OCR Text |
Show The Salt Lake Tribune NBA Saturday, April 22,2000 (} NBA Playoffs Series Matchups UTAH SEATTLE POWER FORWARD Kari Malone (6-9, 256) vs. Horace Grant (6-10, 245) At the age of 36, Malone enjpyed one of his best seasons. He The Jazz Will Have Their Hands Full Against Seattle’s Hot-Shooting Payton BYDICK ROSETTA If the Utah Jazz need any extra incentive in dealing with Seattle's 48-minute man, Gary Payton,consider that the whirlwind point guard has compared himself to Michael Jordan. And atleast one of his team- Hfthey dont get @, Grant is doing a wonderful job — he is staying out of foul trouble and seriously damaging the Jazz's chance of winning. Gary Payton Minutes Per Game: 41.8 Points Per Game: 24.2 Assists Per Game: 89 ‘Steals Per Game:1.87 Three-Point Field Goals Made: 177 mates contends Paytonis the next- | This veteran is asked to defend and rebound more than score. in his own way, he is one of the Sonics’ most valuable players, because he gives them an inside presence. Edge: Jazz best player in the NBA after Shaquille O'Neal. That should painta clearerpic. ture of whatthe Jazz are in for, beginning todayat the Delta Center. Notthat the Jazz were oblivious to Payton’s exploits. The 6foot-4 Payton averaged 26.8 points, 8.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds in four games against Utah, including a SMALL FORWARD Bryon Russell (6-7, 225) vs. Ruben Patterson (6-5, 224) The Jazz are 36-10 when Russell scores 14 points. So much for questions conceming Russell's importance. a career-high 14.2 points this sea- 35-point outburst in a 104-96 Seat- tle win Feb.1 at the Delta Center. Now, Paytonis no Jordan,although anyone who watched the Sonics’ victory over Sacramento on Tuesday might havefigured Air Jordan was masqueradingin a No. 20 Seattle jersey. Payton had atriple-double, highlighted by 33 points — eight in overtime — during a 119-112 victory in which he played all 53 minutes. Very Jordanesque. The Jazz know. They watched in awe as Jordan puton clinic in the 1997 and 1998 NBAFinals. Now, along comes Payton, who is clearly the Sonics’ go-to guy. (on $+for-11 shooting in the third game of the season, when the Son- And he knowsheis the money man. “That’s why Michael Jordan is so good, because he was always ics rallied from a 17-point deficit and won, 99-94. Edge: Jazz Vin Baker (6-11, 250) of when he comes out of a game. Ex-Seattle Coach George Karl, now with Milwaukee, once said Payton “causes problems on the bench, so you might as well let the referees deal with him”on the floor. Thesix-timeAll-Star just completed his best season: 24.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and8.9 assists,all career highs, while playing 41.8 min- utes. He had never scored 40 points in a game, thendid it three times ih two months:41 vs. Washington on Feb. 15, 40 vs. Van- couver on March 13 and 43 vs. Houston last Sundayin 48 min- utes. Seattle's Vin Baker, a four-time All-Star and a memberof the 2000 U.S. Olympic team — who has caused the Jazz headaches himself, including a 33-point outburst Feb. 1 — acknowledges Payton as the force whopropels the Sonics. putthe ball in my hands,I think I’m going to get something done special,” Payton told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Thewill to win underanycir- ieee: Polynice has given the Jazz more than they had ‘@ right to expect after signing as a free agent. Forget his 28-for-90 free-throw shooting. He. Clippers in the regular-seasonfinale at KeyArena. Payton ordered reporters away from his locker after he played only 12 minutes and scored 14 points. Afterall, he was on a 56-point pace. Payton usually is his own judge need a guy like that who wants it, and makes the shot. When they CENTER part of Payton’s pique after Wednesday’sloss to the lowly L.A. taking [crunch-time]shots, You puts the gameonhis shoulders Olden Polynice (7-0, 250) vs. Key Manfor Sonics - THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE finished sicth in the league in scoring (25.5) and 12th in rebounding (9.5). He shot 51 percent from the cumstances mightaccountfor “He drives our team to be just as competitive and reachthelevel of his play. After Shaq, he’s prob- Seattle point guard Gary Payton is No. 1 in the NBA in debut baskets with 177. Healso hits 73.5 percentofhis free throws. ably the best playerin this overShaq: “The Glove”can shoot free throws (73.5 percent). league,” Bakertold the P-J. Onebig advantage Payton has And a Paytonstatistic that might plague the Jazz more than JAZZ NOTEBOOK BY STEVE LUHM ‘THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE win the series and the NBA championship, mi- Whenthe Jazz learned that veteran guard Vernon Maxwell had beenleft off Seattle’s playoff roster Friday, they were surprised. Perhaps they remember Game5 oflast nusthedistractionof an unhappyand free- shooting Maxwell. The Payton Challenge Typically, John Stockton downplays the year’s first-round playoff series with Sacra- ewedece eewe mento, when Maxwell played for the Kings and one-on-oneaspectof his critical matchup with Seattle point guard Gary Payton. “He's sucha terrific player, he’s such a key scored 22 points. Or perhaps they remembera 98-95 win over Sonics’win at the Delta Center. the Sonics on March 24 at KeyArena, when Maxwell scored 18 points on 4-for-8 shooting Edge: Sonics POINT GUARD vs. NBAinthree-pointbaskets (177). Not even Jordan could claim that kindof trey production. Jazz Surprised That ‘Mad Max’Is Not on Sonics’ Roster 5.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in only 22.2 minutes. Thoughhe will be at John Stockton (6-1, 175) any other? HewasNo.1 in the Gary Payton (6-4, 180) After playing at least 28 min- Utes in 17 straight games, Stockton only 36 in the last two. He averaged 13.8 points, oo and 3.8 steals against the peilpdemeclash the NBA'sall-time leader in assists Oeeeee He has 3,649 more assists than Magic for them,” Stockton said. “So I guess it makes sense to talk about. Butit’s not a matter of him from three-pointrange. “If they've got other people better than Max- outscoring me,or him outdoing anything to (2,310). His battle with Payton should be fierce. Payton averaged 26.8 points, 8.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds against the Jazz. In the Sonics’ 104-96 win at the Delta Center on Feb. 1, he scored 35 points on 11-for-17 shooting,including 6-for-9 from three-point Tange. 1996.. . The Jazz have opened their last six playoff series and nineoftheir last 10 at home. But if teams advancethis year accordingto seeding, the Jazz will not have a homecourt advantage again duringthese playoffs. They would have to open the Western Conference semifinals at Portland, the Western finals me.Our goal is to outscore the Sonics, and to againstthe Lakers at the Staples Center and do that, we haveto play good team defense on last year, he wasvery effective.” “T thoughthe mightpresenta challenge to Gary.” Earlier this season, Sloan called Payton one the NBAFinalsat Indiana.All three teamsfinished the regular season with better records us,” Bryon Russell said. “One thing aboutold ‘Mad Max,’he goes right after you. He can catch youoffguard. I never would have thought he would notplay against us. I guess they don’t wantto put up with his crazy sh-.” Maxwell averaged 15 points in three games of his favorite opposing players because of his tenacity, work ethic and competitiveness. “He’s always been a guy who’s competed,” Sloan said. “He’s alwaysplayed hard. Defensively, he’s always been willing to guard bigger guys. And offensively, he’s made himself into a good shooter. Whenhe cameintothe league, he was greattalentbutnota great shooter. Now, he’s a great shooter,too.” Stocktonwill be the Jazz’sfirst line of de- Ofcourse,this is notthe first time Maxwell has been dropped from rosterby a team playing Utah in the playoffs. In 1995, Maxwell was a memberof the Hous- steals than Maurice Cheeks Briefly... Asof Friday afternoon, 900 tickets remained for Game1 and1,400 for Monday's Game2. In the eight-year Delta Centerera, the Jazz have failed to sell out only oneplayoffgame, the openerofafirst-roundseries with Portlandiin’ well, we better be concerned,” Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan said. “In the [Sacramento]series againstthe Jazz this season. But he made only 41.7 percentofhis shots. Johnson (10,141), and 534 more shoot behind those screens.” fense againstPayton. If matchups permit, how- ton Rockets. In Game1 of an opening roundse- ever, the 6-foot-7 Russell mightalso get a chance to guard oneof the NBA’s most domi- ries againstthe Jazz, he scored three points in nant players. “T like playing him,” Russell said.“It’s a good challengebecause he’s so good.. . . All youcandois try to stay in front of him and get over the screens. He lovesto step back and 16 minutes on1-for-7 shooting. After the Rockets’ 102-100 loss, however, Houston Coach Rudy Tomjanovich cut him without explanation. The Rockets went on to than the Jazz... . During their regular- season series, the Sonics made31oftheir 74 threepointshots againstthe Jazz. That's 41.9 percent. Utah made16 of46 three-pointers against Seattle. That’s 34.8 percent... . . Jazz rookie Quincy Lewis has been warned aboutthedifference between the regular season and the playoffs. “More media,” he said Friday. “And coach Gordy[Chiesa] says every play is mag-, nified. He has talked about how important every possession is.”. . . Sloan ranks seventh on the NBA’sall-timelist for coaching wins (70). He is two behind Lenny Wilkens(72-85), three behind Chuck Daly (75-51) and 11 behind K.C.Jones (81-57). Sioan’s playoff record is 7064.. . . History Lesson: Teamswith the homecourt advantageare 114-42 in the NBA’s best-offive playoff series. Teamsthat win thefirst gameare 130-26. Edge: Sonics Handicappingthe Playoffs SHOOTING GUARD Jeff Hormacek (6-4, 190) vs. Brent Barry (6-6, 215) No. 1 INDIANA (56-26) vs. ‘on 6-for-11 nacek scored 18 shooting i ee i Mouming will dominate center-less Detroit One of the game's fiercest competitors, he will injury problems, Miami should prevail because make it dificult for Grant Hill (25.8) and Jerry upset in six games by the Knicks during the Pistons wlstrength. have foi jump shots, and that is Detroit isn't a greatdefen- ton, especialywith New York end Manion the other side of the bracket, In the first round, shooters Jamal Mashbum and Dan Majerle Saale tole i Edge: Even } him. The Pacers are perfectly positioned to give him a going-awaypresent — a long- heere ee Prediction: Pacers intree. fhe played a total of 16 minutesin manaee ee Howard Eisley is a key in the backcourt, es- No. 8 SACRAMENTO (44-38) The Lakers haven't overwhelmed the lockout-shortened 99 season,Indiana should rot encounter any such roadblocks this sea- scored 16 points and it the clinching shot in the Sonics’ win in Utah, not hctivate veteran Verion Maxwell for the playofts shows increased confidence in Wir liam, too.The Jazz? Don't be surprised it tightens rotatios Coach Jer y Alonzo Mourning against the spread-the-floor, ‘one-on-one Pistons. Despite Tim Hardaway’s 1998 Eastem Conference finalsbefore being Me. hesronedtomar Migosiclben Wie Wane le’previously tight rotation, and all have a taste of contributing. Westphal's decision to No. 8 MILWAUKEE (42-20) Bird insists he is leaving as coach Niche Jordan and the Bl in Game 7ofthe Stackhouse (23.6) get othe basket. The could do the same thi as in this se- pecially if Homacek’s knee starts bothering him. But he shot only 36 percent against the Sonics this season. Up front, Greg Ostertag pd les hind prcsirscoley on: pope bution from rookie Quincy Lewis. Size-wise, he matches up well with Seattle's Barry, + Lewis nd Patirsn, But Lew sho ony 37 including per for-16 against Seattie, — Steve Luhm { WESTERN CONFERENCE No. 1 LOS ANGELES(67-15)vs. ‘waited trip to the NBA Finals. Indiana lost to. forthe playotisCoach Paul segs pesstah Conau rodecvadte Nitraarene dep, rating fsa,Westphal’ late-season decision to start Willams, Borrell and Lewis lengthened his bench. All three have become part of Seat- No. 2 MIAMI (52-30) vs. fable This series matches the inside powerof ater the playoffs, and his teammust believe anes Lenored an his left knee as well as he has in weeks and appeared + \ EASTERN CONFERENCE care. plavig scaring to others, Hor Not their sive team, either. That means they will have to double-leam Mouming and leave sharp- een No. NEWYORK(50-32)vs. S ir. No. 6 TORONTO (45-37) No. 4 CHARLOTTE (49-33) vs. No. 5 PHILADELPHIA (49-33) The Homets eared homecourt tage in this series by winning 14 of their last 16 games, including seven in arow. These two teams split four games during the regular the playotis ‘season, but Philadelphia ‘Toronto won three of its four games against New York during the regular season, tr aheadpak ho Fagor na first-round upset.But it won't happen when it counts. The Knicks are too talented and _battle-tested to be upset by a team making its _firstever playoff appearance in its fith yearof the drawn-out schedfoot and elbow. ule of the first round will help him, the Homets ccan counter with all-around star Eddie Jones, anda lagu pot we evragad2. and Charles Oakley. But the Raptors’ go-to guys are Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. They are half the age of Patrick Ewing. Besides, what would NBC say about a Toronto- . The NBA's No.2 scorer, Iverson is bothered by a sore leading 2.67 Potoon Hone hf. existence. Yes, the Raptors’ roster includes such veterans as Antonio Davis, Kevin Willis Indiana conference final?” Prediction: Knicks in three. y Kings during the regular season. They won three out of four from Sacramento, but one of those victories came by a smallest of margins (90-88), In another, the Lakers needed 40 No. 2 UTAH (55-27) vs. No. 7 SEATTLE (44-38) The Jazz would have beenbetteroff playing the defenseless Kings. The SuperSonics are led by one of the game's best players, Gary Payton, and they have a pair of powertypes (Horace Grant, Vin Baker) who can step out on the floor and make jump shots over late-arriving defenders. Seattle also has some points by Kobe Bryant and 39 by Shaquille Momentum on its side after late-season road O'Neal. So the Kings have a chance,right? Wrong. Sacramentolost seven of its final eight games prior to the playoffs, and this team can't win a close game (see Tuesday wins at Houston and Sacramento.If the game is close, who do you think John Stockton would rather be guarding, Payton or the Kings’ Jason Williams? If the game is close, night's 119-112 overtime loss to Seattle). Viade Divac or Horace Grant? See, Prediction: Jazz in five. Chris Webberwill destroy Laker power forwards A.C. Green and Robert i who do the Jazz want guarding Karl Malone, Viade Divac and Scot Pollard are supposed to bother O'Neal? Prediction: Lakers in three. No. 4 SAN ANTONIO (59-29) vs. No. 5 PHOENIX (53-29) The Spurs have been suggesting that Tim Duncan could miss three weeks or more of the playoffs because of a bad knee. Of course,this is the same team that called David Robinson, Sean Elliott and Samaki Walker questionable before last weeks’ game against the Jazz. Robinson,Eliott and Walker ‘combined for 48 points and 24 rebounds in the Spurs’ 106-83 win, Expect Duncan to play, ‘and expect the Spurs to overpower the Suns, upset the higher-seeded Trail Blazers. Right. Even though Minnesota (18-11) had a better record than Portland (14-11) over the final two months of the season,the Timberwolves depend primarily on Kevin Gamett, who will be swarmed by one of the league's best defenses. Meanwhile, veteran Scottie Pippen should dominate his matchup with Wally Szczrebiak (at least if he's as good as he claimed before the All-Starbreak), and center Arvydas Sabo- |