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Bulls turn tide of history against Lakers

 
Published June 13, 1991|Updated Oct. 13, 2005

The Lakers and Bulls played for the first time in the NBA Finals, and the first time in the playoffs since 1973. The teams have met four times previously in the post-season, all first-round series (1968, 1971, 1972, 1973). L.A. won each of the previous four.

The Lakers had won 10 of 15 playoff meetings from the Bulls, including the last 13 of 14 games at the Great Western Forum.

The Bulls won three straight in Los Angeles. Friday's win was the first time Chicago had beaten the Lakers on their home court in the post-season.

Jordan gets three-peat on SI cover

Michael Jordan will be on the cover of Sports Illustrated for a third straight week. That's a first for the magazine. It will be the 17th SI cover that's featured Jordan, which moves him ahead of Larry Bird, ties him with Pete Rose and puts him within two of Magic Johnson.

They're Bullish

on Disney World

Several members of the Bulls had agreed to go to Disney World in September in a promotion involving the team. But if the Bulls won, Disney wanted to use the famous "I'm going to Disney World" commercial.

The Disney people had contacted both Jordan and Johnson before the finals started about doing the commercial for $100,000. Both agreed, but Jordan said the team had to be included.

So the five starters were supposed to shout their plans to go to Disney World before running off the court. They'll split the fee.

Lakers to play McDonald's Open

Pop 84 Split, the Yugoslavian team of Bulls' draft choice Toni Kukoc, will appear again in the McDonald's Open in Paris next October. The Lakers are the NBA representative, and word has it the Bulls will be asked to go in 1992 to a site not yet announced.

Although an NBA team has never lost a game in four previous McDonald's Open tournaments, the games have become steadily more competitive. The N.Y. Knicks defeated Scavolini Peraso of Italy in overtime last year in Barcelona.

Reach out

and offer advice

Lakers coach Mike Dunleavy said the Lakers' fall in the finals has prompted callers from all over to phone in advice.

"I did hear some unbelievable things which I won't even mention," he said. "It's too embarrassing."

Where do they call from?

"Everywhere. Media people. Some people from rest homes call. They sound about the same."

_ JOHN HARRIS