Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Dec 13, 1999

Injuries hurt Nelson's uptempo style

Coach Don Nelson had enjoyed early success playing an up-tempo style with three guards and two forwards, but injuries have put the squeeze on his rotation. With PGs Robert Pock and Steve Hash out, the team was so desperate for backcourt bodies it signed G Damon Jones two hours before tipoff against the Bulls last week, and he played 26 minutes.... G Erick Strickland will be out until at least mid-December with a collarbone injury. Strickland provided a lift in both defense and rebounding from the backcourt. To offset his loss, Michael Finley started one game in the backcourt with Cedric Ceballos starting at small forward.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Part of F Dirk Nowitzki's improvement on defense is the challenge of guarding power forwards and centers, which he has done while PF Gary Trent recovers from an injury. Last season Nowitzki was primarily a small forward, and he could float more on defense. This year's assignments force Nowitzki, a 7-footer, to work a lot harder. He's stronger, and he's learned to front his man to take away the low-post entry pass. He also gets double-team help when it's warranted. --Ken Sins

Denver

Issel stuck until new owner is found

With PG Chauncey Billups recovered from a sprained ankle, coach Dan Issel had to put rookie Chris Herren back on IR. Issel likes Billups' skills, but he wants Herren running the show and Billups at shooting guard when Hick Van Exel is on the bench. But Issel is stuck with Cory Alexander on the roster. Until a new owner is in place, Issel will be constrained financially, which likely will prevent him from making trades or cuts. That means Herren and F Popeye Jones will stay on the IR unless someone else is injured.... C Raef LaFrentz is holding his own on the boards, scoring from the perimeter and inside. His confidence rises every game.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: One of PF Antonio McDyess' best moves on defense was all but eliminated early in the season with quick whistles. McDyess will use his left hand to push or pull his man slightly while he jockeys for position in the post. He then jumps in front of his man to deflect and steal the entry pass. He was whistled for the move early in the regular season, but with officials allowing more contact, he's getting away with it more, which should slowly increase his steal totals. --Michael BeDan

Golden State

Inside game suffers as Marshall succumbs to injury

F Donyell Marshall finally gave in to the knee pain he has experienced since training camp, going on the injured list--another blow to the hobbled frontcourt. There is no timetable for his return.... SF Antawn Jamison is pretty much doing it by himself at his position, with Chris Mills and Marshall out. But Jamison misses too many shots considering the quality of shots he gets. He seems to have no rhythm when he shoots his jump shot, and the results are often airballs or terrible bricks.... PG Mookie Blaylock continues to be cursed by two things: His playmaking rarely leads to points, since his teammates shoot so badly, and he hasn't shot often or well himself.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The offensively-challenged Warriors aren't doing much to make things easier for themselves. They are shooting fewer free throws per game than any team in the NBA. The reason is obvious: no inside game to speak of, with C Erick Dampier out all season and PF Jason Caffey returning just last week. There is no one else who can force respect from interior defenses. --David Steele

Houston

Cato fills in for Olajuwon, makes his presence known

C Kelvin Cato has been doing an admirable job replacing Hakeem Olajuwon, providing offense without dominating the ball. But his inside presence has been the biggest factor --blocking shots and altering others. His board work needs to be better, but he's helping the team where it needs it most.... PG Bryce Drew is not shy about shooting, but he needs to pass more. Drew had just two assists in his first career start.... The team needs SF Walt Williams to find his stroke. Williams once had the entire package--he could handle the ball and create his own shot. Now he only creates his own miss. His lack of defense means he's little help if he's not scoring. He played just 37 minutes in two games last week, and one went to two overtimes.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Rockets have put the motion game into their halfcourt sets, providing much-needed freedom on offense. Key beneficiaries are Gs Cuttino Mobley and Shandon Anderson, who have found seams in the defenses. But the Rockets have gone to their old standby in the fourth quarter, dumping it to F Charles Barkley inside, strangling the offense. --Michael Murphy

L.A. Clippers

Nesby needs to play tougher defense, let points come

F Tyrone Nesby has concentrated more on his offense coming off the bench, but he was a better than average defender on the perimeter last season. Now he's struggling. Nesby is at his best in an up-tempo game. He plays good transition defense, and his love to finish makes him a tough matchup when both teams look to run. But L.A. hasn't, so he needs to change back to being a stingy defender and let his points come. Too often he has been caught in a halfcourt situation and forced a bad shot.... PF Maurice Taylor has played well since his return, but the team hasn't, standing around too much on offense.