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Chat Reel: Marty Burns
Shaq, Reggie and the Lakers' legacy
Posted: Thursday June 08, 2000 11:08 AM
CNNSI.com writer Marty Burns joined users on June 7 to discuss the NBA Finals. A transcript of his chat follows.
CNNSI Host: Welcome to our NBA Finals chat with Sports Illustrated's Marty Burns. Thanks for joining us, Marty.
Marty Burns: Thanks for having me. Glad to be here.
From Andre: What is your prediction as to how the series will go?
Marty Burns: I like the Lakers most likely in 6 games. I think Reggie Miller and the Pacers can steal one or two games, but ultimately they won't have enough big men to stop Shaq.
From John22: Does having Larry Bird's finals experience give the Pacers and edge?
Marty Burns: Not unless he plans on suiting up. His experience can help them in terms of preparation and knowing how to stay focused through all the hype and distractions, but Lakers coach Phil Jackson can do the same with his team. Both teams have a lot of veteran players, so I don't think Bird's experience will be much of a factor.
From Kumar: With Phil Jackson on the verge of winning a 7th NBA title does this diminish the great Michael Jordan? Phil Jackson could probably coach the Clippers to a confrence title.
Marty Burns: No, not at all. Jackson has proven he's one of the great NBA all-time coaches. The fact that he's been able to transform the Lakers from a merely good team to a championship level team should refute all the doubters who claimed he was riding Michael's coattails in Chicago. However, even the Zen Master couldn't make winners of the Clippers.
From David: What makes Patrick Ewing one of the greatest centers? He doesn't have a ring, an MVP title, a scoring title, a rebound title, other than playing in New York what has Patrick done to be considered one of the great ones?
Marty Burns: Ewing is an 11-time all-star, a former rookie-of-the-year, and one of the greatest jump-shooting centers of all-time. He probably would have won an NBA championship had he not suffered the misfortune of playing during the Jordan Era. Ewing also averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in a season nine times in his career. You can say what you want about his game today at age 38, but you've got to admit Ewing has been a great player for a long time.
From Guest: So, do you feel that Patrick Ewing slows the Knicks down? Should they try and trade him?
Marty Burns: I think the Knicks play better with Ewing, as long as he focuses on defense and rebounding and doesn't demand to be the focal point on offense.
The Knicks would probably trade Ewing if they could, but there isn't much demand for a 38-year old center who's due to make $14 million next year. I also don't think they'd trade him unless they had someone to put in the middle right now.
From Guest: Honestly. Which Blazers do you believe were paid off to blow the fourth quarter in game 7 against the Lakers?
Marty Burns: Sadly, Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells didn't get a single dime. At least they would have had an excuse. They just started being too fine with their shots. They were trying to place the ball in the basket instead of following through. In other words, they tensed up.
From Guest: Was that the biggest choke you have ever seen? Like Bills-Oilers? Bill Buckner?
Marty Burns: Don't forget John Starks in Game 7 against the Rockets. Seriously, it has to rank among the all-time gag-jobs in NBA playoff history, if not sports history. It's too bad in a way, because up to that point Portland had played a terrific series and had dominated the Lakers for most of the last three games. For their sake, hopefully it was a learning experience and they will be better next time around.
From Guest: Michael Jordan was a great player, but he has stumbled somewhat in a management role. Can he turn the Wizards into winners?
Marty Burns: It's going to be difficult even for someone with a Midas-touch like Jordan has. The Wizards are capped-out, and they have some big contracts and untradeable players and guys like Rod Strickland and Ike Austin. Jordan seems to have a little to learn as well, as evidenced by his rough handling of the Gar Heard firing, and the Mike Jarvis debacle. Still, we need to give him a couple of years to see how it works out.
From Guest: Which team was/is better? The Bulls at their best, or the Lakers right now?
Marty Burns: Right now, the Lakers are nowhere near as good as those old Bulls Jordan and Co. would never have blown a 3-1 series lead. However, this Lakers team is still young and developing. Give Phil Jackson and Jerry West time to add a few more complementary pieces to Shaq and Kobe, and they could surpass Chicago's accomplishments.
From Guest: What do you think are the chances of Eddie Jones resigning with the Hornets?
Marty Burns: It's probably about 50-50. Jones reportedly is not real happy with the way the team finished the season, rolling over against the 76ers in the playoffs. He's also concerned about the lack of fan support. However, the Hornets can pay him more money than any other team, and if he can't find the right situation elsewhere he'll take the money and stay in Charlotte.
From Adam: Why doesn't the NBA use instant replay? It has worked well in the NFL. The NBA would seem to benefit from it since there are so many complaints about the officiating.
Marty Burns: For one thing, the game's might drag out even longer than they do now with all the television time-outs. I don't think NBC wants these games ending after 1 a.m. on the east coast. Seriously, using instant replay would not be a good idea in basketball. It would interupt the flow too much, and probably create.
CNNSI Host: That's all we have time for today. Thanks for chatting with us, Marty.
Marty Burns: Anytime. Thanks for tuning in.
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