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Full-Court Press
THERE'S little question Michael Jordan is one of the greatest sports figures of anyone's time. He won six NBA titles, is able to pitch everything but a baseball and will likely become the Wizard of Washington before he is through. Former Bulls helping
other playoff teamsBut if you've been watching any of the NBA playoffs the past two weeks, you can't help but notice how many former Chicago Bulls are still on the court.
Two years ago, Chicago wrapped up its sixth title with a win over Utah, thanks to a last-second shot by Jordan that went in right on cue. The image is a lasting one, and is why so many people forget that he was on a great team with a great coach.
They were not one-hit wonders as this year's defending champion San Antonio Spurs turned out to be after losing to Phoenix. They played at a sustained level reminiscent of the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s and the Boston Celtics of the 1960s.
Much like the Bulls, neither of those dynasties were one-man shows. To be sure, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were the forks that twirled the spaghetti for those clubs. You can't win anything without them.
BUT when Jordan roamed the floor of the United Center, he had Scottie Pippen on one side, Toni Kukoc on the other and Luc Longley in the paint. If he needed bailing out on any given night, fellow guard Ron Harper was there to fill the void.
All four of these players are not only among seven Bulls on the rosters of playoff teams, they have had active roles in their clubs' solid showings as well. Chief among them is Pippen in Portland.
After a strange season in Houston a year ago, Pippen returned to a more prominent role with the Trail Blazers. The talented swing man stepped up his play in the four-game series with Minnesota.
During the regular season, Pippen averaged a steady 12.5 points a game. He scored 18.8 in the 3-1 series win over the upstart Timberwolves and could be the key component of keeping the Lakers from winning it all.
The Lakers have a strong Chicago connection of their own. Not only is Harper one of the guards constantly feeding Shaq and Kobe, the man running the show is none other than Phil Jackson, the only coach Jordan wanted to play for night in and night out.
Harper is happy to be reunited with Jackson as the Lakers try to shake off a close scare with northern neighbor Sacramento tonight. Everyone's favorite, Los Angeles appears on a collision course with Portland in what most folks figure is the real NBA title game.
But first things first. Los Angeles has to get by Sacramento and Phoenix, another team with a Bullish flavor. While Longley was much-maligned in Chicago, he could be a factor down low against Shaquille O'Neal in the second round of the playoffs.
KUKOC has certainly made his presence felt in Philadelphia. One of the last championship Bulls to leave Chicago, Kukoc was brought in late this year to help the 76ers get to the next level.
He wasn't magical in Philadelphia's 3-1 victory over the dangerous Charlotte Hornets. But he provided what Allen Iverson needed, a big lift from the outside. Kukoc averaged 9.3 points in the first round of the playoffs, hitting 7 of 20 3-pointers.
You figure one of these four will wear another championship ring and hoist the trophy high. Harper is in the best spot with Jackson in Los Angeles, but don't forget about Pippen.
Sure, Jordan was the man. But he had a lot of help.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.