John Paxson, 48, spent 9 of his 11 NBA seasons playing in Chicago, where he contributed to three world champion titles, from 1991-1993. He also won a championship ring with the team in 1996 as an assistant coach, though he's probably best known for his 3-point shot with 3.9 seconds remaining in the 1993 NBA Finals, which won the Bulls their third straight title. The Notre Dame grad and Lake Bluff resident also has served as a Bulls radio and TV analyst. Married to Carolyn and the father of Ryan, 22, and Drew, 19, he's in his fifth season as the Bulls' executive vice president of Basketball operations, better known as general manager.
Q. What's your favorite vacation spot? A. Our favorite vacation spot has been Little Palm Island [Resort & Spa, www.littlepalmisland.com], just off the Florida Keys. It's a small, secluded island, and our most enjoyable meals were right on the water with the sun setting. They also have little Key deer that walk around the island. [The deer live on Big Pine Key and swim and traverse land to make their way each day to Little Palm for their meals.]
We've only been there once, but we will be back. It's easy to get to and totally relaxing. I love getting the chance to be by the ocean where I can sit in the sun and read a good book or two.
Q. What's your favorite hotel?
A. We've become spoiled in the way we travel with the team, and I have a great appreciation for the beautiful hotels we stay in now. Any Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons is on my list, but I feel a little guilty because they are so nice and when I first came into the league in 1983 we were lucky if we didn't have to share a room with another player. Back then we pretty much stayed at a Marriott or Hyatt. In the pre-season, when we weren't in an NBA city, we stayed in budget-type places.
Q. Who do you travel with?
A. When traveling for business, I'm usually alone, but on vacation my wife, Carolyn, and I generally go together, and it's usually someplace warm and on the water.
Q. What's one thing you don't travel without?
A. I always pack a favorite baseball cap to wear, and right now my favorite is a U.S. Marine Corps hat, in honor of our son, Ryan, who recently earned that title when he graduated from recruit training in San Diego.
Q. What do you seek out whenever you travel?
A. I always find a gym if the hotel we are staying at doesn't have one. Exercise has been an important way to deal with stress and a way to attempt to keep my weight down as I've gotten older, so I try to get a workout in whenever I'm on the road.
Q. Do you check voice mail and e-mail when you travel?
A. An unfortunate reality of this business is that my Blackberry has become very important and it is rarely, if ever, turned off.
