Indiana continues to lead the Eastern Conference, and if there’s an Eastern team that may have a chance in the Finals, it’s probably the Pacers, who are unbeaten at home against Western teams. But the end of the run certainly appears in sight.
The Pacers have been to the Eastern Conference finals four of the last six years, losing in a seventh game three times. Many, including almost all the players, questioned the team’s off-season trade of Antonio Davis for rookie high-schooler Jonathan Bender. And now the aging Pacers seem to be breaking down: Dale Davis, Derrick McKey and Chris Mullin went out last week with leg problems, and Rik Smits is never far behind.
Last season Smits was the only Pacers starter to miss any time to injury, and two seasons ago five of the top eight played every game, Reggie Miller missing just one because of a suspension.
“We’ve had some good luck with injuries the last couple of years,” coach Larry Bird said, “but injuries are part of our game.”
Which is one reason the organization started looking ahead. Miller, a free agent, has effectively been replaced as the go-to guy by Jalen Rose. Rose is leading the team in field-goal attempts, a category in which Miller has been the leader since 1991-92. Rose had three straight games of 30 or more points recently and is shooting better than Miller.
“I think he’s their best player,” Bucks coach George Karl said of Rose. “It’s pretty obvious, even on film, that he’s their first option.”
Establishing Rose as a legitimate third scoring option has been the key to the Pacers’ effectiveness. And it appears to be a changing of the guard–and forwards–with veterans breaking down, Mark Jackson and Sam Perkins free agents who aren’t expected back and Austin Croshere and Al Harrington playing increasing roles with Rose in what looks like a final run for this group.
Believe in Magic? With the Orlando Magic in Chicago to meet the Bulls on Monday, one thing certain is that coach Doc Rivers isn’t going to be suggesting to Bulls players that they come to Orlando.
Rivers’ unusually open courting of potential free agents borders on tampering and has irritated people all over the NBA. Toronto coach Butch Carter recently took note of Rivers’ attention to Tracy McGrady, and Rivers has publicly talked about Eddie Jones as well as the dream free-agent combination of Tim Duncan/Grant Hill.
The Magic is perhaps the Bulls’ only serious free-agent competitor, and Rivers has been pointing to the Magic’s playoff run as further reason why free agents would prefer Orlando to Chicago. But Bulls coach Tim Floyd notes that the Magic will have to renounce players who have been big for them this season, such as Bo Outlaw and Ben Davis, to get in position to sign two major free agents.
“When that happens everything becomes more equal,” Floyd said.
As for Rivers’ aggressive recruiting, Floyd said: “That’s his prerogative. I think we’re doing our business differently. Everybody knows what we have to sell. If you have to tell people [so often], you may not have as much as you think. I don’t think you really have to say a whole lot about what you have here.”
The Bulls, much criticized for breaking up a dynasty, believe free agents will question Orlando ownership’s commitment to success in a small market. It allowed Shaquille O’Neal, the game’s most dominant player, to get away at age 24 over a few million dollars. And after tying for first place in the Eastern Conference last season with at least as much talent as Miami, the Magic traded Penny Hardaway, Horace Grant and Nick Anderson, depriving itself of a chance in the very winnable East.
Millionaire’s education: It has been quite an NBA orientation for Mavericks owner-to-be Mark Cuban, who, when he wasn’t buying friends, did more to ruin the Mavericks’ once-legitimate chance to make the playoffs than anyone. Of course it involved Cuban’s sad attempt to get public attention and hang around with Dennis Rodman.
The Mavericks, fighting off injuries earlier in the season, had won 10 of 13 before Rodman was signed, and had held opponents below 100 points in seven of the last 10 games before signing the supposed defensive/rebounding ace. NBA people know Rodman doesn’t play offense, except occasionally on national TV, and refuses to guard anyone or help on defense so he can stay near the basket and get rebounds.
With Rodman the Mavericks lost nine of 12 and allowed more than 100 points eight times, and in every one of Rodman’s last six games. After Rodman was released, the Mavericks won three of four, beating the Suns, Pacers and Spurs and holding them below 100 points.
Trying to hang onto his general manager’s job through next season, Don Nelson avoided criticizing Cuban, but said, “Had we kept Dennis another week or two it would have been a major mistake.” Huh?
Cuban’s next brainstorm was to increase the Mavericks’ coaching staff to an astounding 10, with former NBA coaches Del Harris and Gar Heard and Mavericks veteran Brad Davis hired last week. Cuban also offered a coaching job to Derek Harper, who declined, remaining a team vice president. Cuban still wants to add Rolando Blackman.
What, no job for Roy Tarpley yet?
Brotherly what? After the shouting, there’s work to do. And it has been hard for Toni Kukoc, averaging about 11 points and four assists and shooting about 40 percent as he works to find out where Allen Iverson might give up the ball.
“I’ve got some guys, quite honestly, who are playing with very little confidence,” 76ers coach Larry Brown said. “Every shot [Kukoc] takes now is almost a life-and-death situation. We’ve got to get him to relax. He’s getting down a little bit.”
Said forward George Lynch: “It may be the system. Our system is defensive-oriented and he may not be used to that [Lynch has a short memory about the Bulls]. He has to think more in terms of getting stops and not worrying about his offense. He came from a team where everybody got more touches. A lot of us are not used to touching the ball as much.”
What Kukoc may never get accustomed to is the continued defiance of Iverson, benched last week for missing a shootaround after repeated violations. There are renewed rumors that the frustrated Brown will leave after the season, presumably for the Clippers.
But the 76ers’ courtship of Kukoc continues on April 15 with “Toni Kukoc Night.” Each fan will receive a special edition trading card of Kukoc in a 76ers uniform. Throughout the game drawings will be held for Kukoc-autographed items.
The New York primary: The Bulls might want to consider how the Rookie of the Year campaign has taken on new proportions as they go to New York this week.
New York has a disproportionate share of votes with such a large media contingent, and when the Rockets were in New York, Steve Francis was unusually cooperative with the media. Francis, who says he wants to win the award, is being advised by former boxing promoter Rock Newman, who managed ex-heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. Newman, Francis and Rockets media relations chief Tim Frank met with NBA Commissioner David Stern and other top officials at NBA headquarters.
“They loved it when Steve said he wanted to be an ambassador for the league,” Newman said. “He’s going to take a national tour with Reebok. And they loved that he’s going to do an Asian tour. It’s a win-win situation for everybody. It didn’t go good, it went great.”
Bad guy report: So what’s it really like in the NBA? Isaiah Rider, released by the Hawks after a season of controversies, says teammates Dikembe Mutombo and LaPhonso Ellis went to the league in January and charged him with excessive marijuana use. Rider said teammate Bimbo Coles warned him about the plan after refusing to take part in it, which Mutombo and Ellis denied.
Mutombo, meanwhile, said he wasn’t worried about alleged Rider threats to “have his boys take him out” at the All-Star Game in Oakland, Rider’s hometown, but he had bodyguards with him.
Seems like every team has a John Starks or a Rider these days. Charlotte put Dale Ellis on the injured list after teammates overheard him saying he’d be glad when the season is over. Ellis was sent home to “rehabilitate.” And in Vancouver, Doug West was recently heard saying, “Twenty-one games to go. Golf season is around the corner, baby.”
Speaking of Vancouver: What’s with all this talk about retaining Stu Jackson and Lionel Hollins? This is the franchise that has never won more than 19 games despite drafting in the top six the last five years. The Grizzlies just had their second double-digit losing streak of the season, in which they were outscored by about 14 points per game and allowed 105 per game. And reserves last week were condemning Hollins for overusing the starters. Look for new owner Mike Heisley, from suburban St. Charles, to clean house as soon as he gets the team. . . . Antoine Walker, averaging 27.8 points the last five games, is fueling the Celtics’ playoff push. “He’s playing like one of the premier players in the game,” coach Rick Pitino said. . . . Houston’s Bryce Drew didn’t get in against Indiana on Friday, his first pro game in his home state. He has fallen out of the Rockets’ rotation and hasn’t played in two of the last three games. Look for him to be on the market after the season.
Hmmm: Isiah Thomas sold his house outside Detroit and is having a home built in Atlanta.
