The substitution rotation under coach Phil Jackson normally shrinks after the All-Star break. But Tuesday against New Jersey, Jackson used all but Bobby Hansen in the first half and says he has no immediate plans to change.
”It`s important for me to get as many people involved in the game as possible so in case there`s a second-half chance for them, they can do something for us,” he said.
”Tuesday night that might have cost us a few points in the half because we came off the floor a little bit flat, but at least I had 11 guys involved, and if I needed to call someone`s number, they`d be ready.”
Jackson added that the Bulls are fortunate that they have no real mop-up squad and never a set rotation from one game to the next.
”It`s very good because we have a group of guys who are very interesting as far as their abilities,” he said. ”Will Perdue is a real good short-minute backup guy. He does a very good job in six- or seven-minute bursts. Stacey King has played great at center for us this season in long-term minutes and shown a lot of natural ability. Scott Williams has played short minutes at both center and power forward in five-minutes-and-under segments that have been very important for us. And Cliff Levingston is a very high-inspirational player who can do good things for us at small and powerforward.
”At guard, Bobby Hansen and Craig Hodges have different skills with some speciality things that makes it interesting for coaches.”
King, who scored a season-high 23 points in the Bulls` last meeting with the Knicks, might see more time Thursday and Saturday against New York than he has been seeing lately, Jackson said.
King played 25 minutes at San Antonio, then 16 at Houston, 14 at Dallas, three against the Lakers, 15 at Utah, five at Phoenix and five against New Jersey. Over that span, he scored a high of 11 points against the Spurs.
”We`d like to get him back involved,” Jackson said.
Road work: The Bulls had a hard hour-and-15-minute practice Wednesday, but Jackson said he is concerned by the lack of practice time his team faces with games every other day-three on the road-for the next nine days.
”The layover for the All-Star break took us back a step, and Tuesday night you could noticeably see we couldn`t apply pressure the whole game,” he said. ”We weren`t able to run up and down, so we need that conditioning.”
Tyson reaction: Michael Jordan said he has been disturbed by one aftereffect of the Mike Tyson gulity verdict, and that is the suggestion by more than one person that maybe now athletes will get the message that they cannot get away with breaking the law.
”It is offensive in a sense that we get special treatment or whatever,” he said. ”That`s the implication I`m getting from those statements. I don`t think we`re treated that way.”
Maybe next year: John Paxson is a steady three-point shooter, currently at 35.4 percent (10 for 29). But because he doesn`t meet all the criteria, he`s never been invited to the three-point competition during All-Star weekend.
”I`d like to do it one time,” Paxson said. ”But you`ve got to be nervous doing it. Craig Hodges (three-time champion) is a great pressure shooter.”
Going to the well: So where do the Bulls find inspiration for the last month and a half of the regular season?
In the past, post-All-Star play has never been a problem for the Bulls. Jordan said the recent 2-4 road trip gave the team a jolt.
”I think that will help us,” Jordan said. ”It was a blow, and I think it will wake us up a little bit. We can come back fresh and get back on track and use that as motivation.”
Paxson said merely the knowledge that the playoffs are less than two months away is enough motivation. ”Now the end is in sight,” he said. ”It`s not very long. Now is the time to make your push and win as many games as you can and be in the best position come playoff time.”
He`s available: Craig Hodges said he`s hoping his third three-point shooting title finally turns into commercial endorsements in light of the endorsements the slam-dunk winner always receives. He didn`t receive any offers after his first two victories.
”I`m hoping to get something done,” said Hodges. ”As far as endorsements are concerned, you`re living in America, a free society, and capitalism. I`m hoping it`s one of those things where I get an opportunity.
