SACRAMENTO SWEEPS RIVALS, ADVANCE TO FINALS
SAC: 20 – 35 – 26 – 23 - 107
LAL: 24 – 34 – 28 – 26 – 109
16-13 Los Angeles Lakers swept by 23-6 Sacramento Kings 0-3
ABOVE: Kwame Brown (5) slams down 2 of his 21 third quarter points
Los Angeles – Rudy Tomjanovich was back on the sideline last night; for the last time. Karl Malone had his last NBA double double with 12 and 18. Vlade Divac watched and cheered on his teammates in his last NBA match. The Lakers fell to the Sacramento Kings in what might be their last Western Conference Finals in the next two or three years.
Game 3 in the STAPLES Centre was a game of ‘last times’ and it was only fitting that Malone, Divac and Rudy T all received standing ovations from players, officials and spectators alike. The three gave speeches as Malone afterwards headed for a plane bound to Utah to open a press conference to officially announce his retirement.
Tears were shed as Malone spoke softly to the crowd on national television, “This season has been hard for everyone, I was injured at the start and the team wasn’t getting along. But as we progressed and meshed, you can see we have a great squad led by my good brtother Kobe (Bryant). This playoff run which ended early is for you kid and it was a pleasure to run alongside one of the best in the game. When I was in Utah I was able to play against Michael Jordan, I never knew I’d play with someone of similar skill and I am grateful!”
Malone, 42 who shot to fame alongside Hall of Fame bound point guard John Stockton played in Utah to combine with Stock as the best pick and roll duo ever in League history. Without each other, Stockton would never rank first all time on the steals and assists totals lists and Malone wouldn’t be the second highest all-time leading scorer. When Stockton retired in 2003, Malone joined the Lakers with Gary Payton in the quest for the championship which had eluded him. Unfortunately, Malone will not retire with a ring missing by 3 games in last season’s finals and missing it this year because of the team’s star player’s absence.
“It was a fun ride along the way. My career is over now but it is only the beginning of many new journeys I want to move on in. Good luck to the NBA with its new crop of youngsters and of course, good luck to Kobe Bryant. He has endured a lot of pain in the last two to three years but I have no doubt a Kobe-led Lakers Squad can win in the future. They could even one day become perennial NBA Champs. Good bye and thank you to the fans. The ‘Mailman’ won’t be delivering any more letters any time soon.”
Vlade Divac was a little bit more humorous in his farewell speech to the Los Angeles faithful. “It is good to finish my 14 years in the NBA. No actually it is 15, thank you to the people who have helped with the team. I would like to thank the ball boys, the water boys, the rookies who we always make fun of… I would like to thank the referees for letting me do, what do you people call it? Ah yes; my Vlade flop! Thank you to Michael Jordan for not putting me on poster and thank you for coach not letting me stand in paiont to be put on poster. This was a very good season for me and the team, although I am angry I could be going to NBA Finals now, I am happy for coming back home. So Mr Webber, what do you say about me and you switching team now? I also want to thanks Vanessa (Bryant) because you are beautiful to look at.”
Rudy Tomjanovic who has recently been in and out of hospital was coaching in his definite final NBA game. The head coach was crying as his team shook hands with the Kings players and as the crowd got to its feet as he was announced as retiring. He went to the middle of the court and bowed down on his knees to kiss the floor in a symbolic gesture of farewell. His players and coaching staff formed a circle around him, joined hands and said a prayer for Tomjanovic who has been suffering serious chest pains.
“I thought I was ready to be back as a coach but I was wrong,” Tomjanovic said, “But it has been worthwhile enough after this inspirational playoff run. The team knows its ability is defined by the sky being the limit and I know that I am leaving a team which can win and do big things in the future.”
General Manager Will Sit thanked the fans, staff and the players at the end of his first year as GM. “I am overwhelmed to stand here tonight even though we lost, we went down fighting. Karl, I wasn’t a big fan of yours but thank you for what you have provided to this team which includes your leadership and experience. It was great to have Vlade back because it is only fitting to have you playing for the team one last time. Aren’t you surprised that when you started here, we were also rebuilding and when you left we got better? I of course hope this happens next season. Just joking.”
Sit also thanked Tomjanovic with as much gratitude as he could muster, “Mr Tomjanovic, you have been an important part in this team’s development. Be proud and sure that if Michael Jordan’s presence in Washington three years ago has them as NBA contenders this year, you are the reason why we will be NBA champions in the near future. Your guidance throughout the season has always been followed and you having been here in LA will help our franchise only get better.”
Bryant who sat in the stands with fans limped on court at the end of the game to hug every player on the bench as he was overwhelmed by the effort his team mates put into trying to win a ring in ‘his name.’ “What can I say? To have guys like these; great mates who tried their best to do something for me,” Bryant stated, “I can only do my best to get back in form and deliver my best next season.”
Even though the celebrations for the finale of all of the careers stated above were ongoing, the game itself wasn’t any less exciting. The final minute of the game was tantalisingly exhilarating up to the finish. When the Lakers thought they could win the game with a lay up, a Brad Miller interception then a Brad Miller bank shot at the buzzer stole the win and sealed the series for the Kings. Their next destination; the NBA Finals.
Miller led Sacramento with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks as he made mince out of the Lakers soft defence. Mike Bibby was equally impressive with 23, 4, 7 and Peja Stojakovic added 17 and 5. “We made the Finals baby! Number one!” Doug Christie screamed when Miller sank the improbable shot from the elbow.
“I think we may have lost to the NBA champions tonight,” Lakers guard Chucky Atkins told ESPN, “We lost to a far better team.”
Kwame Brown did his best to stop Sacramento with his 35, 11, 3 and 2 steals in 34 minutes. Malone came off the pine to record 12, 18, 5 and Caron Butler contributed 18, 6 and 3. Brian Grant agreed with Atkin’s evaluation of the victors, “Sacramento have been trying for so long since 2000 to make the Finals. Kudos for making it there, I think they can go all the way.”
The Kings came out hard at their opponents as they took an early 14-1 lead. However, the Lakers slowly fought back to take a 4 point advantage at first quarter time. A 7-0 run which included a Caron Butler long range bomb and a Butler reverse jam had the crowd on their feet. The second quarter started with both teams making 5 consecutive jump shots each, adding to the excitement in the atmosphere. ‘Hitch’ Actor Will Smith even started dancing for the scoreboard screen when he was introduced after Juan Dixon scored on a fast break. Dixon was impressive in the middle of the quarter as he stripped the ball off Mike Bibby on two consecutive occasions.
The third quarter was solely belonging to Kwame Brown. Brown savaged his way to 21 third quarter points, including making 8 shots in a row which showcased a selection of high flying dunks and hook shots. Brown rolled to the position of game high scorer but his team was never more than 4 points ahead of the Kings. Brad Miller did his best to keep his team in the game whenever the Lakers looked like they’d storm ahead as he scored 13 of his own 3rd quarter points.
The Lakers received a boost when Chucky Atkins came out of the break to score back to back three pointers and the team stayed ahead of their visitors for most of the duration of the final quarter. Bobby Jackson crashed the party as he scored 6 straight points to put the Kings ahead by 4 with 2:02 left. Lamar Odom’s dunk inside the paint with 59.4 seconds left tied the game at 103-103. Christie dunked to put the Kings up 105-103 but a baseline drive by Caron Butler locked the scores again with 37.7 seconds remaining. Kwame Brown’s lay up put Los Angeles up by 2 once more but with 12.6 on the clock, Mike Bibby’s running jump shot had both teams sitting level on 107. Juan Dixon panicked under the pressure as he fumbled a bad pass which was deflected by Brad Miller and the Kings shot up court with the ball. The revelling Laker defence couldn’t get back fast enough and allowed Brad Miller to drain the bank from the elbow.
“It was one of the best games I have ever played in,” Brad Miller exclaimed, “I can’t wait for the NBA Finals though!”
NOTES
The whole of Malone’s 97-98 Utah Jazz team was present at the game. Greg Ostertag and Karl Malone were the only two on court while the rest of the team which lost to the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led Chicago Bulls sat courtside… Vlade Divac has accepted a front office role as a player scout… Tomjanovic, head coach of the Olajuwan-led Houston Rockets in the 1990’s has accepted to join the Lakers front office too… The Kings; owners of the NAB’s best record are favourites to win the championship… In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Detorit kept their season alive by thrashing Washignton 103-85 behind Rip Hamilton’s 37 point performance…
STATS
LAKERS
* PF Kwame Brown: 35 points (16/25 FG, 3/8 FT), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals in 34 minutes
* F Lamar Odom: 14 points (6/18 FG, 2/6 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 30 minutes
* F Caron Butler: 18 points (8/13 FG, 2/3 3PT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists in 39 minutes
* SG Kareem Rush: 9 points (4/18 FG, 1/8 3PT), 1 rebounds, 1 assists in 29 minutes
* PG Chucky Atkins: 8 points (3/14 FG, 2/9 3PT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal in 31 minutes
PF Karl Malone: 12 points (5/7 FG, 2/2 FT), 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals in 33 minutes
PG Juan Dixon: 11 points (5/10 FG, 1/2 3PT), 1 rebound, 11 assists, 2 steals in 27 minutes
C Brian Grant: 0 points (0/1 FG), 12 rebounds, 4 assists in 23 minutes
SF Luke Walton: DNP (Coaches Decision)
C Chris Mihm: DNP (Coaches Decision)
C Vlade Divac: DNP (Coaches Decision)
Points: 107
Rebounds: 56
Assists: 32
Steals: 7
Blocks: 0
* denotes satarter
KINGS
* C Brad Miller: 24 points (10/14 FG, 4/5 FT), 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 steals in 38 minutes
* PF Chris Webber: 14 points (7/14 FG, 0/1 3PT), 11 rebounds, 2 block in 39 minutes
* SF Peja Stojakovic: 17 points (8/19 FG, 1/3 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 steals in 40 minutes
* SG Doug Christie: 15 points (7/12 FG, 1/2 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 37 minutes
* PG Mike Bibby: 23 points (9/21 FG, 3/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal in 37 minutes
PG Bobby Jackson: 9 points (3/6 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 1 rebound, 3 assists in 12 minutes
PG Kevin Martin: 4 points (1/2 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist in 12 minutes
SF Erik Daniels: 0 points (0/4 FG), 1 rebound, 2 assist in 9 minutes
PF Darius Songalia: 3 points (1/1 FG, 1/2 3PT), 5 rebounds in 20 minutes
C Greg Ostertag: DNP (Coaches Decision)
F/G Maurice Evans: DNP (Coaches Decision)
SG Courtney Alexander: DNP (Coaches Decision)
Points: 109
Rebounds: 43
Assists: 16
Steals: 6
Blocks: 7
* denotes starter
Last edited by
Fresh8 on Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.