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ee OE Sr ee 6 rere I The Salt Lake Tribune NBA ew Sew AS SP Ss Sunday, January23, 2000 NEA. INSIDE THE LEAGUE Transforming Wizards Would Be a Work OfMagicfor Jordan PERFORMANCES | @ CLIFF ROBINSON, Suns, scored 50 points, | making 17 of 26 field goals and 13 of 15 free throws, in a 113-100 win over Denver E @ DAN MAJERLE, Heat, scored five points in ‘THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE 44 minutes on just 2 of 15 shooting in a 92-85 Several of those grossly overpaid, uninspired Washington Wizards had better hope they get overtime loss to Chicago on Tuesday. m@ DIKEMBE MUTOMBO, Hawks, the NBA leader in last week, made 1 of 11 field goals and scored six points in a 101-79 loss to Miami on Friday. He did contribute 20 re- soon. Reports out of the District of Columbia indicate Wizards executive Michael Jordan plans to suit up andpractice with his team. With Chicago, Jordan often played the bully to his teammates during practice. Heonce whacked little Steve Kerr upside the head. Anothertime, he stormed outof practice whenhis team was getting cheated during a mCEDRIC CEBALLOS, Mavericks, was 11 of 21 from the field and 17 of 20 from the free- scrimmage. throw line to score 39 points in the Mavericks’ 121-111 loss to Houston on Monday. ANTONIO McDYESS,Nuggets, scored 40 | points and had 12 rebounds in Denver's 122-115 loss to Houston on Thursday. } i | Picture rethis: Rod Strickland, Juwon Howard andbuddies leave practice sporting swollen eyes, courtesyoftheir new director of basketball operations. Jordan has no patience for losers. The team that has had several names is about to undergoa majorface-lift. His first day on the job, Jordan spent several LEADERS hours with General “Everybodyis disposable,” Jordan said. | FG FT PTS AVG 30 328 205 904 311 Hl, Dt x s76 253 1056 7g O'Neal, LAL Malone,Utah 38 446 188 1080 27.7 37 M7 267 962 260 vesSe ‘Duncan, Carer, Tor. Payton, Sea. Finley, Dal Mourning, 34 40 38 41 98 38 348 355 367 956 362 340 144 266 193 155 135 1 850 977 950 973 87 Rider,Atl ‘Gamett,Minn. 35 7 40 39 41 38 38 304 MO 361 300 318 269 293 147 122 137 223 186 240 144 796 227 B27 908 227 863 221 905 221 789 208 762 206 SuolbeseDet 25.0 244 24a 237 231 $6 204 M6 888 208 ‘Marbury,N.J. Allen, Mil. Abdur-Rahim, Van, Houston, N.Y. Walker,Bos. O'Neal, LAL moar) eke 0-1 biterO-1). ir, &SOUR Yor G OFF DEF TOT AVG 39 178 395 573 147 Wednesday, the day Michael Jordan 38 164 280 444 117 Of the Wizards,they lost 4037 fst ore sib joa 115 328 443 120 ‘Webber, Sac. 4 286 374 Davis, ind. ‘Abdur-Rahim, Ven. Brand, Chi Mouming, Mia. 39 38 35 «38. 147 241 388 99 102 276 378 99 164 104 348 94281-37599 Wiliams, Det winning streak WASHINGTON Dmnsa Gamett, Feick, Nu. KINGS The Kings’ 111-103 ri Victory over Orlando on Thursday gave thema seven-game Hobs 39 201 150 70 203 REBOUNDING i 1117 00141, nan000 11.0 «38 141 256 397 10. WIZARDS 04-86 coe at home in front o' just 11,358 fans. y ) ; said. to get was in Kidd, Phos. Cassel, Mi Brandon, Minn. Payton, Sea. Van Exel, Den, Stockton, Utah Marbuy,NJ. G AST 37 370 40.981: 34 305 41.360 37-322 37 318 39 931 Jackson, ind. 3 Wiliams, Sac. Blaylock GS. ne out n they AVG 100 95 9.0 88 87 88 85 322 83 98.293 81 29 221 7.6 First-year Lakers CoachPhil Jackson led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships. O'Neal, LAL Mutlombo, At Paterson, Sea. ——_Mouming, Mia. Davis,ind. Wallace, Port. MoDyess, Den. ‘Webber, Sac. Malone, Utah Brown, Mia. FG FGA PCT 783. 570 “147. 283559 178 327 544 633 537 182 362 517 251. 489.513 270 529 510 679 «510 347 681510 185 365 507 Davis,Dall 36G SFGA PCT 57110 518 Homacek, Utah Jackson,Atl a 1397 vi Miller,Ind. 193 208 928 Porter, S.A. 58 135 re Brandon,Minn. 141 123 902 Curry,Tor. 3 Hunier, Det. Houston, NY. Allen, Mi 88 78179-4936 52 120 433 83 192 432 Miller, ind. a7 Bibby, Van. 3+ ‘Drew, Hou. 49 Anmstrong, Of. Allen,Mil. Cassell, Mi. Jackson,At 186 209.890 196 222-1 94 107 879 431 Best, ind. 61 70 871 426 Rice, LAL 203 864 -—72-431.~—‘Stockfon, Utah 115 FT FTA PCT 96 100 960 118 190.908 91 105 867 BY NUNYO DEMASIO SEATTLE TIMES LOS ANGELES — CoachPhil Jackson hada problem that couldn’t be solved by simply giving Michael Jordan theball. Instead,the Bulls’ coach called HorLakace Grant intohisoffice. The Chicago Bulls had wontheir first NBAtitle the previous season. Andto prevent complacency, Jackson soughtthe helpof a duringtraining campbefore the 1991-92 seasot ; Grant so that evensensitive teammates such as Scottie Pippen wouldget the message. “Hesaid, ‘Look,I’m going to be tough on you: Can youhandleit?,’ “ remembered Grant, who won three NBA championshipswith the Bulls from 1991to ‘93. “That washis wayoftelling me that he’s not go- ing to be ableto talk to otherplayers like that. I said, even-keel guy. You can haveall thetalentin the world. If you don’t havetheright head coach,you'll win gamesbut you won't win championships.” Although Jackson wonsix championships with the Bulls, such behind-the-scene moves were sometimes overlooked because of Chicago’stalent. Whatcoach couldn’t win an NBA championship with perhapsthe greatestplayerin league history (Jordan)? A superstar s1 forward with the versatility of a Swiss knife Ceppeny And maybe the best rebounderever (Dennis Ri )? 7 77 208 Bradley, % 3993 2.38 37,87 2.35 3479-292 110 289 Mondayatthe Delta Center.“I understandit entirely. I'm so grateful of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, 2 7 % 6 68 63 1.88 186 1.75 ‘Duncan, SA. Outlaw, Ort. Gamett, Minn. 0 40 7 82 86 4 230 215 200 to be part ofthat great Chicago Bulls dynasty. “You haveto give credence to the talented players Griffin, Bos. ‘Stockton, Utah Artest, Chi. MoDyess,Den. 37 74 2.00 5 | 25 whoever was there because that’s what we coaches winby.” The Laker coach nolonger has Jordan or Pippen gamewinningstreak. Jackson inherited considerabletalent: Laker cen- Trades that 76ers Coach Larry Brown accused the Philadelphia news media of speculating about, none of which actually happened. 11 San Antonio victories in 23 games, going into Saturday's game with New York. 12 Double-doubles for Chicago rookie Elton Brand in the last 14 games. 11 Horace Grant, Dennis R Lakers to the league’s top record at32-7, one of their beststarts in franchise history that featured a 16- Teamsthat Michael Jordan inquired about co-owning, before settling on Washington. The others: Milwaukee, Denver, Golden State and Dallas. Assists for Miami guard Tim Hardaway in his return after a 26-game absence, because of a jammed right knee. ter Shaquille O'Neal is the dominantplayerin the NBA, while guard Kobe Bryant evokes memories of a young Jordan. But after several seasonsof underachieving, the Lakers are the league’s top team largely because O'Neal has improved and Jackson has placed an emphasis on defense. “Talent is what wins in this game,” Jackson said. “You'vegot to havetalented players to win basketball gameswithout a doubt. You hope what youdo is conduciveto talented players winning. But it doesn’t FOLLOW-UP SHOTS Opponent San Antonio Miami LA. Clippors Minnesota | Vancouver Sacramento Averages Pts, 9 23 2 21 ai 22 18.6 0 10 13 8 2 6 65 Rebs, 2 7 12 2 3 3 48 ‘Writing on the NBC Website,television commentatorBill Walton questions Jordan’sdeci- the one hecreated for himself as an NBA super- team basketball, and defense is going to be our sion. “Jordan's moveto the Wizards’frontoffice casts him ina lightfar less extraordinary than hasbeen attentive to Jackson. star,” Walton wrote. “T'm still wondering whyin the world would Michael Jordan wantto associate himselfwith a “Everybody knowshistrack record andhis ré- sumé,” O’Neal explained.“He’s been there and done that.A lot of coaches haven’t been there and done that. He has lotofpower. He's notthe type of guy to be takenlightly.” Bryant missed thefirst 15 games ofthe season because ofa brokenright hand. The Lakers expected to struggle with their offense when Bryantreturned. Instead, the shootingguard blended in seamlessly, and the Lakers eventually overtook the Blazers for proven mediocrity of a team like the Wizards. Andwhy,ofall things, would he wantto subject himself to the drudgery of a run-of-the-mill frontoffice position that would chain him to a desk?” : Q < Ramblings Heard probably will become the answertoa trivia question: Whois thefirst coach Jordan the league's best record. “We're pleasantly surprised,” Jacksonsaid. “We had lot of confidence. We were playing ata pretty fired? Heard’s two head coachingstints were with the Dallas Mavericks and Washington. No man should endure suchpain andsuffering. Now, he has Jordan loomingoverhis head. “J don’tfeel undermined,” Heardsaid. “Be- Friction between O’Neal and Bryantfor control of the team seems to have disappeared. The control rests with Jackson. Duringhis stint with the Bulls, Jackson coached them to the highest winning percentage in NBAhistory: .738 during the regular season and.730 in the postseason.Overthatspan, his strength was managing egos and keepinghis players focused. “Phil knowshowto mold guysinto a basketball team,” former Bull Ron Harpersaid. “He makes guys feels like they are part of the team. It’s not just the Shaq show or somebody else’s show. He doesthat very, very well.” Said Grant:“He knew whento crack the whip on certain guys and he knew howtotalk to the fran- lieve me, we need all the help we canget right now, and IJ can’t think of a guy that’s better suited for it than Michael.” @ Oneof Jordan’sfirst moves could be to trade reservecenterIke Austin. The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teamsinterested. @ ShandonAndersonfinally has settled in with the Houston Rockets. In a recent 10-game stretch, the former Jazz guard-forward scored in doublefigures nine times. Thursday, he had 26 points and 13 rebounds while playingall 48 min- utes against Denver. No wonderCoach Jerry Sloan says the Jazz miss him. Anderson'ssolid play coincides with Houston’s five-game winning streak. “Guys who were bickering aboutplaying time chise player.” After Jackson's contract expired in Chicago in 1996, he received interest from several NBA teams including the Nets and Knicks. Jackson waited until the Lakerjob opened up. Andit wasn’t any coincidence that they are one of in the fourth quarterare in there now and getting their points,” Andersontold the Houston Chronicle. “They're in position and getting the ball. We've had the same guysoutthere for a few weeks, and they know whatto expect. “We've had so manyinjuries, we've beenplaying different lineups a lot of the time.” mattera lotof times.” the league’s mosttalented teams. “| wanted to take a job that had sometalentto win,” Jackson said.“I'm nota coach that’s here to build a franchise up from the bottom to the winner.I Last year, the Lakers were 25th in the NBA in points allowed. This season, Los Angeles has one of the best defenses in the league. wanted to take talented players anddothe things @ Andersonis notthe only bright spot for the Rockets. Former New Mexico star Kenny Thomas had three double-doubles this past week. thatI’m capable.” With or‘without Michael. rebounds. ion Russell Homacek ‘Stockton Eisley Gitta Ostertag Pelynice Lows Vaughn eg Team OPPONENTS v7 v7 %& 7 v 5 % v7 % uM %B A BA 26 20 mr 18.0 92 22 125 2 2 mm Ws 7 7 wo MoO FGMFGA PCT ‘47-681 190-409 172.354 163-324 126-302 12 6115, OeITt 53190 82-109 200 20-74 510 465 486 a Ar M6 SAB Ag! M8 Att mm mm 6MI OAT (Ime ron FT-FTA pall ein 2053 16-52 on oo 00 00 517 “7 1031 oo me wear 6735 100-133 96-100 91-105 658 710 ti a2 3140 1013 W6 4 77 782 960 67 793 700 583 a 1 18 78 ™ mM mm Tine THES \WEEK. MON. LA.LAKERS 6p.m. AgainstPortland, he had 22 points and 14 RECORD (Through Friday) Overall 25-12; Home 15-4; Away 10-8 ie STATISTICS 6 Armen Gilliam's game-by-game statistics since he pires in 2004. “I told my players, we're going to play maxim because that’s how youwin in this league.” Jackson wasn’t thefirst coach to try goading O'Neal to become more of a complete player. But he son, whose Los Angeles Lakers play the Jazz on or Rodman. Nonetheless, Jackson has guided the BY THE NUMBERS ready indicated he will take a hands-on approach andtry to shake the players from their lethar- “T've tried to bring order anddiscipline,”said Jackson, whosigned a $30 million contract that ex- “Wedidn’t think that we could have a real good defense in this early stage of the year because we spent so muchtime developing our offense.” 4 Robinson, SA. LaFrentz,Den. Camby,NY. lyst Jack Ramsey, a formercoach. “He heeat =a “Big Chief Triangle,” KnickCoach Jeff Van Gundyonce derisively dubbed Jackson. “Thecriticism doesn’t sting meatall,” said Jack- Mouming,Mia. Ned IAL Mutombo, A. 40 82 205 30 61 203 33 63 191 for practice and competing hard,” said Lakers coach high level, and when Kobe went down,it just extended what wecould do. Jones, Char. i Pierce, Bos. Blaylock, GS. Phoe. Heard said. “The only impact that he could have right awayis if he were to step on the court and play. But I think his influence aroundtheplayers is going to makea difference.” His presence at practice should help. At 36, Jordan still can whip anybodyin the league. Players fave pride, even the Wizards. “One the mostsignificant things he can do is change theplayers’attitude about ey Phil Jackson meditation — with incense — received as muchattention as his coaching abilities. G BLK AVG 38 168 4.42 39-130 3.38 «38-—«123--3.24 ber, Rasheed Wallace and Tom Gugliotta. Nowonderattendance is lousy. If management charged admission, more fans would watch Jordan practice than attend games. Thefrontoffice wasted little time promoting Jordan, immediately the team’s most marketable commodity. Next year’s season-ticket advertisements alreadyfeature the greatest player ever.But can Jordan change the team’s future? “Westill have the same team,” Coach Gar “Talent is what wins in this game. You've gotto have talented players to win basketball games without a doubt. You hope what you do is conducive to talented players winning.” Jackson wanted to use thehick-skinned power G sn Ava 28 85 3.04 32 79 247 29 62 214 # Anmstrong, Or. 7 verson, Phil | Gil, Nu. From 1996-98, the Wizardsdid not have a firstrounddraft choice. They have traded Chris Web- » forward for aLeeety ploy. He would treat Jackson's seemingly hokeyacts, such as player oming ing his magic. Regattas of payroll, Washingtonis pathetic. The team has not wona playoff gamein 13 years andfinished the 1990s with a .372 winning percentage. to get into his players’ headsto getresults “He knew mypersonality. He knew I was a very FREE-THROW % payroll (including Howard's seven-year, $105 million contract), preventing Jordan from work- When needed, Lakers’ Jackson knew how “Yeah.” 3-POINT % twice in the NBAFinals. The Wizards have the NBA’s sixth-highest Head Games Decame art onner ~ If Jordan makes Washington a winner,it mightbe a greaterfeat than torching the Jazz Michael 8. Green/The Associated Press ae SACRAMENTO OG Pts «AVG Player OFF we §20 460 43 @ 3s 3 29 1% w 8 e 20 “wi ry 81 3B Wa 3 88 8 66 3 «448 " «(175 ar «42 1 4) " au 6 Q 96 ‘Malone Russell ‘Homacek ‘Stockton Eisley Gilliam Ostertag Polynice Lewis Vaughn Padgett Ke ri a a “ 5 2 7 nn 9 3 6 o4 6B uz CO ms TEAM OPPONENTS: we a0 WED. VANCOUVER p.m. ’ ggreehastsassrgg G Iverson, Phit defen“point 0000,E 2%, Ch Ba 616765. Thom 12345, a “UW 5.24 (Thom 59, Manager Wes Unseld,dis- cussing panera: | coring e were We TOT 0 0 6 89 mB % 27 a “4 2% wo @ AVG. 97 64 27 24 20 52 58 61 15 08 24 2 1805 40.7 aii 384 ASSISTS AST AVG. m1 38 e@ 7 ® 27 38 66 48 40 7 14 6 02 Ww OS 1% 05 WwW % 06 a Oe PF DQ STL TO BLK 80 «648 (1 41 6 & 8 o@ 12 7 10 80 5 oe on 4 9 0 2 & 2 6 0 86 6 & mw 1 0 7 “ n 0 & 2 9 v7 0 8 3 0 ® 1o8n 8 eo 8 0 76 8 181 5 on (300 8 2 Se 4 6 ® & 105 OT THUR. at PORTLAND 8 p.m | SAT. at MINNESOTA iis ‘ |
