Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Feb 28, 2000

Dallas

Backcourt becomes crowded with return of Pack, Nash

All season, the Mavericks have been hampered by their beat-up backcourt. Now that Robert Pack land Steve Nash have returned from injuries, there are too many guards. Michael Finley will continue to pull down marathon minutes at shooting guard, meaning a scramble for playing time at the point. Erick Strickland, Greg Buckner and Hubert Davis all have contributed minutes. Nash has been playing well now that his ankle has healed. He has better speed and quickness with his ankle close to 100 percent for the first time all season. He had 24 points in a win over Vancouver and had 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter in a victory over Detroit. F Dennis Rodman showed in his first two games he still can rebound (29 total), but he also showed he's still trouble by getting ejected against Milwaukee. Plus, the Mavericks lost both games. Rodman was slapped with a fine and suspension. With Rodman out, the Mavericks showed better team defense and rebounding in a win over the Pistons. Dallas held a 40-43 rebounding advantage, only the sixth time all season it won the battle of the boards.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Before Rodman's arrival, the Mavericks had picked up their defensive effort. That contributed to a streak of seven victories over an eight-game span. But in Rodman's first two games, the team seemed content to stand back and watch The Worm sideshow. Rodman gave the team better rebounding, but he was feeling his way on defense, trying to adjust to the new rules instituted since he last played 10 months ago. He contributed little on offense, often failing to cross halfcourt when his team had the ball. That allowed opponents to double-team Finley, making the offense more stagnant. --Ken Sins

Denver

Issel ready to give younger players more playing time

The players still think they can make a run at the eighth seed in the playoffs. Coach/president Dan Issel, on the other hand, was talking about the future last week, saying he needed to get his younger players-SF James Posey, F/C Keon Clark and PG Chris Herren---more playing lime in the second half of the season, even if it meant losing a few games the team could win if the veterans were on the floor. Though it isn't exactly a white flag, Issel seems convinced the playoffs aren't a realistic goal anymore, though playing the youngsters wouldn't seem to hurt their chances much.... The rotation is shrinking, with only SG Bryant Stith, Clark and F/C Chris Galling coming off the bench against Toronto last week. Gatling should provide much of the bench's scoring punch once he's comfortable in his new surroundings.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: PG Nick Van Exel hit a 3-pointer to beat Minnesota last week, but it was a play at the other end of the floor that sealed the victory. Van Exel forced himself around a screen to get in front of Minnesota PG Terrell Brandon, which caused Brandon to dribble the ball off his foot and out of bounds. Fighting through screens is routine, but it's imperative late in games. It has been too common for Denver to suffer lapses when the game is on the line. --Michael BeDan

Golden State

Hughes adds excitement the Warriors have been Jacking

In trading for SG Larry Hughes, the team got the exciting young player it has lacked for years. Hughes triggered an unexpected rout against the Celtics last Friday in his first game for Golden State, scoring 14 points in the second half. Hughes showed that he is not only a potentially potent scorer but a playmaker with surprisingly good court vision.... Jason Caffey has played well and put up good numbers at power forward since Donyell Marshall slid over to small forward in place of the injured Antawn Jamison. Caffey always will struggle with bigger power forwards, but he is effective enough to have an impact most nights.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Hughes was criticized for his defense by 76ers coach Larry/Brown, but it appeared during Hughes' first game as a Warrior that he's willing to play defense. More likely, he let his lack of playing time hurt his concentration and judgment in practices and games. Early on in his debut, he smartly allowed Boston SF Paul Pierce to receive a pass inbounds and then dosed on him and blocked his midrange jumper. Hughes pressed Pierce well, moved his feet and kept his hands active, holding Pierce to 2-for-11 shooting. Hughes certainly has the makings of an adequate defender and possibly a very good one. --David Steele

Houston

Francis feels heat; Rogers may provide help

Coach Rudy Tomjanovich's ability to utilize effective rotations has been compromised by C Hakeem Olajuwon's conditioning problems. Without Olajuwon's inside scoring, more opposing teams are spreading their defenses to overplay PG Steve Francis and G Cuttino Mobley outside, leaving the Rockets without any tree scoring threat inside. Teams are recognizing Olajuwon's inability to keep up and have been attempting to lengthen the court the moment he hits the floor.... Francis may start feeling the burden of carrying the offense if someone doesn't step up to consistently help him. With defenses keying on him, it forces Francis to distribute the ball to teammates whose ability to knock down the shots varies from night to night.