“Local name, national Perspective” $3.95 © Volume 4 Issue 6 NBA PLAYOFFS SPECIAL April 1998 BASKETBALL FOR THOUGHT by Kris Gardner, e-mail: [email protected] A clock was involved; not a foul or a violation of the rules. When is a Basket not a Basket? The basket either was made before the clock expired or nswer: when 3 The protest by after. The clock provides tan- officials and deter- the losing gible proof. This wasn’t a commissioner mina- team. "The charge or block call. Period. David Stern tion as Board of No gray area here. say so. to Governors Secondly, it’s time the Sunday, April 12, the whethe has not league allows officials to use Knicks apparently defeated r a ball seen fit to replay when dealing with is- the Miami Heat 83 - 82, on a is shot adopt such sues involving the clock. It’s last second rebound by G prior a rule," the sad that the entire viewing Allan Houston. Replays to the Commis- audience could see replays showed Allan scored the bas- expira- sioner showing the basket should be ket with 2 tenths of a second tion of stated, allowed and not the 3 most on the clock. However, offi- time, "although important people—the refer- cials disagreed. They hud- Stern © ees calling the game! Ironi- dled after the shot for 30 "...although the subject has been considered from time to cally, the officials viewed the seconds to determine if they time. Until it does so, such is not the function of the replays in the locker after the were all in agreement. They League Office," the Commissioner stated. game; but, of course, it was were. Basket disallowed. Mi- too late to make the correc- ami wins 82 - 81. stated in his opinion, is "an the subject has been consid- tion. The Knicks filed a archetypal example of a ered from time to time. Until In this high tech day and protest with the league office judgment call." it does so, such is not the age, it should not be very claiming a clock malfunc- Stern also stressed that function of the League Of- difficult or time consuming to tion was the determining the NBA does not have a fice." allow the referees the opportu- factor in the refs’ decision. "replay rule" that allows for First of all, I disagree nity to clarify or correct a call They argued the red light review of the videotape upon that it was a judgment call. when it involves the clock. came on with 1 tenth show- I’m not advocating less- ing which may have caused Inside This Issue Page(s) ening the authority of the refs. the officials to react early. I just believe if someone (Truth be told, the light Basketball For Thought 1 makes a mistake and there is came on with at least 2 NBA State of the Team Address 2 - 3 an opportunity to correct the tenths showing.) The com- WNBA News 4, 16 mistake; then, the mistake missioner didn’t disagree Roundball Regular Season Award Winners 5 needs to be corrected. with the Knicks. He just Roundball All - NBA Teams 6 I have a very simple pro- didn’t overturn the decision. NBA Notes 6 - 7 posal: the refs should be al- While concluding on NBA Players of the Week; Playoff Predictions 8 lowed to use replay when the the basis of videotape replay Western Conference Playoff Rosters 9 clock is under 2 seconds in the that the officials made the Western Conference 1st Round Preview 10 - 11 4th quarter if a play is in wrong call, Stern deter- question. Simple. No muss. mined that the error was one Eastern Conference Playoff Rosters 12 No fuss. Beyond that, the offi- of judgment, not a misappli- Eastern Conference 1st Round Preview 13 - 14 cials can make all the judg- cation of the rules, and NCAA Post Season Camps Rosters 15 - 16 ment calls they desire. Some- therefore not an adequate Top Players for the ‘98 NBA Draft 17 one will always be upset with ground to support a protest. Around the Rim: NCAA Hoop News 18 - 19 Roundball “Rim” Shots 20 a “judgment” call anyway. The Houston Roundball Review P.O. Box 70516 Houston, TX 77270 - 0516 888-ROUNBAL houstonroundballrev.com Page 2 internet site—http://houstonroundballrev.com The Houston Roundball Review NBA State of the Team Address by: Kris Gardner (Records as of April 19th; End of Regular Season.) Atlanta Hawks : 50 - 32. Cleveland Cavaliers : he wants the club to name aggressive treatment on his Summary : The Hawks 47 - 35. interim head coach Alvin injured feet to remove scar showed Charlotte F An- Summary : The Cavs sur- Gentry head coach for next tissue. Rik said his feet thony Mason they indeed prised a lot of people with season. Joe Dumars an- haven’t felt this good in 2 had “heart” as they waxed their won loss record this nounced he’ll return for his years. He’s crucial to the the Hornets for the 4th time season. With 4 rookies 14th season. Changes will Pacers’ post - season hopes. in the regular season. The playing a major role, coach be made. Jerry Stackhouse LA Clippers : 17 - 65. Hawks matchup very well Mike Fratello did a good has said he wants to return Summary : Bill Fitch was with Charlotte; however, job maximizing his club’s and he won’t mind playing fired 4 / 20. It’s unknown they now have to beat the ability and potential. They behind Dumars as long as who will be the new coach. Hornets in the first round of should give Indiana’s vet- he’s “compensated.” Owner Donald Sterling the playoffs. Perimeter eran legs a workout; but Golden St. Warriors : agreed to move the Clips to shooting will be key to their should not advance past the 19- 63. downtown LA and share a success. first round. Summary : The Warriors ac- new arena with the Kings Boston Celtics : 36 - 46. Dallas Mavericks : 20 - 62. complished their goal: they and Lakers. It’s about time Summary : Celtics’ coach Summary : Michael Finley did not finish with one of he left the dilapidated LA Rick Pitino stated his club emerged this season as a the 3 worst records in the Sports Arena. Now, if he gave him everything they young star. However, it re- league which means they can focus on producing a had; however, the current mains to be seen if he is can keep their draft pick. C better product on the court... make up of the club is what just a good player on a bad Erick Dampier’s improved LA Lakers : 61 - 21. it is: a 36 win ball club. team. Shawn Bradley con- play this season may cause Summary : GM Jerry West They need to get bigger in tinues to befuddle coach / management to sign him to apparently will step down in the front court and sign F GM Don Nelson with his a contract extension this August due to stress and be- Antoine Walker to a con- schizophrenic play. One summer. Jim Jackson has ing worn out. The Lakers tract extension this summer. game Shawn produces a said he wouldn’t mind re- have loads of talent and Assuming of course, there is big time triple - double signing with the club as could really advance far in no lockout. against Portland; and an- long as they show signs of the playoffs. However, they Charlotte Hornets : 51 - 31. other game he’s is hardly progress and improvement must maintain focus for the Summary : The Hornets noticed. in the off - season. entire game and not drift played miserably the last Denver Nuggets : 11 - 71. Houston Rockets : 41 - 41. from quarter to quarter. month of the season. Facing Summary : Hooray for the Summary : The end of the Perimeter shooting is key to Atlanta in the first round is Nuggets and their 11 victo- line is near. Injuries have their success. Shaq will probably their worst possi- ries! Cory Alexander seem- taken a toll on the club all dominate any opponent. He ble matchup. David Wesley ingly played his way to be- season. To a man, each needs help to go far. and Bobby Phills have to ing re-signed by the club. player truly believes they Miami Heat : 55 - 27. shoot well in order to give A few questions remain: can capture lightning in a Summary : Miami finished Glen Rice his much needed will they re-sign F bottle one more time and the regular season very help. If the starting back LaPhonso Ellis?; who’ll re- make a run in the playoffs. poorly. Jamal Mashburn re- court struggles, Charlotte place Bill Hanzlik as head We’ll see. Utah in the open- turned to action in the last won’t be in the playoffs very coach?; has rookie Bobby ing round is no picnic; how- regular season game and long. Jackson’s blow ups with ever, if healthy, the Rockets looked pretty good. Trading Chicago Bulls : 62 - 20. the coaching staff forced can pose some match up Ike Austin will really loom Summary : Injuries have his exit?; and which big problems. big in the post - season if hurt the Bulls. Luc Longley time free agents want to be Indiana Pacers : 58 - 24. Alonzo Mourning gets into is very important to the Denver Nuggets next sea- Summary : The Pacers beat foul trouble. A consistent club’s interior defense. He son? the Bulls decisively in third scorer is key to their may not play much in the Detroit Pistons : 37 - 45.