An early indication of the impending karma crisis occurred during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was a rendition sung deftly by Hootie, but without the Blowfish.
Now, there are a number of special ways to present the national anthem in this, the momentous 50th year of the NBA, but separating the popular Hootie from the popular Blowfish is curious, particularly with the Blowfish in the building.
Why make life difficult? It would be like beginning the quest for a fifth league title with an unsightly defeat to Frank Brickowski and the Boston Celtics, a possibility the Bulls dared to pose Friday night.
You remember Brickowski, last seen running into walls for the Seattles in June’s finals. He was brought East by a wild bidding war during the summer, but as ever, you must concede him his points and make the other guys beat you.
The Celtics threatened, leading by 16 at one time, but they just didn’t get enough strokes from the defending champs.
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“I think you’ll see a lot of games like this on the road this season,” said Bulls coach Phil Jackson after the 107-98 triumph. “Teams will come out with a lot of emotion, a good game plan, an excited crowd and take it to us.”
Asked if he expected to see a lot of similar endings, Jackson took no pause.
“I imagine,” he said, confidently.
The Bulls, down by 11 at the half, are as dangerous during intermission as they are in the four quarters prescribed by law. It’s about adjustments, and attitude.
The question of management’s commitment was answered by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who, to keep his house in order, built a $58.3 million payroll. Reinsdorf is an oddball among modern owners. He believes in paying for performances, not for promises.
In Las Vegas, the Bulls opened at 6-5 to win again and are now even money. The Lakers are 5-1, Seattle 6-1, Houston and the Knicks are 8-1. The Celtics, even with Brickowski, are like green bananas. You don’t pick them unless you plan to be around a while, maybe the 21st Century.
By then, these Bulls will really be fossils, but this just in from Michael Jordan. When he was younger and more prone to boredom, he fantasized about starting the season in March and getting his legs ready for the playoffs. That was his timetable when he unretired.
But now, the Jordan Theory of Relativity is different.
“The longer the season, the better it is for us older guys,” Michael said. “We know the pace. We know what it will take over eight months or whatever. We know when to get our rest and pick our spots.
“The younger players, if we had a shorter season, would have a greater advantage over the older players. The young guys don’t have a feel for what it will take over the long haul, and we do.”
That’s Jordan’s story and he’s sticking to it. The younger the league gets, the smarter the Bulls can feel, and it could apply to a 48-minute game as well as an 82-game marathon.
“With longevity comes knowledge,” said Robert Parish, who returned to Boston and got a standing ovation for past favors. Then, after he was thanked for helping the Celtics, he waited his turn to honor his new silks.
“This is a very professional group,” Parish said. “I watched them as an opponent the last few years. The Bulls are unselfish. Even when the offense isn’t on, they play defense constantly. And defense is more hard work than talent.”
Parish made three quick baskets in the fourth quarter, when fans were either cheering the Bulls or leaving to beat traffic. Is that why they call it the Fleet Center?