Dear Marty

A few words of wisdom for the playoff stretch

Have your team's postseason chances taken a nosedive? Has an angry ex come back to hang 30 on your favorite squad? Has a groin injury to your starting power forward left you with an unsightly case of acne? Don't give up hope. Our NBA analyst has all the answers you need to solve your roundball problems. Like a rookie on a 10-day contract, he'll handle all your baggage.

Greetings from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. There's not much to do up here in winter except watch our beloved Timberwolves, don't you know. Now that they've acquired a true big man in Marc Jackson, it looks like they might actually be able to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Should I cancel my annual fishing trip in late May? -- Nanook of the North

Let the muskies find their own worms this spring, Nanook. The addition of the 6-foot-10 Jackson has given Minnesota another much-needed big man to help out Kevin Garnett. If Chauncey Billups can continue doing a solid job in place of injured point guard Terrell Brandon, the T'wolves have a decent chance of snapping that streak of five straight early exits. The key will be getting home-court advantage in the first round, which is why this week is so critical for Minnesota. With the Lakers (Wednesday) and Spurs (Friday) set to visit the Target Center, the T'wolves have a chance to gain ground in the standings.

I am a successful pro basketball player. A few months ago, I began dating a supermodel. Everything was great at first, but lately she's been bothered by all the paparazzi that follow us around. It's especially annoying when we're trying to enjoy a meal at one of this city's many fine soul food restaurants. I'm afraid it's going to affect my job performance. What should I do? -- Timeout in Sacramento

Be glad you didn't sign with the Knicks, Time-Out. If you think the Sac-town press is invasive, you haven't seen the Gotham tabloids. In the meantime, keep working on your defense. The Kings have been giving up too many points of late, looking a lot like last year's creampuff that got swept by the Lakers in the playoffs. If you tighten up the D, get home-court advantage, and hope Shaq's dogs keep barking, you just might be able to put an NBA championship ring on your girl's finger.

As a charter member of the Nets' "underground" here at the Meadowlands, I have seen enough horrible basketball to last, well, an eternity. In fact, I've been so embarrassed I haven't shown my face in public in years. Anyway, can Jason Kidd and New Jersey keep it up in the playoffs when the tempo slows and the game is decided in the half-court? -- Jimmy H., East Rutherford, N.J.

Good question, Jimmy H. Kidd is definitely at his best when he can push the ball and get it to teammates on the fly. It remains to be seen whether he will be as effective in the postseason, when half-court ball prevails. Kidd's Phoenix teams, for example, won 50 games but never did much in the postseason. However, those Suns teams didn't have New Jersey's size and muscle in the frontcourt. Like the Bucks of a year ago, the Nets will find a way to defend and rebound enough to push the pace and keep the scoreboard clicking. Besides, Kidd seems to be a man on a mission this year.

I am a big fan of Pat Riley, the grand jefe of the NBA coaching fraternity. His teams play defense like the Cali Cartel. But business is business, and so I'm wondering if maybe we should terminate Riley if the Heat don't make the playoffs. What do you think? Oh, by the way, I am also a fan of 6-foot Heat point guard Anthony Carter. Next time you see him, do me a favor and say hello to my LEETLE FRIEND! -- Tony "Scarface" Montana, Miami

If you want to see Riley axed, Scarface, it's your call. We're not going to argue with you. But you have to give old Pennzoil Pat credit for keeping the Heat together after a horrible start. In fact, Miami had won 15 of its past 20 games heading into Wednesday's showdown at Philadelphia. If Alonzo Mourning can keep crashing around in the paint like he has been, and Rod Strickland can hit a few from outside, the Heat just might yet keep Riles' streak alive of never having missed the postseason. If so, it would be one of the more remarkable coaching feats in recent memory.

Yo, Marty, whazzup? I'm a big Sixers fan and I'm illin' over the way they're playing right now. Personally, I think my main man, Allen Iverson, needs to shoot the ball more. AI is the bomb. He's the Answer. Just give him the rock and let him roll. I'd love to write more, but my right arm is numb for some reason. Anyway, what do the Sixers have to do to get back to the Finals? --Jewelz, Philadelphia

Sorry, Jewelz, but the answer isn't more shots from the Answer. Iverson is actually hoisting more field-goal attempts this season (27.5 per game) than he did last year (25.5), and taking more of his team's overall attempts (29.5 percent) than a year ago (27.9 percent). Iverson just needs to be patient and keep showing up for practice so Larry Brown and his staff can work out the kinks. Injuries to Aaron McKie, Eric Snow and Derrick Coleman have kept Philly from gaining cohesion, especially on the offensive end. If the Sixers can stay healthy and keep playing their tenacious defense, they will be in the thick of things in the East come playoff time.

I work in a high-stress job in which people constantly criticize my judgment. Usually, I can handle it, but lately there's been one guy at work who just won't get off my case. He complains about everything I do, hires people to watch my every move and says mean things like I'm not qualified to manage a Dairy Queen! What should I do? -- Fast Eddie, New York City

Just ignore him, Fast Eddie. After all, a zebra can't change his stripes. In the meantime, talk to your superior. Maybe he can get this maverick in line, perhaps by fining him lots of money. If that doesn't work, just swallow your whistle the next time Shaq camps out in the lane.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

Related information
Stories
NBA Power Rankings: Feb. 26-Mar. 4 CNNSI.com's Burns: Roundball Roundup CNNSI.com's Marty Burns: Grading the trades
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.