Glen Rogers: Lakers have another ring within their reach San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 10/29/2002 12:00 AM The trend is looking Jordanesque. You know, like when no team had a chance at the brass ring while Michael Jordan & Co. were toiling in Chicago. Jordan took off to swing and miss in baseball and the Rockets caged a pair of titles. Jordan returned, and title hogging resumed. Well, we have the same problem in Los Angeles — it's unlikely, short of injury, that anybody will unseat Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. I doubt the Kings, Spurs or Mavericks can upset the champs. Look for "Five is Alive" or some such come mid-June. The Kings had a shot and popped the Lakers in the jaw. They won't come that close again unless Mike Bibby proves he wasn't playing over his head and Vlade Divac swims in the Fountain of Youth. Same with the Spurs — Shaq is too dominant down deep, Kobe too extraordinarily single-minded on the perimeter. The Mavs? Sorry. They won't form a close marriage with Mr. D and they can't neutralize Shaq no matter how many long-range missiles they fling over his head. In the East — go with Jason Kidd and the Nets. The Hornets look tough up front, but Baron Davis is too stuck on himself to out-do Kidd in any climactic clashes. The Celts lack the offensive discipline to close big games and the Pacers, like fine wine, need aging. The same candidates will vie for Most Valuable Player — Kobe, Shaq, reigning meister Tim Duncan, Kidd ... So, let's play a little and go with a dark horse, albeit a most familiar face and sky-dunking image — Jordan. Hey, it's opening day. The betting is that Jordan stays healthy, takes the Wizards to the playoffs and overwhelms the award voters. To be safer, go with the newly muscled Bryant, who will carry the Lakers while O'Neal stays off his toe, or Vince Carter, who has a point or two to prove. If Jordan fails to impress as MVP, he may edge out the Nets' Rodney Rogers and Kings' Bobby Jackson for Sixth Man honors. Rookie of the Year? I don't think Jay Williams will be able to show much in Chicago, other than the multi-turnover nights he's already suffering. Miami's Caron Butler gets early attention thanks to his aggression and offensive skills. Memphis' Drew Gooden enjoyed an amazing preseason and Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire will make enough evening highlights to force Charles Barkley to note: "If he's so good, why aren't they winning." I'll put the wow next to Yao down the road in Houston. He'll be schooled by the big guys and dunked upon by the little guys so often he'll need an abacus to count the ways. He'll settle in come January and begin to show a flustering defensive presence spiced with an attention-forcing offense. Coach of the Year? A tough one to predict so again we're out on the limb. Look toward novice Eric Musselman at Golden State. If he follows in the footsteps of his late father Bill and controls the tempo of every game, he'll have just enough talent to make a run at this trophy. Coaches who must avoid early losing streaks or else? Jot down these names: Cleveland's John Lucas, Atlanta's Lon Kruger, the Clippers' Alvin Gentry, Memphis' Sidney Lowe. grogers@express-news.net 10/29/2002
