Indeed, There Was Talk About Ultimate Combo

They talked about it and dreamed about it, even when they had Michael Jordan to dangle at defenses and send opponents running into the night.

On the sidelines together, or while scanning videotape during their six-championship span with the Chicago Bulls, Phil Jackson and Tex Winter allowed themselves to wonder what the triangle offense would be like with Shaquille O’Neal in the middle of it.

With Jordan.

“It would have been interesting to have a center like Shaq with that group of guys, and Michael also,” Winter said, “but I’m not so sure how that would’ve worked out. . . .

“Chemistry’s so important. Whether or not Michael could accept the fact that Shaq’s the guy you need to go to every time with the basketball, as this group has done, including Kobe [Bryant], is questionable.”

So, in this fun dream situation, Jordan, who won 10 scoring titles, five most-valuable-player awards, finished his career with a 31.5-point scoring average and won six NBA championships, would have to defer to O’Neal?

“Well, I think you’ve got to [go to O’Neal],” Winter said. “He’s the apex of the attack.”

Then, he added with a wink: “I’m sure we’d utilize Michael, also.”