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Show DheSaltLakeTribune foTy SUNDAY @ NHL PLAYOFFS: TORONTO TAKES 3-2 LEAD ON OTTAWA C-6 @ GOLF: BYU WINS BY 24 C-7 APRIL 23, 2000 Malone Offensive Outburst Comes Without Warning It was described as “all-time pe? “incredible,” “awesome” those superlatives from Seattle Paul Westphal and the Jazz’s John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek and Greg Ostertag, respectively, didn't quite strike at MaloneTorches Sonics, the core of Karl Malone's recordshattering, 50-pointplayoffoutburst SaturdayagainstSeattle at the Delta Center. Jerry Sloan's did. “The guy's unbelievable,” said the Jazz coach,after Malone posted the 17th-best NBA playoffscoring totalever. ButSloan has been saying that ever sifice the day he met Malone in 1985. “I asked him when he was arookie ifhe would ever stop working so hard. He told me he would never change,” Sloan said Jump-starts Playoff Run BYSTEVE LUHM THESALT LAKETRIBUNE Zero, as in NBA championships he has wo Thirty as in his age. Those two numbers have followed Karl Malone around this Saturday. The Mailman is still working the same route. So it was Saturdaythatat the beginning of his 15th postseason andafter his 149th playoff game, it was the same old — he hates that word — Malone whowas ripping and snorting for 43 minutes in the greatest playoffpeformance in franchise history. You never know whatsets an All-Star and Hall of Famerofffor a gamelikethis. For the Bulls’ Michael Jordan in Game5 of the 1997 NBAFinals,it was overcoming the flu when some suggested he shouldn’t play. He only scored 38 points. Or Malone in Game5 of the 1998 Finals whenit was pretty obviousthe Jazz were considered no more than party favors for the seasonlike oneof his trusty hunting dogs nipping at his heels, testing his patience, causing wary glancesfrom strangers. Saturday, however, it was Malone’s turn. See ROSETTA,Page C-9 up with an eye-popping number of his own. Fifty, as in points. Fifty, as in nearly half his team’stotal. Fifty, as in the highest-scoring playoff gamein franchise history ard the highest-scoring playoff game by any NBAplayer since Michael Jordan dropped 55 on Washingtonin 1997. Fifty, as in the only reason the Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune Karl Malone peers down the court during thefinal seconds of Game1 Saturdayat the Delta Center. Malone’s 50-point performance — thefifth of his career — is the best in Jazz playoff history. Jazz got a jumpin a best-of-five series with Seattle that continues Mondaynightat the Delta Center. “Karl was awesome, whatelse can you say?” teammate Jeff Hornaceksaid. “I don’t know what he wasn,” “I got tired goingin for offensive rebounds,” Bryon Russell added, “but I hope hestays on it.” any. He kept makingall his shots.” 4 4 Utah senior not suited for scout-camp format, _____SPECIAL NBA DRAFT FE : but it might not matter BY PATRICK KINAHAN ee Te SATAN Re TEMPE,Ariz. — The hardwood was Atiaran Slats critical three-pointer, only the fourth of his career in postseason play. away substance. NBAgeneral managers and scouts voted Indiana guard A.J. Guyton the baldenenneed wpashe knowing the outcomeif he passed the It smacked off the side of the back- ead na genian sides shook hands, Jensen stormed off the court, smacking a doorleadinginto the tournament MVP.In three games, Guyton averaged 14.3 points on 40-percent “It was frustrating,”said Jensen,the Mountain West Conference MVP this shooting. pastseason.“I enjoyed myself,but I don’t Forfive days at the Desert Classic, the basketball players were contestants in the equivalent ofa subregional beauty pageant. Scores ofNBA personnel — someteams dispatched up to four representatives — studied their every move, documenting from courtside vantage points during the recent tournamentat lege, Bobby Knight probably would have tried to choke him. While Guyton fired up 37 shots, teammate Alex Jensen took 12. The former University ofUtah forward scored only four points in tournament, all in thefirst Eachspring, the NBA conducts three invitational camps. The Desert Classic primarily consists of late first-round and second-round prospects. Thetop 15 players, including any underclassmen whowill declare for the IfGuyton had been as selfishin col- game. ness. Hebattled his wayto the foul line 14 times andgot Horace Grant, Seattle’s best interior defender, in first-quarter foul trouble. See JAZZ, Page C-8 locker room. their catwalk, a court for 40 college se- niors to prance before the judges. One key to Malone’s gigantic performance was his aggressive- SLOC Desires Answer Jensen hadtheball in the corner along the sideline. He was not open, but already “"$iir.scep beauty seeminglyblew tertag said, “because there weren't Malonescored 12 of the Jazz's first 14 points, 30 of their first 65 and15oftheir last 17. He made18 of 32 shots — both franchise records for the playoffs. He even nailed a Jensen May Havea Place in NBA is | During the Jazz's hard-fought, 104-93 win overSeattle in Game1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series, Malone came Bulls’ championshipcelebration. Malone scored 39 in Chicago to force a Game6 in Salt LakeCity. Stockton foresaw nothing of whatwas to come from Malone, as ifhe had time to do anything but concentrate on hog-tying AllStar Gary Payton, who shot three fewer times Malone and scored 26 fewer points. “[Malone] was obviously readyto play,” Stockton said. But 50? “Thatis kindofan unusual andincredible roll.” Evenfor Malone, whooften would ratherpass than shoot, as evidenced byhis 4,000 careerassists. FAST FACT Winner of Game 1hasgone to win the series ailthree timesthese teams have met in the playofis. pig Ticket auction won’t be as lucrative without commitment from NHL think I did as well as I could have.” See CAMP,Page C-12 In thefinal seconds of the last game, BY!MIKE GORRELL Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune Alex Jensen,left, scored four points on 12 shots during the Desert Classic. ‘THESALT LAKETRIBUNE LAUSANNE,Switzerland — There is little doubt that NHLplayers will competein the 2002 Winter Olympics, Nowit is just a matter of sealing Ferguson’s Hot Bat Sparks, Caps Buzz Rally in Victory y TODAY + Sacramento bes BY LAURENCE MIEDEMA =e oeee Jeff Ferguson's season started later than he would have preferred. But the Salt Lake Buzzutility is making upfor the lost time. Ferguson started Salt Lake’s seven-run second inning with a single and capped the rally with a two-out, three-run double as the Buzz beat the Sacramento Ri ‘turday it at Franklin Ferguson started his fourth season with the Buzz on thedisabled list, although the only ailment was Salt Lake’s overstocked roster. The Buzz were _one playerover the 24-man limit, because infielder outfielder Chad Allen went on the DL with a knee injury, and has been the team’shottesthitter. Thelifetime .260 minor-leaguehitter is 9-for-17 with five RBIs and has scored eight runs in his past Twins two days before the season started, and Fer- “He just wanted an opportunity to play. He’s very patient and he knowshis role on the team,” said Buzz ManagerPhil Roof. “He'll wait his turn. Now he’s got an opportunity and he’s making the ee Jay Canizaro was signed by the parent Minnesota oteod be beg saitydactive eal ; trav wi e team ant ici- pated in bettingeaeeran oepet allowed goon r seven i; _five games. ae, Covey Field ohm cma nets It was the second straight multi-hit game for “It’s difficult to not be able to go out with the guys and battle every day.I couldn't even coach Ferguson has beenSalt Lake's jack-of-all-trades since being promoted from Double-A New Britain in June 1997. He has played every position but KWUN-AM (1230) “fm just seeing the ball good,” Ferguson said. “Every dog has his day.”, shadow; not even there.’ Ferguson was finally activated April 13 “= See BUZZ, Page C-4 - Ferguson, who has six hits in his last 10at-bats. _first base,” Ferguson said. “You feel like you're a e deal. For the Salt Lake Organizing Committee,it is crucial for the matter to be wrapped up next month when the International Ice Hockey Federation holdsits world championships in St. Petersburg, Russia. If the federation’s executive board does not approve NHL participation at meetings coinciding with those games, and has to delay a decision until September, a major monkey wrench will be thrown into SLOC’s plansto launch an Internet auction in August of tickets to high-profile events. And the men’s hockey finals, the last event of the Games, is one of those.If the Canadian and American teams can rebound from their poor See ANSWER,Page C-6 t v |