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Historical perspective Youngsters measuring up to all-time greats
This postseason is a good omen for the future of the NBA. Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Jamal Mashburn have stepped up and made a great statement about their abilities. The thing that's been particularly impressive is that these guys are hitting the one shot that's been missing in the NBA: the pull-up, in-between jumper. A lot of players have a good 3-point shot, and a lot of players take it to the basket. But there's been a shortage of players who have the ability to go one-on-one and then pull up and shoot the jumper from 15, 16 and 17 feet -- and make it. These young players are showing they have that ability, and if they continue to do that, they'll measure up to the great players of the past.
Keys to the WestSan Antonio: Antonio Daniels' ability to hold up against Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan and David Robinson can guard Shaq, and the player on Horace Grant can also help double him, making it much more difficult for the big guy to kick the ball out.
The Spurs aren't necessarily going to negate Shaq, but without Derek Anderson available, that's the matchup that's scary for San Antonio. Kobe averaged 37.7 points in three games against the Spurs in the regular season, and they're going to have to find some way to stop him. Los Angeles: Key shots from Robert Horry. The player who always steps up big -- and he stepped up big in Game 4 against Sacramento -- is Horry. He seems to have the ability to come through in big games, and he makes big shots. He might not score 20, but he has a tendency to score at the right time.
A couple of surprises from Milwaukee-Charlotte
Rebounding: Coming in, it looked as if the big advantage for Charlotte in this series would have been rebounding, but the Bucks have outrebounded the Hornets in three out of five games. The injury to Derrick Coleman may be somewhat responsible for that, but he hasn't been a major part of Charlotte's success this season. Jamal Mashburn: A lot of people in the NBA felt Mashburn wouldn't be able to perform in big games. Well, he's squashed that. The biggest series he played in his life was the Miami series, because he really wanted to beat Miami. The key is, he's maintained it, particularly in the third game of the Bucks series, which the Hornets had to win. Kevin Loughery is a former NBA player and head coach. He appears each Sunday on CNN/SI's This Week in the NBA.
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