Bibby-Buster
Coming out of the locker room for the second half of Game 4, Mike Bibby was red hot. In fact, he had been pretty much unstoppable for the entire West Finals. So Lakers coach Phil Jackson decided to give the speedy Sacramento guard a different look on Sunday by sticking Kobe Bryant on him.
None too coincidentally, that was when Bibby's hot offensive game came back to earth. Bibby scored 14 points in the game's first 17 minutes, but then only scored seven more the rest of the way.
 Bibby had a tough time shaking Kobe in Game 4. Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE/Getty Images |
"I'm gonna wait to see how the game is gonna be played and called," Jackson told the Bee. "The referees, how much contact will be allowed, do we get a quick start, and how much foul trouble Kobe gets in immediately."
According to the Bee, Bryant's energy level is also an issue, as he needed intravenous fluids after Game 4. Jackson may want to conserve the All-Star's energy for attacking on the offensive side.
Stojakovic's Status
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Peja Stojakovic's status for tonight's Game 5 is questionable.
"He looks better," Kings coach Rick Adelman told the newspaper. "And he said he felt better, but that there is still some soreness."
According to the paper, Adelman is leaning towards sitting him for tonight's game in order to make sure he'll be ready for Games 6 and 7 (if neccessary).
Horry's Place in Lakers Lore
During halftime of yesterday's Nets-Celtics game, NBC analysts Tom Tolbert and Peter Vecsey engaged in a healthy debate as to Robert Horry's stature, and whether or not he was a true Lakers great. Tolbert argued that Horry was more of an opportunistic player who benefited from playing next to two Lakers greats in Shaq and Kobe, while Vecsey argued that Horry has evolved into a true third-option for the Lakers in this postseason. Vecsey extended his argument into today's New York Post.
Vecsey wrote: "No one has bailed out more franchises en route to four championships (two each in Houston and L.A.) than this regal role player who, without notification or anointment, has evolved into the third leading man behind Shaq and Kobe."
Vecsey may be on to something, as Horry's numbers in the conference Finals are certainly befitting of a "third leading man." The 6-10 forward is averaging 13.0 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 4.5 apg and 2.25 spg in Games 1-4 against Sacramento.
Make the Plays
So what do the Kings have to do to conquer the defending champs and push through to NBA Finals 2002? According to Sacramento Bee columnist Mark Kreidler, Chris Webber and company have proven they have the heart. They just need to make the plays.
Kreidler writes: "It just isn't about guts anymore. If you've stayed awake through even a week's worth of games in this postseason, long enough to watch Sacramento on the road either in Salt Lake City or Dallas, you know the Kings passed Go on that issue a while back. ... What it is, tonight at Arco Arena, is absolutely, positively about plays."
More Kreidler: "The challenge is not to be brave enough to win, but smart enough. The challenge is not for guys like Vlade Divac and Chris Webber to earn their bravery merit badges, but to do the dirty work of rebounding and blocking out and keeping the Lakers from killing them on the boards -- not for Bibby to fight off fear, but for his teammates to run plays and screens to get Bryant off him long enough to matter."
