Hold off on comparing these dynastic Bulls with great NBA teams of yore, like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.
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How about the Oakland A’s, who won three consecutive World Series during the early ’70s while united in disgust against their boss, Charles O. Finley?
These Bulls aren’t quite as vocal about their discontent–yet–but silence can be a weapon, too, and Melissa Isaacson’s story nearby indicates that labor’s opinion of Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is infinitely easier to figure out than the triangle offense.
The revelation that Bulls players deliberately avoided a mandatory interview session after Wednesday’s practice might not, at first glance, strike you as a bombshell. Think again. The very idea of them incurring a $50,000 fine just to tweak Reinsdorf suggests that grenades are plentiful in the defending champions’ locker room.
This unrest about coach Phil Jackson’s uncertain status needn’t be any more of a deterrent to the Bulls’ quest for a fifth title than the Miami Heat, which bowed 75-68 (that’s a final, not a partial) in Thursday night’s eyesore at the United Center. The Bulls have won before with baggage on their backs.
But in Reinsdorf, Jackson and his warriors are taking on a 10-ton gorilla who does business as he sees fit, without much room for free advice or any interest whatsoever in public approval. Reinsdorf’s trusted aide, General Manager Jerry Krause, isn’t running for mayor, either.
Reinsdorf’s track record with this juggernaut is fairly spiffy. After last season, he was confronted with the expensive prospect of retaining three big-ticket items: Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Jackson. Reinsdorf kept them all, with Michael leading at $30.14 million per annum.
A year later, Reinsdorf says he prefers to wait because “all the facts aren’t in.” But anxiety is palpable. Jackson and the two Jerrys have been exchanging volleys; Jordan strongly has reiterated his plans not to play for anybody other than Jackson. Even if it is assumed Rodman will be excused from the equation, this scenario does feel more tense than last season’s.
Wednesday’s epidemic of laryngitis at the Berto Center doesn’t ease the mood. For the record, none of the Bulls is saying the boycott was a group action designed to support Jackson and deliver a message to Reinsdorf. But none of the Bulls is saying it wasn’t a plot, either, although that could change when participating parties see the headlines. Expect denials soon.
When asked about the $50,000 silent treatment, Reinsdorf didn’t take it as a warning about distress. But he also said if it’s true, he’s annoyed because he’s paying the Bulls almost $60 million to be men, not children.
Jackson’s rehiring went to the wire last June, after which everybody put on a happy face. Now it’s awkward again, as if the coach is waiting to be pushed while management is waiting for Jackson to push off on his own volition.
All precincts aren’t in. The Orlando Magic and Golden State Warriors apparently investigated Jackson’s availability. But the New York Knicks are rich and devastated, and don’t dismiss another marquee franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reinsdorf refuses to send candy and flowers to employees with the playoffs in progress. Now he’s stuck with a $50,000 bill for failure to commiserate. If the players aren’t happy, they aren’t alone. Reinsdorf doesn’t forget.