Michael's miracle saves Chicago

NBA Finals page

SALT LAKE CITY -- Losing two in a row during the NBA Finals is hard to stomach.

An ailing Michael Jordan receives assistance as he enters the Delta Center before Game 5.

Michael Jordan had difficulty sleeping Tuesday night and vomited several times because of flu-like symptoms. He missed the team's shootaround and spent most of today in bed.

Despite the illness, Bulls general manager Jerry Krause said MJ was ready.

"Michael's fine," Krause said. "He's ready to go. He's always ready to go when the bell rings."

"I think Michael plays better when he's sick," power forward Jason Caffey said. "You never worry about Michael, because he's always a man when he's out on the court."

The virus is making its rounds through the Bulls camp. Dennis Rodman had to briefly go to the locker room during Game 3 because of stomach problems.

Hello, Newman

Niners quarterback Steve Young was trying to be like John Stockton.

Actor Wayne Knight -- who plays Newman on "Seinfeld" and co-starred with Jordan in "Space Jam" -- was filming a segment for "The Tonight Show" at the Delta Center about three hours before tip-off of Game 5.

The portly actor was dressed in his postal-delivery uniform, and he was running pass patterns for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young, a big Jazz fan.

And that ain't the half of it: On the fly, Knight had to catch a hot dog in a bun at the foul line, take two steps and lay it in.

This took a lot of takes. It was hardly reminiscent of the Adonis-like Malone catching the famous full-court pass from John Stockton in Game 4.

Ike and Karl

Austin spent his first two NBA seasons with the Jazz. He became friends with Malone during that time, going hunting, fishing and weightlifting with the Mailman.

Rodman controversy heats up

The NBA also seems to be changing its original stance. After saying it would "be dealing with Dennis after the Finals are concluded," the league might announce action against Rodman as early as Thursday.

Support from overseas

The telegram was from the Croatian-Francisan Press. It listed the name of every Chicago player, followed by ""We are with you 100 percent. Go Bulls!"

Getting an earful

Jackson, who joked after Game 3 that he might sue the Jazz organization for hearing loss, used the plugs Sunday for Game 4 and will pull them out again tonight -- even though the NBA has since ordered Delta Center officials to turn down the decibels.

Jackson says he has used earplugs before, naming Orlando and Indiana as two arenas where he needed to turn down the volume.

"The right thing to do at this decibel level is wear earplugs if you want hearing when you�re 60 or 65," said the 51-year-old Jackson. "We go through it hundreds of times. Sometimes you have headaches at halftime or ringing in your ears until one in the morning."

Playing the name game

Russell

At a media session this week, even Jordan was confused about the name of the man who helped limit him to a postseason-low 22 points in Game 4.

"Is it Byron or Bryon?" Jordan asked reporters.

Bryon shot back by asking about the name of the NBA's most well-known player.

"Is it Michael or Michelle?" Russell queried.

Viva Las Vegas?

Rodman

Most of his teammates said that was the condition on Rodman leaving the state twice -- that he find his game and come ready to be a force in Game 5.

Scottie Pippen seems the most irritated by the Worm's excursions and has been critical of the rebounding specialist's performances all week.

And Jordan, who's always diplomatic, said he has given up on reaching Rodman -- a good sign Dennis won't be wearing a Bulls uniform next season.

"You can't really get to him," Jordan said. "Dennis has his own way of doing things. I'm not going to let that frustrate me."

Oh, Deere

"I've always had some kind of farm hat. I appreciate farming. Those people work very hard," said Sloan, who was raised on an Illinois farm and does a little farming of his own during the off-season.

"And the hats are fine."