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Finals Notebook Nets' Scott defends decision to pull Kidd, MartinPosted: Thursday June 13, 2002 1:08 AMEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey coach Byron Scott was a bit defensive when asked about taking stars Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin out of a six-point game with 44 seconds left. The substitutions allowed the players to receive one last standing ovation as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Nets 113-107 on Wednesday night for their third straight championship. "I think they deserved it," Scott said. The Lakers led 109-103 with Kobe Bryant going to the line for a pair of free throws when Scott decided to pull Martin and Kidd. Bryant made the first shot, the players came out, and then he made the second one for a 111-103 lead. Because Bryant hit the first foul shot, Scott said the game was over. "He hits one of the free throws, that puts it at seven," Scott said. "We have to foul these guys. They're one of the best free-throw shooting teams, their guards have the ball most of the time, I didn't think it was premature at all."
Old hatPhil Jackson described the finality of winning an NBA title as a "great letdown." "The goal is in the journey, and the joy is the journey," the Los Angeles Lakers coach said Wednesday night before the Lakers won the NBA title with a 113-107 win over the New Jersey Nets in Game 4. "After this, you know, usually it's a letdown." Jackson now has nine NBA titles, tying Red Auerbach for the most championships. Earlier in the evening, Jackson received praise from Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who said the Lakers might not have reached their potential had it not been for Jackson. "Let's never forget that three years ago, people were lining up to play the Lakers," said Walton, a commentator for NBC Sports. "Then Phil Jackson shows up. Things are a lot different now, we have such short memories. "These guys are really, really good, one of the great teams of all time. They were at a crossroads when Phil arrived, without Phil, they might not have made it to this level." Walton said Jackson brought the Lakers stability, held them accountable and made them into a team. "He took these guys the same way he took Michael Jordan and said, 'Guys, it's about your mind,'" Walton said.
Vintage jerseysNew Jersey assistant coach Eddie Jordan reached far back into his closet for a little comic relief, wearing his Nets jersey from the late 1970s to the pregame shootaround. The white jersey didn't have the same fit -- it looked about two sizes too small -- but it gave the Nets a good laugh during tense times. "He's put on a few pounds since his playing days, but I thought it was cool," Scott said. "He lightened the guys up again. We were in watching tape and guys were pretty serious. He came out and made a fool of himself, but he gave the guys something to smile about and laugh about to get their mind off of basketball for a brief moment. I think it was good for them." If Jordan had given Scott any notice, he said he might have worn one of his old Lakers jersey to join in the fun. But he's certain neither coach would have dared sport their old shorts. "He was smart enough not to bring the trunks; guys would have been on the floor laughing," he said. "I had my son put mine on, and I'm much bigger than him, and he said, 'Dad, how did you fit in these things?' I'm not even going to try that."
Kobe wears No. 23Bryant said the jersey he'd wear to Game 4 of the NBA Finals would represent "the greatest." It was Michael Jordan's. Bryant has worn the jerseys of several of the greatest stars in sports -- past or present -- during the playoffs, such as Pedro Martinez, Wayne Gretzky, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Joe Montana and Joe Namath. Bryant wore a white Chicago Bulls' uniform with Jordan's No. 23 Wednesday night, when the Los Angeles Lakers hoped to complete a sweep.
Clippers' Brand wins Magic awardElton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers is the winner of the second annual Professional Basketball Writers Association Magic Johnson award for excellence on the court and media and public professionalism. Brand won in a vote of approximately 150 voting members of the PBWA. "It's definitely an honor," Brand said before Game 4 of the NBA Finals. "Growing up, I saw how Magic Johnson dealt with media outlets, win or lose. It comes with the territory. "Thirty points or zero points, that's part of my job." The award was named for Johnson because of his overall excellence, popularity and understanding of the media's role in professional sports. Johnson led the Lakers to five championships in the 1980s and is now a part-owner of the team.
Looking aheadSensing the season was coming to a close, Scott said before the game the biggest project for the offseason would be finding a way to improve the Nets and make them more competitive. "Obviously, we want to try to upgrade to get to this level again," he said. "We're not real far away from being here again, you know. We've got some great young guys that are getting better, that will continue to get better. "So for me to sit here and say, 'We've got to do this; we've got to do that,' is kind of ludicrous." Scott is particularly fond of rookies Jason Collins and Richard Jefferson and is certain they'll be able to make greater postseason contributions next season. "We really feel they're a prize," Scott said. "Like I said, the future for the New Jersey Nets is very bright, and we're looking forward to it." |
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