Jordan Hurting Before Paris Games

Michael Jordan has a sore toe, and the Chicago Bulls are already missing Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. Could a stumble be coming in the McDonald’s Championship in Paris?

Jordan cut his practice time in half as the Bulls prepared for their opener today in this six-team international championship, and Bull Coach Phil Jackson sounded worried.

“He had one toe bothering him [Monday] and now the other toe is bothering him,” Jackson said. “It hurts him and he can’t jump. We have a big concern about it, but that’s a minor problem. Hopefully, he’ll be better.”

Would he rest Jordan and risk the NBA’s 14-0 record in the seven previous events?

“Not if it threatens winning,” Jackson said. “I don’t think it’s anything about saving face. I think it’s that the NBA has something they have to uphold. It is a status we have to uphold.”

The Bulls will open against Paris-St. Germain, which beat FC Barcelona, 97-84, Thursday in the opening round.

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Shawn Kemp signed a reported seven-year, $107-million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the fifth member of the NBA’s $100-million club.

“I feel like I’m blessed,” Kemp said minutes after scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 117-109 exhibition victory over the New Jersey Nets.