Playoff Around The Rim: May 1
ESPN.com
Knicks vs. Heat, Year 4. This is the way it's supposed to be.
Forget about the Pistons, a team that looked so dreadful without their star we wonder if they deserved to be a playoff team. And a swift goodbye to the Raptors, a team led by a coach who has his priorities so screwed up we don't want to hear from him until October when camps open again.
Lawsuits? Offseason contract uncertainties? Hey, how about coaching well in any of three winnable games in the final minute.
Anyway, that brings us to the best rivalry in the NBA, without a doubt. What other series in the league can you not only count on hard play and a long series, but some brawling as well. And that's on the court as well.
Of course, we have to wait a week before it starts, but that's fine. After listening to Butch Carter for a week, we're tired of excuses. We want Tim Hardaway healthy. We want Marcus Camby healthy. Let's have some war of words in the papers for a few days. So far, nothing big. Both teams say it's war, the other team is in their way, blah, blah. Just wait. There will be bombs.
"They've done some things that have hurt us, and we've done some things that have hurt them," Jeff Van Gundy reports. "We've had fights and everything else early on, but it's evolved into a very strong mutual respect for each other. I'm sure it will be heated, but cleanly played."
What? Are Kurt Thomas and P.J. Brown sitting out? Are the Knicks going with a different gameplan? Don't lie to us, Jeff. In the last three playoff series, these teams have gone the distance each time, with fisticuffs and suspensions playing a role more than once. And last year, the top-seeded Heat lost at home in the clinching game to the No. 8 seed Knicks.
Sure, throw the home court and seeds out the window when the Knicks and Heat play. Also, throw out the rules.
This is why the wait in between playoff games is bad. The Jazz actually left Seattle after losing on Saturday and went home, only to return in time for Wednesday's Game 4. That's a lot of time between games. When the Jazz say they want to show up for Game 4, you don't know if they mean show up literally or not.
The 76ers now have matching injuries in the backcourt. Allen Iverson and Eric Snow each have chip fractures in their right ankles. Now we're not doctors, but isn't this a bit odd? Both members of the backcourt with the same injury? We should add, however, that this is hardly the only thing wrong with Iverson. The laundry list of boo-boos includes a broken left toe, an inflamed right elbow and a right shoulder injury.
Still, it's nice to see him not looking for the sympathy angle. He doesn't complain at all and he's going to play in Game 4. He hasn't lost the desire to compete or to run and shoot when he's out there. Or his humor.
"I guess I'm not drinking enough milk," he deadpanned.
Monday's action: Hornets at Sixers and Pacers at Bucks
With the Sixers and Hornets, you're pretty sure it's going to be hotly contested game down to the wire. Philly's up a game after Friday's close win, and they did it by shutting down Anthony Mason and without Eric Snow. Should be an exciting Game 4 in Philly.
However, does anyone have any idea what's going to happen in Milwaukee? The Bucks looked pretty solid for half that Saturday game with the Pacers. Admit it, you were thinking there could be a big upset coming. The Pacers came through big-time, though, as Reggie Miller took over. He scored 12 straight points and 14 of 18 in one stretch and led a 19-point turnaround. The Bucks had no idea what hit them. Gotta give credit to the Pacers on this one. Let's see if the Bucks can sustain a good start on Monday.
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VIEW FROM THE FANS
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I'm sick and tired of hearing about the Lakers. They seem to show no respect to the Kings. Phil Jackson was quoted that the loss was no big deal and he wants early adversity, but don't tell me he hadn't wanted to finish off the Kings. I know the Kings probably won't knock off the Lakers because they don't have the consistency. Even though the Lakers should win the championship due to their record and dominance, I hope someone at least gives them a hard time or else this may be a boring playoffs.
Sam Pate
Sacramento, Calif.
The GOAT is the HERO. Call him the 34-year-old Superman. I'm talking about Reggie Miller. He was shut down in Game 2. Everyone turned on him and praised the Bucks. Well, to all you Bucks fans, HELLO! You seriously think you have enough talent to beat the Pacers? All that press in Milwaukee that said the Pacers were a bunch of washed-up old guys who play in those stupid black sox, well, those same old guys delivered a good old Hoosier-style butt kicking. Pacers have more talent, more experience and they at least play good D. All the Bucks have is Darvin Ham, who the Pacers have for lunch every day.
Eddie Ham
San Jose, Calif.
Why aren't the Knicks favored in the East? They just swept a team that they lost to three out of four times during the regular season. Carter was kept under 30 points a game. When it comes to do or die the Knicks always come through. LJ's heroics are now a part of his game. Sprewell is doing great, as he outplayed "the next Michael Jordan" during the series. He shows heart and hunger for winning. Also, Allan Houston is the backbone of this team. He is consistent all the time and he is the best shooter in the entire Eastern Conference. I have come to the conclusion that the Knicks are a Finals team and they will beat the Heat in 4. The only two teams they have not proven they can beat are the Lakers and Jazz, and whichever one they are playing in the Finals they will be ready.
Ari Rada
New York City
As far as the Eastern Conference is concerned, the team that will represent the East in the Finals are the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly is playing the best basketball in the East right now and has been playing the best basketball in the East for some time. Not a lot of people know this, but the Sixers have the third-best record in the NBA since they acquired Tony Kukoc -- only behind the Lakers and the Jazz. They are a very talented, underrated, and tough team. Not to mention they have Allen Iverson, who can light it up for 40 points at any given moment. They also have one of the best coaches in the league in Larry Brown. Just look at how they are manhandling Charlotte. And Charlotte has one of the best frontcourts in the NBA.
Lenny Williams
San Jose, Calif.
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HEROES AND GOATS (two of each)
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Terrell Brandon
Sure, Garnett had another trip-doub, but Brandon played every minute, had 28 and 12, and embarrassed Stoudamire, who didn't make a shot and fouled out. |
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Chris Webber
The numbers are always there, but now his team has a win. Had 29, 14 and eight assists to offset Kobe's huge outing. We almost gave this Hero spot to Tony Delk. |
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Vince Carter
Had near triple-double, but shot 5-for-17. When you get down to it, you have to win games, and Vince's playoff career is off to a bad start. |
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Damon Stoudamire
Missed all eight of his shots, fouled out. Still, it's not exactly time to worry. Damon was playing well in Portland. Pressure really comes if Brandon smokes him in Game 4. |
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