With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, we can have a cheap laugh at the expense of Sam Smith’s history lesson in Monday’s Chicago Tribune.

Thanks to Artis Gilmore, no one is about to be fired, cut, traded or released.

It was 20 years ago Monday when one of the most popular players in Bulls history was released on Christmas Eve because of then-NBA rules that forced teams to waive players Dec. 24 or pay them for a full season. The so-called guarantee date subsequently was moved into January.

The organization was overwhelmed with negative publicity and community condemnation for dumping Gilmore, which makes the Bulls organization perhaps the most sensitive to the personal aspect of the holiday season.

Hey, guys, continue with your holiday shopping, but no one should relax.

About 5 hours after the above item was posted, the AP reported Chicago has fired head coach Scott Skiles.