BACK TO THAT SAME OLD PLACE SWEET HOME CHICAGO JACKSON HAS FOND MEMORIES OF WINDY CITY.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer CHICAGO - The man dressed in the yellow, long-sleeved Lakers sweatshirt settled in before three dozen media members and a half-dozen TV cameras. He looked a lot like the fellow who once coached the hometown team to six NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= championships in eight years. But he sounded like a totally different individual once the questions began. Especially the ones concerning his former employer, the ones about a dynasty transformed into an expansion team overnight. ``I haven't heard one bad report about Chicago, that it's a team that gave up on Pippen-Jordan-Rodman and their championships, or that management's tough there. I haven't heard a bad thing,'' the gray-bearded, bespectacled former Bulls coach said Monday afternoon. ``I think this management treats players very fairly, I think they're pragmatic, I think they're good business people in this organization. I think they did a great job with the Bulls and I think that players that are looking to this city to play in will find it very satisfying as a sports town.'' The statement must have stunned stun tr.v. stunned, stun·ning, stuns 1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow. 2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise. 3. the locals. Particularly the two named Jerry - Krause, the Bulls GM, and Reinsdorff, the owner. For these words came from Lakers coach Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. , who was once Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who openly feuded with the Jerrys through the last three Chicago championships, in 1996-97-98. It has been one year and eight months since Michael Jordan's era-ending jump shot against the Utah Jazz clinched the Bulls' sixth title. And yet everything, including Jackson - who coaches against his former team for the first time tonight - has changed. Since June of 1998, the Bulls have sunk to the bottom of the NBA, just as Krause and Reinsdorff planned. Even before the fifth and sixth championships, they were looking to rebuild, to parcel out pieces like Scottie Pippen Scottie Maurice Pippen (born September 25, 1965 in Hamburg, Arkansas) is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). in exchange for young talent and salary-cap room. Pippen ripped management. Jordan ripped management. Jackson ripped management. Management fired back. Krause asserted that organizations - not players - win championships. Ultimately, they were allowed to stay together for a sixth title. But no more. Pippen was shipped out for spare parts Spare parts, also referred to as Service Parts is a term used to indicate extra parts available and in proximity to the mechanical item, such as a automobile, boat, engine, for which they might be used. Spare parts are also called “spares. and salary-cap space. Jordan retired. Steve Kerr Stephen Douglas "Steve" Kerr (born September 27, 1965 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the most accurate three-point shooter in league history[1], and a five-time National Basketball Association world champion. and Luc Longley Lucien James "Luc" Longley (born January 19 1969 in Melbourne, Victoria) is a retired Australian professional basketball player, who was the first Australian to play in the NBA. He attended college at the University of New Mexico. were swapped for more random pieces and more salary-cap room. Dennis Rodman retired, then unretired elsewhere. Now Jackson is back and will undoubtedly be flush with emotion tonight at United Center. But bitterness over the Breakup of the Bulls won't be among his feelings. A year away from the game, a successful first half-season with the Lakers, and a ceremony honoring Jackson here last May have combined to soften the landscape, to loosen old tensions. But it's hard not to think about what might have been, had there been no NBA lockout lockout, intentional closing up of a company, factory, or shop by an employer to prevent employees from working during a strike or labor dispute. The term lockout , and had the Bulls been allowed to continue their incredible run. ``We'd have probably won seven, eight championships,'' said Lakers guard Ron Harper
Ronald Harper (born January 20, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio) is a retired American professional basketball player whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001 with four teams in , a member of the Bulls' last three championship teams, who also makes his first return as an opponent. ``I mean, who knows, that's just a thought. Hey, I got my championship rings.'' Jackson did, too, before retiring to his Montana ranch for a year of reflection. He doesn't stop to think about what might have been. ``You know, really I don't because we had a prelude to it the year before (when Krause nearly broke up the team), and we went through the idea of (it),'' Jackson said. ``Originally, I was going to retire after seven years, I felt comfortable doing that, then it went on for eight. And then the ninth year (1998) was - it was just the pie a la mode. It was the a la mode on the whole wonderful time I had here. And that year, I thought the team and the group played closer together than almost anytime they played before. Even though we didn't have the best record of the last three-peat group, it was a year in which we had the best time as a group. ``It's all very good memories that I have. The people that surround the team, the sports staff, the press people in this town treated me very well. The fans that were overflowing with their emotions and their generosity to me and my family. All those things are all positive aspects, and the reality is that Jerry Reinsdorff invited me to come back twice to coach the team last year, and I felt very comfortable saying no, that it was the right time for myself to retire, and I felt the right time for the rest of the team to give it up, too.'' But no, he hasn't spoken to the Jerrys (save for Jerrys Buss and West), and doesn't plan to while he's here. As for the emotional response to playing against the Bulls at United Center, Jackson himself isn't sure, but he expects ``moments of suspense and drama'' when he walks from the visitors' locker room to the court. ``I wish I could anticipate what the emotions are going to be like, but I really can't,'' he said. ``I know it's going to be an emotional time, but I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. to what level. It's going to be different being at the other end of the court. It's going to be different seeing that other team at the other end of the floor. And then being the opposing person in a home space, or what feels like a home space, is going to be different. But I think by the time the jump ball goes up, it'll be OK.'' If nothing else, it's a fine opportunity to give Jackson's players some added motivation as they start the second half of the season, and a six-game road trip. ``It's definitely there, the emotion is definitely high,'' said Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. . ``You're a little more pumped us for this game than you would be if it was just another team starting off the road trip.'' THE JACKSON FILE Phil Jackson's NBA coaching record: Regular season Playoffs Year Team W L Pct. W L Pct. 1989-90 Chicago 55 27 .671 10 6 .625 *1990-91 Chicago 61 21 .744 15 2 .882 *1991-92 Chicago 67 15 .817 15 7 .682 *1992-93 Chicago 57 25 .695 15 4 .789 1993-94 Chicago 55 27 .671 6 4 .600 1994-95 Chicago 47 35 .573 5 5 .500 *1995-96 Chicago 72 10 .878 15 3 .833 *1996-97 Chicago 69 13 .841 15 4 .789 *1997-98 Chicago 62 20 .756 15 6 .714 * denotes NBA Champions MIDSEASON REPORT SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). First-half averages: 28.0 points, 14.2 rebounds, 3.43 blocks Highlight of the half: Displayed best rebounding and defense in years, proved he can play 40-plus minutes per night and is garnering widespread support for league MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. . Outlook: Needs to stay injury-free but has been troubled by sore right shoulder. He could use a legitimate backup, or at least a hard-rebounding power forward to play alongside. A A.C. GREEN First-half averages: 5.5 points, 6.3 rebounds Highlight of the half: Played stiff defense against Lakers nemesis Karl Malone Outlook: Is ceding cede tr.v. ced·ed, ced·ing, cedes 1. To surrender possession of, especially by treaty. See Synonyms at relinquish. 2. most of his minutes to Robert Horry Robert Horry (born August 25, 1970 in Harford County, Maryland) is an American National Basketball Association basketball player. Currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Horry is is known for his ability to make clutch shots in big games. and his rebounding has faded over past six weeks. Lakers need an upgrade at the position. B GLEN RICE Glen Anthony Rice (born May 28 1967, in Flint where he played for Flint Northwestern High School, Michigan) is a retired American NBA basketball player. Rice was a three-time NBA All-Star small forward well known for his pinpoint shooting accuracy, ranking 4th in NBA history with First-half averages: 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists Highlight of the half: Sparked late come-from-behind victory over Charlotte, his former team, starting a stretch of five games in which he scored at least 17 points. Outlook: Averaged just 10 points over his past five games and fumed fume n. 1. Vapor, gas, or smoke, especially if irritating, harmful, or strong. 2. A strong or acrid odor. 3. A state of resentment or vexation. v. over lack of playing time and shots, increasing speculation he might be traded by Feb. 24 deadline. B- KOBE BRYANT First-half averages: 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists Highlight of the half: No ill effects after missing month with broken hand and has rounded out his game - with six double-doubles and a near-triple double, a growing assist average and improving 3-point shot. Outlook: Just give him the ball and enjoy the ride. A RON HARPER First-half averages: 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists Highlight of the half: Became a needed on-court leader, stabilizing Lakers offense and defense and providing an occasional scoring punch. Outlook: So far his surgically repaired, 36-year-old knees have held up, but Lakers will look to rest him more. B ROBERT HORRY First-half averages: 4.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals Outlook: Has become Lakers' best rebounder and defender off the bench and is providing great all-around support on both sides of the ball. His minutes (20.8 per game) could continue to increase. B+ DEREK FISHER Derek Lamar Fisher (born August 9 1974 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was with the Utah Jazz but asked to be released from his contract to care for his 10-month-old daughter, who has cancer. First-half averages: 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, 1.33 steals Outlook: Excelled as a starter while Bryant mended but has struggled as reserve (shooting 35 percent). Will continue to earn long minutes as third guard and hustling defender but could be pushed by veteran Brian Shaw Brian K. Shaw (born March 22, 1966 in Oakland, California) is a former professional basketball player. The 6' 6" Shaw could play both guard spots, but was used primarily at point guard over the course of his 14 seasons in the league. . B- RICK FOX First-half averages: 7.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists Outlook: Had a forgettable for·get·ta·ble adj. Fit or apt to be forgotten: a movie with very forgettable characters. Adj. 1. forgettable - easily forgotten unforgettable - impossible to forget first half but came on strong over past two weeks and is taking minutes from Rice. He's earned high praise for his understanding of triangle offense  This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please [improve the article] or discuss this issue on the talk page. and could play big role in second half, especially if Rice is traded. B- LAKERS vs. CHICAGO Tipoff: 5 p.m., at United Center. TV/Radio: Channel 9; KLAC-AM (570). Lakers (37-11) update: Shaquille O'Neal aggravated a rotator-cuff strain in his right shoulder during Sunday's All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games in Oakland. He is not expected to miss any playing time and is downplaying the injury. The shoulder has bothered him periodically since the first week of the season, when he collided with Portland's Jermaine O'Neal Jermaine L. O'Neal (born October 13 1978, in Columbia, South Carolina) is an American National Basketball Association player who currently plays for the Indiana Pacers. O'Neal, a 6 ft 11 in (2. . Bulls (10-37) update: They're a semi-respectable 8-11 since Toni Kukoc returned from the injured list Jan. 5. However, they lost seven of nine heading into the All-Star break and one of the victories came against the Clippers. - Howard Beck CAPTION(S): photo, 3 boxes Photo: (color) no caption (Phil Jackson in front of Chicago skyline) Box: (1) Midseason report (see text) (2) Lakers vs. Chicago (see text) (3) The Jackson file (see text) |
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