Postseason potpourri

The 'bag covers a wide variety of playoff topics

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum will answer your NBA questions every week during the season. Click here to send him a question.

I was wondering why you and your magazine have snubbed the Pistons, starting with Sports Illustrated's preseason ranking of Detroit as the 26th best team in the league. Now that the Pistons have the second seed in the East all but locked up, would you call them a favorite to reach the Finals (especially with their ability to win on the road)? If not, what other team has a more legitimate shot?
--Scott E., Clinton Township., Mich.

This is a big statement, and I might be wrong, Scott, but over the years I've seen more why-are-you-against-us? letters from the Detroit area than anywhere else. Preseason rankings mean nothing. We were simply wrong, OK? So were a lot of other people. Why the hell would we deliberately try to have a bad pick? There's absolutely no doubt that the Pistons are much better than everyone thought they'd be. And early in the season we did a story on Detroit, concentrating on Ben Wallace.

As far as your theory about playoff favorites, I've written before that I go way back with Rick Carlisle; that I respect Joe Dumars as much as any athlete I've ever known; and that Wallace is clearly the most underrated dude in the league. But I still don't see the Pistons as the favorites. It's been a changeable thing all season in the East, but right now I like the Hornets, followed by Philly (if A.I. is healthy), and then the Pistons, Magic and Bucks, all together in a group.

Jack, the Lakers have had some very bad losses lately (Spurs, Mavs, Suns). Is there reason to be concerned? Do you still think they are a lock to win the championship? With teams like San Antonio and Portland peaking, I think the Lakers are definitely vulnerable.
--Antonio, Tucson, Ariz.

I've said before that I think these losses do mean something and that the Lakers are not a lock to win the championship. The late-season surge of the Spurs should be particularly worrisome to L.A., especially if David Robinson is really serious about playing hard against Shaq.

Every now and then I hear about teams tanking at the end of the season in order to secure a better draft position. What about winning teams losing on purpose to avoid a difficult matchup in the playoffs? Shouldn't Minnesota lose a couple of games if it means not having to play the Spurs in the first round? Wouldn't Dallas rather take the fourth spot than the third so it could play the Kings in the semifinals and have the Spurs deal with the Lakers? Wouldn't any of the top four seeds rather lose a couple of games now than play Portland in the first round? Have you ever heard any teams using this type of logic?
--Xavier Martinez, San Antonio

If there's one thing you're not going to hear, X Man, it's that. David Stern would fine a player or a coach or an owner 10 schillion dollars if word of that kind of scheming ever came out. And as cynical as I am about pro sports, I don't think tanking for playoff position is all that common. Now, tanking to get a better spot in the draft lottery? That unquestionably happens.

If Allen Iverson doesn't return from his hand injury in time for the playoffs, will the 76ers have any chance to advance past the first round?
--John, Camden, N.J.

Man, I can't see it. But we are talking about the East, after all, so it's possible.

Let's say the Clippers move into the eighth playoff spot and the Lakers move into the first spot, setting up a first-round series between the clubs. As you know, both teams share a building, and, technically, both would be playing at home, so what would happen to the Lakers' homecourt advantage?
--Emilio Romero, Anaheim, Calif.

The Lakers homecourt advantage is that more people with more star power care about them. I love the Clips, too, but, Emilio, please don't start thinking they could beat the Lakers unless Shaq and/or Kobe is injured.

Jack, shouldn't Michael Jordan just hang it up already? What's the point in tarnishing his image with 6 for 19 shooting nights and nagging injuries? It's not like the Wizards have a chance to win the championship.
--Jose, Oakland, Calif.

I wouldn't presume to read M.J.'s mind, but I think he really believed he could get the Wizards back to the playoffs, and that would've been a supreme accomplishment, something akin to winning a championship with the Bulls. It still may happen, but doesn't appear likely, so it's easy to say now that he's tarnishing his image. But had he stayed healthy and the Wizards finished seventh or eighth, wouldn't we all be applauding him?

Since you mentioned it in last week's mailbag, I thought I'd shed some light on the head-pounding thing that Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson do. They are pulling out their antenna, like an alien. I've read it's the idea of "you better pay attention and get your antenna up." Again, that's the word on the street, but I could be wrong. It has happened before.
--Troy McGinty, Denver

Troy, my man, as far as the word on the street goes, I'm going to defer to you. The explanation sounds a tad more scholarly than I would've theorized, but maybe you're right.

How do you explain the recent rash of injuries to Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson? I blame it on poor and inconsistent officiating. Players have no idea when a foul will or will not be called these days. Therefore, whenever Vince or T-Mac go to the basket, players hammer them figuring they have a good chance of getting away with it. Just look at the facts -- Vince, T-Mac and A.I. all got injured taking the ball to the hoop.
--Jason Leung, Toronto

I assure you, Jason, there have always been hard fouls. I remember writing about it in the '80s. This is not new! There hasn't been a player like A.I. in a long time, a guy of his size constantly taking it to the hoop. His many injuries are explicable. T-Mac and Vince get pounded, no doubt about it, but both of them are going to have to build up their bodies, too.

What happened to Mitch Richmond? Why is he seldom used by Phil Jackson? Does he not fit in with the triangle offense?
--Johnson Tanzajaya, Australia

Mitch Richmond was a great player in his time, Johnson, but his time is over. Most people around the league believe that. It is a little surprising that the Lakers haven't gotten more out of him, but I can't see his role increasing as the season goes on and retirement looms.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum will answer your NBA questions every week during the season. Click here to send him a question.

 

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