CHICAGO - THE Chicago Bulls, struggling in the NBA's Eastern Conference, have fired coach Scott Skiles.

'This was a difficult decision to make, but one that was necessary at this time. Scott helped us in many ways during his time with the Bulls - most importantly, he helped this franchise get back to respectability.'

'I am appreciative of his hard work and the imprint that he left on our team,' Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson said in a statement posted on the team's Web site.