With a first-round opponent in hand and the playoff roster faxed to the NBA office, Jerry Krause was more than happy to discuss basketball issues Monday afternoon at the Berto Center, the Bulls’ practice facility.
As for the soap-opera sagas that have mottled this otherwise upbeat season–Phil Jackson’s future, the possible dismantling of the team–Krause predictably refused to comment.
Shortly after announcing that Joe Kleine would be left off the playoff roster, Krause bristled when asked if he was surprised by the team’s cohesive chemistry in light of “all the back stabbing between you and coach.”
Before storming off and abruptly ending the news conference, Krause replied with this: “First of all, there’s no back stabbing going on here, OK? Understand me when I say that. There is no back stabbing going on. Second part of it, no, I’m not surprised at all, and I’m amazed you would even make a statement like that. I’m not surprised at all because this team is composed of professionals, it’s composed of guys who understand what they have to do and who are winners. Unlike the comment you just made.”
Such is life with the Bulls this season. A normal news day–talk about the playoff roster–gives way to speculation and inspires testiness.
“All I know is we’re preparing to enter the playoffs,” Krause said. “I’m going to take it day-by-day, and I’m not going to talk about the end of anything or the beginning of anything or any of that stuff. I’m concerned about a young New Jersey team that will be fresh and have nothing to lose.”
Speaking of New Jersey: The Bulls swept the season series from the Nets 4-0. But that doesn’t mean Jackson isn’t aware of the team’s strengths, which played out most prominently when the third game of the series went to overtime, with the Bulls winning on a last-second goaltending call.
“We have great respect for their energy and enthusiasm and what they try to do defensively,” Jackson said. “Obviously, with (Rony) Seikaly thrown into the equation, it brings a different story. But the matchups are good for us.”
The quote: Dickey Simpkins, on making the playoff roster: “I had a dream the other night. It was a nightmare, really. I was dreaming that I was back in Golden State. I’m hearing P.J. (Carlesimo) talk and we’re losing another game. I woke up in the middle of the night, looked around my room to make sure that is not what happened. Apparently not, because I’m trying for a ring now.”
