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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jordan Goes If Jackson Goes

Compiled From Wire Services

Michael Jordan reiterated what he said all last year: If Phil Jackson leaves the Chicago Bulls after this season - and both the coach and management insist he’s outta here - Jordan will retire.

“I’m very consistent with what I’ve always said. That’s what I mean. If Phil’s not going to be here, I’m certainly not going to be here,” Jordan said after the Bulls’ first practice of the preseason.

What if Jackson goes to another team next season? Jordan said he’s not following.

“No. Totally. I would quit. I wouldn’t say quit, I’d retire.”

Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson and Portland’s Isaiah Rider were suspended by the NBA for off-the-court behavior.

Iverson, rookie of the year last season, was suspended for the regular-season opener because he pleaded no contest to a weapons charge in Virginia. Rider was suspended for the first two games of the season because of his no contest plea in California to possession of illegal cellular phones and his conviction in Oregon for possession of marijuana.