Bulls run over or will it be reprised?

SALT LAKE CITY -- Coach Phil Jackson is gone, right? The Montana wilderness beckons, a refuge where he can meditate, work on inner peace and relax while considering his myriad options.

Superstar Michael Jordan? "Fore." There are golf courses to explore, an unfathomable business empire to overlook.

No Jackson, then no Jordan. Maybe. He's talked of a second retirement, then hedged. He's still the best player in the game, even at 35. Why leave too soon?

How about unhappy sidekick Scottie Pippen, who's been saying all year he wants to leave? Westward ho. New surroundings, a different style of play and the big contract and evasive respect he says he's been lacking.

Dennis Rodman. Party on, Worm. Las Vegas awaits you, bro. Or maybe there's another year left for a bizarre, 37-year-old, seven-time rebounding champ who likes women's clothes, professional wrestling and skipping practices.

Where are these Bulls going? Or are they going anywhere? It could be a case of see you later or see you in October.

Just moments after they'd clinched their sixth title in eight years, it was time for the questions that have been following them for months -- years actually -- to surface again.

"Right now I have to let everything soak in," a sore-backed Pippen said as the Bulls celebrated Sunday night's 87-86 victory over Utah that earned them yet another ring.

Stuck in a contract that paid him far under market value for years, he will now become a free agent.

"There are a lot of opportunities out there for me and I have to look for them down the road in my future," Pippen said. "But I don't know."

Jackson -- his relationship with general manager Jerry Krause strained to the max -- has said wild horses couldn't bring him back next season.

Asked if it was true that Seattle, Denver and the Lakers would like to talk to him about next season, Jackson showed his humor.

"I think they want to congratulate me on the sixth championship," he said. "And I think I'll accept those calls. Thanks."

Jackson has tabbed the season the "Last Dance," and he stuck to that after Sunday's stirring victory that included another performance that only Jordan could provide -- 45 points, including the game-winning basket.

"We have to celebrate and enjoy," Jackson said. "Unless something absolutely unusual comes out of the left field, I don't expect to see us back again. And what a great run it has been."

Jordan, while accepting his sixth Finals MVP trophy, has said he'd like to make yet another run.

"I think that's something that's going to have to be determined over the summer," he said. "I have another life. And I know I have to get to it at some point in time. Hopefully the fans and the people understand that."

Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who has admitted he doesn't want to be the one to break up a championship team, said again Sunday night he wants Jordan and Pippen back. General manager Jerry Krause said he wanted to celebrate and would worry about the future today or later in the week.

And how about Rodman?

"It's like the NBA and corporations," the Worm said. "They're in business to make money, and if they're smart enough they'll bring everybody back to make money, sell all the (luxury) suites.

"If they don't bring everybody back, believe me there will be an empty stadium."

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