"Fading fast..." (April 21, 1998)

With the playoffs approaching, I'd like to mention two dangerous veteran teams who, because of injuries, ended up with very low seeds. Houston and New York, who played in the finals in the pre-return of Jordan era, are both veteran teams with a desire to win. Both were crippled by injuries, New York lost Patrick Ewing and had smaller knicks and bumps along the way. The Rockets lost Hakeem Olajuwon for a sustained period and since his return, he has not been the same. Charles Barkley has a bad back and Clyde Drexler has been in and out of the lineup.

New York before the season, really had a chance to do some damage. They were a deep, talented and veteran team. With the addition of Chris Mills at the cost of three young players and a scrub, who didn't play anyway, the Knicks might have made their finals run with all the pieces in place. If the Knicks wanted to go big, their starting five would have worked. If they wanted to go small they could have subbed Chris Mills and John Starks. They have two players at every position and were poised to make a run for the championship. Then might Patrick got injured by a goon shot from Andrew Lang and the rest is history. Will he return? Won't he? Does it matter? I don't see a Willis Reed, circa 1970 Game 7 Finals type return and lift, when or if he comes back. There would be an adjustment period to having him back as well, he will be rusty. As for the Knicks, it's their favorite mantra, wait 'til next year.

Oh, the might Houston Rockets. Three future Hall of Famers, yet having trouble breaking .500. Chuck, Glide and the Dream are all 20 ppgers but are all averaging less than their career averages. While Chuck still rebounds hard, the three of them are playing far below their career benchmarks, and much worse then one would have expected, if last year was any indication. They are getting older, worn down by injuries and minutes. Hakeem can't seem to get over the mental block regarding his knee. Clyde doesn't seem to have the same burning desire since he's going back to school after this year. And Chuck, is well Chuck. When he's inclined and healthy, he still can put up 20 and 10, but it seems that he is less likely to do so. I can see Chuck on the Los Angeles Lakers next year, if he decides to stick around and Houston doesn't want him back. He'd be perfect but more on that later.

Both teams are low seeds, New York at 7 and Houston at 8. Much too low for their relative talent level, but the basketball Gods have not been kind to these teams. They will have trouble getting out of the first round if they don't get their act together. But if they do, both teams can do some serious damage. Especially the New York vs. Miami first round matchup. That will be a blood-bath. Only the strong will survive.

Back to Charles Barkley. From what I've heard and read, Houston is going to rebuild next year and I mean a huge housecleaning. I think the only two players under contract for next years are Hakeem and Brent Price. The names mentioned on Houston's shopping list are Antonio McDyess, Damon Stoudamire, Joe Smith, Brent Barry and Scottie Pippen, although Pippen is destined for Phoenix. We know Clyde is gone and they need a shooting guard, so I think Jerry Stackhouse might be mentioned here as well. Barkley is most likely gone, because he's high maintenance, expensive and more money than he's worth at this stage of his career. But he'd be perfect for the Lakers. They need a veteran leader. Someone who can take the last second shot and lend his years of experience of knowledge to that young team. Besides, who do they have at forward? Rick Fox probably won't resign because L.A. won't spend the big money on him. Sure that the Larry Bird exemption on him but they have to think about resigning Kobe Bryant and down the road, Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones. At forward, the Lakers have Elden Campbell and Robert Horry, but who is backing them up? Corie Blount and Mario Bennett. Sure Bennett is playing well, but he ain't so Round Mound of Rebound. Neither can compare to Barkley. It's a perfect fit, you've got to wonder.

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