Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Nov 20, 2000 by Dan Graf

WHO'S HOT

Jazz PF Karl Malone entered the season in the best shape of his career at age 37, and the results are obvious. The Mailman doesn't just right age, he reverses it. Malone topped his career averages in points (28.2 to 26.1) and assists (3.8 to 3.4) during the Jazz's 5-1 start. He also proved he's not too brittle to hit the boards, averaging 10.5 rebounds--just 0.1 below his career average.

WHO'S NOT

SF Scottie Pippen's season began with a twisted ankle on opening night, and his progress since has mirrored that of the slow-starting Trail Blazers. Pippen's scoring high through six games was 13 points, and he had yet to find his confidence on offense. Pippen shot 38.5 percent from the field during those six games and turned in performances of 1-for-5, 1-for-7 and 2-for-8.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

C Patrick Ewing appeared to be what the Sonics needed during the offseason, but it's not playing out well on the court. Seattle was 2-4 and ranked 28th in the league in turnovers through six games, largely because the team's big three--Ewing, PG Gary Payton and PF Vin Baker--were struggling. All three averaged more than 3 turnovers a game, and none looked comfortable. What's worse is the more Payton tries to get others involved, the more the team struggles.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

WEDNESDAY

Seattle picked up Ewing in the off, season to compete with top-heavy Western Conference teams such as 5an Antonio. Still, the Sonics struck out against NBA heavyweights Portland, Orlando and Miami in the early going and might be in danger of jeopardizing coach Paul Westphal's job security if they don't win a game against a marquee team soon.

NUMBERS GAME

1: Reserves to lead their teams in scoring. Rockets SG Cuttino Mobley averaged 19.3 points off the bench in Houston's first six games.

22: Number of days the Kings will be in northern California before playing Houston on November 28. Sacramento has six home games sandwiched around one road trip to the coast to face Golden State.

"THEY SAID IT"

"I play hard. I play hard."

--Malone's response to a third-row heckler at a Clippers game who kept reminding him he has yet to win an NBA championship.