Inside the playoffs - National Basketball Association

Oh, that Jazz

At the start of the season, the Jazz had a bunch of doubters. Now it is attempting to use the playoffs to make believers again out of those who had written the team off.

I think the Jazz learned something from a year ago. This time, the team wasn't nearly as concerned with its overall record as it was with getting to the playoffs with its three key veterans--Karl Malone, John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek--in good physical condition. Hornacek, who will retire after the playoffs, is showing just how pivotal a factor he can be. The most amazing thing about the team is its competitiveness. Utah has this us-against-the-world mentality. This is a team used to rallying together, believing in themselves and discounting everything said about them.

I still think the Jazz play the middle by committee, but the addition of Olden Polynice and his taking over as the starting center from Greg Ostertag gives the team a toughness it hasn't had. Polynice can score more consistently than Ostertag, especially with his jump hook down low. Armen Gilliam brings what he has always brought to whatever team he has been on: scoring. When Malone goes out of the game, the Jazz needs somebody with the ability to make baskets. Gilliam can do that.

The biggest challenge the Jazz face is that it can't control the tempo as it has in the past. It doesn't have that shot in the arm off the bench. I think what may hurt more than anything is the loss of Shandon Anderson, who left after last season and signed with Houston. Also, virtually everything the players do is based on timing and precision. And over the past couple of seasons, they haven't screened and passed as well because Jerry Sloan decided he would keep his older players fresher by limiting their practice time.

The Jazz has had its heart broken many times in the playoffs. Players with less character and less heart would have given up by now. It's highly improbable the Jazz can come out of the West as the conference champion, but what the Lakers and all the other contenders must remember is that with the way the Jazz compete and with all its experience, anything is still possible with this team, long odds or not.

Take five on the hardwoods (Western edition)

1. Proving his point. Blazers point guard Damon Stoudamire was outplayed in the first round by Minnesota's Terrell Brandon and must be more reliable against Utah's John Stockton. When Stoudamire makes his outside shots, it does wonders for Rasheed Wallace and Arvydas Sabonis in the interior. If Stoudamire struggles, look for Greg Anthony to get plenty of playing time in the fourth quarter, with ball handling duties going often to Scottie Pippen.

2. Can the Suns shackle Shaq? Of course not. But the Suns will need to be quick with double-teams on O'Neal because Luc Longley and Oliver Miller are not top-notch defensive centers. Look for Longley and Miller to use their fouls as the Suns hope to wear down O'Neal and, if nothing else, put the pressure in the hands of the Lakers' perimeter shooters.

3. Rattling the cage. It certainly is no secret that Wallace is not able to control his temper. Given the tenacious, in-your-face style played by the Jazz, Wallace must avoid any sudden, volatile outbursts. Any ejection easily could cost Portland a game.

4. A classic duel. Penny Hardaway vs. Kobe Bryant should be a classic. Each excels in all facets of the game and can notch a triple-double in any game. It will be the first time Hardaway has been in the spotlight in a long time and it represents a chance for him to prove his mettle. Each takes enormous pride in his defense and can hit the glass effectively. In three games against L.A. this season, Hardaway averaged 20 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. But Bryant is proving he can shine in the postseason.

5. KJ and the Kidd. Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd need to take advantage of the Lakers' point guards. This is where Phoenix has a major edge. Ron Harper no longer has the quickness and offensive ability to wear opponents down. But Kidd and Johnson need to prove they cannot be left open for the 18-footer, which has been a challenge for each this season.

--Brian Doolittle

RELATED ARTICLE: inside dish

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Spurs SF Sean Elliott, on the worst-case scenario facing his team: "See that (car) over there? Drive it to a bad neighborhood and leave it there for three days. Then go back and see how much has been stripped. That's what this team will look like if Tim Duncan leaves. There might be a window switch left." But he also added, "I think he'll stay. I could be wrong. I haven't talked to him about it, and I don't think anybody else has. You never know. He's always mysterious." Duncan could go the one-year route if he re-signs because teammate C David Robinson has one year left on his contract.... It sounds as if Kevin McHale expects difficulty luring flee agents to Minneapolis. "I've often said, if you can put a gun to a guy's head and make him sign a contract, we'd be more successful," the Wolves vice president says. "I've got more guns than most general managers." ... There were a slew of positives Portland took out of the Minnesota series, including a more streamlined rotation with Mike Dunleavy using only eight players in that series. But Blazer watchers wonder whether he can balance his love of chemistry with the likelihood that he's making SG Bonzi Wells and PF Jermaine O'Neal--the odd men out--very upset.... How did Phil Jackson get C Shaquille O'Neal to stop complaining about the officiating in the Kings series? By invoking the magic word: "I've told Shaq time and time again that Michael got fouled on every play," the Lakers coach explained. "You can only complain occasionally to the referees. And the rest of the time, you realize it's a badge of honor because of the greatness that you have." ... PF Chris Webber understandably was depressed after his Kings were ripped apart in the fifth game at Los Angeles. But he was even more dejected about the bigger picture. "I've been in the league seven years," he said. "It feels like it was just yesterday that I came in, but seven years go by--seven times of not being able to even contend or be anywhere near a championship. I'm one of those guys who'll say it: My career won't be complete without a championship." ... C Olden Polynice arrived in Utah with a reputation for being locker room poison--a charming, intelligent guy, yes, but too selfish and very political. PF Karl Malone says that's old news and describes OP as "a true professional." And Jerry Sloan is even more effusive. "I'd hate to think where we'd be without him," he says. Polynice himself gives one of the best lines of the year. "I kept hearing that I was a cancer," he said, "and I know I'm a Scorpio." ... It's being speculated in the Seattle media that PG Gary Payton isn't exactly enamored of Paul Westphals coaching style, and given a choice, he'd like to see Sonics assistants Nate McMillan or Dwane Casey take over.

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