Sixers Fire Lucas After Two Years

John Lucas once joked that he demanded three titles when he took the job of rebuilding the Philadelphia 76ers because friends told him to ask for as many as he could get.

Having already been dismissed as vice president of basketball operations and general manager, Lucas was fired as coach Monday, three weeks after the team completed the season with the second worst record in the NBA.

“We felt the best thing to do was move in a different direction,” said Brad Greenberg, who last week was hired as general manager, replacing Lucas. Greenberg said he hoped to hire a new coach by the NBA draft June 26.

This season, Philadelphia was 18-64, better only than the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies. The 76ers set an NBA record for sustained futility by losing successively more games in each of the last six seasons.

Greenberg, a former Portland Trail Blazers executive, met with Lucas late last week. He said he decided to fire Lucas during the weekend.

“He did a fine job … but it’s time to move on,” Greenberg said. “This is a new organization right now.”

Also dismissed were assistant coaches Ron Adams and Tom Thibodeau.

Lucas was 42-122 in his two seasons with Philadelphia. Asked if he thought Lucas was a good coach, Greenberg said, “I like John, and I think he did the best he could.”

Pippen latest ailing

Bull Back-to-back-to-back. The playoffs have become a pain for the Chicago Bulls.

First, Michael Jordan strained his back in the first round against Miami. Then Toni Kukoc sprained ligaments in his back at practice last Friday.

Now it’s Scottie Pippen, who had back problems earlier this season, who’s hurting. He twisted it during the second quarter of Sunday’s 94-91 victory over the New York Knicks that gave the Bulls a 3-1 series lead.

Who’s the busiest man at the Berto Center, the Bulls’ suburban practice facility? Trainer Chip Schaefer.

“It’s kind a coincidence we suffered three back problems through the postseason. Hopefully they’re behind us - no pun intended,” Schaefer said. “Each one of them is similar only in the sense of where they are sore.”

After consecutive games Saturday and Sunday, there are other physical concerns for the Bulls. Jordan, whose back has not affected his play, has sore knees, as does Luc Longley. And Dennis Rodman has a tender finger he jammed Sunday, although it is not serious.

Pippen’s back should be OK for tonight’s Game 5, the Bulls said.

Spurs toss out drawing board

The San Antonio Spurs are finished making big adjustments in their game plan against the Utah Jazz.

If the dejected Spurs are to beat the confident Jazz tonight and avoid playoff elimination, San Antonio expects to do it with sheer grit and enthusiasm.

“It takes everything you have,” David Robinson said. “You’ve just got to fight through and get it.”

Utah defeated San Antonio 101-86 Sunday in Salt Lake City to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal. Game 5 is tonight in the Alamodome.