Pippen Makes a Point for Bulls, But It’s Really Not That Good

Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls was asked by Sport Magazine who would win if the Bulls played the great Laker and Boston Celtics teams of the past.

“I can’t see them matching up with us,” Pippen said. “The Lakers tried (in the 1991 NBA finals). They weren’t as great. We were a different breed.

“We beat teams with good defense, speed and quickness.

Just like the Lakers and Celtics did.

Trivia time: Which Laker shares the NBA playoff record for most free throws made in a game without a miss?

Casual guy: Jimmy Hewitt, who was the driving force in landing an NBA team for Orlando, Fla., doesn’t stand on formality.

Said Orlando Magic General Manager Pat Williams: “Jimmy’s the kind of guy who would meet King Henry VIII and call him Hank.”

From The Good Doctor in Inside Sports: Question: How is Bill Laimbeer’s new career as a sanitation engineer going?

Answer: Not bad. He still goes over to Robert Parish’s house or Karl Malone’s driveway to talk trash.

Add Laimbeer: Parish of the Boston Celtics on the retired Laimbeer of the Detroit Pistons: “I’ve never met someone so dirty. Never. Not even on a playground.”

Progress?Time has virtually stood still in regard to the UCLA-USC men’s track and field rivalry. Of the 21 meet records, two were set in the 1960s, 16 in the 1970s and 1980s and only three in the 1990s.

Guillotine mentality: Minnesota Twin right fielder Kirby Puckett on the difference between a young player and a superstar: “Used to be the fans knew you were trying hard and that’s all they cared about. Now, if you have a bad day, they want to behead you.”

Spaceman: Colorado outfielder Dante Bichette has a reputation as a bit of a flake, but his antics, such as playing Nintendo games until 5 a.m., don’t bother Manager Don Baylor.

“Dante just flies in for about 3 1/2 hours a day, checks us Earthlings and goes on his way. Once you know that, it’s fine.’

Air ball prediction: Dan Barriero of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis on the Phoenix-Golden State series: “This will be the best of the first-round matchups. For the second straight year, Phoenix will be tested severely in the first round and have to go the distance to beat the Warriors, who are playing well and playing loose.”

So loose, the Suns swept the Warriors in three games.

Trivia answer: Gail Goodrich, with 17 against Chicago on March 28, 1971.

Quotebook: Yogi Berra on why the shadows make left field at Yankee Stadium tough on outfielders during late-season day games: “It gets late early out there.”