It’s Jordan for Defense Once Again

Offense is not the only part of Michael Jordan’s game.

Jordan, winner of a record ninth NBA scoring title this season, is the second player in league history to be selected to the all-defensive first team eight times.

Jordan tied Bobby Jones for the honor Tuesday when he was voted to the team by the league’s coaches.

Joining the Chicago Bulls’ All-Star guard on the first team were guard Gary Payton of Seattle, forwards Scottie Pippen of Chicago and Karl Malone of Utah and center Dikembe Mutombo of Atlanta, the defensive player of the year.

The second team consisted of forwards Anthony Mason of Charlotte and P.J. Brown of Miami, center Hakeem Olajuwon of Houston and guards Mookie Blaylock of Atlanta and John Stockton of Utah.

Pippen led all players with 53 points, including a high of 26 first-team votes. Jordan had 51 points, while he and Payton were the only players named on the maximum 28 ballots.

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Indiana Pacer President Donnie Walsh is assembling a list of possible coaching candidates, although he won’t contact any of them until he hears from Larry Brown.

Brown, who has two years left on his contract with the Pacers, is expected to decide by the end of the week whether he will return. Walsh has said he won’t hold Brown to his contract if he wants to leave.

“I’ve told Larry we can’t wait forever, because we have to get another coach,” Walsh said.

“I’m trying to accommodate him. I’m not trying to do anything that will hurt him. We’ve never asked Larry to leave; he has to make that decision.”

If he goes, possible replacements could include former Boston Celtic star Larry Bird and former Phoenix Sun coach Paul Westphal.