by benji on Sat Jan 03, 2004 2:59 pm
The Lakers jacked up their pace to the fastest in the league (probably why Malone has gotten hurt so bad) and Shaq and Kobe have cut down their number of shots.
I don't think it's rare to see stars sharing the ball...every set of them has done it that I can think of. When they're real legit All-Star players there's usually never been a problem, especially when there is an established pecking order (as it is in LA with Shaq, Kobe) and the players are veterans who have been with winners. When they're just a bunch of good players who are younger and fighting to establish themselves they have problems.
The Mavericks have stopped playing defense, after being ninth last year they've fallen down towards the bottom. Their offense has slowed, and they're putting the ball in Antoine Walker's hands too much. Jamison has been their best player because Dirk is playing with no confidence whatsoever.