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Bulls-Pacers Notebook
Kukoc cool under pressure
Posted: Monday June 01, 1998 01:15 AM
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Kukoc (left) scored 21 points in Game 7 -- 10 more than his playoff average (AP) |
CHICAGO (AP) -- Toni Kukoc had never been in a Game 7 or felt the tug of potential elimination with every play. Nervous? Nope.
He finished with 21 points, shooting 7-of-11, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
"I was calm. We had never played a seventh game so it was a new experience for us," Kukoc said. "You just go out and do your best and whatever happens, it happens. Now we're in the Finals again."
The Bulls also got big lifts from Steve Kerr, who had 11 points, and Jud Buechler, who had five rebounds in 11 minutes. Buechler played as many minutes Sunday night as he had in the previous six games.
Bird gets in final shot
Indiana coach Larry Bird took one last shot at the officials as he ended his postgame news conference.
A reporter thanked Bird for being a "breath of fresh air" this season for those who cover NBA coaches.
Bird thanked the reporter, then added: "The refs still suck." He then got up and left the table where he had been sitting, having launched the final shot of many taken at the officiating by both sides in the series.
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.
"Gus is a very positive inspiration for me," Jordan said. "You look at Gus and the game doesn't mean anything. He's struggling for something that means a little more than a basketball game.
"He's a positive influence, like a father, and I enjoy being around him."
Home sweet home
The Bulls are 31-4 at the United Center during the postseason -- 3-2 in 1994-95; 10-0 in 1995-96; 10-1 in 1996-97; and 8-1 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.
Rodman arrives late, struggles in Game 7
Late Worm gets the bench: Rodman did not start for the sixth time in seven games, and finished with just two points and six rebounds (AP) | |
Dennis Rodman arrived late again at the United Center, about an hour before the game.
Rodman finished with just six rebounds and two points in 27 minutes, finding himself in foul trouble one more time. He didn't start six of the seven games.
"I am not concerned about Dennis. He is struggling with coming off the bench and accepting what his role might be," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said.
"He will have a different role in the series coming up. It's going to be his turn to shine and if we are going to win it he is going to have to play great."
Pacers denied again
Antonio Davis felt the pain, not only his own but that of his teammates after the Pacers were again denied a shot at the NBA Finals.
"It hurts. It hurts for Larry Bird. It hurts for us," Davis said. "We're so close. We always felt like we were brothers. Each guy's family was your family."
The Pacers have been denied three times in the conference finals, losing in a Game 7 each time. Davis has been on all three teams.
"I feel that I'm not taking advantage of my situation," he said. "I'm not taking advantage of my chances."
More records for Jordan
Michael Jordan's fifth point of the game sent him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the leading scorer in playoff history. Abdul-Jabbar scored 5,762. ... Jordan also passed John Havlicek (172) for seventh place in playoff games played and Dennis Johnson (1,006) for fourth place in career playoff assists.
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NBA Finals
