Playoff Around The Rim: May 8
ESPN.com
Tonight's game: Sixers at Pacers
Not much you can do if you're Philly when two guys make pretty much every shot they take, with a bunch of them from long range. Eric Snow's ankle injury impedes him from chasing Reggie Miller. Allen Iverson, Aaron McKie and George Lynch couldn't cover Miller or Jalen Rose.
And Toni Kukoc? Did you see Rose's eyes just light up when the Croatian entered the ballgame?
"It was difficult for Toni," said Rose, who was taking Kukoc at will. "It's difficult for any guy coming off the bench, because if you're not a starter, then you've got to defend someone that may have caught their rhythm. I was hitting shots by the time Toni came in."
True, but Kukoc, for all his wonderful offensive ability (and that brutal shooting percentage) is not a good defender by any means. And that will matter in this series.
If Philly is going to get a split at Conseco, it has to go back to the reason it got here in the first place: defense. Miller and Rose need to be pushed around a little more than in Game 1. Snow is a great defender, but he's not likely to heal his fractured ankle anytime soon by running around. Lynch is also a better defender than he showed (he did have 14 rebounds), but might have trouble running after Rose. Philly needed offense and that's why Kukoc played so much. Up front, Philly did fine. Tyrone Hill played very well, and Hill, Theo Ratliff and Matt Geiger should be able to match the production of inconsistent Austin Croshere and Rik Smits.
So, we're basically saying, this series ain't over yet. And even if Indiana wins Game 2, it still isn't. The 76ers had a natural lull and the Pacers were ready to go right away, byproducts of the first-round series results. Miller lit up the Bucks for 41 to clinch that series (barely), then hit a three a mere five seconds into the Sixers series and set the tone. For all Miller's faults, he's a money player. But when the shot isn't dropping, the Pacers are going to have issues, because only Miller and Rose look like they can score consistently.
Look for a different tone in Game 2.
Other thoughts
We know the Lakers had some problems in two games at Sacramento in the first round, but the matchups really favor them against the Suns. Luc Longley has a big body, but he can't score much and will be in foul trouble all the time. Rodney Rogers can't cover Shaq. The Suns stayed close for one half, then got torched and lost by 28. Unless the Suns can run and run and run, the Game 1 result isn't likely to change much the rest of the series.
The Blazers finally look like they are motivated to play their best. We've been waiting for them to regain that feeling since the Lakers beat them on their floor months ago. The Jazz, like the Suns, may not be in this series for very long. The Blazers look like they really want the Lakers in the next round.
We don't want Knicks and Heat fans to think we're blowing off their teams, but this might be the best series going. There's so much history here you know neither team would allow itself to be blown out. We'll get more into Knicks-Heat on Tuesday when the series resumes.
So the Nuggets are looking for a big man. Which team isn't? What amused us were the three potential free agents they were looking at. Corie Blount, Brad Miller and Scot Pollard are the choices. Sure, there's some size there, but are these guys the answer? The Nuggets realize that Raef LaFrentz, despite his rebounding and shotblocking stats, isn't really a center. Just like Theo Ratliff isn't. It's easy to push LaFrentz around, plus, he likes the perimeter game. Antonio McDyess isn't a center, either. But how many NBA teams would like a legit center? Why do you think the first thing Pat Riley did in Miami was get Alonzo Mourning? Other than the Jordan Bulls, it's been a long time since a team without a dominant center won anything.
So, does anyone out there want to be on SportsCenter with Dan Patrick? Of course you do. We bring this up because Rick Barry would like to coach the Nets. He actually sent a letter to George Steinbrenner asking him if he can coach the team. Are you, the general fan, just as qualified to be on SportsCenter? Maybe, but that's not entirely fair. Barry did play in the league, where he was always very well liked and a good team guy. (That's sarcasm, folks.)
For the record, Barry's currently the head coach of the Florida Sea Dragons of the USBL. It's his third season in that league. Back in the early-'90s he led Fort Wayne of the CBA to 25 wins and 46 losses. But as Barry has pointed out, that's more than Doc Rivers and Scott Skiles had. Of course, their careers didn't end in 1980.
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VIEW FROM THE FANS
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Being a Blazer fan I must admit that before the Portland/Utah series I was a little scared of Malone -- and both of his elbows. It's safe to say after watching them attempt to play basketball for 48 minutes that I'm back in touch with reality. I guess the Jazz didn't get the message when we eliminated them last year, and now they want more. Put simply, they have no chance. I mean really, what do they have that can beat the Blazers? It's not the flopping, over-the-hill, Jeff Hornacek who plays defense by clinging to his opponent and then falling down. And it's definitely not the Jazz centers. Olden and Ostertag are an embarrassment to this league. Arvydas may not be the fastest one on the court but at least he has talent. He outscored and outrebounded both the Jazz centers combined in 14 less minutes. Have a nice vacation, Jazz...
Ryan Parker
Tigard, Ore.
If the "powers-that-be" suspend Iverson for Game 2, then it's clear that there is some sort of conspiracy going on. Allen says the referee stopped, which caused the bump, but from yet another replay, it appears that the ref actually initiated contact.
I know that nobody wants to see the young, defensive-minded Sixers defeat the aged, petulant Pacers, but why play the game if every official works for the same outcome? Another question: Who's guarding Reggie and Jalen?
Kevon D'Angelo
Cincinnati, Ohio
I don't think the Pacers were looking past the Bucks during their five-game series. Has everyone forgotten that the Bucks were one of the hottest teams for the last few weeks (barring the Lakers)? The scariest thing a coach can come across during the playoffs is playing a team that's peaking. The series with the 76ers will go six games, with Indiana winning. The last time they played was in Philly with the Pacers taking the game with Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller on the bench the whole time. Jalen defended Allen during the game. He was able to contain Mr. Iverson (no one can shut him down). Due to the injury look for a slowed Allen to be defended well by the likes of Rose, McKey and even Travis Best. Also, look for Rose to break out of his playoff sleepwalk and open up things for Reggie. The 76ers' hopes lie with the so-called x-factors George Lynch and Toni Kukoc.
Will Johnson
Detroit
I have a comment concerning your commentary on the behavior of Cheryl Miller. There were no controversial questions to ask Reggie Miller, he had just finished having one of the most outstanding performances in playoff history (I do realize this wasn't the conference finals or the Finals). He was exhausted and relieved that his team survived when it should have lost. She could have had some bland interview, as if she didn't care if the Pacers won or lost, but this is his SISTER!!! If she disliked or hated her brother we would have heard about it many times by now. But because she loves him, and isn't ashamed to show it at appropriate times she's criticized. I do believe in being professional, but sometimes being human is more important.
Demetrius Warren
Kokomo, Ind.
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HEROES AND GOATS (two of each)
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Reggie Miller
He was a hero last Friday, and again today. Hit seven threes and carried the Pacers offensively for awhile. Jalen ended up with 40 as well, but Miller's threes were daggers to Philly. |
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Shaquille O'Neal
We don't know how the Suns are going to stop him. At least Vlade gave him trouble. Clifford, Luc and others are going to have more problems. Shaq had 37 and 14 rebounds. |
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Jason Kidd
Now that he's back and running, he needs to do more. The Suns need more than 1-for-6 shooting to win a game here, especially when Kidd doesn't have to cover anyone who scores. |
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Bryon Russell
Again, the Jazz need everything working against the deep Blazers. Russell scored 2 points in 32 minutes. They need at least 10 more every night. |
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