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Bulls-Pacers Notebook
Jackson amused by 'whiners' label
Posted: Sunday May 31, 1998 09:15 PM
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Phil Jackson says he would like to see the referees blowing their whistles more (AP) |
CHICAGO (AP) -- Phil Jackson isn't bothered by the whiners tag attached to the Chicago Bulls during the Eastern Conference finals. He claims he's not aware it exists.
"Who's labeled us?" Jackson asked. The media, he was told.
"I haven't been paying much attention, I don't read the papers," said Jackson, fined $10,000 earlier in the series for criticizing the officials.
"You guys putting that on headlines and you've been doing that to us?" he said with a laugh. "You guys are really fickle. You love us if we win and we're whiners if we lose."
Jackson wasn't as lighthearted discussing charges that Michael Jordan is the beneficiary of favorable officiating.
"That's a big lie, not true at all," Jackson said.
"He's gotten two offensive fouls during the stretch of games and got no calls in two or three situations. Michael doesn't get all the calls in situations like this. Don't perpetuate it if it's not true."
Miller: 'Shooters shoot'
Even with Reggie Miller misfiring, the Pacers were able to win Game 6 and knot the series. Miller was just 2-of-13 from the field and missed six of seven shots from the 3-point line.
His plan before Game 7 was simple.
"I'll shoot. Shooters shoot," Miller. "Personally, I chalk it off as a bad night. I had open looks. That's all you want in this league."
Bird not concerned about officiating, unless ...
With all the talk about officiating, Pacers coach Larry Bird offered this:
"If I see David Falk reffing the next game, I know we're in trouble."
Falk is Michael Jordan's agent.
Fed up with the Bulls
They've won five titles, been the talk of the NBA the entire decade. Some people are fed up with the Chicago Bulls.
"All teams are just kind of tired of all the things Chicago has done," Indiana's Antonio Davis said before Sunday's Game 7.
"They've beaten a lot of people -- embarrassed a lot of people -- so I'm sure there are a lot of teams out there that would like to see them lose."
Jordan's bodyguard returns
Gus Lett, a former Chicago narcotics policeman who became Michael Jordan's bodyguard, attended Sunday's game.
When Jordan had a fractured foot in his second season (1985-86), Lett would help Jordan up the steps at the old Chicago Stadium. They soon became close friends.
When Lett was hospitalized for lung and brain cancer treatments in February, Jordan paid for medical costs and also spent hours visiting him while he recovered from surgery and chemotherapy.
Home sweet home
Entering Sunday's Game 7, the Bulls were 30-4 at the United Center during the postseason -- 3-2 in 1994-95; 10-0 in 1995-96; 10-1 in 1996-97; and 7-1 this season. The last time the Bulls lost a home game in the Eastern Conference finals was May 21, 1992 against Cleveland at Chicago Stadium. ... Indiana had 46 turnovers in the first two games but averaged only 11 per game the next four.
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NBA Finals
