The road back to the playoffs is long. Can MJ's new protégé pave the way?
Ben Gordon can drive, dish, pass and drain the three-pointer. But what has Chicago fans buzzing is his blossoming friendship with one of his Bulls predecessors at shooting guard, a fellow by the name of Michael Jordan. Says the 21-year-old Gordon, "He's sort of taken me under his wing."
Drafted with the No. 3 pick -- the same as Jordan in 1984 -- after starring at UConn, Gordon met His Airness this summer while playing pickup games at Hoops the Gym. Gordon had just bought a three-bedroom condo in suburban Northbrook, and Jordan's wife, Juanita, had been his real estate agent, so the two began talking about Gordon's new home and soon struck up a friendship. Jordan has taken Gordon to a Cubs game and had him over for a barbecue. Still, says Gordon, "We've never had a chance to sit down and talk about basketball. Most of what I've learned from him has been out there on the court playing -- hints on how to get shots off and stuff like that."
Bulls coach Scott Skiles just hopes that Gordon -- a Bobby Jackson-type who can play both guard spots -- picked up a few of MJ's defensive tricks. "We're going to need Ben to defend [the two spot]," says Skiles, knowing that there'll be matchup problems when the 6'2" Gordon plays alongside 6'3" point guard Kirk Hinrich. "Ben's strong and has a low center of gravity. He's a competitor, and I think he'll be a fast learner."
With Hinrich, 23; Tyson Chandler, 22; Eddy Curry, 21; and 19-year-old Duke rookie Luol Deng all slated to play key roles for the Bulls, Gordon's rapid development could make the youth movement in Chicago complete. He might not start right away, but he'll be counted on heavily. If he can score double figures while holding his own on D, he'll make the Bulls an improved team -- and his new pal proud. -- Marty Burns
