"Jazz-Lakers Series Recap..." (June 3, 1998)

I watched a couple of the Jazz - Lakers games. The late games were kind of a drag to watch when you have to go to work early the next day, but what the hell, it's basketball season. Off the top, I have to say that Utah as a team is as close to a surgeon that you'll find. They dissect teams like they are performing surgery with a scalpel. They just carve away a bit at a time and then put it all together. It was beautiful. Let's face it, even with all of the Lakers' superior talent, the better team won.

The Lakers were flat. But I have to say that Shaquille O'Neal solidified his place as one of the best basketball players in the NBA. He was just great. It's just too bad that everyone else around him was truly pitiful. Shaq was scoring 30 points per game and over 10 boards as well. When he was being double teamed he was passing out to the open man. It's not his fault the open man wasn't hitting those shots. Shaq showed me something. I think he has those unique leadership qualities necessary to bring his team to the next level. He's similar to Wilt Chamberlin where he has to be accounted for at all times on both offense or defense or he'll just kill you. It took a great supporting cast to get Wilt the ring, so the same can be said for Shaq.

Speaking of the supporting cast, they were pretty pitiful. But at the top, you have to wonder about Del Harris. Sure he doesn't go out there and shoot the ball himself, but he really hasn't done much to dispel the rumor that he's not a great playoff coach. Elden Campbell has been a disappointment but on the other hand he doesn't play. When Shaq was out he was a 20 and 10 guy. Now he's averaging under 10 a game. He should be playing beside Shaq to create a formidable duo. If San Antonio can do it with Duncan and Robinson, the Lakers should be able to do it with Campbell and O'Neal. Campbell can play face up to the basket and back to the basket, but with Shaq, who demands the ball so much and a team incapable of getting Campbell involved, he just becomes a non-factor. Campbell will be traded in the off-season. The Lakers need a power forward who can rebound, play defense, can shoot the open jumper and doesn't require the ball. Sounds like Horace Grant doesn't it? That's why he was brought into Orlando, to play beside Shaq. I've been reading Rodman wants to play for the Lakers next year, but he'd have to do it for less money. Maybe he would. He could get a lot of money in endorsements. It would be perfect if the Bulls resign Rodman with the expressed intent of trading him to the Lakers for Campbell. That would kill two birds with one stone. I don't know if the NBA would allow that. They always seem to have some crazy rules regarding signing and money with regards to trades. For all of Bill Walton's acclaim, Robert Horry is a second rate player. He's a good player when on a good team, but when he's forced to be an offensive force, he's not that good. I thought he was a good small forward in the Shaq/Campbell lineup, but when he plays power forward, he's overmatched. Rick Fox didn't deserve what he got. He took $1 million for a championship run and didn't make it. He was a savvy veteran on that team. He won't be back because he can't be offered the money he wants. This year he'll cash in.

Eddie Jones had a super series versus Seattle but was pretty quiet against Utah. This was supposed to be his coming out party. He should have killed the Jazz with his inside-outside game with his speed and versatility. Russell and Hornacek did a number on him. Speaking of which, did Kobe Bryant play in that series? I didn't see him. He was all over the place game wise. He's young, so I'll chalk it up to that, but he's not the next Jordan for a long time. Van Exel and Fisher were schooled by the master. For all the talk that Stockton had lost a step, he was superb running that pick and roll to perfection. Howard Eisley picked up his game as well. I think it's a question of the superior athletes of Los Angeles losing to the superior players on Utah.

So where does this leave the Lakers next year? They did have a productive year. They won 60+ games. They made it to the conference finals. So I don't think they'll be drastic changes. I do know that Elden Campbell will be gone. As stated before, they need some change, not a drastic overhaul. Maybe Dennis Rodman or Charles Barkley as a veteran power forward to add some leadership and another shooter. I mean real shooter, like Steve Kerr, Dennis Scott or Glenn Rice. Guys who can hit the open jumper. They have too many guys who are streak shooters like Van Exel, Jones, Bryant, etc. I think the team is deep and can win in the future. Remember, Jordan didn't win his first championship until Charles Oakley was traded for Bill Cartwright. Maybe Oakley and Chris Mills might be traded to the Lakers for Elden Campbell. Wouldn't that be good?

So on to Utah. It's the most exciting city in the NBA, Salt Lake City. Where the Mormans play until dusk and then they go to sleep. Utah was just great. They beat the Lakers in such a humiliating way that you just had to laugh or cry depending on which team you like.

Karl Malone and John Stockton were exactly that, Malone and Stockton. There is nothing more to say about two of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. Malone is a force down low and Stockton is the consummate play maker. He holds the NBA record for assists and steals. So you know he knows how to play defense and run a team.

The rest of the team stepped up. Foster and Ostertag played well enough that Shaq didn't score 100 points. Foster also is an emotional player who reflects the emotion of the team. Bryon Russell played great and might finally fully realize his scoring potential. He really was sticking that jumper when Utah needed him. There were others in that cast, Chris Morris and Shandon Anderson adding scoring and excitement to an otherwise boring and methodical team. Howard Eisley played great. He quarter backed that team just like Stockton and showed his shooting touch as well. I think he'll be a good NBA point guard. I'm glad Utah resigned him.

All in all, I'm surprised that Utah on in 4. While I hoped the Lakers would win, and actually thought they might, I was not shocked Utah did prevail. I'm more amazed at the way it happened and the dominance Utah showed over the Lakers.

Return to the 1998 edition of Hoop-LA

Return to Hoop-LA Home Page