Exhibition victory No. 6 for the Bulls-a 102-91 decision over the Denver Nuggets Saturday night-did not necessarily put a smile on coach Phil Jackson`s face.
”They are making it tough,” he said, referring to the Bulls` no-names, the guys with numbers only on the back of their jerseys. They`re living up to the world champions` reputation, and that complicates Jackson`s roster-trimming the next few days.
Reviewing the first-year guards, Jackson said: ”Gerald Madkins played terrific defense. Jo Jo English came in and did very well, and Corey Williams is a real competitive player.”
Madkins started in place of absentee Michael Jordan and had four points, three steals, two assists and two rebounds. English scored 10 of the Bulls`
final 21 points over the last seven minutes to help seal the victory.
”Kids a lot of times cut themselves and make it easy on the coach,”
said Jackson. ”We have kids who work hard and play well.”
Rodney McCray, in at the end with English, Williams, Keith Tower and Joe Courtney, said: ”All the young guys are playing well. I`m glad I don`t have to make the decision.”
Madkins said he was ”shocked” at the starting assignment. ”After only six minutes the night before, I thought I was on my way out of here for sure,” he said.
In only his second preseason game, Bill Cartwright scored a game-high 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting, getting 12 points in the first quarter.
”We know we can expect Bill to have an offensive output for us if things happen the right way and we get the ball into the post,” Jackson said.
He played 17 minutes and saw action in the second half for the first time after scoring just three points in six minutes Friday night. ”It was encouraging as far as being able to stay out and play,” he said. ”I feel good.”
– At least one fan in Albuquerque didn`t seem to mind that Michael Jordan wasn`t at Friday night`s game. A man claimed to have won $500 off a local bookie taking bets on whether Jordan would show or not.
In Denver, there were minimal complaints about Jordan`s absence with the flu.
