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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Backup Files
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OA/ID Number:
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Folder ID Number:
13774-006
Folder Title:
Chicago Bulls 10/1/91 [OA 8329] [2]
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26
21
6
6
Yours
Watch
Out,
World
The newly assertive Bulls
roared into the Finals by
sweeping the Pistons
by JACK McCALLUM
Y, WHAT A THOROUGHLY
M
enjoyable time the Chica-
go Bulls had in their East-
ern Conference finals
against the Detroit Pis-
tons. By the time the
Bulls wrapped up a four-
game sweep with a 115-94 victory on
Monday afternoon at The Palace of Au-
burn Hills, they had become the haughty
hunters, forcing the Pistons into the unfa-
miliar, and singularly unappetizing, role
of the humble hunted. Three straight
years of postseason frustration were all
but obliterated by Chicago's sweep, which
almost no one had considered even a re-
mote possibility.
Talk about reversals of fortune. The
Bulls could only chuckle as the Pistons
complained about prejudicial treatment
by the referees. Detroit forward John Sal-
said guard Isiah Thomas. O.K. "They're
not only to make solid on-the-court con-
ley said the Bulls were guilty of "sublimi-
taking away things that we're used to hav-
tributions but also talk a little trash? Jeez,
nal seduction" of the officials, while
ing work for us," said center Bill Laim-
even center Will Perdue-Will Perdue!-
teammate Mark Aguirre reached for a
beer. Right. "There is something missing,
was getting on Detroit's nerves, not to
barnyard metaphor, suggesting that the
but I don't know what it is," said forward
mention the offensive boards.
refs were watching the wolf "while the
Dennis Rodman. A lot of head-scratching
The Pistons didn't so much drop the
weasel got the eggs." Whew!
in those statements.
ball as the Bulls knocked it out of their
The Detroit players seemed bewil-
And wasn't it a strange turnaround for
hands and ran with it. As ready as the ag-
dered by their failure to crack the ener-
the much-maligned Chicago reserves,
ing Pistons might have been to surrender
getic Bulls defense. "We're off-balance,"
usually so ineffectual against the Pistons,
Eastern supremacy, Chicago was equally
26
Not much here
NATHANIEL BUTLER/NBA PHOTOS
In Game 3, Pippen slashed through the Pis-
comments to plant in the officials' minds
tons for 26 points while Jordan was sweating
the idea that Detroit is a dirty team, thus
out a routinely stellar 33-point contribution.
causing some quick whistles. Chicago in-
sisted it was only speaking the truth,
actly that. The Pistons were so shaken af-
and-let's face it-calling the Pistons
ter their 113-107 loss in Game 3 last Sat-
dirty is not exactly a novel charge. At any
urday at The Palace that a couple of
rate, the Bulls were the benefactors of
prominent Detroit players, Laimbeer and
flagrant foul calls (each resulted in two
guard Vinnie Johnson, used a backdoor
free throws and possession) on three oc-
maneuver to skip out on postgame inter-
casions during their 105-97 victory in
views. The Pistons had tried no such in-
Game 2 on May 21 at Chicago Stadium;
ventive strategy during the game, howev-
the first two calls were plainly ridiculous.
er, and only the individual brilliance of
Whether it was the referees, or Chica-
Thomas (29 points) and Johnson (25
go's maturity, or a combination of the
points) kept it from being a rout.
two, the extracurricular activity that the
"We're not used to this," said a deject-
Pistons did engage in during the series
ed Joe Dumars after he scored just 11
had a curiously empty aspect to it. There,
points in 47 minutes in Game 3, "and it's a
for example, was Rodman, in the fourth
terrible feeling."
period of Game 2, giving Perdue one, two,
The Bulls came into the series with two
three shots in the back before the mild-
game plans, one mental, one strategic. UI-
mannered Perdue finally retaliated, re-
timately, the latter plan, which involved
sulting in a double-technical foul. But
using defensive principles that turned the
what did the shoving really accomplish ex-
MILLAN MANNY
Piston offense from patient to panicked,
cept to demean Rodman, the NBA's fin-
was the more significant. Still, the former
est one-on-one defensive player? In the
was a little more interesting.
first period of Game 3, Aguirre, looking
Chicago decided to be aggressive in
for a foul call that never came, punched
ready to seize it. Some likened the situa-
dealing with the Pistons' intimidation.
the ball out of the grasp of the Bulls' Hor-
tion to a once-timid schoolboy (Chicago)
Throw some verbal garbage back at them
ace Grant in a dead-ball situation. Per-
who finally summoned up his nerve to
once in a while, a little-known specialty of
haps next time Mark should try hiding be-
stand up to the bully (Detroit); once he
Michael Jordan's. Return the bumps and
hind the scorer's table and lobbing spit-
did it, it got easier and easier. But that is
pushes. Don't back down. Yet at the same
balls. Having gotten away with that,
too simplistic. The bully tag sells Detroit
time, don't get drawn into an all-out phys-
Aguirre shoved Grant in the open floor in
short as a basketball team. To handle the
ical confrontation, because that will favor
full view of the officials less than a minute
Pistons, a team has to outprepare, out-
Detroit. The Pistons thought the Bulls,
later. This time he got the T. Later, when
think, outhustle and outplay them. And
particularly Jordan and coach Phil Jack-
the Bulls were 50 seconds from victory,
through most of the series Chicago did ex-
son, went out of their way in their public
Rodman slammed the ball into Jordan's
27
NBA PLAYOFFS
stomach, drawing yet another technical.
one of the most intense games you've ever
not nearly as structured as the famed
"When we keep our composure," said
seen."
"Jordan Rules" that Detroit had used to
Grant, "I think it frustrates them."
It was not, certainly not from the Pis-
discombobulate Jordan in past years, but
The Pistons just couldn't win the psy-
tons' perspective. It was the Bulls who
they were well executed and effective. Of
chological battle, no matter how hard
came out aggressively and built a 24-8
primary importance was Grant's uncanny
they tried. Between Games 2 and 3, Salley
lead. One play in particular epitomized
ability to "recover," i.e. to supply pressure
went after Jordan with some pointed criti-
their early intensity. The play spoke to the
at the point of the ball and also get back to
cism, trying to puncture the Jordan image
strategic aspect of Chicago's game plan,
defense an open man. The open-court de-
and, at the same time, restore some Pis-
too. Five minutes into the game, Bulls for-
fensive abilities of Jordan and Pippen-
ton pugnacity.
ward Scottie Pippen and guard John Pax-
"our snapping, scratching and snarling
"Everybody's into this high-tech thing
son trapped Thomas in the backcourt,
Dobermans," as assistant coach Johnny
now," said Salley. "High-tech sneakers,
forcing him to give the ball up to forward
Bach aptly calls them-were another fac-
high-tech players that's Michael, and
James Edwards in the open floor, where
tor. And then there were Paxson and cen-
for some reason he thinks just because
Edwards is least comfortable. Jordan ran
ter Bill Cartwright, playing what, in the
he's the greatest player in the world, we're
at Edwards from the side, nearly jumped
Bulls' scheme, passes for conventional,
supposed to come to the game and just
completely over him-must have been
non-gambling defense.
watch him. Hey, we're not here to watch
some kind of high-tech move-and swat-
In general, the Bulls' goal was to in-
him. We're here to win a championship.
ted the ball away, a move that led to a
crease the tempo of the game and get the
We play an intense style and it's going to
transition jumper by Paxson.
Pistons scrambling on offense, rather
be even more intense on Saturday. Maybe
That was Chicago's defense at its
than allow Detroit to set up in a halfcourt
best-creating opportunities for the of-
situation. Edwards, for example, is almost
Salley mugged for the camera at Pippen's ex-
fense. The defensive principles that the
helpless as an offensive player unless he
pense in the Bulls' 113-107 Game 3 victory.
Bulls brought into the Detroit series were
gets the ball in the low post where he can
devastate his opponent
with a fallaway jumper.
NATHANIEL BUTLER/NBA PHOTOS
The Bulls didn't let him
do that. They ran Pippen,
Jordan or Grant at the
Piston point guards-
Bach likened it to "get-
ting to the quarter-
back"-and took away
the normal halfcourt
passing angles that en-
abled the Pistons to get
the ball inside. Conse-
quently, Edwards played
just 45 minutes in the first
three games and scored
only 11 points.
More specifically, the
S
Bulls wanted to squelch
S
the Pistons' patented
pick-and-roll, which usu-
S
ally enables either the
Detroit guards to pene-
trate or Laimbeer, the
league's best big-man pe-
rimeter shooter, to fade
off the pick and spot up
for a jumper. Chicago
was determined to stop
both moves, no matter
S
what other offensive op-
tions opened up as a re-
sult. Maybe the situation
called for a double-team
on the guards and a third
player to rotate up on
Laimbeer. Maybe it
commitment to do those things before.
We made them crumble, made them
scramble, made them come apart. That's
always what they've done to us in the
past."
Now it remains to be seen if the Bulls
can impose their defensive will on the
Western winner, be it the Los Angeles
Lakers or the Portland Trail Blazers. In
either case, Chicago will come into the
NBA Finals with plenty of momentum
and confidence, having lost only one
game (to the Philadelphia 76ers) in three
Eastern series. The Bulls are a lot better
than most observers had thought-in-
cluding one Michael Jeffrey Jordan,
whose constant complaint during this and
recent seasons was that Chicago general
manager Jerry Krause had not supplied
him with enough help.
"I can reconsider my words," said Jor-
MANNY MILLAN
dan, when asked after Game 3 about his
criticism of Krause. "I can even eat
them."
Laimbeer (above right) did the Lambada with
Perdue in Game 2, while Jordan and Cart-
wright put the squeeze on Thomas in Game 3.
called for a quick defender, like Grant, to
double-team the guard for a moment,
then recover quickly and dash back to
Laimbeer. Maybe it called for strange
matchups, like, say, having Grant and
Cartwright double-team the guard while
Paxson checked Laimbeer, who is almost
a foot taller. The Bulls didn't care be-
cause, in that case, the guards couldn't de-
liver the ball to Laimbeer in the spot
where he is most comfortable. The con-
stant and aggressive double-teaming and
scramble-rotating threw Detroit off-bal-
ance. "We wanted to play this well defen-
sively," said Paxson, "but I don't think
anyone thought we would." And when the
Pistons did make an adjustment that beat
the Chicago defense, such as going with
the three-guard lineup that gave them a
marked edge in quickness in Game 3, they
had to pull other personnel off the floor
(sometimes Rodman, sometimes Laim-
beer, quite often Edwards) and sacrifice
some of the things that had made them
champions-size, defensive presence, of-
fensive rebounding.
"There was nothing magical about our
defense," said Jordan, who scored 33
points, 14 of them in the final period, to
lead the Bulls in Game 3. "It's just that we
MANNY MILLAN
had never made the physical and mental
29
Sports
Illustrated
JUNE 1 7 1991
Michael Jordan
and the Bulls
soared to a 3-1
lead over L.A. in
the NBA Finals
by JACK McCALLUM
VD D. BERNSTEIN/NBA PHOTOS.
ANDROWD
AND
D
s
-
Naturance
SIH
S
and nailed L. LA piza LAWRIT KevA layups?
InG ordan
With Pippen (33) catching the Lakers flat-
footed en route to 19 points in Game 3
Los Angeles bench. It was Abdul-Jabbar's
third trip to The Forum this season, but
the first in which Laker coach Mike Dun-
leavy wished he could rush him into the
game. Add Elgin Baylor and Jerry West,
and maybe it would have been a contest.
For Magic, the first four games were
the here-today-gone-tomorrow Finals, a
series replete with mysterious disappear-
ances. Johnson was for the most part re-
markably (though not spectacularly) con-
sistent, but part of his energy was expend-
ed-futilely, it seemed-making sure that
his mates did not slip through the looking
glass or tumble down some rabbit hole.
Forward James Worthy, bothered by a
badly sprained right ankle that as of late
RANT
Sunday night had left him questionable
for Game 5, wasn't the reliable performer
of past playoff campaigns, particularly on
the boards, where he had a total of nine
rebounds in Games 2, 3 and 4. Magic's
backcourt running mate, Byron Scott,
made just five of 18 shots; the Lakers
didn't know whether to scold him for not
being offensive-minded or thank him for
not shooting more. Nor were the Lakers
getting much help from Scott's backup,
NHOP
Terry Teagle, who made just three of 13
shots. Magic, who gave back $100,000 of
his salary last year to enable L.A. to fit the
newly obtained Teagle under its salary
cap, just might ask for his money back.
Thank goodness for Sam Perkins.
EING ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG
love you, Michael," said Siskel as he sent
Right, Sam? SAM? SAM! Uh-oh. After
B
men playing in their first NBA
Jordan on his way.
playing so well in Games 1, 2 and 3, Per-
Finals, Michael Jordan and
At week's end in Tinseltown, Siskel's
kins, the other starting forward, disap-
Scottie Pippen of the Chicago
review of the proceedings might have
peared on Sunday, making just one of 15
Bulls took care to visit with
described Chicago's performance as "a
shots, to go with zero assists, zero steals
some of the Los Angeles celeb-
spectacle of grace and power!" In scene
and zero blocked shots. (He did have 10
rities who attended last week's
after scene during the Michael and Magic
rebounds, though.)
championship series games at The Forum
Finals, the Bulls were seen launching
How secretly gleeful Jordan's team-
in Inglewood. In Friday night's Game 3,
themselves all over The Forum, and the
mates must have been when they heard
for example, Pippen, while making a mi-
Lakers were left waiting, watching, won-
talk of a supporting cast failing to live up
raculous save that led to a Jordan dunk,
dering and worrying. Chicago's 97-82 win
to expectations, and that that cast wasn't
crashed into the courtside seat occupied
in Game 4 put the team just one victory
Chicago's. Since a shaky performance in a
by actor Nick Nolte. As the halftime
from its first championship in the 25-year
93-91 Game 1 defeat at Chicago on
buzzer was about to sound in Sunday's
existence of the franchise and put L.A. in
June 2, the Jordanaries (specifically, for-
Game 4, Jordan released a sideline
what the Lakers' Magic Johnson called "a
wards Pippen and Horace Grant, guard
jumper, watched it swish, then turned and
state of disbelief." Jordan agreed. "We
John Paxson, center Bill Cartwright and
smiled at actor Danny Glover. And late in
never thought we could dominate a team
reserves Cliff Levingston, a forward, and
the game, Jordan, while in pursuit of a
of the Lakers' stature and the legacy they
Craig Hodges, a guard) had been any-
loose ball that he couldn't get, went air-
carry," he said after the game. And the
thing but ordinary. And Jordan was, well,
borne near Glover's seat, landed in the
Bulls built their 3-1 series lead-Game 5
Jordan. Comparisons are usually odious
second row and was helped to his feet by
was Wednesday night, also at The Fo-
but sometimes unavoidable: Through the
Gene Siskel, the Chicago-based film critic
rum-with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mr.
first four games of the series, Jordan aver-
who gave him a definite thumbs-up. "We
Stature and Legacy, seated next to the
aged 31.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 11.8 as-
30
THE NBA FINALS
sists and 2.3 steals to Johnson's 19.3
points, 7.3 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 1.3
steals. Those numbers are not presented
to belittle Magic's play, but, rather, to
honor Jordan's, as Johnson did after
Game 4. "I tip my hat to my competitor,"
said Magic. "He's doing a great job."
Ninety minutes before Game 4, howev-
er, it was uncertain exactly what Jordan
would be able to accomplish with a right
toe that had been bruised in Game 3, two
nights earlier. "It's bearable when I walk,
but I don't know about running," said Jor-
dan. Jordan was wearing a pair of top-of-
the-line running shoes from his favorite
footwear company and pointed to the
size-13 Air Jordans he would be lacing up
shortly; there was a small hole cut in the
area of the right toe to alleviate pressure.
"As you can see," said Jordan, "I made an
adjustment."
But the adventures of air-conditioned
Jordan lasted only until the first timeout
GRANT
of the game, at 6:18 of the first quarter.
He changed shoes because he felt they
were too loose when he made a sudden
cut. A minute later, he went left around
Scott, dunked over Perkins and came
down grimacing. But the more he ran, the
better the toe felt. And the better he felt,
the worse the Lakers felt. His jumper in
front of Glover gave the Bulls a 52-44
halftime lead. And in the third period,
Jordan either scored or assisted on seven
of the Bulls' 10 field goals as they built a
16-point lead and never looked back. The
Lakers' 82-point output was their lowest
in 116 championship series games since
the advent of the 24-second clock in 1954.
By this point in the series, though, it
was really no surprise to watch the young
and zealous Bulls turn the once-proud
purple and gold inside out. What turned
the Finals in the Bulls' direction was
Game 2 at Chicago on June 5, when they
buried Los Angeles with a 38-point third
period en route to a 107-86 victory. The
BOAT
Bulls' starters shot an incredible 47 for 64
STORE
(.734), with Paxson's 8 for 8 being the
most impressive.
Paxson had been singled out by Jordan
for missing four open shots in Game 1-
it's kind of frightening that Jordan's mem-
ory for his teammates' negative stats is
that specific and accurate-but Paxson
came back to drill all seven of his jumpers
JOHN W. MCDONOUGH
plus a layup for a final line that included
and Grant busting loose for 22 of his own,
Chicago proved it's по longer a one-man team.
E FINALS
no turnovers and six assists. One contin-
were at least considerate enough to be ex-
In their eyeball-to-eyeball Finals showdown,
ues to wonder if players like Pippen and
plicit about it. Jordan does make a lot of
Michael outshone Magic in most categories.
Paxson, upon being subtly criticized by
enthusiastic, hand-pumping gestures, and
Jordan, gò home and throw darts at an
at one point, after hitting a jumper, he
ic down, and they were draining precious
Air Jordan poster to take out their frus-
spread his palms upward toward the Lak-
seconds off the 24-second clock, so that
trations. If they do, they don't admit it.
er bench as if to say, "What can you do?
many of the Laker shots were of the
"Michael has to smack us in the head a
You can't stop me." But Jordan later de-
scrambling variety, particularly when the
few times," Paxson said when asked about
nied the taunting charge. "I wasn't saying
ball wasn't in Johnson's hands.
the criticism.
anything to any of their players. It was
"If we were beating the trap once in a
Jordan, meanwhile, was an otherworld-
more or less my self-motivation and ex-
while with wide-open layups, it would be
ly 15 of 18 from the floor (with 13 assists
citement at what I did." The flip side to
one thing," said L.A. assistant coach Ran-
and seven rebounds) in Game 2, which in-
Jordan's great gift of inspiring wonder is
dy Pfund, "but we're not even getting
cluded a move that even Jordan later
that he invariably inspires jealousy and re-
those." Of more dire consequence to the
ranked in his alltime top 10. Early in the
sentment, too, and, champion or not, he
Lakers was the puzzle presented by Chi-
fourth period he drove the lane, raised,
cannot match the Pied Piper popularity of
cago's conventional half-court defense.
the ball as if to dunk with his right hand
Magic. There is a bit of an anti-Jordan un-
The Bulls realized after Game 1 that the
and, upon seeing Perkins slide over, put
dertone to this-traceable to some Laker
Los Angeles post-up players like Magic,
the ball in his left hand for an underhand-
players and to some members of the me-
Worthy and Perkins like to spin into the
dia-almost as if Jordan
middle to do their damage. The Bulls' in-
must be torn down so that
terior defenders countered that by posi-
ANDREW D. PHOTOS
Magic can remain on top.
tioning themselves inside the men they
It shouldn't be that way-
were guarding to prevent the move to the
there's room for both.
middle. And they created double-teams
At any rate, Magic fans
in the low post not by having a guard like
had a grand time last Fri-
Paxson doubling down from the outside
day night during the third
but by bringing over a big player like
period of Game 3 at The
Grant or Cartwright from the blind or
Forum. Los Angeles built
baseline side. That also meant that Scott,
a 67-54 lead, and Jor-
who has made his living by stepping into
dan just couldn't extri-
the seams created by double-teams, al-
cate himself from the
ways had a man, usually Paxson, on him.
tight web constructed by
And his shooting reflected it.
Scott's basic man-to-man
The Lakers knew that Chicago's defen-
and the help offered by
sive strategy was working, but they could
Scott's teammates when-
not counteract it on Sunday. The Bulls'
ever Jordan moved to-
defensive rotations were too quick and
ward the basket. Ah, but
aggressive, and the L.A. offense was
then it started to rain on
much too passive. Yes, the Bulls knew
the Lakers. Over the next
that their double-team strategy made
Bald truth: L.A. lacks the Sunday punch Sunday's guest once provided.
eight minutes, eight dif-
them vulnerable on passes inside to cen-
ferent players scored for
ter Vlade Divac, and, yes, Divac, the only
ed scoop shot, thereby running the gamut
Chicago-curtain call for the supporting
other Laker besides Magic with a measur-
of acrobatic possibilities in the wink of an
cast, please, as Jordan had only two free
able pulse on Sunday, scored 27 points.
eye. "It was just one of those creative
throws during this stretch-and the Bulls
But the Bulls were convinced that Magic
things," said Jordan, as if we could all
tied the score at 74 midway through the fi-
and Divac alone could not beat them.
then sit back and say, "Ah, one of those."
nal period. Jordan ultimately sent the
And they were right.
The Lakers, Scott in particular, were
game into overtime with a 14-foot jumper
There was not much for the Lakers to
more inclined to remember what they
with 3.4 seconds left and then made a
say after Game 4. They had lost at home
considered to be Jordan's taunting during
steal, assisted Paxson on a jumper and
and on the road, in overtime and in regu-
Chicago's 59-43 second-half roll. "That's
made two consecutive layups and two free
lation, in a close game and in a rout. But
something you just don't do this early in a
throws to seal a 104-96 victory.
Magic, trouper that he is, tried to put his
series," said Scott. "But since he's Mi-
Going into Sunday's Game 4, the Lak-
feelings into words: "I'm so intense at
chael, I guess he feels he can get away
ers were concerned with two aspects of
night, can't sleep, just rustling around
with it. It angers us to see someone of his
the Chicago defense. First, though the
waiting for the game, and then
this.
caliber act that way. But I've seen him do
Bulls were using their full-court and half-
But you know what else I am? Realistic. I
it before, so I'm not surprised."
court traps much more selectively than
can see this is happening, and I just have
Did he or didn't he? Well, the taunting
they did in their four-game Eastern Con-
to deal with it. They are beating us, and
tribunal is still out, and this thought
ference finals sweep of the Pistons, they
beating us bad. They're a great team do-
comes to mind about the vacationing De-
were accomplishing two significant ends
ing what they're supposed to be doing.
troit Pistons: When they taunted, they
with those traps: They were wearing Mag-
And right now, we're not."
32
23
Sports
lustrated
JUNE 10, 1991
Jordan rose to the
occasion in Game 1,
but Los Angeles still
prevailed 93-91.
MANNY MILLAN
&
SHOW
SHOWS
For star quality, the Magic and Michael
made-for-TV miniseries tops all NBA Finals
by JACK McCALLUM
and
afternoon. He looked around at a
team, of course, but the freeze-out was, in
huge throng of reporters. "Well,
Jordan's mind, the brainchild of Thomas.
you'll try. But, nope, it can't be
There has always been tension between
done. Talent, leadership, win-
Jordan and Thomas-it certainly was not
ning-Magic and Michael are the
alleviated by this year's bitterly contested
ultimate in all of those things.
Bulls-Pistons series-and Jordan auto-
They're it." Because they're it,
matically and not unreasonably put Magic
Sunday's game attained a hefty
in Isiah's camp. The Michael-Magic feud
overnight rating of 16.4 for NBC,
simmered until Johnson decided enough
which has already moved Game 4
was enough during the 1987-88 season.
(in L:A.) and, should it be played,
"It was up to me to take the initiative to
Game 7 (in Chicago) to prime
end it, because Michael was the young guy
time from their traditional Sun-
and I was the veteran," said Magic, who is
day afternoon slots.
four years Jordan's senior. "I told him,
The irony is that this season,
'We can't be separated like this. I respect
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBA PHOTOS
for the first time since Jordan
you too much, and I'm sure you respect
came into the league, in 1984, the
me.' When men come together and re-
Bulls had gotten away from the
spect each other, you can straighten any-
"one-man team" label. Similarly,
thing out."
Johnson is no longer the fast-
Johnson is one of the few athletes in the
breaking, Showtime quarterback,
world who can say something like that and
because the Lakers, under rookie
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
coach Mike Dunleavy, are now playing a
N
league is as dependent on the
down-tempo power game. Note that they
took only 66 shots in Sunday's game,
MANNY MILLAN
cult of personality as the
NBA, and now it has, in one
which tied a championship-series rec-
brightly wrapped grab bag,
ord-the Lakers set it against the New
two of the world's most fam-
York Knicks in 1970-for fewest field
ous athletes going at each oth-
goal attempts. Nonetheless, as soon as
er smile for smile, quote for quote, spin
Los Angeles turned back the Portland
move for spin move. Yes, the Magic and
Trail Blazers 91-90 in Game 6 of the
Michael made-for-TV miniseries, other-
Western Conference finals to earn the
wise known as the NBA Finals, began at
right to meet the Bulls, who had swept
Chicago Stadium on Sunday. Game 1
Detroit in the Eastern finals, it was Mi-
ended, quite properly, with Magic John-
chael versus Magic, the Prince of Midair
son throwing a pass and Michael Jordan
VS. the King of the Hill, Nike VS. Converse,
taking a shot. Johnson connected, Jordan
Coca-Cola VS. Pepsi, McDonald's VS. Ken-
missed, and the Los Angeles Lakers crept
tucky Fried Chicken. Though the princi-
away with a 93-91 victory over the Chica-
pals tried mightily to deflect attention
go Bulls in a game that, almost impossi-
from themselves, even they couldn't pre-
bly, was as good as advertised.
tend otherwise.
The NBA has never seen anything like
Said Jordan, "It's great for the league,
this. Sure, for two years running, in 1988
having the two best players going against
and '89, the Finals brought together Mag-
each other." Any arguments there?
ic and his close buddy, the Detroit Pis-
Said Johnson, "Sure, it's a little person-
tons' Isiah Thomas, to exchange pregame
al. I mean, me going against Michael Jor-
smooches at center court. Compared with
dan in the Finals. It's what you live for,
Jordan, however, Thomas is hardly a blip
right?" Would Magic be getting this
on the personality radar screen. Before
worked up to play, say, Charles Barkley?
that, in '84, '85 and '87, Magic had the
One of the intriguing aspects of the
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird as a foil, but
MJ-MJ relationship is how badly it start-
that was less a one-on-one personality
ed. Jordan felt, rightly or wrongly, that
battle than a confrontation between two
Johnson was partly responsible for, or at
storied teams.
least tacitly endorsed, a plan to keep the
What can you say about a matchup that
ball away from Jordan in the 1985 All-
offers a one-man conglomerate (Jordan)
Star Game. Johnson was on the other
and the ultimate sunshine warrior (John-
son)? "You can't overhype Magic John-
Jordan (above), who got 36 points in Game 1,
son versus Michael Jordan," said Laker
and Johnson, who had a triple double, both at-
reserve Mychal Thompson last Saturday
tracted a crowd whenever they took a shot.
20
NBA
FINALS
sound believable. For his part, Jordan
MJ, both of whom earn fortunes off the
Among the players, Johnson is more
says of the old rivalry, "Magic and I are
court. "The money I get from the Lakers
popular and more respected-a small
good friends now. We had a rocky start
is-how can I say it?-small," says John-
segment of the NBA considers Jordan too
for no real reason [although Jordan didn't
son. Small is the right word, relatively
flashy, too cocky, too rich, too self-cen-
originally believe it was for no real rea-
speaking. Both players are somewhat un-
tered, too something. But those feelings
son]. Before, we hadn't known each other
derpaid by NBA standards. This season
are undetectable in Magic's case. Here is
as people. Then we got to know each oth-
Jordan's salary is about $2.5 million and
a player who has been at the top of his
er, and that's when the friendship began."
Johnson's about $2.4 million. As for their
profession for 12 years, one who has
Moreover, only in the past few years
moonlighting incomes, estimates vary
sometimes been outspoken, has always
has Johnson put together a business team,
widely, but Jordan is believed to earn at
been outgoing and has never hesitated to
a package of endorsements and an invest-
least $10 million a year from endorse-
coach his teammates on the court. Yet,
ment portfolio that he perceives to be
ments and Johnson $9 million.
Johnson seems to have no enemies, nor
equal to his celebrity. Jordan, by dint of
In many popularity polls of sports fig-
does anyone seem to begrudge him
his spectacular play in college, the Olym-
ures, they rank one-two-with Jordan
his success. When he retires with all his
pics and his rookie NBA season and the
generally being the one on top-and both
championship rings (he's looking for his
sagacious management of ProServ, had
seem to appeal to black and white, male
sixth in this series), his MVP trophies (he
all those things, and that grated on many
and female, young and old. They have a
has three so far) and his trunkful of triple
in the NBA, including Magic. But John-
knack for signing autographs on the
doubles (he had 137 going into Game 2,
son now realizes that, as he said last week,
move, for smiling through chaos and dis-
including Sunday's 19 points, 10 rebounds
"there's enough for everybody."
appointment and for leaving people hap-
and 11 assists), universal respect might be
Certainly there's enough for MJ and
py. They are masters of the mob scene.
his most Magical accomplishment.
166 PYB
"VAIO
NBA
FINALS
The MJs are quite different off the
each other only when Johnson had the
Enjoy
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBA PHOTOS
court. Magic, who is single and rarely
ball. Jordan, Chicago's biggest and
lonely, is the more "charismatic show-
strongest guard, checked Magic, while
man," as Chicago reserve Cliff Levings-
Byron Scott, who is quicker than John-
ton, a friend of both, puts it. Johnson
son-and more expendable should foul-
sponsors his own star-studded summer
ing Jordan become necessary-tried to
All-Star Game, pals around with Holly-
stay with Jordan. Even when the Lakers
wood heavyweights and once promoted a
had the ball, no real one-on-one battle de-
Janet Jackson concert at The Forum.
veloped. Indeed, by the second half, Chi-
For all the hearts he stops when he
cago was double-teaming Johnson on vir-
walks down the street, Jordan is quiet,
tually every possession.
even close to hermitlike at times. He has a
Still, the MJ-MJ miniseries remained in
wife and two young sons and hangs
the back of everyone's mind. During a
around mostly with his "homeboys" from
first-period timeout, the Bulls' dance
North Carolina, Adolph Shiver, Fred
team was booed when it began perform-
Whitfield and Fred Kearns, as well as
ing to one of its standard numbers, Do
Nike representative Howard White. They
You Believe in Magic? The music stopped
play a lot of card games, with bid whist be-
about halfway through the song, and an-
ing a particular favorite. Jordan mingles
other one was chosen. Later in the game,
with rap stars from time to time, but his
P.A. announcer Ray Clay credited a Los
retinue has no celebrities. "Only Charles
Angeles assist to "Magic Jordan."
Oakley," says Shiver. Wow.
But, really, there was no confusion. Jor-
Although Magic and Michael are im-
dan was the one jumping and dunking and
mensely popular, Jordan's appeal is more
darting his way to 36 points, eight re-
universal. Chicago claims him, but he is
bounds and 12 assists. Johnson was the
too big even for that city's big shoulders.
one directing traffic, backing his way
Johnson, by contrast, is more a product
down the court and, once in a while,
of a specific place, and it is from his Los
shooting that awkward-looking one-
Angeles-based empire that he derives
hander. The Bulls looked like the Bulls of
considerable business clout. For example,
old: too much Jordan and too little of ev-
superagent Michael Ovitz, who is part of
eryone else. Paxson, Bill Cartwright and
Magic's management team, is quite possi-
Horace Grant had only six points apiece.
bly the most influential person in Holly-
One was tempted to say that Johnson's
wood. Johnson treasures the brief time he
six-point halftime total (all on free
spent with Donald Trump a couple of
throws) was not enough, either, but that
years ago. Jordan, who, as you might've
would be wrong. He calmly waited for the
heard, plays golf, treasures 18 holes with
double team to arrive, and time after time
Fuzzy Zoeller. Johnson plays now, so lat-
threw passes over and around the defense
er in his life he can work. Jordan works
to open jump shooters, usually James
now, so later in his life he can play.
Worthy or Sam Perkins, both of whom
What they bring to the game between
finished with 22 points. It was Perkins's
the lines is rudimentary yet in its own way
three-pointer with 14 seconds left, off a
Winston
profound: In an era when fans are looking
crosscourt bullet pass by a double-teamed
for highly paid athletes to play like dogs,
Magic, that gave L.A. a 92-91 lead. Jor-
the MJs show the hearts of lions and the
dan then missed an 18-foot jumper de-
spirit of colts. "They look like they're hav-.
spite being, as Johnson later said, "the
ing fun," says Chicago point guard John
Number One scariest person in the NBA
Paxson, "yet they play hard. The fan
at that time of the game." Scott made one
senses that and appreciates it."
of two free throws to end the scoring.
That's why Chicago. Stadium was filled
"I have to do what I do best, which is
with expectation when the teams took the
run the team," said Johnson afterward,
court. Jordan and Johnson met during the
"and Michael has to do what he does.
captains' meeting at center court before
best-score." Both did their jobs extraor-
tip-off and exchanged half-hugs but no
dinarily well, and ultimately, the MJs just
smooches. "You know I don't go in for
might have canceled each other out. But,
that," Jordan had said a day earlier.
boy oh boy, it was fun watching.
Over the next 2½ hours they faced
"I'll say this about that game," said
Johnson, smiling as he climbed into the
When Michael performed like, well, Michael,
shower. "It almost lived up to the hype.
Magic & Co. could do nothing but watch in awe.
And that's saying something."
23
SEP-26-1991 10:11 FROM YMCA OF THE USA
TO
12024561647
P.01/02
YMCA of the USA
Christina
Y
101 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois
R
60606
Hele
FAX #: 1-312-977-9063
FAX COVER SHEET
Date: 9/26/91
Number of pages including this one: 2
PLEASE DELIVER TO:
Name:
Helen Mobley
Company: White House
FAX #: 2021456-1647
SENT BY:
Name: Leslie Cohn
Direct Telephone #: 1-312-269- 1185
Department:
Message: I realized that I didn't include
with the in formation I Faxed you
yesterday the 1 effer from the president
congratulating lating the y on the centennial.
A copy of this letter went in the
information package to help Ys celebrate
the anniversary. There are more than
2,000 Ys across the country.
SEP-26-1991 10:11 FROM YMCA OF THE USA
TO
12024561647
P.02/02
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 11, 1991
I am delighted to join with the members of the
YMCA in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the
game of basketball.
The only major sport that is entirely American in
origin, basketball has become one of the most
popular team games in the world. Basketball is a
fast-paced yet methodical and rhythmic game, and
it is almost as much fun to watch as it is to
play. James Naismith would be proud to know that
the sport he created now entertains millions at
the grade school, high school, college,
professional, and international levels.
Members of the YMCA can take special pride in
their contributions to the development of
basketball over the past 100 years. Through
countless league and pick-up games that are
sponsored by the YMCA, Americans have increased
their physical fitness while learning important
lessons about teamwork and about good sportsman-
ship. On behalf of all basketball players and
fans -- including the Bush family -- I commend
your outstanding efforts to promote the best
aspects of the game.
CyBul Bul
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL FORM
WAF/ /
Page 1 of
I
To:
Jennifer Grossman
Room Number:
/
/
Extension Number:
From:
David Aasen
United Nations Information Centre, Washington
Phone: (202) 289-8670
Transmittal Operator:
Re. Peru
Messages:
The Sec. Gen. never speaks about Peru
(in the interest of preserving Lis diplomatic
impartiality).
I thought that you might find the
enclosed quotation appropriate; it is positive
and global in context.
It is from the Sec. Gen's Report om
the work of the Organization, 1990.
call if you need more.
VI
R
ESOLUTION of conflicts, observance of human rights and the
promotion of development together weave the fabric of peace;
if one of these strands is removed, the tissue will unravel.
This has been a motif of the thought and work of the United Na-
tions over the years. Current experience strongly confirms the truth that
respect for the organs and institutions of the State, national cohesion,
the viability of political systems or social ideologies, sustained economic
development and the stability of the international order all greatly de-
pend on the observance and promotion of human rights.
The past year has seen the conversion of human rights from a sub-
sidiary theme of the international discourse to a dominant concern. All
over the world, there is a resurgent awareness that no social or political
dispensation can, or should, endure that does not respect the dignity
and worth of the human person, the equal rights of men and women
and of nations large and small.
From its very inception, the United Nations has engaged itself in
elaborating human rights instruments and establishing bench-marks
against which standards of behaviour can be measured. It has provided
the world community with the International Bill of Human Rights, con-
sisting of the Universal Declaration and the two International Covenants,
under which the protection of fundamental rights is accepted as a per-
manent obligation. Under the Organization's auspices, many other legal
instruments have been adopted to define these rights in various contexts.
The 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development laid a basis for the
integration of human rights concepts into the planning, execution and
evaluation of development projects so that respect for human rights and
the effectiveness of these projects are both strengthened and secured. The
process of incorporating human rights in international conventions is a
continuous one. This year, a proposal before the international community
is the convention to protect the rights of migrant workers and their
families-a group that is among the weakest and most vulnerable in society.
Legal instruments, however, provide but the foundation on which
the structure of human rights can be based. It needs initiative, tact, op-
portunity and co-operation to secure their implementation. Very often,
for instance, the Secretary-General has to exercise his good offices in
this regard with the utmost confidentiality lest they prove counter-
productive. There can be little doubt, however, of the faith and expecta-
tions that peoples all over the world place in the efforts of the United
Nations to restore human rights where they are denied or violated.
The promising advances of the past year in democracy and
human rights should not, however, let us forget the remorseless realities
25
THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
September 17, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR: White House Speechwriting
SUBJECT: Background on PCPFS for insertion in
President's remarks congratulating Chicago Bulls
on NBA Championship
Faxed herewith is a backgrounder on the President's Council
on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS).
Several points worth mentioning are listed below:
#1. This year, the PCPFS 1s celebrating its 35th anniversary
year, ConAgra, headquartered in Chicago, commissioned the
painting of a new Presidential portrait depicting all the
presidents who have played a role in the workings of the Council
since it was established in 1956 during the Eisenhower
Administration. The portrait reflects a presidential gallery
surrounded by a selection of sports and fitness activities --
INCLUDING BASKETBALL that represent the age and diversity of
Americans on the move.
#2. The PCPFS carries out a Presidential Sports Award Program
emphasizing regular exercise. Fifty-one sports/fitness activities
make up the program for which individuals 15 years of age and
older who qualify can earn an award. BASKETBALL is one of the
categories in the program. Of the Presidential Sports Award
Program, President Bush has said: the popularity of sports
1s most readily explained by the pride each of us can take in
Yeah, Jordan right.
trying to be our best and the simple enjoyment of participation."
#3. President Bush, in December 1990, appointed "Magic" Johnson,
three-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 8-time first-team all
would
pro with the Los Angeles Lakers, to serve on the President's
Council. He joined 19 other members, including PCPFS Chairman
love ovention of
Arnold Schwarzenegger.
#4. The PCPFS mission is to serve as a catalyst to promote,
this.
encourage and motivate the development of physical fitness and
sports programs for all Americans. PCPFS priorities have been
identified by the Council for 1991 and beyond: (1) Youth
fitness; (2) private sector involvement; (3) senior fitness;
(4) adult fitness; (5) special advisors/consultants; (6) family
fitness; and (7) Great American Workout activities.
****** Wd 19:91
PO2
S
FITNESSA of WOISAHA NO SPORTS TIONNOS PRESIDENT
The President's Council on
Physical Fitness and Sports
HISTORY
Since its inception in 1956, the President's Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports (PCPFS) has been given its direction by an Executive Order from the
President of the United States. The general statement of responsibility says
that the Council will serve as a catalyst to promote, encourage and motivate the
development of physical fitness and sports programs for all Americans.
These programs help focus public awareness on the importance of staying
physically active by encouraging schools, business and industry, government,
recreation agencies, sports and youth-serving organizations to step up their
emphasis on developing and maintaining physical fitness and sports programs.
The first Council was formed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as part of
a national campaign to help shape up America's younger generation. Throughout
the succeeding decades the Council's name and its mission changed slightly, but
its drive never diminished. Today, the President's Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports encourages regular participation in sports and physical fitness activities
for people of all ages.
ORGANIZATION
Twenty private citizens serve on the Council. They are appointed by the
President and report to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services. The members advise the President and Secretary on ways and means to
carry out the 10-point program outlined in Executive Order 12345, as amended.
A full-time professional staff carries out Council programs and conducts day-
to-day business.
January 1991
**PPTS WI 19:91 16'21'60
PO3
PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 12345. AS AMENDED
The Executive Order directs the Council to:
Enlist the active support and assistance of individual
citizens, civic groups, private enterprise, voluntary
organizations, and others in efforts to promote and improve
the fitness of all Americans through regular participation
in physical fitness and sports activities.
Initiate programs to inform the general public of the
importance of exercise and the link which exists between
regular physical activity and such qualities as good health
and effective performance.
Strengthen coordination of Federal services and programs
relating to physical fitness and sports participation
and invite appropriate Federal agencies to participate
in an interagency committee to coordinate physical fitness
and sports activities of the Federal establishment.
Encourage State and local governments to emphasize the
importance of regular physical fitness and sports
participation.
Seek to advance the physical fitness of children, youth,
adults, and senior citizens by systematically encouraging
the development of community recreation, physical fitness,
and sports participation programs.
Develop cooperative programs with medical, dental, and
other similar professional societies to encourage the
implementation of sound physical fitness practices and
sports medicine services.
Stimulate and encourage research in the areas of sports
medicine, physical fitness and sports performance.
Assist educational agencies at all levels in developing
high quality, innovative health and physical education
programs which emphasize the importance of exercise for
good health.
*
Assist recreation agencies and national sports governing
bodies at all levels in developing "sports for all"
programs which emphasize the value of sports to physical,
mental, and emotional fitness.
*
Assist business, industry, government, and labor
organizations in establishing sound physical fitness
programs to elevate employee fitness and to reduce the
financial and human costs resulting from physical
inactivity.
******
PM
PO4
PCPFS PROGRAM AREAS
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The Council staff cooperates with State and local governments, voluntary
organizations, professional associations, sports governing bodies, private
enterprise, the military and other Federal and public agencies to promote the
development of physical fitness programs. Such activities include the establishment
of nationwide Local Councils on Physical Fitness and Sports; a Federal Interagency
Health/Fitness Council; Older Adult Seminars; Native American Conferences; projects
with the National 4-H Council; a Presidential Sports Award Program; Healthy American
Fitness Leader Awards Program; regional clinics on physical fitness and sports:
national conferences; and the President's Challenge, a physical fitness awards
program for youth.
The PCPFS is unique among Federal Government units in that the vast majority
of Council programs are funded by the private sector or other public authorities.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
The Council conducts a continuous public service advertising program designed
around several central fitness themes such as youth, employee, family and senior
fitness. Radio listeners, television viewers, newspaper and magazine readers
are brought such campaign messages as "Shape Up America," "Employee Health Is
Good Business" and "Fitness Is Feeling Great!" The latter theme is currently
in use in public service materials.
Campaigns are mailed or satellite-fed to television stations, the major
networks, plus cable, radio stations and print outlets. Occasionally, special
information projects are targeted to specific media to focus on one issue or goal.
For example, each May a series of radio fitness tips in the form of live announcer
copy is sent to radio stations to be used as daily tips during National Physical
Fitness and Sports Month.
Public awareness is also promoted through articles for popular and
professional publications, television and films, booklets and pamphlets and a
bi-monthly Council newsletter.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
The Council staff oversees a variety of special projects that includes
testing, awards recognition, fitness events and incentive programs. Since 1983,
each May is proclaimed National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in a nationwide
effort to call attention to physical fitness and local community programs. The
Council spearheads this major event which is funded chiefly by the private sector.
A promotional mailing is sent to recreation agencies encouraging them to conduct
special events during the month.
Council staff members work with schools, colleges, clubs, and recreation
agencies on program design and implementation. They also advise other Federal
and public agencies on fitness-related programs.
***** Wd 19:91 I6 11 '60
POS
MAJOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
THE PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE - This awards program recognizes and motivates students,
ages 6-17, to meet challenging levels of fitness. Revised in 1986, the program
measures cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility
and agility. To qualify for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, students
must score at or above the 85th percentile on all of the following test items:
one-mile run, curl-ups, pull-ups, V-sit reach flexibility test and the shuttle
run. Those students who reach the 50th percentile or above qualify for the National
Physical Fitness Award. The National Award also is available for boys and girls
with physical disabilities. The original program was established in 1966.
STATE CHAMPION PROGRAM - Each year the Council recognizes outstanding school
achievement in physical fitness. The State Champion Award is presented annually
to three schools in each state, representing three different enrollment categories,
that qualify the highest percentage of eligible students for the Presidential
Physical Fitness Award. Winning schools receive statewide and national recognition.
STATE DEMONSTRATION CENTER PROGRAM - Schools representing the highest quality
physical education programs in the nation are selected under criteria developed
by each State's Department of Education and approved by the Council. Selected
schools serve as visitor referral sites for teacher education institutions, foreign
visitors, the media and others wishing to observe outstanding school programs.
PRESIDENTIAL SPORTS AWARD - The Presidential Sports Award recognizes adult
participation in a regular program of exercise. Men and women 15 years of age
and older can qualify for the award in one or more of 49 different sports and
fitness activities. Specific requirements for each activity have been established
for a four-month period. Upon meeting the qualifying standards, participants
receive a personalized Presidential certificate of achievement, a blazer emblem
and a congratulatory letter.
REGIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS CLINICS - Approximately four regional
instructor training clinics are held annually at various sites around the country.
The two-day events are held in cooperation with the State Department of Education
and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness in that state and are hosted by
a university or college. Hands-on workshops, held concurrently throughout the
clinic, are presented by Council staff and national clinicians.
NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH - Each year May is designated as National
Physical Fitness and Sports Month in a major promotional effort to help "Shape
Up America." Schools, park and recreation departments, employee associations,
YMCAs, government and other agencies are encouraged to conduct special events
throughout the month to call attention to local fitness programs and services.
HEALTHY AMERICAN FITNESS LEADER AWARDS - In cooperation with The United States
Jaycees and Allstate Life Insurance Company, the Council annually honors 10
individuals for their personal example and outstanding leadership in promoting
physical fitness and health. The winners are selected by a prominent group of
judges and honored at an annual awards banquet.
For information write: President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports
450 5th Street, N.W., Suite 7103
Washington, DC 20001
02:91
I6
******
WI
OTCAL PITNESS AND SPORTS
WASHINGTON, DC 20001
TELECOPIER TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
Please deliver the following pages to:
Name: michelle
City: The white House
Telecopier Telephone Number: 456-6718 -
From: Rush Ann Hockett
Total Number of Pages
7
Including Cover Sheet.
If you do not receive all the pages, please call back as soon
as possible: (202)272-3421.
To transmit call area code (202) 504-2064.
****** Wd 19:91
POINT AFTER
June-24
True Sideline Guys
Let's hear -quietly, of course-for the refreshingly
unassuming Phil Jackson and Mike Dunleavy
by RICK TELANDER
RONALD C. MODRA
WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY TV WATCHING GAME 3 OF THE
the San Antonio Spurs, the Philadelphia 76ers and the
NBA Championship Finals, enjoying it immensely, when a
Milwaukee Bucks. He never stood on ceremony. While an
startling thought hit me. I like these guys! No, not the
assistant coach for the Bucks he occasionally ripped off his tie
players-everybody likes Michael and Magic and their
and suspenders and played guard, looking a little like a Wall
teammates. I liked the coaches.
Street investment banker hooping it up with the big boys.
The exact moment at which this struck me, I believe, was
Which he was.
when yet another overhead camera shot of the Los Angeles
In their own unself-conscious ways, what Dunleavy and
Laker bench focused on the top of coach Mike Dunleavy's
Jackson both are acknowledging is that basketball is truly a
head. There, for all the world to see, was what we refer to
player's game. Of course, we've heard that refrain a thousand
these days as male pattern baldness, friar's-crown variation, in
times, usually from coaches who then go out and call every
full retro-bloom. There was nothing unusual about that, really.
play, every box-out, every footstep for every one of their
Millions of male baby boomers are all too familiar with this
players who enters the game. And the TV announcer and his
hint of mortality and its variations: the receding hairline, the
sidekick (always a former coach) eat it up. This player's game,
widow's-peak gallop, the full-scale multidirectional cranium
they inform us, thrives only because of the brilliant
exodus, etc.
machinations of the Einstein-like hair piles in thousand-dollar
But the beauty here was that Dunleavy had parted the
suits raging on the sidelines.
remainder of his medium-length hair exactly as he always had,
Baloney. Basketball's a simple game. Kids understand it on
as though each and every follicle were flourishing. No hair
second viewing. Here's how you coach the Bulls: "Michael,
plugs, no little rug, no weave, no shoe polish. Best of all, no
take the ball and dribble around. After you've drawn enough
typical NBA basketball coach grandstanding: no slick back, no
defenders, leap into the air for a few seconds and pass off. Or
perm, no sideburn part, no 20-foot single-hair swirl, no
dunk. Scottie, bump the hell out of Magic." For the Lakers:
Versacian cotton candy froth-whip. In L.A., no less. On a
"Magic, play every second and run the offense. Everybody else
televised event during which the halftime analysts spend their
bump the hell out of Jordan."
time tousling each other's locks as if they were wash boys at
Those are great strategies, and these have been great games,
Mr. Eduardo's.
and I like these coaches for staying out of our way. I am sick to
Dunleavy takes the same casual approach to his attire,
death of coaches kneeling on the sidelines screaming through
which is smart but not flashy, what my mother would call
rolled-up programs at point guards who have only played 100
"nice." His appearance is merely a reflection of his coaching
games this season for those coaches. I can't take many more
philosophy-straight ahead, no frills, no GQ covers, let the
scowling, furious, stalking martinets like Bobby Knight or Billy
players play. And I love it.
Tubbs. Oops, that's college hoops. Well, tell me, is there some
Same with the Chicago Bulls' coach, Phil Jackson. His hair
reason why college basketball can't be a player's game, too?
is a graying, irreverent mass, seemingly an irritating distraction
I remember, while spending the summer of 1974 in
to the man. His attire is cautiously natty, except for the
Brooklyn writing about playground basketball in Flatbush,
occasional flowered-drapery tie that harks back vaguely to his
seeing this freckle-faced white kid come to the park to play a
days as a medallion-wearing SoHo hippie who also played a
serious yet joyful brand of pickup ball with the local black kids.
mean defensive forward for the New York Knicks. During
That kid was Dunleavy, then a sophomore at South Carolina.
games these days Jackson stays so out of the way and under
He stayed out of the way and caused no ripples whatsoever,
wraps that sometimes you wonder if he even joins the players
except when he played.
during timeouts. His most familiar coaching gesture is to fold
And I sometimes now see Jackson at the gym in suburban
his arms on his chest, tilt his head to one side and squint at the
Chicago where I play buckets with fellow gym rats. It's the
court as though perusing a TV set that needs fine-tuning.
same gym the Bulls use for practice, and Jackson often will
And yet we all know that these two men have done their
stop to look at us hackers as he leaves his office after a day of
coaching. Jackson has brought a team that seemed destined to
breaking down film or whatever he does in his windowless
play forever in the shadow of the Detroit Pistons into a nearly
room long after his racehorses have left the premises.
perfect state of selflessness and grace. And Dunleavy has
He will tilt his head and squint at us and, often as not, will
merely replaced the wet-look genius Pat Riley and taken the
look bemused-just as he does when Jordan breaks the laws of
Abdul-Jabbar-less Lakers to the Finals.
gravity. It's a nice look, in my opinion, and good for the game.
Dunleavy played his NBA ball with the Houston Rockets,
Thanks, coaches.
100
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 1, 1991
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT CEREMONY FOR NBA CHAMPION CHICAGO BULLS
The Rose Garden
2:33 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. I would like
to welcome all of you. Sam Skinner, our Secretary of Transportation,
came here to gloat. He bored us all to death about these guys for -
- ever since last winter. And it's nice to see him here. Ed
Derwinski, our Secretary of Veterans Affairs, come to cheer his home
team.
I'd also like to express my condolences here today to
Jim Edgar, the Governor of the state, whose mother died last week.
Our thoughts go out to him. I know he'd be here if it weren't for
that.
I also want to welcome so many members of the Illinois
congressional delegation. Commissioner Stern is with us; Bulls
owner, an old friend of mine, Jerry Reinsdorf -- it's great to have
them all here.
We were out now just watching some awesome shooting on
our basketball court down here that I wish we could have shared with
everybody. But it was spectacular; really good.
We're also pleased to have with us -- and I want to get
them to stand up, if we can -- representatives of the Anacostia Youth
Basketball League, and then 24 players from a dozen Washington, D.C.
high school teams with us. Will you guys all stand up so we can at
least see where you are? Welcome. (Applause.)
Finally, we're delighted to have with us David Mercer,
the National Executive Director of the YMCA; Barbara Roper, the
Chairperson of the YMCA National Board. In the 100th anniversary of
basketball, I think we all do owe a special vote of thanks to the Y
and what they've meant to so many kids around this country.
I know I'm no Ray Clay, but I'll try to give the Bulls a
hearty welcome as well. We're here because the Chicago Bulls
answered all their critics last year, compiling the best regular-
season record in their history and then crushing all the opposition
on the way to their first-ever National Basketball Association
Championship. (Applause.)
If some Hollywood scriptwriter had come up with a plan,
tried to submit a script on this last year, movie producers would
have tossed it away -- too improbable, too many pieces of history and
fortune. Last year the franchise celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The Bulls sold out every home game and ran their streak of sellouts
at the stadium to 190 games.
Now we have our first Rose Garden sellout. (Laughter.)
Suddenly, everyone in the entire administration claims to have come
from Chicago. (Laughter.)
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The team won its ,000th game last season, played its
1,000th home game and welcomed its 10 millionth fan. The team
enjoyed its first 60-plus win season, ran off the longest home
winning streak in its history; set records for the best defensive
quarter ever and the best offensive quarter. And on June 12th -- my
birthday, I might add -- the Bulls won the world championship. Not
bad for a team that the experts said would lose to the Pistons and
then to the Lakers. Not bad at all. (Applause.)
Former Soviet Olympic coach Alexander Gomelsky, he once
said, "It's an axiom that good players without a good coach make a
mediocre team." Well, no one who has seen Phil Jackson prowl the
sidelines, who has seen that going on, nobody can argue against his
skills as a coach. And what's even more amazing is the fact that
sportswriters actually call him a nice guy. I didn't think they
liked anybody, at least before they retired. But that's the way it
is.
At any rate, Phil, who, I must mention, as a New York
Knick once roomed with Bill Bradley, Senator Bill Bradley. I want to
congratulate him, his excellent staff, and everybody connected with
his winning ball club.
One key: You made great use of the Bulls' talent. Just
look down the roster, and everyone contributed to the success of the
team. Let me just click them off: B.J. Armstrong, Bill
Cartwright, Horace Grant, Craig Hodges, Dennis Hopson, Michael
Jordan, Stacey King, Cliff Levingston, John Paxson, Will Perdue,
Scottie Pippen and Scott Williams. And you'll find each name in the
box scores and we'll see a lot of them in the Hall of Fame.
(Applause.)
Now, everyone here certainly, and many around the
country, know exactly what you all did on the court last year. But I
want to just say that the Bulls also perform spectacular feats after
the 24-second clock has expired and the crew has turned off the
lights at the stadium.
John Paxson, whose long-range bombs destroyed the Lakers
during the playoffs, couldn't be here today because he's committed
himself to hosting a drug-free assembly as part of Hugs Not Drugs
program that he's so interested in.
Horace Grant works with Youth for Christ, stressing the
importance of positive lifestyle -- as well as getting good position
on the offensive boards.
And Cliff Levingston hosts an annual Charity Basketball
Classic for Multiple Sclerosis.
Bill Cartwright did that great ad for the National
Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse and helps out the Little
City Foundation, a home for the retarded.
And B.J. Armstrong stresses recycling, not littering.
And, of course, he likes to pick up stray basketballs, usually from
Isiah Thomas and Magic. (Laughter.)
Michael Jordan performs a host of good works, with a
series of charities and through his foundation.
The CharitaBulls also do a great job of serving youth in
Chicago's embattled neighborhoods. And in sum, the people on this
team serve their communities.
And I spoke to students across the nation today from an
8th-grade class out here. And it's worth pointing out that the Bulls
also contribute to this nation's educational efforts. Everyone on
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the team participates in Stay-In-School assemblies. And you stress
the importance of getting an education. And you also illustrate the
joys of physical fitness -- something that this administration has
encouraged under the kinder, gentler leadership of Arnold
Schwarzenegger -- (laughter) -- who, incidentally, is doing a good
job as head of our Fitness Council -- been to 27 states now, I think,
and going to all of them.
You guys thought I'd talk just about basketball, but it
is tough to limit yourself to sports when an entire team sets this
kind of selfless example for the rest of our society.
I'm pleased to have you all here. We've waited months
for this event, and I can tell you, as far as I'm concerned, all of
you were worth the wait.
So, David Stern and Jerry Reinsdorf, and players and
officials for the Bulls, thank you all for joining us. Thank all of
you. And may I encourage every one of the kids from Anacostia and
elsewhere with us out in this audience to get going in that school,
do your best. And some day I expect, confidently, many of you will
be standing right here.
Thanks for joining us and thanks to making fans out of
the White House staff, who is always looking for a good excuse to get
out of work -- (laughter) -- but nevertheless this one is one in
which I'm very happy and proud to join them. And thanks for what
you've done to stimulate the best in sports in the United States of
America. God bless you all. Thank you.
END
2:40 P.M. EDT