Knicks Already Worrying About Jordan and the Bulls

The Knicks checked their playoff itinerary Thursday, and it read like this:

Knicks vs. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Game 1, Eastern Conference semifinals, Sunday afternoon, Madison Square Garden. Be there early.

Coach Rick Pitino admitted that the Knicks’ pre-practice tape session Thursday was 30 minutes of the Bulls’ offensive sets, which, presumably, means it was at least a 29-minute Jordan highlight film. “And we’re going to concentrate on our offense against their defenses,” Pitino said.

Pitino’s preparation probably should be admired, but there is one minor problem. The Bulls have yet to advance to the second round. They lead the Cavaliers 2-1 and can win the series with a victory at Chicago Stadium Friday night. But they haven’t won yet.

Pitino, however, said foresight should not be confused with slighting the Cavs, who have been hampered by Mark Price’s groin injury. And backup guard Craig Ehlo (sprained ankle) missed Wednesday night’s game, which the Bulls won, 101-94.

“It all depends on the health of Price and Ehlo,” Pitino said. “If they’re more healthy than they have been, it (the advantage) switches to Cleveland. If they’re not healthy, then I think you’ve got to count on Chicago. They’ve got a strong advantage.”

And if the Bulls advance, it is obvious that Jordan will make it tough on Pitino and the Knicks in the next round. Jordan had 44 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and five steals Wednesday.

“Chicago has changed a few of their offensive sets,” said Pitino, who will fly to Chicago to watch Friday night’s game, “but it’s still the basic Chicago Bulls we’ve seen all season. They become more Michael Jordan as the game goes on. And with the game in the fourth quarter, you can see the ball in his hands 70-80% of the time. If he’s not scoring, he’s going to be passing for the score.”

Jordan played the last 24 games of the season at point guard, and Pitino said that new position makes it “more difficult to trap Jordan because he’s got too many options in the middle of the floor. He can find too many people, where on the wing you can trap him more easily.”

If the Bulls advance, Pitino said Gerald Wilkins will draw the defensive assignment on Jordan, but it will be much the same as Charles Oakley guarding Charles Barkley in the Knicks-76ers series. Wilkins will get plenty of help.

Pitino also respects Jordan’s defensive ability, which was apparent when Pitino said Jordan is “the best defensive player in basketball.” But Pitino said if Wilkins moves continually without the ball and forces Jordan to chase him, Wilkins eventually can get open, get his shots and score his points.

But Pitino said he did not believe that such a strategy would tire Jordan. “We’ve tried that,” Pitino said, “but he hasn’t tired too often.”

Besides Jordan, Pitino also said playing at Chicago Stadium, where Games 3 and 4 would be held, would present a challenge because of the noisy fans.

“Chicago Stadium is a unique situation,” he said. “It’s one of the loudest arenas in all of basketball. It’s very difficult and noisy and you’ve got to be ready for that from the beginning. I hope it is Chicago. It’s a fun place to play and a fun place to go into.”

Pitino did not mention what he thought about Richfield Coliseum, the Cavs’ home. But that’s not to say he hasn’t made contingency plans. If the Cavs win Friday night, the Knicks will think about them Saturday. But not a day earlier.