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Personnel changes New point guard situation not working for JamisonPosted: Thursday December 13, 2001 4:57 PMUpdated: Thursday December 13, 2001 6:04 PM
Antawn Jamison put up some great stats last season (24.9 points, 8.7 rebounds per game), but he hasn't been able to match them so far this year (16.2, 6.0). There's been a lot of speculation that the healthy status of teammate Danny Fortson is to blame for the fall-off, and while that certainly is a factor, Fortson isn't Jamison's main problem in Golden State. Fortson is an outstanding rebounder who takes up a lot of space in the interior, which leads to diminished rebounding numbers for Jamison. But the decline in his scoring has more to do with head coach Dave Cowens' changing his point guard. Moving Larry Hughes to the point over Mookie Blaylock has made a big difference in the distribution of the basketball for the Warriors. Jamison isn't getting as many easy or deep-post baskets as he got last year, and while that may have something to do with Fortson's presence, it's mainly because Golden State is playing without a true point. They have several young two-guards (Hughes, Jason Richardson and Bob Sura), and they want to go with the young players, but that keeps Jamison from getting many fast-break baskets and hardly any deep-post baskets -- and that's when he's at his best. The perimeter is crowded with guys who want to take their own shots, and Jamison isn't an outside shooter to begin with. The bottom line is, the point guard situation has to be resolved. If Jamison continues to be forced to rely on a perimeter game, his stats are only going to get worse.
Turning things around in D.C.Ever since Michael Jordan said the Wizards stink, that team has really turned it around. Jordan is playing a different role over the past several games -- he has more confidence in his teammates, and he's not looking to shoot the ball nearly as much as he was earlier in the year. At least not until the fourth quarter, when he tries to take over, and that's a good strategy for them.
The faith Jordan has developed in his teammates makes a huge difference. It gives them much more enthusiasm, and down the stretch they now believe they can get the job done. Several different guys have stepped up and made some big hoops, particularly Richard Hamilton. Hamilton is finally playing the way the Wizards knew he could. In the beginning of the season, he was intimidated by Jordan's presence, as were most of his teammates. The only player who wasn't initially intimidated by Jordan was Tyronn Lue, mainly because of his time with the Lakers, playing with Shaq and Kobe. But the other guys weren't ready to deal with the publicity and glaring spotlight that came along with the larger-than-life persona that is His Airness. At this point, though, having won four games in a row, the players seem to have adjusted and know their roles on the team. If Jordan stays healthy, it will be interesting to see just how far they can go in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
Knicks' transition game seems to be flourishingThe Knicks seem to be transitioning pretty well from the Jeff Van Gundy era into the Don Chaney regime. The players will be happier playing for Chaney, but whether they'll be more successful remains to be seen. His approach is the total opposite of Van Gundy's. Chaney's system will be easier on the players and give them more responsibility. The point guards will be calling more plays, and the games will be more up-tempo. This system should work well with the Knicks, because they're a veteran team -- Mark Jackson, Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell are experienced players, and Marcus Camby has played a few years now. But that doesn't mean it will work. 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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