French Toast Jordan, Chicago Teammates
The barriers are up in front of the hotel. The guards prowl the halls with their earphones, checking anyone who looks out of place.
It’s not a visiting chief of state. It’s the Chicago Bulls. Rather, it’s Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
“The crowds that have been around are the biggest I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in the NBA for the last 16 years,” NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said.
The three-day McDonald’s Championships has a six-team field, but there is only one team the Paris guards are interested in protecting.
The security around the Chicago players is indeed tight. And at times rough-house tactics have been used to keep fans - and sometimes accredited media - from the players.
Jordan cut his practice time in half as the Bulls prepared for their opener today in this six-team international championship, and Bulls coach Phil Jackson sounded worried.
“He had one toe bothering him (Monday) and now the other toe is bothering him,” Jackson said. “It hurts him and he can’t jump. We have a big concern about it, but that’s a minor problem. Hopefully by tomorrow (Friday), he’ll be better.”
Paris-St. Germain beat FC Barcelona 97-84 in the opening round of the tournament and will play the Bulls in the semifinals.
Kemp joins $100 million club
Shawn Kemp signed a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the fifth member of the NBA’s $100 million club.
“I feel like I’m blessed,” Kemp said minutes after scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 117-109 exhibition victory over the New Jersey Nets. “I appreciate the organization stepping up and getting it done and allowing me to concentrate on basketball. I intend to show that appreciation by working hard to show I am worth it.”
The $107-million deal would reportedly pay the five-time All-Star approximately $8.3 million in the first season with 20 percent raises in each of the next six years.
Eisley gets his chance
Howard Eisley has been waiting for his chance to run.
Now the backup to All-Star legend John Stockton not only is in the game, he’s starting point guard for the Utah Jazz.
Stockton’s arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 12 has suddenly made Eisley, 24, the keystone of Utah’s offense.
“All I can do is play my game,” Eisley said. “That’s all I’ve ever done.”