| "Bulls-Jazz Series Preview..." (June 5, 1998)
After watching the first Bulls-Jazz game, I think it's same to say, this will be war. I think the teams are really well matched. This year, as opposed to last year, the Bulls are without Jason Caffey and Brian Williams. They don't have the front court depth they had and can't throw strong, active bodies at Karl Malone like last year. This year, it's the Worm and that's it. Sometimes Longley can get into the act, but I can't see Phil Jackson letting Dickey Simpkins or Bill Wennington guard the Mailman for longer than a minute, or he'll torch them.
These teams are close talent wise and both play a half court offense and strong, tough aggressive defense. The games will be low scoring and each shot will be contested. I think the games will look "ugly" but if you take a closer look, you'll see two well coached teams battling it out.
Both teams are much more than a sum of their players, as each one brings something to the table. In the matchup of the centers, Longley and Wennington versus Greg Ostertag and Greg Foster, I'd have to give the edge to the Bulls. Longley is by the best of the centers, when he's in the game, because he gets into foul trouble often. But when he's in the game, he's a good player, a decent defensive player and a good jump shooter. Foster gives the Jazz mobility and Ostertag some beef, but neither are that good. None of these players are difference makers. Advantage: Chicago
Matching up power forwards, the clear edge is with Utah. Karl Malone is well, one of the 50 greatest player and a perennial MVP candidate. He can do it all, and even play defense, even though I think his 1st team all defensive selection was a crock when there are players like Jayson Williams who play the same position. Nevertheless, Malone is great and Dennis can't stop him. Dennis Rodman is a great defender and a tenacious rebounder. He can't shoot. 'Nuff said on that. Rodman I think will have trouble versus the Mailman because Malone is so strong and so agile. Rodman can't handle someone who is strong and fast. He works over the stronger players I think someone who has similar speed will give him a fit. Advantage: Utah
The small forward matchup is one-sided. Pippen is one the best in the league, Bryon Russell is ok. Pippen, we know about. He can drive, dish, shoot, defend and is all around awesome. Russell when he's on, is a good jump shooter but most often he's just average. He'll have the job of defending Michael Jordan on occasion, so he'll he his work cut our for him. When Russell's not guarding Pippen he'll be guarding Michael Jordan. Not a desirable task. Pippen can get his shot off just about any time he wants. He should have a big series. Advantage: Chicago
The shooting guard for Utah is a consummate old fashioned shooting guard. He can shoot. He can drive. He can defend. He can play a little point guard. He's got one of the best shoots in the NBA. But he'll have his hands full against Michael Jordan. Jordan should be able to get open whenever he wants versus Hornacek. Hornacek is a good defender but Jordan's too fast. Hornacek should run Jordan off some screens to make him expend some energy on defense, but he's not the perpetual motion machine called Reggie Miller, so Mike should be ready. Let's face it, unless the matchup was Oscar Robertson or Jerry West here, no one can even come close to Jordan. He's playing great and will not let the Bulls lose a seven game series. Advantage: Michael Jordan
John Stockton is the point guard for Utah. Some say he's too slow. He's lost a step. He just doesn't have it. Well, he schooled two younger, faster and stronger more athletic point guards in Derek Fisher and Nick Van Exel. Maybe he's not the man he was at 26, but he can run the pick and roll as well as anyone. He can shoot when open and runs the Jazz offense like a F1 driver and is just plain wicked. The daunting task of defending this man will fall on Ron Harper in the opening half and usually Steve Kerr in the closing half. Harper has turned into a great defender after being a scorer in the early part of his career. He scores just enough to keep defenses honest and is still an awesome finisher on the break. He should be able to deal with Stockton for a while. Steve Kerr is a great shooter. He can make an open shot like it's a layup. But here's the rub, he's a bit slow. So to get Kerr's offense in there the Bulls have to deal with Kerr's defense on Stockton near the end of the game. But this is why Phil Jackson is paid all that money, to make these tough decisions. Advantage: Utah
The benches are both deep. Utah utilizes their bench for more scoring, either through backup point guard and heir apparent to Stockton, Howard Eisley, active swingman, Shandon Anderson, former Mr. Attitude, Chris Morris or the original Big Dawg, Antoine Carr. All can score a bit and play at any time, including down the stretch. It's more impressive that Jerry Sloan can put any player in at any time without worrying about him. Adam Keefe gives the Jazz some muscle off the bench. Ostertag also gives Utah something, 6 fouls at center.
Chicago has a bench full of players who have found a niche. Steve Kerr, the shooter. Randy Brown, the defender. Jud Bucheler, the white guy. Dickey Simpkins, the black guy. Toni Kukoc, the talented yet moody player who can run the second unit. Bill Wennington, backup center who can hit the open jumper. Put these men together and you have a good bench. All in all though, Utah's is better. Even though Toni Kukoc is the best of the bunch here (and sometimes he starts when Rodman doesn't) that still leaves Utah with overall, more talent. Advantage: Utah
Coach matchup? Who cares. I like Jerry Sloan, so I'll give him the edge, just because I like him.
There are other intangibles, like crowd, stadium, hot dog vendors. Which team's building is better? How about which building name is a better airline. I like United better than Delta. But that's a personal preference.
All in all, I'd still have to give the overall edge to the team with the best player to play basketball in this generation, the Chicago Bulls. When you got Mike, you've got enough to win.
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