Facing off against the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls was more than just a battle on the court, but an even crucial one off of it.
In a piece by ESPN’s David Fleming this week, former Utah Jazz forward Antoine Carr shared a story about some of the distractions he faced anytime he would play in Chicago, including during the NBA Finals.
“One thing I did enjoy about playing the Bulls that was different was the city of Chicago was always trying to do something too,” said Carr. “You’d be in your hotel room the night before a Finals game in Chicago and all of a sudden a Playboy model would show up at your door with a cake. That happened to me more than once.
“They show up in a trench coat, and when they get to present you with your cake, the coat comes off and it’s “Welcome to Chicago!” he went on. “But if you’re a young man and all you can think of the night before the Finals is a beautiful girl now, that’s going to throw you all the way off. It didn’t work on me. It was good cake, though.”
Carr was in his mid-30’s when the Jazz played the Chicago Bulls in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, but he got limited playing time during both series. Chicago ultimately won five of six home games over those two years, so something clearly worked.
