Chicago’s Harper Has Eye Set On 82-0 Mark

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Coming off the best season in NBA history a record 72 regular-season victories followed by a dominating championship run - the Chicago Bulls couldn’t possibly be better.

Or could they?

“Last year, we had key guys get hurt and miss games. We expect the same this year, but maybe it won’t happen,” Ron Harper said. “If we stay healthy, we might be better.

“As long as we keep our intensity and enthusiasm, we have a chance to win every game.”

Every game?

You mean 82-0?

“Why not?” Harper said. Then he laughed.

The Bulls are 6-0 after beating Boston 104-92 Saturday. That betters their team-record start of a year ago, when they won their first five games before losing.

To a man, the Bulls say they have improved.

“We are better from a knowledge standpoint,” Michael Jordan said. “Physically, OK, we have that extra year of beating on our bodies, but we only can get better because of playing together for a period of time. We have a sense of expectation from each other, and our roles are pretty much set, and that makes us a better team.”

Coach Phil Jackson agreed. “We have a chance to be better,” he said. “Last year at this time, Dennis Rodman was missing 12 games with an injury. Now he’s here. Last year, we lost Scottie Pippen for a stretch. Maybe that doesn’t happen this year. We have more depth, with everyone more confident in each other.”

Barkley speaks out

At 33, and in his 13th season, Charles Barkley admits that “I’m closer to Clark Kent than Superman the way I play some nights.” And while he might not fly quite as high on the court, he’s also gotten more down-to-earth on the subject of the league’s astronomical salaries.

Of forsaken free agents who bleat about having to play for less money than they deserve, Barkley says, “they have no concept. They have no idea. There are so many players better than we are who didn’t make any money. And we don’t deserve it. And these guys who think they earned that $150 million contract, they didn’t earn it, they were just born at the right time.

“I’m sick of hearing these guys complain about making the (league) minimum. Hey, the minimum is $250,000 (actually $247,500). The minimum is more than 85 percent of the people in the world (try 99 percent, Charles). And that’s to work three hours a day, six or seven months a year. Everybody makes money in this league, that’s just the way it is. I tell these young guys, if you work hard and you can play and you keep your nose clean, you’ll get your money.”

Lakers, Blazers post wins

Eddie Jones scored 13 of his 19 points in the third quarter Sunday night as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat visiting Atlanta 92-85 and snap a two-game losing streak. Shaquille O’Neal had 19 points and 18 rebounds for the Lakers.

At Portland, Isaiah Rider scored 23 points to lead the Trail Blazers past injury-ravaged San Antonio 94-81.

Workman likely out for season

Doctors confirmed Sunday that Indiana Pacers guard Haywoode Workman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season.