Playoff Around The Rim: May 18
ESPN.com
You hate to see a team lose a game -- and ultimately its season -- the way the Jazz did on Tuesday. Bryon Russell now will be remembered not only for Michael Jordan's final salvo in the NBA Finals but also for the foul foul shooting that cost his team Game 5.
The Jazz will not look the same next season. Jeff Hornacek and his gimpy knees have moved on and there are rumors that an explosive shooting guard could be brought in (Isaiah Rider, for instance. Now that's explosive). Karl Malone and John Stockton will be another year older, though no worse, but if their best isn't nearly good enough against the Lakers or Blazers this season, then how will it be in a year?
We keep hearing that Howard Eisley might succeed Stockton at the point, but we don't see that as a good option. What has he proven? As for the center position, we find it hard to believe any team can win close to 60 games with Greg Ostertag and Olden Polynice there. And Russell, he's not going anywhere, but if he was playing in Boston or Philly, he'd likely be run out of town. See Toni Kukoc as of one week ago.
The fact that Portland played so well in this series cannot be taken lightly. The Suns had no right to push the Lakers the way they did. But Phoenix did take a game by a ton and had a chance in two other games very late to win. Meanwhile, the Jazz, with almost the same regular season record as Portland (certainly closer than the Lakers and Suns), were barely factors in the first three games of that series and Game 4 went to the wire.
You'll read in other places on ESPN.com that Portland is obviously not the same team it was on Feb. 29, when the Lakers won at the Rose Garden. They are playing much better than they did down the stretch, when juggernauts like the Grizzlies beat them.
People do overrate the problems the Lakers have had in the playoffs. Are they really problems? Just because the Lakers lose two games in Sacramento and one in Phoenix, does that mean they are struggling?
We say no, that the Lakers can pretty much turn it on and off when they want to. Phil Jackson knows it, too, as proven by his "all we have to do is win at home and we win the title" speech in Round 1. But he must be sure that the Lakers can win when they have to. Because Portland will push them.
Let the series begin.
Other thoughts
What's up with Jalen Rose? The guy torches everyone for two full games, getting 70 points, then is just horrible shooting the ball in the other three games. Is the pressure getting to him? Reggie Miller did play in two of the bad games he had.
What's amazing is how fast the media and fans can turn on a guy. When Rose was playing well, he was a lock to return to Indy in the offseason. Now people are starting to wonder again, is this guy a big-game player or not? And if he goes off in Game 6, then it all changes again.
Tomorrow we'll deal with the fact that everyone expects there to be an Eastern Game 7 on Sunday, probably two. Does anyone give the Heat any chance to win at the Garden? Doesn't seem like it. Maybe they should.
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VIEW FROM THE FANS
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The Great Questions will now be answered. Two superstars or talent 12 deep? The thunder of giants or blood brothers side by side?
L.A., we want you. Bring your best. It's go time.
Christopher Naze
Portland, Ore.
Well, Bryon Russell has done it again. After letting Michael Jordan fake him out of his shorts for two title-clinching shots, he let Scottie Pippen torch him for his series-clinching trey. Time goes by, yet how things remain the same! But here in Utah, they're crying about the non-call on Russell's last-second trey attempt, but they don't get it. Do they actually think he would have made two of three foul shots to win it? He had just choked off two in a row. Russell is a microcosm of the Utah Jazz: above average, yet always a bridesmaid. Dennis Rodman sure had it right when he said Utah would never win a title.
Chuck Goldberg
Layton, Utah
As a Sixers fan, I thought the team fine was one-sided. You're going to hold the Sixers accountable for Geiger's actions but not hold the Pacers accountable for Miller throwing a punch? Pat Croce was right to tell Stern to "shove it."
Dave Facciolo
Wilmington, Del.
Stop talking !$%& about the Lakers. So what, they are playing bad basketball. They are so good that they can play like crap and still win the game. Why won't anyone notice that they beat the Suns by 28. Everyone expects them to win by that much or they are not satisfied. Get off of Kobe's back, he's got game, the guy averages 23 ppg and made first-team all-defense. No matter what he does, people will always hate Kobe.
Maxwell
Los Angeles
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HEROES AND GOATS (two of each)
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Tim Hardaway
An emotional leader like no other in the recent playoff history of these teams. It hurts to watch him walk sometimes, but he played and played well. And it makes a difference to his teammates. |
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Dan Majerle
Everyone noticed that he nailed what was nearly a half-court shot, but it was Majerle's continued top-notch defense which is making this series so hard for New York. Allan Houston only got 10 shots. |
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Marcus Camby
Not only did he shoot 1-for-6 and get only four rebounds, but he fouled out and P.J. Brown totally outplayed him. Brown had more rebounds than Camby, Kurt Thomas and Larry Johnson combined. |
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Allan Houston
Sure, Majerle is a great defender, but if you're the best player on your team, find a way to get shots and score, or get to the line. Heck, Reggie Miller always does. |
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