Gilmore: Didn’t Ask to Be Waived

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore has denied that he asked to be waived from the National Basketball Assn. team.

Jerry Krause, the team’s vice president for operations, announced Thursday at a news conference that Gilmore asked to leave the team.

“Their minds were already made up to release me,” Gilmore, 38, said of Krause and Bull Coach Doug Collins.

Krause said that during a meeting in New York after Wednesday night’s 90-89 loss to the Knicks, the 17-year pro asked to be waived “and we agreed.”

Gilmore said he is not angry with Collins for placing him on waivers.

“Doug’s been my friend for a long, long time, and it was the toughest thing he had to do,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore played 24 games this season, averaging 4 points, 2 rebounds and 16 minutes a game. He lost his starting job to Dave Corzine this week.