The Clackamas Print Page 12
Wednesday, April 26,1995
SPORTS
NBA Playoffs decided by clutch players
by Jesse Sowa
Sports Editor
All of the coaches in the NBA
playoffs are all asking themselves
the same question right about
now: What will it take to be suc­
cessful in the post-season this
year?
Yet it seems that it takes the
same things every year: a strong
defense and a balanced attack.
And you ask which team has this
arsenal waiting for the test?
In the Eastern Conference,
Orlando (57-25) will get by Bos­
ton (35-47) in the first round be­
cause of a man called Shaq, but
they won’t go much farther due
to a slight problem at the free
throw line that O’Neal and his
friends seem to have. Orlando also
has lost seven in a row on the
road.
Indiana (52-30) will only be
successful if Reggie Miller and
Rik Smits are on. Without these
two, the Pacers’ playoff chances
are very suspect.
New York (55-27) has the
rebounding and the defense that
it takes to reach the top, but only
their offense could hold them
back. A trip back to the Finals will
ride solely on the shoulders of one
John Starks.
Without a healthy Muggsy
Bogues, Charlotte (50-32) will
have their hands full with Chi­
cago (47-35). The Hornets will
only go as far as Larry Johnson
and Alonzo Mourning can carry
them. The Bulls will at least reach
the conference finals as Michael
Jordan will do his thing once
again. Pippen will come through,
but Toni Kukoc will have to play
well.
Atlanta (42-40), Cleveland
(43-39) and Boston might as well
stay home.
In the West, San Antonio
(62-20) is the NBA’s hottest team
and the clear favorite to reach the
SPORTS
OPINION
Finals. Dennis Rodman will make
or break this team that has played
so hard to reach the point where
they are now. David Robinson
will give his regular all-star per­
formances, but only Rodman can
lead, yes lead, the Spurs to new
heights.
Phoenix (59-23) will have to
depend on Charles Barkley and
Dan Majerle down thè stretch, but
they could be hurt by sub-par play
from Kevin Johnson and the
Suns’ bench. With Danny Man­
ning, Phoenix was a favorite.
Without him, they’re average at
best.
Easily the best matchup in
the first round, Utah (60-22) and
Houston (47-35) will battle it out
to see who moves on. The Jazz
set a franchise season record for
wins, but without a hot Karl
Malone and John Stockton, Utah
could be singing the blues. Hous­
ton comes into the series with
three straight losses and will only
prevail if Clyde Drexler plays like
he did three years ago. Hakeem
Olajuwon won’t be able to carry
the whole load without Otis
Thorpe to help him.
Seattle (57-25) is destined to
go far as Gary Payton continues
his assault on the NBA. The L.A.
Lakers (48-34), the Sonics first
round opponent, can’t be over­
looked if Elden Campbell and
Nick Van Exel play up to their
potential.
The only people that believe
Portland (44-38) can take three
games from Phoenix are the Blaz­
ers themselves.
Not only does Portland lack
in the number of quality players,
they lack the heart and the desire
to return to their previous level
of success and stardom.
Also, the players don’t even
like the coach. The only time they
have had any level of prosperity
was when they disregarded what
Carlesimo said and played like the
Blazers of the past.
Denver will wish it hadn’t
made the playoffs after a matchup
with the Spurs.
And, of course, you want to
know my picks. Seattle will de­
feat Utah to reach the Finals. Jor­
dan will go cold and the Knicks
will meet the Sonics in the NBA’s
Big Dance. Seattle will win it all
with a huge effort from Payton
and Detlef Schrempf. The Pacific
Northwest will finally win an­
other title.
1994-95
Calendar
BASEBAtl.
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Home
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'
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