CHICAGO – For Phil Jackson, it's still a strange experience
coming to the United Center where a banner bearing his name hangs
from the rafters, where memories from six NBA titles still linger.
Jackson made his second return trip as coach of the Los Angeles
Lakers on Thursday night, entering the building with his familiar
swagger and offering his views on a variety of subjects.
He doesn't think Michael Jordan would be working out with the
Washington Wizards if he weren't considering a comeback and says he
feels for the man who replaced him, Tim Floyd, as the losses pile
up for the now last-place Bulls.
"I know he got on the court with the Wizards a couple of days
ago and if he's putting himself up against professional players, I
think he's waiting to see what he feels like when he's out there,"
Jackson said of Jordan. "I think he will have a parachute in case
he doesn't want to do it, in case he feels like it's not worth it,
in case he doesn't feel he can play up to the level he wants to.
"If he is going to work out, I think he's going to work out
like he's coming back to play ball."
Jackson hopped on his motorcycle after the Bulls won their sixth
title in 1998 and left town after what he termed the team's "last
dance."
Since he took off, the Bulls have been a disaster. Their
rebuilding plan was dealt a crushing blow this past summer when
they were spurned by the major free agents on the market. Entering
the game Thursday night, the Bulls had won 42 games over the last
three seasons.
"I didn't want to stay here and suffer those losses that Tim
Floyd has had to suffer," he added.
Mostly, Jackson says, he understands how tough it is for Chicago
fans to go from the Jordan era to a team that had 12 victories entering
the game Thursday night. During the game, highlights from the
championship years played on the overhead scoreboard.
"It's a hard thing for any team to rebuild if you really
haven't got a team behind you right now," Jackson said. "So this
town may just have to wait for the talent to develop and hope their
talent stays here."
Jackson's new team has plenty of talent, it's just keeping the
team together -- with stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal not
getting along -- that's been the problem.
Despite the defending champions' lack of consistency, Jackson
said he thinks the Lakers will be ready for the playoffs.
"The thing that makes us feel good is that somebody is going to
have to beat us and to beat the champions is always a tough
proposition," he said. "We know we have something here, even if
we don't perform the same every night." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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AUDIO VIDEO
 Phil Jackson anticipates another Michael Jordan comeback (Courtesy: WBBM).
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