Playoff Around The Rim: May 11
ESPN.com
Tonight's game: Blazers at Jazz
Where were you on Feb. 29, 2000? Did you watch the Blazers lose by three points at home to the Lakers? How many of you said the loss was meaningless, that the teams were so evenly matched that one game here or there wasn't a big deal?
Then, when the Blazers went 14-11 from that point on and seemingly limped into the playoffs, how many of you thought that loss was a really big deal, that Portland obviously hadn't recovered? Forget about an NBA title or showdown with the Lakers, the Wolves were gonna knock them off.
We're guilty to some degree of believing both the loss mattered and it didn't (though we did think Portland would beat Minnesota). Sure, Feb. 29 was only one game, but look how it affected a veteran team that expected to be the best in the NBA, and not just because it spent the most. The Blazers were not good at all down the stretch. They didn't try hard (Scottie Pippen admitted it).
It's that motivation to get back to even with or better than the Lakers that has the Blazers playing possibly the best ball in the NBA right now. They want the Lakers, they need the Lakers. Not that it matters, it's inevitable, but they're rooting for the Suns to go down. They didn't want the upstart Kings to win Game 5. It has to be Lakers-Blazers, to decide things once and for all (and that doesn't mean we're discounting the East, we just mean the two top teams will decide the West).
The Jazz are old and beaten up, but they still won the Midwest Division, holding off the defending NBA champs and a future MVP in Kevin Garnett. They're not as bad as the Blazers are making them look. The Blazers are playing good ball. They're not bragging that the series is over (it is), they just want revenge against the Lakers.
"Anybody thinking about the Lakers, they don't have their head on straight," coach Mike Dunleavy said. Added Scottie Pippen, "We have to go there and try to get one game. They're going to play better on their court. We expect that."
So basically, this thing isn't over yet.
Nick Anderson said something after the Lakers series ended about the Blazers that was very interesting. People now are talking that since the Lakers fell twice to the Kings, and just about lost a game to the Suns, that the Blazers are now better. We'll reserve judgement until they settle it on the floor. But Anderson said, "The Lakers went into Portland that day and took their hearts. It could still be in back of Portland's minds, but they are playing well now."
Other thoughts
Toni Kukoc is playing himself right out of Philadelphia. When he was first acquired in the Larry Hughes deal, Philly fans weren't just thinking about a title run, but about doing it over and over again with Toni staying in town next season and beyond. But now the toughest fans in the world may just run him out of town when this series mercifully ends.
We know we appeared to be on that 76ers bandwagon, but the Pacers have raised their collective game so much in these three games that we'd now be surprised if Philly wins a game. Reggie Miller sticks a dagger in your heart when he drains a three while falling out of bounds and with Aaron McKie draped all over him. And the sight of Kukoc entering a game may make Jalen Rose laugh in anticipation, but it scares the home crowd.
Not sure where that leaves Philly for Game 4, but it doesn't look good.
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VIEW FROM THE ROAD
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By Mitch Lawrence
LOS ANGELES -- Phoenix did everything right and still lost. This is what happens when Penny brings along guys who can shoot. He didn't have that in Game 1. You can say Phoenix should've won the game, but they got beat by a great shot. The strongest I'd say is they could have won. They felt they had it. The guy made a great shot over a great defender who was all over him. Kobe says it's the first time he's won a game like that since high school.
If you are up late and get beat in the last two seconds, that is pretty good. This gives Phoenix momentum, they feel they have a great opportunity to win a game now, if not two. Penny and Cliff talked at length about that, feeling they almost won.
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VIEW FROM THE FANS
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L.A. sure doesn't seem invincible at all, do they? A close five-game series win over Sacramento? Not dominant at all. Then, they need a last second shot to beat Phoenix in the Staples Center? Hardly unbeatable. Now, look at the Blazers. They're playing some of their best basketball of the year, and making a good team like the Utah Jazz look like a CBA team. Looks like L.A. might have peaked too early, and Portland may be peaking at the right time. Portland looks like the best team in the NBA right now. Media hype can only get a team so far.
Michael Conkey
Portland, Ore.
Funny how most of the "experts" picked Philly to win in 6 or 7 games and now the Pacers are up three-zip. Yes, they looked old and slow against the red-hot Bucks, but they sure have found their spark in this round. If I remember correctly Indiana split the season series with the Lakers this year and even defeated Portland at the Rose Garden. So to all those who predicted the Sixers to dominate the Pacers in this series and especially to those who have already awarded the Finals crown to whichever team turns out to be the best money can buy out West, just remember ... they actually play these games for a reason.
Scott
Evanston, Ill.
STILL NO LOVE! No one gives the Pacers any kind of love. Even after two blowout wins in Indy and another in Philly and you're more likely to call it luck. Improbable shooting? Instead of luck, why don't you call it like it is: The NBA is making sure that the good shooters don't get murdered when playing their game, unlike last year. Pacers are the best team in the East and can go toe-to-toe with any team out there. Give them some love and you won't look so cheesy when they sweep the 76ers.
Eric Morse
San Diego, Calif.
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HEROES AND GOATS (two of each)
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Sam Perkins
Big Smoothie played like it, getting his most minutes since November and nailing a few threes among his 10 points. Plus, he didn't get burned on defense. Austin Croshere could take another week off to heal if he likes. |
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Kobe Bryant
Shaq got the numbers (38 and 20!) but Kobe got the game-winner, with Jason Kidd in his face. It looks like L.A. can be beaten, though, if either Shaq or Kobe doesn't have a big game. Shaw and Horry really helped out. |
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George Lynch
We've been over this with Kukoc, but the fact is Brown has to play Kukoc because Lynch's shooting has been brutal. In Game 3 it was 2-for-9. Lynch is just missing all his outside shots, and Philly can't have that. |
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Luc Longley
Wow, more fouls than points. That's pretty effective. But despite Shaq going wild, the Suns still had a chance. Maybe you don't bother to play Longley (2-for-11 shooting) at all and go smaller. Might not be so bad |
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