[DFW]Mavs, Spurs won't be only teams from Texas going to the playoffs

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Posted on Sun, Mar. 27, 2005

NBA Insider

Mavs, Spurs won't be only teams from Texas going to the playoffs

By Dwain Price

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


Of the three NBA teams from Texas, much of the talk around these parts has been about the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.

Bad mistake.

Somebody better start paying close attention to the Houston Rockets, because they're visible in the Mavericks' and Spurs' rearview mirrors, and they're coming fast.

The Rockets (42-27) have won 10 of their past 13 games, which includes a six-game winning streak that began with a 90-69 victory against the Mavs on March 6. It also includes an 84-82 victory against red-hot Miami -- snapping the Heat's 12-game winning streak -- and a 99-80 win against Cleveland in a span of three days this past week.

"Against Miami, we showed a lot of character," Rockets backup center Dikembe Mutombo said. "We showed what this team is able to accomplish.

"I don't think anybody should take us lightly. We have a special group of guys, and I'm feeling something."

And well he should.

During that six-game winning streak, the Rockets defeated Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento and Golden State in succession on the road. Other than the Warriors, those represent quality wins for a team that must feel like the wicked stepsister to the Spurs and Mavs in this state.

"You gain confidence by winning ballgames," Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said. "We've just been playing together as a team, playing hard, and playing the right way.

"We're executing our game plan and we're well-prepared going into games."

While the Spurs won NBA titles in 1999 and 2003, and the Mavs advanced to the playoffs with 50-plus wins each of the past four seasons, the Rockets have managed only one playoff berth in the past five seasons. That could give a team an inferiority complex -- even in its own back yard.

The best thing about this season's Rockets is their superstars, Yao Ming and McGrady, know they have to carry the load. But their role players also know they play a major part in the team's success.

David Wesley, Bob Sura, Jon Barry, Scott Padgett, Clarence Weatherspoon, Mike James, Ryan Bowen and Mutombo know that what the Rockets have done this season couldn't have been accomplished without their help.

The Rockets were only four games behind the Mavs in the loss column through Friday and are also are in a heated race with Sacramento (43-27) and Memphis (39-28) for the No. 5-7 playoff seeds in the West.

"We're very cognizant of how hot the teams are behind us, and we know how precarious a position we're in," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "We've got to keep winning if we're to make it, and also be playing our best.

"Right now, when the schedule is so compact, you can't afford an injury or a bad stretch. A week could cost you five games, so you've got to play well."

The Rockets are winning by pushing the ball up the floor, and by getting solid defensive play. Mutombo even stepped back in time and grabbed 15 rebounds -- eight on offense -- in the victory against the Heat.

Meanwhile, Van Gundy still pays close attention to detail and doesn't get too excited when his team wins, even when it's against Miami, which is coached by his brother, Stan Van Gundy.

"Those that coach would understand the need to move forward every day," Jeff Van Gundy said. "Because the same things you can't overlook in victories are what you can't accept in defeat."

While the Rockets might be able to catch the Mavs and secure the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, this is not a team anyone wants to face in the opening round. It is a well-oiled machine that easily could reach the Western Conference championship series.

"We're definitely going to continue to try to move up," McGrady said. "If we can get [to the No. 4 seed], we'll take it. If not, then we've just got to go into the playoffs and whoever we face, we'll be ready."

FAST BREAK

HE SAID IT

"That's scary. You lose to the Raptors, you might get fired."

-- Toronto's Jalen Rose, reacting to Cavs coach Paul Silas being fired after losing to the Raptors, a week after Orlando coach Johnny Davis was fired after the Magic also lost to Toronto.

WHO'S HOT AND WHO'S NOT

Hot: Kings coach Rick Adelman, right: He became the 15th NBA coach to win 700 games Tuesday against Portland.

Suns forward Joe Johnson: There were 350 people wearing "I love Joe Johnson" shirts during a Suns game in Memphis last Sunday. Johnson is from Little Rock, Ark., which is approximately two hours from Memphis, Tenn.

Not: The Detroit Pistons: The Pistons shot 10-of-39 in the first half of Wednesday's 107-84 loss to Philadelphia. In the same half, Sixers guard Allen Iverson made 10 of 16 shots.

Pistons guard Chauncey Billups: Billups was averaging 25.5 points during a four-game span until he scored only six points and turned over the ball eight times Tuesday at Cleveland.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Rockets at Spurs, noon today, WFAA/Ch. 8

This nationally televised Texas shootout takes on a different flavor because the Rockets are surging and the Spurs are struggling without the injured Tim Duncan.

Sixers at Kings, 9 p.m. Monday

All of Northern California has been waiting on this game, as the Sixers' Chris Webber makes his return to Sacramento.

Timberwolves at Lakers, 9:30 p.m. Thursday, TNT

The loser of this game will likely be eliminated from the playoffs, especially considering the way the Nuggets are playing. Remember, the Lakers and T'wolves played in last year's Western Conference Finals. My, how the mighty have fallen.

A NUMBERS GAME

9 Teams in NBA history that lost 50 games or more one season and won 50 or more the next. The Phoenix Suns accomplished the feat this week.

21 Rebounds Portland center Joel Przybilla had along with 13 points and eight blocks in a loss to Sacramento on Tuesday.

175 Minutes Cavs forward LeBron James had played without committing a foul before fouling Detroit's Antonio McDyess on Tuesday.

COURT AWARENESS

Pacers guard Reggie Miller will retire after this season, and count Nets guard Vince Carter among those who are happy he's leaving.

"He took the 3-ball to another level," Carter said. "Now when you see people who shoot the ball, the first person you'll compare him to is Reggie Miller.

"Just like if you see a great player, who's the first person you compare them to? Michael Jordan. That's how I feel about Reggie Miller and his ability to shoot the 3, his ability to play the game and his durability."

What's the main reason Carter is happy Miller is retiring? "I don't have to [chase him] around screens anymore," Carter said.

With Spurs franchise player Tim Duncan out two to four weeks with a sprained right ankle, the Phoenix Suns believe they're in position to finish with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

"You have to take advantage of other people's misfortunes," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "With Tim Duncan sidelined a little while, we need to take advantage of it and try to come in first without killing ourselves. It's important, but we won't jeopardize [players' health]."

Some big-time centers gathered at the Toyota Center in Houston on Tuesday when the Rockets hosted the Miami Heat.

The Rockets' contingent included Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo, and assistant coach Patrick Ewing, while the Heat rolled out Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning.

Between the five centers, they've combined to score more than 75,000 points, collect more than 41,000 rebounds and block more than 11,000 shots.

TOP 10s

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Suns: They'll finish the season as the West's No. 1 seed.

2. Spurs: Wouldn't you struggle without Tim Duncan?

3. Sonics: Ray Allen should re-sign with this team.

4. Mavericks: Avery Johnson deserves a four-year contract.

5. Kings: Trying to hold off the Rockets and Grizzlies.

6. Rockets: Tracy McGrady injured his hip.

7. Grizzlies: Pau Gasol is back on the court.

8. Nuggets: It's amazing what a little coaching will do.

9. Timberwolves: Singing a sad, sad song.

10. Lakers: Hollywood should do a movie about this team.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Heat: If Tim Duncan isn't healthy, the Heat will win it all.

2. Pistons: Bomb threat delayed start of Friday's Pacers-Pistons game.

3. Wizards: Limping to the finish line.

4. Celtics: Antoine Walker and chemistry? You're kidding.

5. Bulls: Laying the groundwork for the future.

6. Cavaliers: Haven't won on the road since January.

7. Pacers: Won't go far without Ron Artest.

8. Sixers: Chris Webber and AI are finally meshing.

9. Magic: Steve Francis kicked a sideline photographer.

10. Nets: They might run out of time.

AROUND THE RIM

Silas has his say

After Paul Silas met with new Cavs owner Dan Gilbert a few weeks ago, he knew his days in Cleveland were numbered. That's because this particular meeting occurred before Gilbert was officially the Cavs owner.

"Even before they were confirmed as owners of the club, we sat down for about 45 minutes," Silas said. "But you could clearly see, from my vantage point, they were not totally satisfied with what I was doing, my approaches, and whatnot. It was just clear to me."

It was so clear to Silas that he would be fired -- it happened Monday -- that he almost predicted it.

"I had a conversation with my wife about really talking to them and saying if you really don't want me here, let's not prolong this thing, don't drag me through the mud," Silas said. "Let's go our ways amicably and say nice things about each other, and life goes on.

"It was not a real workable situation."

Silas even blamed Cavs general manager Jim Paxson for allowing Carlos Boozer to become a free agent. And Silas didn't stop there.

"The fact of the matter is that Jim Paxson has had five coaches in five years here," he said. "And I could just go on and on about some of the things that he has done -- or has not done -- to solidify our club, starting with the Carlos Boozer thing."

Another final four

Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman is one of only four NBA coaches who have been with their current teams more than three seasons.

But the instability of the job seems to be wearing Adelman down after seven seasons with the Kings.

"It's never easy," he said. "You can win seven in a row and things are looking good, but then you lose a player or lose games and you think, 'I was afraid of this.'

"It's much worse when you have a bad team. You have no answers. But this job is difficult, and not just on you, but your family."

Adelman's wife, Mary Kay, allows him to vent at home, then she takes his hand and they go for a long walk to clear his head. She also said he drifts off to sleep, then wakes up and his mind starts plotting, strategizing and bracing for what might happen to his team next.

"I worry about him a lot," Mary Kay said. "He internalizes a lot. He's tired a lot, he's road-weary."

Staying power

NBA owners and general managers have been so impatient that only four of the league's 30 current coaches have been with their teams for more than three seasons.


Coach, team Tenure
Jerry Sloan, Utah 17 seasons
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio 9
Rick Adelman, Sacramento 7
Nate McMillian, Seattle 5

Thomas hospitalized

Knicks power forward Kurt Thomas was recently hospitalized for two days because an infection in his left elbow caused him to develop a 102.3 degree fever.

Thomas, a former Dallas Hillcrest High School and TCU standout, said he experienced "a scary couple of days" and ultimately had to miss games against San Antonio and Boston.

He said he doesn't know how the elbow became infected, but he started feeling some discomfort before a March 19 game at Miami. He decided to go to a Manhattan hospital when the Knicks returned home last Sunday after he began to feel sick.

"I live alone, so I wanted to be monitored," Thomas said. "I'm still a little weak, that's why I needed [to take some time off]."

MAVS REPORT

A fast-break look inside the Mavericks by staff writer Art Garcia.

Looking back

L, 109-101 at Sacramento

A shootout between Dirk Nowitzki and Peja Stojakovic ended with the Kings avoiding the embarrassment of a season sweep by their Lone Star State rivals. Stojakovic scored a season-high 38 points -- he'd averaged 10.5 against the Mavs this season -- to edge Nowitzki's 35. Avery Johnson lost for the first time since taking over for Don Nelson as coach. After the Mavs shot 53 percent in the first half, they were held to 33 percent over the final two quarters.

Coming up

Monday at Detroit (6:30 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest)

The Mavs head into the Eastern Conference for the last time this season, beginning a four-game trek against the defending NBA champs. Detroit has cooled off lately, but Rasheed Wallace and Co. continue to lead the Central Division by a comfortable margin and should be the second seed going into the playoffs. The Pistons handled the Mavs by 16 at American Airlines Center in early December.

Hoop Scoop

Before former coach Don Nelson resigned, he said that rookie point guard Devin Harris would be out of the backup rotation in favor of veteran Darrell Armstrong.

That has changed under Avery Johnson, who told Harris he would be the first point guard off the bench. In the last three games leading into Cleveland on Saturday, Harris has averaged 13.3 points and nearly 20 minutes. He scored a career-high 17 against New Orleans on Monday and had 16 at Sacramento on Thursday.

"Avery Johnson's made it simple for me," Harris said. "I'm just trying to use my quickness, get the basket and play defense. No matter how much I play, I need to stay focused when the opportunity comes."

Harris was on the floor in the fourth quarter against the Kings, spelling an ineffective Jason Terry. Harris did miss a layup that would have brought the Mavs within 103-100 with more than one minute left.

"JT just didn't have it," Johnson said. "We wanted to get some energy out there, and Devin played well for us. He missed a little chip there at the end that could have helped, but I'm really pleased with the rookie."

HARRIS' FIRST FOUR GAMES UNDER JOHNSON


Team Min. FG-A A Pts.
Charlotte 6 0-2 1 0
New Orleans 25 5-7 3 17
Golden State 18 3-8 1 7
Sacramento 16 7-11 1 16

Courtside view

Some of the subtle differences under Avery Johnson's direction are beginning to come out in the wash. He's obviously giving Devin Harris more rope, and the rookie point guard has yet to hang himself.

But don't think for a second that Johnson, a former point guard, has a soft spot for his former position. The Little General is probably harder on floor generals than any position.

But he also understands how important Harris is to the future of the franchise. The key is giving Harris the confidence to use his talents.

Johnson is also being extra cautious with Erick Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse. Whether he's being overly cautious with two players who are ready to play remains to be seen. The Mavs need both if they hope to advance in the playoffs.

This report contains material from other writers. To contact Dwain Price, call (817) 390-7760 or e-mail him at dprice@star-telegram.com