HoopsHype.com Columns

Watch out for these guys
by Eddie Johnson / May 3, 2004

There were no upsets in the first round. The home court for once has proved to be a viable asset in the 2004 NBA playoffs. The top teams – Lakers, Spurs, Pacers, Kings and even the Eastern Conference defending champion New Jersey Nets – showed that they are in rhythm for a run at the title.

The stars for these teams have been just that, but what about the key player or players that every team needs to step up to get them over the top. I have only seen one player in the last twenty years to virtually put a whole team on his back and carry them to a championship. And no, I am not talking about MJ. Hakeem Olajuwon was unstoppable for the Houston Rockets in back-to-back titles with very little help from his teammates.

So who will step up for their teams in the second round to propel them to the conference championship? That is the biggest worry of every coach and fan as we go into the semifinal round of the playoffs. Here are some players that will play huge roles in the next round.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs

- Rasho Nesterovic is the key to the Spurs’ hopes of sending the Lakers home for the second year in a row. He will have to do what David Robinson was able to do for long periods last year – play Shaq one-on-one defensively and force him to play defense on the perimeter. If his numbers remain the same as they did during the regular season against the Lakers, the Spurs are in trouble. In the four games against them this year, he averaged six points per game shooting 38 percent with no attempts from the free throw line in 31 minutes of playing time.

- Manu Ginobili averaged 17.5 and grabbed 5.5 rebounds against the Lakers in the regular season. The combination of his offense and Bruce Bowen’s defense should help to wear Kobe Bryant down so that he will not be fresh at the end of games – which would be huge for the Spurs.

- Gary Payton has lost his lateral quickness, which makes him vulnerable to the speed and quickness of Tony Parker (20 points, nine assists in Game 1). Payton has to shed the ego of thinking he can pressure Parker and just back off and try to shade him towards help. If he doesn’t, the Lakers will pay the price by giving Tim Duncan and their three-point shooters – Hidayet Turkoglu, Ginobili and Bowen – open looks at the basket. The Lakers should also allow Payton to take advantage of Parker in the post.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings

- Anthony Peeler will not provide the energy and spirit that Bobby Jackson gives the Kings, but he is a veteran that will not hurt you and his three-point shooting at 48 percent can change the momentum of the game. The problem will be if he can give them good defensive minutes against Latrell Sprewell when Doug Christie goes to the bench.

- Michael Olowokandi will finally have to stand up and earn his money if the Wolves are to get past the Kings. Sacramento will use a multitude of big men to wear down Kevin Garnett on both ends of the floor. Olowokandi has to stay out of foul trouble, rebound and score on the few chances he will get to keep the Kings honest. He should at least be able to out play aging Vlade Divac, who has looked his age in the playoffs so far.

- Fred Hoiberg has been a godsend for the Wolves this season. Without Hoiberg, the Wolves would not have secured the best record in the West. He has stepped in for Wally Szczerbiak and been the weak-side threat they needed when Wally went down. His three-point shooting and savvy play has enabled Flip Saunders to rest Sam Cassell and Sprewell a little longer so they are fresh in crunch time. The problem for him will be if he can defend Christie and Peeler when they involve him in two-man games and take him to the post.

New Jersey Nets vs. Detroit Pistons

- Tayshaun Prince was fantastic in the Buck series. He averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots per game. The Pistons will need these numbers from Prince against the Nets’ stingy defense. Richard Jefferson will try to be very physical with him throughout the series, so he must be up for the challenge.

- Jason Collins will have to stand tall for the Nets. He will have to make Ben Wallace play defense on him and not bother his teammates. He will also have to keep a body on Wallace on the defensive glass. The Nets will have to go small if Collins gets in foul trouble. Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace will dominate the interior if they play small ball for long periods of time.

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat

- Jamaal Tinsley has the responsibility of keeping the Pacers in rhythm. The layoff will hurt somewhat, but if Tinsley makes sure Jermaine O'Nealand Ron Artest get constant touches, his job will be done. The question is: Can he guard Dwayne Wade and have enough energy to run the team?

- Eddie Jones may finally have a chance to shine and be the player everyone in Miami has been waiting to see since he signed a big free agent contract. If Jones cannot take advantage of an aging Reggie Miller, he would be a major disappointment in the series.

Eddie Johnson is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com

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