The giant of a man sat hunched in a lounge chair, sweat streaming down his bearded face.
Catching his breath after a mile run becomes more difficult as the years catch up with Artis Gilmore. Yet, even at 38, Gilmore enthusiastically poured himself into the Bulls` initial training camp practice Friday. He matched strides with young fliers such as Michael Jordan and Brad Sellers for two hours, and then ran the traditional opening-day mile in 6 minutes 59 seconds. Gilmore is so determined to prove himself to the fans of Chicago that he embarked on a first-time, eight-week training program before camp.
”Artis left town a very popular player,” Bulls coach Doug Collins said. ”There`s some pressure on him to perform because he`s so popular. He might be the most popular big man the city has ever had.”
With good reason. The 7-foot-2-inch center averaged 20 points and 8.3 rebounds a game as the Bulls` center from 1976 to 1982 before being traded to San Antonio.
”I was very impressed with Artis,” Collins said. ”You saw something today in our scrimmage drill that you didn`t see at all last year. When the ball went into the post, the defense collapsed around Artis. Then he kicked it back out for an open shot.”
The big guy still thinks he is capable of putting up some big numbers.
”I anticipate, without injury, having one of the best seasons in a long, long time,” Gilmore said. ”I had to be really at the low point of my career last year. When things get that low, you have to decide whether it`s worth it to continue or give it up.
”I`m like Dr. J (Julius Erving). I want to end my career on a very positive note. You walk off and all you have are the memories. The only thing people remember about you is how you ended up. I didn`t want it to end like that. Eventually, I`ll let the real young people take over. Right now, I feel very good about this season.”
The Bulls interviewed former New York Knicks guard Butch Beard Friday for the vacant assistant coach`s position. He is the third candidate, along with ex-Sacramento assistant Don Buse and ex-Knicks forward Phil Jackson. Collins hopes to fill the opening early next week.
Here`s how the figures on Dave Corzine break down: He will earn $700,000 this season, $500,000 next year and $600,000 the third year. Only the first two years are guaranteed with the third an option year that becomes guaranteed if certain performance criteria are met.
Collins said he was pleased with the performances of Corzine, Charles Oakley and Mike Brown at Friday`s morning session. He said that he foresees the most improvement coming from Sellers, Brown and Sedale Threatt. Collins isn`t planning any roster cuts with only 15 bodies participating in the two-a-day workouts. If first-round draft picks Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant sign in the next week, Collins will probably cut two players before the first preseason road game, against Utah Oct. 17 at Pittsburgh.
Unless there is a breakthrough in negotiations, Pippen will go home to Arkansas Saturday.
The signing of Phoenix`s Armon Gilliam Friday and the anticipated signing of New Jersey`s Dennis Hopson could loosen things up.
Gilliam was the second player selected in last June`s draft and Hopson the third. Pippen was No. 5 after the Los Angeles Clippers took Reggie Williams.
