Mailbag

Sporting News, The, March 27, 2000 by Bill Walton

NBC Sports basketball analyst Bill Walton fields questions from NBA fans on MSNBC. To read his entire mailbag or to send in your questions, go to msnbc.com.

Bill,

How does Vince Carter's overall game compare with that of Kobe Bryant?--Gideon

Let me first say that despite their youth, there's just so little wrong with the games of either one of these guys. At this time, Bryant is probably a better pure shooter. I think he has a more natural, rhythmic stroke. What Kobe is and what he's capable of being are two totally different things. It's easy to criticize Kobe because of shot selection, lack of focus to the team game and his willingness to always put on a show, but you have to remember Kobe's just 21, and he's still learning. In comparing their games, you have to take into account they play different positions. Bryant obviously has a guard's mentality, and Carter is a forward, a position from which I feel it is hardest to dominate the game. At forward, a player has the ball the least amount of time. You're playing off the guy who has the ball, a guard, and you're also playing off a center, who is going to be fed the ball and fed it a lot if he's a dominant player. Forwards are sort of out there on the sideline while most of the action takes place in the middle of the court. So Carter's teammates have to work on getting him very involved in the offense.

Bill,

The Suns have a pretty solid team, especially with Shawn Marion back in the lineup. If they stay healthy, how far can they go in the playoffs?--Ed

To win games against the Spurs, Trail Blazers and Lakers, a team has to compete on the backboards. But the Suns' strength is not off the boards but rather on the perimeter. Don't get me wrong: The Suns have good frontcourt players like Cliff Robinson, Rodney Rogers and Luc Longley, but are these guys going to be able to take the game away from Shaquille O'Neal inside? Jason Kidd is as good a player as there is in the NBA. Penny Hardaway is playing better than he was earlier in the season, and Rogers has been a monster out of the All-Star break.... Power players make the difference, so the challenge for Phoenix is to make opponents play the Suns' game. That will require perfection on offense--outstanding shooting, no turnovers, no carelessness and a plan that takes the frontline of these opposing teams out of their game.

Bill,

With the addition of Toni Kukoc, how do you feel the Sixers will fare in the playoffs?--Shaka

If everything went right for them, they could win the Eastern Conference championship. The top nine guys would have to be at the peak of their games. But they need maturity, discipline and consistency before they can take the next step.