Bulls Slipping in Popularity

CHICAGO — Whatever happened to America’s (basketball) Team?

The Chicago Bulls, who like to think they have eclipsed the Dallas Cowboys as the nation’s most popular team, find themselves slipping in the popularity rankings.

A year ago, they had the world’s greatest player, Michael Jordan, and its zaniest, Dennis Rodman. Jordan is still Jordan, but Rodman has had a string of embarrassments and has been highly exposed, or overexposed, commercially.

The organization is beset by speculation that it wants to start rebuilding, fueled by the owner’s comments. The offense has slowed to a crawl. In one of the games against Miami in the Eastern Conference finals, the Bulls set a record for fewest points since the advent of the shot clock.

TV ratings are slipping. Game 1 of the NBA finals, decided by Jordan’s buzzer-beater, slipped a ratings point from last spring’s ho-hum opener against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Meanwhile, as more precincts report, there are signs that what America really wants is a Utah Jazz upset.

However, the Bulls insist they’re still lovable.

“Well, we don’t have any sex offenders or drug addicts like Dallas,” Brian Williams says, “so I don’t know why we fell off the America’s-favorite-team mantle.”

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The Chicago Tribune’s Sam Smith reported that Michael Jordan wants $36 million for next season--he’s making $30 million--and “will be” a Bull next season, Coach Phil Jackson “probably will be,” Scottie Pippen “might be” and Dennis Rodman is “gone.”

Said Jackson, “I think Sam’s on the right track. He’s scooping it pretty good.”

However, maintaining his policy of discussing the situation only when he deems it in his interest, Jackson added, “I’d rather not dwell on it. I think we should get on with the finals and get on with what we’re doing right now. . . . Let’s talk about the screen-roll.”

Jordan claimed to be unaware of negotiations but was encouraged by signs that Jackson will return.

“Yeah, I think so,” Jordan said. “And I think a lot has to do with Phil wanting to be here.”

Jordan, on his promise to leave if Jackson does:

“What, do you think I’m lying? I’m not lying.”

Jordan on a new deal for Pippen, whose contract runs out next season: “It’s evident that ain’t going to happen. If so, it would have been done by now, no matter what I would like. A lot of things haven’t been done. Jerry [Reinsdorf, Bulls’ owner] has already said, ‘Let’s wait and see.’ I’m not going to sit here and try to twist his arm or hold a gun to his head.”

Nevertheless, Jordan insists Pippen must be a Bull next season “or that’s a whole different perspective.”

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Chicago’s scoring average is down to 93.9 points and its shooting percentage is down to 43.4% for the playoffs. In Game 1 of the finals, Jordan and Pippen were the only Bulls with more than six points.

“We would love to see the other guys involved,” Pippen said. “We have balanced scoring, but it’s just not happening like that. At this stage of the season, you can’t wait for it to happen.”

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Rodman, who ensnared Alonzo Mourning in the Eastern Conference finals like an octopus with a starfish, was almost deferential to Karl Malone in Game 1, playing him cleanly, if briefly and ineffectively.

Rodman also dropped his usual antics and failed to get a technical foul for the first time in this spring’s 14 playoff games.

“You’ll get a better feel how he is going to play [tonight],” teammate Williams said of Rodman. “Maybe Karl and Dennis just don’t want to dance.”

Malone, unfazed as usual, was asked for his response to Rodman’s announcement he’ll pick up the intensity in Game 2:

“When you find out, you tell me,” Malone said. “I don’t know. I think Dennis guarded me the whole game.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NBA FINALS

Utah vs. Chicago

* Game 1: Chicago 84, Utah 82

* Tonight--At Chicago, 6.

* Friday--At Utah, 6 p.m.

* Sunday--At Utah, 4:30 p.m.

* June 11--xAt Utah, 6 p.m.

* June 13--xAt Chicago, 6 p.m.

* June 15--xAt Chicago, 4:30 p.m.

x-if necessary