Jackson blisters Caffey on role

Jason Caffey made a return from the missing-persons list Mondayfor an 18-point, 10-rebound effort in the Bulls' 111-104 victoryagainst the Phoenix Suns.

The third-year power forward, who went from a starter tobasically a forgotten man in the first six weeks of the season, has asimple explanation for his performance:

Playing time."I had a good flow, but I think a lot had to do with playingtime," Caffey said. "When you're in there for seven, eight minutesat a time, it's easier to get in a flow than when you're in there forthree, four minutes."Coach Phil Jackson, though, couldn't have disagreed more whenCaffey's comments were relayed after practice Tuesday."That's b.s.," Jackson said."A lot of players need playing time to play well, but they'renot going to get it. There are nights Jason's not going to get it.It just so happened that Phoenix had a small lineup, and we were ableto play Jason a few more minutes than normal."Players just have to play their role when they come in off thebench. That's one of the fallacies with young players. They have tounderstand that, and sometimes they're hardheaded by that position."Caffey hoped to establish himself this season as a player worthyof being a starter in the NBA, and he got a great chance at thebeginning of the season when Dennis Rodman reported late to trainingcamp.But now Rodman is back to grabbing double-digit reboundspractically every game, and Caffey is back on the bench."It's tough to go from starting and doing some constructivethings for a team to not playing, but I'm a role player on this teamright now and I just have to do what's asked of me," Caffey said."I'll accept that role. But at some point, I do want to get in thereand get some good time going."NEW FRIENDS? After the game Monday, the Suns' Cedric Ceballoswas in the Bulls' locker room visiting with Scottie Pippen, whichsparked thoughts among the onlookers that the two soon might have anopportunity to talk more often.The Suns were one of the teams Pippen named when he demanded tobe traded last month. The other, the Los Angeles Lakers, is in towntonight to play the Bulls.Does it make for an uncomfortable situation for the other Bullsplayers, particularly if they think Pippen might be imagining himselfwith the opponent?"No, that didn't even cross my mind," Michael Jordan said. "Ifthat's the case, then I think Scottie would have to speak about that.That never even crossed my mind.""No, I don't think so, not in the least," Jackson said. "Idon't think he's thinking about that at all. I think those are justtwo things that came off the top of his head because he was thinkingL.A. is sunny and warm and so is Phoenix."INJURY UPDATE: Randy Brown and Luc Longley continue to nursesprained right ankles, and both are hoping to play tonight."We think Randy will be able to play; Luc might be able toplay," Jackson said. "Both were held out of practice."FEELING FINE: Jackson raised eyebrows Monday by saying Jordanlooked tired. No one was caught more off-guard by that comment thanJordan."That's not true," Jordan said. "I think that's a careful,cautious statement. I feel good. I'm practicing every day. If Ifelt fatigued, then I think the first signs where you'd see it wouldbe in practice."I think a lot is being said with me not being able to goagainst the double teams, triple teams, whatever. I think what wehave to do is collectively do our jobs so one man is not focused onso much."HOME-COURT EDGE: The Bulls conducted practice Tuesday at theUnited Center in their seemingly never-ending quest to getcomfortable on their home court, despite a 10-1 home record thisseason."I think our defense and our rebounding have won the gameshere," Jordan said. "We don't get to practice here as much. Whenyou practice (in a building), you get a little more accustomed to it.Phil's trying to get us down here more often so our shooting is a lotbetter and the surroundings seem more familiar."