Sonics Hope To Get First Win In Chicago Since Jordan’s Return Bulls Have Won 18 Of 19 Games At United Center This Season
Seattle Sonics point guard Gary Payton prefers the challenge of the moment. He routinely has squashed the urge of thinking too far ahead. Payton has refused to surmise too deeply about the meaning of a particular game.
That job is left to Payton’s coach, George Karl, whose motivational skills often hinge on circumstances. Karl wants his players to thrive on whatever episode presents itself.
So what does one get when Scottie Pippen is on the court, the Sonics are coming off a loss and haven’t won in Chicago since the 1994-95 season? An overhyped regular-season game between the Sonics (29-7) and Bulls (25-11), according to Payton.
Karl, though, would like to believe tonight’s game presents the Sonics’ biggest challenge thus far. They have yet to lose two in a row. Keeping that distinction alive is a tall order considering the Bulls have lost just once in 19 games at United Center.
Although the Sonics are coming off Sunday’s 92-91 loss at New York, their NBA-best 15-5 road record is built on challenges laid out by Karl.
There was the drive for 10 wins in November. Then came the challenge to escape a dangerous December with a winning record.
Karl’s latest goal?
“I’d like to play an NBA season without losing two in a row. It’s never been done,” Karl said after the Sonics practiced in Chicago. “I don’t know if it will ever be done. But we’ve always had a pride of not losing many games in a row. When we lose, we come back and fight hard.”
Before Sunday, the last time the Sonics lost was a Dec. 23 home game against Minnesota. Until New York, they had won eight road games in a row. Even though the Sonics had a chance to beat the Knicks, it was the first time Payton and Vin Baker were held in check on the same night.
“The ironic thing is guys come back really positive,” Baker said. “The days after we have losses, guys come in and start working harder. We really feel like we can just bounce right back. We’ve been able to do that all season long.
“We’re playing so well right now as a team, it’s about our psyche. It’s a big game because we want to keep things rolling. This is another character test for us.”
The Sonics’ defense took a hit against the Knicks. New York snapped the Sonics’ eight-game win streak by attacking the gut of the Sonics’ interior front.
Much of Monday’s workout was spent reviewing the Sonics’ defensive breakdowns. They allowed the Knicks uncontested dribble penetration in the paint. The Sonics did not force the turnovers (18 a game) they are used to getting from their traps.
“We’ve got to come out and play hard,” Payton said. “We’re not worrying about losing streaks. We’re not about hype. We used to be about hype. We’re into just winning basketball games. We’re coming off a loss so we should be hungry.”
It is going to take a more forceful effort without the ball for the Sonics to ignite another streak, especially with Pippen having recovered from foot surgery. The Bulls’ All-Star forward played for the first time this season last weekend.
Pippen did not participate in the Sonics’ 91-90 win against the Bulls Nov. 25 at KeyArena. His return, though, bolsters the best team in the Eastern Conference because it adds another scorer, ballhandler, rebounder and passer to the Bulls.
“When everybody was doubting them early in the season, I kept saying they are going to be the best in the East,” Karl said. “It will be an upset in my mind if someone beats them if Pippen’s healthy and can play.
“We all get excited about this game. The first thing you do when you get your schedule is look at when you play Chicago. We haven’t won here since Michael (Jordan) returned.”
Those losses include two during the regular season, and three during the 1996 NBA Finals. Karl did not understate the importance of beating the Bulls on their court in order to establish confidence - just in case the Sonics and Bulls renew their matchup in the Finals.
“Usually you’ve got to win a game on the opposing court,” Karl said.