing streak occurs, like the one the Bulls are going through, teams can either pull together or they can fall apart. With this still being a young team with a coach who is new to this, how do you see the Bulls responding for the remainder of the season?

I think enough players are on the team from last season who remember how painful that campaign proved. And many of these same players have played on playoff teams. Thus, while making no guarantees for a playoff berth, I at least see this team competing harder and playing more team-oriented basketball than last season's train wreck.

2) With John Paxson looking for front court help to help ease pressure off of Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon, what names do you see that could possibly be available that will help the lack of front court production?

Brad Miller is available now. The Bulls haven't shown much interest. They would show interest in Chris Kaman, although he hasn't been shopped yet. That could change by the deadline. Certainly, they are interested in other big men, but I'm not privvy to all of management's thinking.

3) Do you think Luol Deng's name will come up in trade talks as we get to the deadline?

No chance. His contract is too prohibitive and it also falls under the salary-cap classification of base-year compensation, which makes it extremely difficult to trade.

4) With Ben Gordon playing well while sharing the back court with Rose, will this have any impact on what happens for him and the Bulls in the off season?

I just think Ben's performance confirms why the Bulls have tried hard to sign him the last two offseasons. Remember Ben turned down the deals. It wasn't a matter of the Bulls not making good offers. That said, Ben always has been professional and understands this is a business. He doesn't hold grudges. I wouldn't be surprised to see him re-sign with the Bulls next summer.

5) Lately, with the issues the Bulls have been having defensively, bickering and the fines Del Negro had to issue, is this a team that can band together and make a playoff run?

I don't see any bickering. The Noah-Nocioni incident happened and was worth writing about for one day because it did happen but it was merely on-the-court frustration and neither player dislikes the other. The fines were Del Negro's way of reminding all players that, even as a first-year coach, he can't be tested. As I said before, I can't predict a playoff berth---and didn't during the preseason. But I don't see this team acting as selfishly as last season's team.

6) With coaches like Eddie Jordan, Maurice Cheeks now out of jobs, will the Bulls look at a new coach after the season is over?

All coaches are hired to be fired. Vinny only signed a three-year deal for roughly $2 million per season, so that's chump change if they wanted to make a change. That said, I see him starting next season as coach.