NOTES

The Bulls won their title, the SuperSonics salvaged their good name, so everyone went home from the NBA finals with something.

“I can’t thank my team enough, “ said Seattle Coach George Karl. “They have rejuvenated my spirit for basketball and my team is pretty special in my mind. . . .

“I think we showed the nation that we had a big heart and played with a lot of pride. As a basketball coach, that’s all you can ask for.”

The SuperSonics, who have won more games in the last three seasons than any NBA team, advanced past the first round for the first time in three seasons. In the two years before this, they suffered opening-round defeats at the hands of the Denver Nuggets and Lakers but, after coming from 3-0 down in this series, feel better about themselves.

It’s not like winning a title but for the moment, the distinction seems lost on them.

Shawn Kemp, asked if this represents the crowning moment of his career, answered: “I hope so.”

*

Will Karl be back?

Until the team’s post-season run, management had refused to fully guarantee his contract for next season. Now Karl would like a large raise and has mused about retiring if he doesn’t get it.

“I think that’s a question not for me but Wally Walker and Barry Ackerley [Seattle GM and owner, respectively],” Karl said.

“I think everybody now has to act like a businessman. I still think most of us are basketball players. And most of us, I think, felt the specialness of this basketball team and want to continue with that.

“But this summer is going to be a real interesting summer, not only for the Seattle SuperSonics but for the whole NBA.”

*

Rodman got two of the 11 votes for MVP (Jordan won with six and Kemp got three), but Karl said Rodman would have been a good pick.

“We could control Dennis Rodman for four [games], but Game 2 and tonight, I think Dennis Rodman is the reason they were successful,” Karl said. “We controlled Michael Jordan for the most part in this series. They got the extra possessions and the extra opportunities with [Rodman’s] 11 offensive rebounds.”

Said Rodman: “I just think that this makes the game of basketball worthwhile for me because the last four years have been pretty much hell for me. . . .”

*

The Bulls’ combined regular-season and playoff record of 87-13 is the best ever. The ’72 Lakers, 81-16, are second and the ’67 Philadelphia 76ers, 79-17, are third.