Michael Jordan felt like he was in pretty good and knowledgeable company Sunday as he considered his team`s disappointing 0-2 start and what to do about it.
”I decided I have to be more assertive,” Jordan said. ”And I plan on doing that now. We need to get a win, and I`m about ready to do anything possible to get a win.”
So you talked it over with the coach, Michael?
”I talked it over with myself,” said Jordan.
And when Jordan talks and listens, one would assume everybody ought to watch out. That would include the Boston Celtics, who come to the Stadium Tuesday night at a time when the Bulls aren`t worried but are being asked what`s wrong.
”Shooting,” said coach Phil Jackson. ”You`ve got to shoot the ball well in this league to score, and we haven`t. That`s just a slump.”
The Bulls, who shot 49.8 percent last season, dropped to 45 percent in losing their first two games to Philadelphia and Washington, teams that shot 51 percent.
”We`ve got to get back to playing good hard defense,” said Bill Cartwright. ”That`s what sprung us last year. When we play well, we play good defense. We just didn`t in the first two games.”
Which was why the Bulls averaged 109 points to 113.5 for their opponents after holding teams to a 106.2 average last season.
”I`ve found myself a lot of times standing around looking at shots being taken rather than getting myself involved in the offense,” said Scottie Pippen.
”I just haven`t felt involved in our set offense,” said Pippen.
This has led to a 10.5 scoring average and 39 percent shooting for the All-Star of last season.
Yet Jackson says it`s too early to be concerned. ”We just want to get on the right track before we go out on our road swing next week.”
Jordan, who leads the team in scoring, rebounding and steals, agrees.
”It`s no time to panic,” he said. ”It`s just two of 82 games. We`ve got 80 left.
”Everyone is discouraged a little, so now we`ll keep those thoughts of winning a championship out of our minds and stick to the basics of trying to win a game. And that starts Tuesday.”
