Execution required to win in NBA playoffs

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 5/18/2004

 

That’s what it boils down to in the NBA playoffs, and it’s easier said than done. In the playoffs, the intensity and emotional levels for both teams are sky high. And, you have to be mentally and physically tougher than your opponent the deeper you go in the playoffs.

Minnesota is usually one of the league’s top teams when it comes down to executing their sets. In Sunday’s 104-87 win by the Kings, the Timberwolves turned the ball over 15 times and allowed the Kings to get out on the break and get easy buckets.

The Kings out-rebounded the Timberwolves 39-33. Point guard Mike Bibby was the difference in game six with 16 points and 10 assists. Kings backup guard Anthony Peeler and Garnett took turns going after each other - first, Peeler elbowed Garnett in the groin and Garnett fell to the floor in pain.

Garnett retaliated by hitting Peeler with his left shoulder, and Peeler then threw a punch that landed on Garnett’s jaw. Peeler was ejected from the game and will be suspended for two games without pay; Garnett was fined $7,500.

All-Star guard Sam Cassell will play in game seven; his back spasms have disrupted his ability to play, and therefore the Timberwolves’ ability to run their offense through Kevin Garnett.

The zone defense has hurt the NBA game. Scoring is down, and it’s allowing teams to pack the paint area on defense and taking away the creative talents of penetrating point guards.

Jump shots, nothing but jump shots — the games are all virtually the same. When the Los Angeles Lakers went to their zone in game three, it took the talented and speedy Tony Parker of San Antonio right out of his game. When quickness is negated by rule changes, that’s not good.

“We are getting better, man,” said Kobe Bryant of the Lakers. “We have a lot of work to do, but the exciting part is that this is the team that everybody came here for.

“We now have everybody on the floor — Shaq, Karl Malone, Gary Payton and myself, and the exciting thing about it is [that] now we can start working towards capping off this season the right way.” Kobe and the Lakers are the team to beat after taking out the defending champion Spurs four games to two, thanks in part to Derek Fisher’s miracle shot with 0.4 on the clock in game five.

The Lakers will host game one of the Western Conference Finals in Los Angeles Friday if the Timberwolves lose Wednesday in game seven. If the Timberwolves win, they will host the Lakers in game one at Target Center Friday night.

Nobody executes getting the ball into the post area like the Lakers do to Shaquille O’Neal. That’s why the Lakers are in position again to win a fourth title in five years, because they execute and have the players with the experience and talent to finish.

Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves will host the Sacramento Kings in game seven Wednesday night at Target Center with the opportunity to win and reach the Western Conference Finals. What does it mean to league MVP Garnett to get his team to the finals?

“It means a lot. I think that’s our destination. I think anything short of that is just that — short. Right now, we’re focused. I really like our chances,” said Garnett.