Contrary to popular belief, Michael Jordan can use a little help from his friends.
When Jordan wasn’t canning 20-foot jumpers and dazzling 10-foot fadeaways, the Bulls received key contributions from the bench during the victory over the Utah Jazz Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Finals.
Every Bull saw action in the first half, with the exception of veteran center Robert Parish.
Overall, the Bulls’ bench outscored the opponent’s bench in 56 of 82 regular-season games. In five of the last eight games, the Bulls’ bench was outscored, but the Bulls bench averaged more points in those games–26.6 points a game (213) to 25.9 (207).
The Bulls were 47-9 when their bench outscored the opponent’s bench; 16-4 when the opponent’s bench outscored the Bulls’ bench; 6-0 when the benches were tied.
Steve Kerr tossed in six first-quarter points as the Bulls took a 25-20 lead Wednesday at the United Center. Then it was Ron Harper and Toni Kukoc chipping in after reserve center Brian Williams picked up his third foul at the start of the second period.
Bulls coach Phil Jackson applauds the defensive efforts of his bench as much as its scoring.
With Jordan on top of his game, the task of the Bulls bench was made easier.
Williams had trouble fitting into the Bulls’ offense in Game 1 of the Finals.
“We gave Brian an opportunity early in the first quarter (of Game 1),” Jackson said.
Kerr, too, was not in sync in the first game.
“They stayed home (defensively) on Steve. They are very intelligent and they know how to play him,” said Jackson. “They stayed home and didn’t give him any open looks.”
But the Bulls bench made all the right moves Wednesday. Even if it meant moving out of the way of Jordan at times.
