ESPNET SportsZone: Up-to-the-minute pregame notebook

Up-to-the-minute pregame notebook

ESPNET SportsZone

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Editor's note: The Zone talked to the Bulls and Jazz in the hours leading up to Game 2, and we passed the information on to you.

CHICAGO -- Bulls center Luc Longley was the only player in the Chicago locker room as of 6:45 p.m. CT, and he talked about all the attention his team receives.

Luc Longley

Longley

"It's still a little bit like being in the circus, and it hasn't slowed down any," said Longley, who comes from the land Down Under. "Even when I go back to Australia, that's all people want to talk about."

Surprisingly enough, Longley said most of the questions from his fellow Australians aren't about Michael Jordan.

"What people usually want to ask about is Dennis (Rodman) and his personal appearance, his hair and that type of thing," Longley said.

"It's a blast," he said of the attention. "It has its drawbacks, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Not-so-gentle reminder

Most of Utah's players are on the court, shooting and running through some light drills.

Why would they want to escape the locker room? Perhaps it's because the final two minutes of Game 1 are playing on the television, over and over and over.

A jolt for the zebras

A Bulls locker room attendant walked by with several cups of coffee. Considering that Ron Harper sipped a cup of java while talking to reporters before Game 1, the coffee must be for the Bulls.

"No, they have their own machine," the attendant said. "These are for the referees."

Steve Kerr

Kerr

It's a team thang

Bulls guard Steve Kerr explained what makes Phil Jackson a great coach.

"He makes everybody feel important, whether you're Michael Jordan or me," Kerr said. "He keeps everybody involved, especially in the strategic issues. He'll ask everybody their opinions and he values those opinions."

Winter wants offense to thaw

Bulls assistant coach Tex Winter, architect of the triangle offense, said the team needs to execute better after Game 1, when Jordan and Scottie Pippen scored 58 of Chicago's 84 points.

"Tonight the ball's going to have to be moved," Winter said. "The ball can't end up in one player's hands and have everybody stand and watch. Our offense is based on ball and player movement with a purpose."

Is Winter concerned that Chicago has lacked a rhythm on offense?

"I don't think we've had a lack of offensive rhythm," he said. "I think the defense has had something to do with that.

"We've stayed within the framework of the offense. We just need to execute within that framework."

Winter got a technical in Game 1. Is he going to start a Rodman-like technical streak?

"Better me than him," Winter said.

From the Jazz locker room ...

Eisley

Backup point guard Howard Eisley received treatment on his shoulder. He's not sure when he hurt it -- either during Game 1 or at practice the next day -- but he said it felt fine today during the shootaround.

Rookie swingman Shandon Anderson hasn't solicited information from his older brother, Miami's Willie Anderson, on how to guard Jordan.

"I don't think anyone can help," Shandon said. "(Jordan) is athletic, and he's going to do what he's going to do."

Veteran forward/center Antoine Carr expects a more physical, intense game tonight.

"Personally I like to play phiscal," Carr said, "because less fouls are called and you get some banging going on."

The Luc of the draw

Bulls assistant Bill Cartwright, the starting center of Chicago's first three championship teams, talked the matchup that has the 7-foot-2, 265-pouind Longley guarding the 6-9, 256-pound Karl Malone.

Karl Malone

Malone

"Hopefully the biggest thing Luc can do is use his size and strength to force Malone to shoot away from the basket and over him," Cartwright said.

Longley matched up against Malone the majority of Game 1. Malone had better success shooting his fadeaway jumper over Rodman, who is 6-8, 210 pounds.

Still, Chicago will user various players against Malone.

"Karl is going to get the ball a ton, and I anticipate everybody will play a lot on him -- Dennis, Jason (Caffey) and Brian (Williams)," Cartwright said. "We'd really like Caffey to get some time on him."

It's hockey for Hornacek

Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek is from the Chicago suburbs. Does he have any mixed feelings about playing against his hometown team?

Nope. He was a bigger fan of the Chicago Blackhawks when he was growing up.

Ron Harper

Harper

Ron runs 'em out

At 7:15 p.m. CT, when it was time for the media to clear out, Harper playfully started to run the reporters out of the Chicago locker room.

"Al right, y'all. It's 7:15," he said. "Whatta y'all think that means. Ya gotta go."

An Associated Press reporter said the media actually had until 7:30. "I still don't care," Harper said. "You gotta go."

A few minutes later, Toni Kukoc wandered into the locker room.

"Toni, we might want to go," Harper said. "They have until 7:30."

A security guard arrived shortly thereafter to escort the reporters out of the locker room. The AP reporter had been lying to Harper.

"See Ron, I almost had you," he said.

"No you didn't," Harper replied. "I knew."