CNNSI.com's Marty Burns surveys the NBA landscape every week with his Roundball Roundup. Check back during the week for Marty's columns, power rankings and NBA mailbag. To send a question to Marty's mailbag, click here.
"Nothing changes on New Year's Day", the rock group U2 sings. When it comes
to Michael Jordan's comeback, however, 2002 sure has brought a change in the
tone of coverage. Suddenly that rising chorus of Jordan-bashers we were
hearing a few weeks ago has turned as quiet as Times' Square on the morning
after.
The Wizards' recent surge, as well as Jordan's game-winning jumper against
the Knicks last week and his 51-point explosion against the Hornets on
Saturday, have sent the critics scurrying like Taliban soldiers. Where are
the columnists who were calling him Err Jordan and mocking him for shooting
bricks? Where are the TV pundits who said he could never teach his young team
how to win?
Jordan is clearly not as good as he was during his heyday, as evidenced by
his career-low six-point outing in a loss to the Pacers last week. But at age
38, and after three years out of the game, he is still among the top 20
players in the NBA. The fact that he could attain that status, as well as
turn the hapless Wizards into a playoff contender, has to be considered a
remarkable feat.
There's nothing wrong with ripping Jordan when he deserves it. But, for the
sake of fairness, those who lampooned him during the Wizards' eight-game
losing streak earlier this season ought to stand up and admit they were
wrong. Maybe they can make it their New Year's Resolution.
Riley not hitting panic button yet
Heat coach/GM Pat Riley admits his team is floundering, but don't look for a
fire sale yet. Sources around the league say Riley hasn't quite given up on
this season, though he is clearly looking ahead to the summer of '03. That's
when Miami can get as much as $20 million under the cap and free agents Tim
Duncan, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Antonio McDyess are expected to be
available. Barring a sudden turnaround, Riley is said to be ready to begin
cleaning house in order to stockpile as many high draft picks as he can. He's
even willing to part with veterans Brian Grant, Eddie Jones, LaPhonso Ellis,
Chris Gatling, Kendall Gill, Rod Strickland and Jim Jackson.
Milestones for two NBA dinosaurs
Mavericks coach Don Nelson recorded his 1,000th victory as coach when his team defeated the Hawks on Saturday night. The same night, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan won his 800th game when his Jazz defeated the Sixers. Ironically,
Nellie has won three Coach of the Year awards while never leading a team to
the NBA Finals. Sloan, meanwhile, has two Finals appearances as a coach on
his resume but has never won Coach of the Year. Nellie and Sloan met up in
the first round of last year's playoffs, in which the Mavs rallied from a 2-0
deficit to upset the Jazz in five games.
Waiting for Marc Jackson
Warriors forward Marc Jackson can't be traded until Jan. 19 because of league
rules, but teams are already making pitches for the 6-foot-10 center. The Pacers,
Knicks, Sixers and Suns are just some of the teams seeking a big man, and the
Grizzlies might now join the mix since they were recently granted a $4.0
million injured player exception for the disabled Bryant Reeves. According to
one GM, the Warriors are seeking a player in the last year of his contract, a
draft pick and $3 million cash in exchange for Jackson. The Pacers, with
Travis Best as the bait, appear to be the front-runner for now.
Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders explains his philosophy on matchup zones, a
big part of his team's defensive turnaround this season:
"A matchup zone is when you basically match up on a man and then stay with
him until he moves across another player and into another area. The zone
actually floats a little. It's a combination defense in that we'll have a
guy guarding the ball but the other four guys will be playing zone
principles. We like it because it prevents the offense from dictating who's
going to get the shot.
"Like any zone, it can leave you vulnerable if you're a
half-step slow or you don't communicate. When it's working great it's
almost impossible to beat, but when it's not working it looks real bad. We
haven't seen many matchup zones in the NBA. Most teams play a straight 3-2.
We use it a lot, but it really depends on our offense. If we don't score we
can't get into our zone because we're in transition."
This week's theme: For the Ages
1. Before Jordan, who was the oldest player ever to score 50 or more points
in an NBA game (age 35)?
a. Karl Malone, Jazz
b. Bernard King, Knicks
c. Alex English, Nuggets
2. Who is the oldest player ever to grab 38 or more rebounds in an NBA game
(age 32)?
a. Bill Russell, Celtics
b. Nate Thurmond, Warriors
c. Wilt Chamberlain, Lakers
3. Who is the oldest player ever to dish 23 or more assists in an NBA game
(age 33)?
a. Bob Cousy, Celtics
b. Nate Archibald, Celtics
c. John Stockton, Jazz
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