Billups playing lights out
Derek Fisher is injured, while Gary Payton just isn’t himself – and unless the Los Angeles Lakers’ point guards get it together, Chauncey Billups will keep carving them up in the NBA Finals.
Payton and Fisher have been soundly outplayed in the first two games by Billups, who has outscored them 49-14 while nearly leading the Detroit Pistons to two upset victories.
Fisher, who ceded his starting job to Payton this season, is hobbling with a right knee injury that doesn’t get much worse or better. His game-winning shot in the second round against San Antonio will live forever in Lakers lore, but the rest of the playoffs haven’t been much to remember.
He still can hit open jumpers – such as the two 3-pointers he made in the fourth quarter of Game 2 – but has difficulty driving the lane or guarding the most athletic opponents.
“It’s still painful,” Fisher said Wednesday before the Lakers flew to Detroit for Game 3 tonight. “Most of the time, I’m feeling as good as I can feel by the time the game starts. I’ve been able to hold up from start to finish.”
Payton’s struggles aren’t as easily explained. His inability to adapt to coach Phil Jackson’s offenses has been much discussed among concerned Lakers fans, but that doesn’t explain the former defensive player of the year’s inability to guard San Antonio’s Tony Parker, Minnesota’s Sam Cassell or Billups.
Payton managed just three points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, then matched his career playoff-low with two points in Game 2. He has more turnovers (five) than field goals (two), more fouls (nine) than assists (six).
“It’s just something that happens,” Payton said of his struggles. “This is a year that I look forward to winning a championship in. I don’t care about what’s happened.”
Kinder, gentler Rasheed
Rasheed Wallace is keeping his famed temper under control during the playoffs, both on the court and with the media.
Wallace has avoided reporters for much of his NBA career, but he has been a model of cooperation during the playoffs – even if his language is a bit salty.
In previous seasons, Wallace probably would have reacted terribly to a heartbreaking loss comparable to Game 2. But Wallace remained confident and upbeat about the Pistons’ chances.
“Kobe hit a good shot and we played hard, so we didn’t give it away,” Wallace said in assessment of the game.
Wallace even refused to comment on the officiating that’s sent him to the bench with foul trouble early in the first half of both games in the series.
“I’m just out there playing, man,” Wallace said. “I could care less how they call it. We’ve still got to go out there and play.”
Malone’s status uncertain
Karl Malone’s injured knee was “about the same”, leaving him questionable for Game 3.
“I’m all right. I’m sure if there’s a will, there’s a way,” Malone said.
“I’ll give it what I’ve got,” Malone said. “If I suit up, I expect to play and have no excuses. It feels better. I’m not doing anything today.
Around the league
The ratings for Los Angeles’ thrilling overtime win over Detroit in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night more than doubled the ratings for the second game of last year’s championship series… . Kenny Natt was appointed an assistant coach by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Natt spent the last nine seasons as an assistant with Utah.