Rusty LaRue, who played for the Chicago Bulls during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons and later played for the Utah Jazz in the 2001-02 season, has been sharing some artifacts from the Bulls’ 1997-98 season that cumulated with a win over the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals.
His latest share, ahead of today’s airing of the final episodes of “The Last Dance” at 7 p.m. MDT on ESPN (uncensored) and ESPN2 (censored), is of the first page of Bulls coach Phil Jackson’s scouting report — spelling errors and all — titled: “NBA FINALS: CHICAGO BULLS VS UTAH JAZZ OR THE WAY TO MAKE THE JAZZ SING THE BLUES.”
1. Jazz can run- get back in order- PDQ
2. See the ball-get focused on Stockton he has the ball 90%. We must meet him. wall him off, stifle him.
3. Malone gets no easy hoops or cheap trips to the foul line. Get ahead on his post sprint, don’t get pinned in the lane, and make him make shot, no bail-outs.
4. Know the Jazz personell; i.e. Russell is a high % 3 pt. shotter - Anderson a slasher/cutter.
5. Rebounding at both ends is most important. Jazzz run from misses. Gds. will challenge boards and they will dive in outlets-you can run wisely. We want all the extras, i.e. loose balls, turnovers, reb.
6. (Triangle) format will be easier this series, but Stockton is a rover/stealer. Know where he is & make him pay.
7. Make sure your priorities are True. Winning this finals is a culmination of a year’s work. Come to each day with a fresh mind-rested and we will win.
P.J.
LaRue also shared the Bulls’ rooming list on the road, complete with pseudonyms. The only players that did not change their names while checking into the hotel are Toni Kukoc, Joe Kleine, Bill Wennington and LaRue.
Episodes 9 and 10 of “The Last Dance” are sure to feature the Bulls’ 1998 NBA Finals series with the Utah Jazz heavily.