Dec 7, 2000
NBA BASKETBALL on
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THINKING OUT
LOUD:
AROUND THE
NBA
By TERRY ALLEN
How good are the Sacramento Kings?
They are very good. But they don't
have the depth or the superstars needed to win it all. It takes two superstars,
depth and the right chemistry to win an NBA title. Magic had Abdul-Jabbar.
Bird had McHale. Thomas had Dumars. Jordan had Pippen. O'Neal had Bryant.
Webber has ...Divac? Hardly, an NBA superstar. Jason Williams? More hype
than substance. Predrag Stojakovic might end up being that No. 2 guy. But
not this year. He's a few years away from that level. Webber has to go
it alone. And that's fine in the regular season. Especially when you have
a team with excellent chemistry, superb work ethic and a first-rate coach.
The Kings also are doing a better job of playing defense. No one works
harder at it. And don't forget some of the best fans in the league, capable
of turning a lethargic effort into a fist-pumping celebration. Kings fans
are the best sixth man in the league. But when those seven-game playoff
series begin. And the pressure builds. Webber has to put the entire team
on his back. It failed two years ago in a Game 5 against Utah. It happened
last year in Game 5 against the Lakers. The Kings have failed to add that
second superstar. Portland has Pippen, Steve Smith and Rasheed Wallace.
Not to mention Shawn Kemp, Damon Stoudamire and rising star Bonzi Wells.
The Spurs have Tim Duncan and David Robinson. And Derek Anderson has been
a wonderful addition. The Lakers have Shaq and Kobe. Sorry, Kings fans.
But you know the song ... "It takes two, baby."
Best in the West
While the East continues to play
more like the CBA than the NBA, the argument continues over which team
is the best of the West. Move over Los Angeles. The Spurs could be headed
back to World Champion status. The key for them is staying healthy. They
have looked unstoppable at times this season. They also have looked sluggish
at times and their record doesn't really support my theory. But this is
December not April or May. They have a few new pieces and it will take
some time to get the rotation in order and the players comfortable with
each other. Anderson was a great pick-up and gives them a boast of athleticism.
Antonio Daniels continues to improve and that backcourt could be the difference
in a seven-game series against the Lakers. Duncan is starting to hit his
stride after a knee injury slowed him during training camp and the start
of the regular season. He could very well be the best player in the game
today. Robinson has to stay healthy. If he does, the Spurs might knock
off the Lakers.
Christie is King
Back to the Kings. You might not
notice by looking in the box score but Doug Christie has been a wonderful
addition to the Kings. No, don't look at his stats. Look at the stats of
the man he's defending. That will tell you his influence. Christie has
become a defensive force for the Kings. His active style of play - and
intelligence - have helped shut down other team's two-guards. And he has
helped the Kings overall defense improve. What offense he gives you is
just a bonus. Christie is a terrific basketball player.
Wonderful Warrior
Antawn Jamison scores 51 against
the Sonics. What's impressive about that performance was not the total
points but Jamison's shooting percentage - 23 for 36 from the field. That's
a clinic for sure. To prove that game was not a fluke, the North Carolina
star did it again the very next game. This time it was against the Lakers.
And what about that shooting percentage? Against Los Angeles, he was 21
of 29. Amazing. He also had 13 rebounds and five assists. And this time,
the Warriors won the game. Kobe Bryant also had 51 that game, but he shot
18 of 35. Jamison is proving he is an elite player in this league. And
with Danny Fortson out for a few months, Jamison will get plenty of more
chances to show it.
Et cetera
... I don't believe the Knicks so-called
big lineup will work in the end. But it's fun to watch. Scoring 85 points
against the Mavericks proves my point.
... Give the Sonics time. They will
return to their bickering soon enough. The honeymoon won't last forever.
But there is a lot of talent on that time. Could there be too much?
... One other team worth mentioning
in the West is the Phoenix Suns. If Penny Hardaway can return to form and
Rodney Rodgers can ever get in shape, the Suns will have something to say
come playoff time. Shawn Marion is a stud and Tony Delk was a terrific
addition.
... Don't worry Orlando, there is
still Magic in your town. Grant Hill's return will solve most of your problems.
There still isn't enough talent to win it all, but you will still make
the playoffs - and maybe even win a round.
... The Pistons wanted Joe Smith
for more reasons than scoring points and grabbing rebounds. He's good friends
with Webber, a free agent after this season and Detroit native. In Detroit,
Webber would have his No. 2 star in Jerry Stackhouse.
Terry Allen is a professional freelance writer,
whose work has included cover stories for national publications. He has
one book to his credit and is currently working on a book on Grant Hill.
