Take the Sonics. Please.
They will meet again only if it matters most, the Bulls and Seattle, and if the Bulls can pick a team from the West for the NBA Finals they should welcome the Sonics, maybe the worst team with the best record since Atlanta was unbeaten.
Since the Blackhawks won the President’s Cup. Since Donnie Lalonde fought Sugar Ray Leonard. Since Denver was last in the Super Bowl. Or in the next one.
How Seattle registered the best record in basketball will have to remain their secret. Nothing they did Tuesday night in the United Center offered any evidence.
The Sonics are a team that makes listless look like a tango.
“Our breakdown was mental,” Sonics coach George Karl explained.
Ah, stupid too.
Still, they have a chance to beat the Bulls’ all-time record of 72 wins. Sure, and the Unabomber makes sense.
“The story of the game was the free-throw line,” Phil Jackson said.
That is only a fact and not a recommendation. Unless you can’t wait to see a repeat of Jordan standing still shooting 16 of 18 without a hand in his face, or Vin Baker clanking nine in a row.
The trouble with June games in January, other than regrets over the weather, is their froth. This one was all head and no body, all wish and no substance.
And all Michael Jordan, out of a sickbed again. Does this story ever get old?
“Michael had control of the game,” Karl said. “Nothing we did could get to him.”
The Bulls won and the Bulls would win again but they should have made it look harder, just so the Sonics won’t get discouraged.
“We’re still a good basketball team,” Baker insisted, as if anyone had suggested otherwise.
The Bulls have a way of doing that, injecting doubt.
“There’s a long way to go and who can say one way or the other,” Karl said. “But I have said all along that Chicago with Pippen is the clear front-runner in the East.”
Nothing Pippen did, like missing four shots for each one he made, missing all the ones he took in the second half, made Karl change his mind, but clearly Pippen is a rework in progress.
Despite looking laundry fresh–his uniform so bright it strobed–Pippen played like a stranger, not relieving Jordan of his responsibilities but adding to them.
Jordan was averaging less than 37 minutes a game before Pippen returned and he’s averaging 38 minutes since; 28 points before, 36 since.
“Scottie and I are starting to find our rhythm,” Jordan said.
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Not much happened in the game in the way of spite building. All the assorted bodies trying to guard Jordan had moments of distress. Gary Payton got a technical for his unhappiness.
Payton is known as The Glove. This night he was more The Oven Mitt.
The only improper bit of business came from center Jim McIlvaine, who threw both a shoulder and an elbow at Jordan as he came through the lane, remarkable not for the variety of blows as for their number.
Any measurable movement from McIlvaine is like watching a cadaver twitch.
Oh, Dennis Rodman had a little grope with Payton, Rodman’s fault. Rodman pawed Payton from behind. Had Pippen not grabbed Payton, the Seattle guard might have swung on Rodman, exactly Rodman’s purpose.
This is kind of where the Bulls left off with the Sonics the last time they met in the Finals, Rodman sniggling his way inside Seattle’s head, there being, apparently, ample room.
“Rodman is playing big for them,” Payton said. “And when Pippen gets in shape, they’ll get even better.”
Will the Sonics be waiting. Will any of this matter? There is much time and toil ahead before they can meet again.
Now, or then, if The Glove don’t fit . . .