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**TomBoerwinkle#1** · 06-08-2005, 07:01 AM

Gotta love the reference to Gov. Blagojevich's recent "testicular verility..." quote.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mario...spt-jay08.html

Quote:

You can stop referring to Jerry Reinsdorf as The Chairman, as if he is some modern-day Sinatra. Seems he has been professionally ransacked by a feisty bald guy with very big double-dribbles -- or testicular fortitude, as Gov. Blah Blah waxed. It's a rare day in Chicago when a Reinsdorf employee declares a public-relations assault on his boss and walks away with a better deal as a result.

But Scott Skiles did just that Tuesday, reducing the Bulls owner to The Pushover.

Phil Jackson lost to Reinsdorf. Scottie Pippen lost to Reinsdorf. Magglio Ordonez, Frank Thomas, Jack McDowell and Carlton Fisk lost to Reinsdorf. Almost every coach and athlete who has dared engage in a battle of wills against Reinsdorf has stumbled and fallen, with the lone exception being Michael Jordan, though he was mad when Reinsdorf handed him $30 million and said he hoped he didn't regret doing so. When Skiles and agent Keith Glass spent the last few days portraying J.R. as a tyrant, even accusing him of sending an ink-stained "henchman'' after Skiles with a rip-job column in the sleepy newspaper, well, put it this way: I thought a chalk outline was being drawn inside the coach's office at the Berto Center.

What I should have realized was Skiles, a little con man going back to his wild days at Michigan State, was backing Reinsdorf into a corner. For once, J.R. didn't have the clout and power in this game. Sure, his henchmen were putting out word that any coach was replaceable and that Skiles was unappreciative of his Chicago opportunity after spending 16 months out of work. But Skiles had more leverage: a 47-win season after an 0-9 start, an old-school message that resonated among young players, intelligence, attitude, work ethic and, above all, a league that recognized his fine deeds. As the story circulated Monday night that Skiles was ending negotiations with Reinsdorf, there was a buzz in the Detroit sports community, even as the Pistons were advancing to the NBA Finals, that Skiles was a natural to replace Larry Brown because general manager Joe Dumars thinks highly of him.

With Reinsdorf tenderized after criticism by media and fans, Skiles eyed his prey. He went to work and left a message for John Paxson, the bewildered general manager, that he wanted a meeting with Reinsdorf. At that point, Skiles was unhappy only $14 million was guaranteed in a four-year deal and that he wouldn't be paid an additional $3 million if fired. Next thing he knew, he was meeting downtown with Reinsdorf, face to face, without his agent. You figured Skiles would back down -- as White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen did last week in accepting a two-year, $2 million extension lowball -- and sheepishly take the offer that was on the table.

Skiles may be many things, some unprintable, but he is not sheepish.

"I wanted to bear my soul a little and have him do the same,'' he said of his boss.

transplant · 06-08-2005, 11:46 AM

I don't usually read Mariotti, but yesterday I spent some time riding the "L" train so I bought a Sun-Times. Mariotti's article blasted Reinsdorf's handling of the Skiles negotiations and for being an arrogant, inflexible tyrant...sort of Darth Vader in an Armani suit.

With the stunning turnaround in the Skiles situation, I just had to read him today.

The man is a comic genius.

Today, Reinsdorf is a wimp. Not "The Chairman," but "The Pushover."

Yesterday, Skiles was the Bulls' savior and without him the team was irrevocably doomed to return to the abyss of the early post-dynasty years. Today, Skiles is a "con man" and Mariotti questions Skiles qualifications by writing, "Reinsdorf budged for Skiles, who has yet to win a playoff series? Shocking."

One thing ya gotta say for Mariotti - he's often wrong, but never in doubt.

Very funny stuff.

fleetwood macbull · 06-08-2005, 12:29 PM

well I apreciate Jays sentiments, because i agree with all of them

on the specifics tho, nobody "won"
both sides compromised. Met in the middle.

Scott got the guarntees he wanted at a fair price, and got rid of outragous clauses like if fired, he'sd get paid over 20 years

and the Chairman got the price that he was comfortable with. A good coach taboot

As far as entertainment for us wretched bystanders goes...the now hot Mariotti-Smith war is as good as it gets

Quote:

Glass spent the last few days portraying J.R. as a tyrant, even accusing him of sending an ink-stained "henchman'' after Skiles with a rip-job column in the sleepy newspaper

the part about ink stains, rip jobs, and sleepy newspaper is all Jays

who revels in re-calling Sam Smith a "henchman"

good God I LOVE this kind of stuff!

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