Thursday, April 2, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
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Section B · Page 3
Jordan blocks questions about future
Phil Jackson's exit could leave Bulls with fewer stars
The Associated Press
CHICAGO - Michael Jordan has been advised to stop discussing his uncertain future.
He spoke for 20 minutes yesterday night and said not a word about his plans. That allowed someone else to offer an explanation about the biggest unanswered question in the NBA.
"He's not sure what he's going to do," teammate Steve Kerr said. "There you have it. After months of debate and posturing, Jordan's future remains up in the Air. 'I'm sure that there was an
agenda for Michael
trying to keep Phil (Jackson,
the coach)
around," Kerr said.
"And, obviously,
that doesn't look like it's
going to work.
He's frustrated.
He probably has mixed emotions. He still
Jordan: No longer making comments about next season
might want to play without Phil,
but he might not want to say that
right now."
Jordan has pledged to retire after this season if management sticks to its plan to replace Jackson.
Nevertheless, Jordan has been bombarded with questions about
his future every time the Bulls go on the road, when he is at home, after practices, after games, when he walks into the arena.
The siege prompted Jackson to suggest that Jordan stop talking to the media on off days. If the questions could be halted, Jackson reasons, maybe the issue would be less prominent.
"It doesn't make any sense any way you look at it," he said. "There's so many dynamics involved, relationships, politics. It's just a big mess."
But that did not stop Kerr from taking a shot at an explanation.
"But look at it. The problem is that everybody is coming into free agency at the same time. So (management) is backed into a corner as well. A lot of people are backed into a corner on this, and that's unfortunate."
Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kerr
and Luc Longley are among 11 members of the Bulls who will be free agents after this season. The only players under contract are Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper, Randy Brown and rookie Keith Booth.
"If you want to bring everybody back, how much is it going to cost?" Kerr asked. "You could be looking at an $80 million payroll. And why would an owner want to pay those kind of salaries. I don't think Jerry Reindorf should feel obligated to spend $80 or $90 million to keep a team together."
General manager Jerry Krause planned the simultaneous contract expirations, thinking the Bulls would be some $19 million under the salary cap this summer so they could rebuild quickly and avoid the inevitable downturn that afflicts championship teams after their run has ended.
It happened to the Celtics, the Lakers and the Pistons. Problem is, the Bulls show no signs they are through.
With a 56-17 record and a 10-game winning streak after yesterday night's 106-101 overtime victory against Detroit, the Bulls have a one-game lead against Seattle and Utah for the best record leaguewide.
If the Bulls make it to the finals, Jordan could play not only for a sixth ring but also for a chance at a seventh.
"If we win a championship this year, boy, what a mess that will be this summer trying to figure out what to do," Kerr said.
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