1998 Utah Jazz playoffs

[90sgoat]

All you noobs and youngins disrespecting the Utah Jazz that MJ destroyed - twice. Do you even know who that Utah team beat to get there?

First round vs Houston Rockets: 3-2

Houston team had: Hakeem, Drexler, Barkley, Kevin Willis

Second round vs San Antonio Spurs: 4-1

Spurs had: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Avery Johnson

Conference Finals vs Los Angeles Lakers: 4-0

Lakers had, Shaq, Eddie Jones, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Robert Horry, Nick Van Excel, Derek Fisher

In one single playoff run Malone and Stockton destroyed: Hakeem, Barkley, Drexler, Duncan, D-Rob, Shaq, Kobe Bryant.


SWEPT Shaq. Backdoor SWEPT Duncan and D-Rob.

Then put up a hell of a fight with MJ and the Bulls, but ultimately lost.

If MJ had not existed, Karl Malone would rank above Lebron all time.

[Im Still Ballin]

And they still think Barkley>Malone

Lmao

[90sgoat]

And they still think Barkley>Malone

Lmao

Barkley is the more talented, but Malone is the more productive.

It is a Duncan vs KG type of deal, except they are much close in overall level.

[bigkingsfan]

That Houston team was on its last leg.
Rookie Duncan.
2nd year Kobe.

What's so impressive about that?

[Lebron23]

That Houston team was on its last leg.
Rookie Duncan.
2nd year Kobe.

What's so impressive about that?

This

OP is a piece of $hit.

[90sgoat]

That Houston team was on its last leg.
Rookie Duncan.
2nd year Kobe.

What's so impressive about that?

Rookie Duncan lol. The guy was an instant STAR in the league, 4 years of college, this wasn't modern rookies, Duncan contributed like a veteran from day one and next year in his second season won Finals MVP.

Shaq as in his absolute prime and had a great supporting cast of all stars Van Exel, Eddie Jones. Rick Fox, Horry, Kobe, Fisher, the entire cast that went on to win.

2 years removed from Finals MVP.

[Bawkish]

That Houston team was on its last leg.
Rookie Duncan.
2nd year Kobe.

What's so impressive about that?

well, the fact that Malone-Stockton tandem beat that loaded talent pool, regardless of experience, is still impressive nonetheless

that Utah playoff run is tougher than the Bulls faced in the east that year

[bigkingsfan]

We all saw what happened when they faced Hakeem in his prime. If we want to sweep that under the rug, okay. They had their chances.

Spurs/Lakers were still establishing themselves VS a vet team that has been around for years. The rest was history after that.

[Bawkish]

We all saw what happened when they faced Hakeem in his prime. If we want to sweep that under the rug, okay. They had their chances.

Spurs/Lakers were still establishing themselves VS a vet team that has been around for years. The rest was history after that.

whether Duncan or Kobe is in diapers or Chuck/Drexler/Hakeem in adult ones, they're still title contenders and pose a big threat. You can't ignore that fact

[90sgoat]

We all saw what happened when they faced Hakeem in his prime. If we want to sweep that under the rug, okay. They had their chances.

Spurs/Lakers were still establishing themselves VS a vet team that has been around for years. The rest was history after that.

Shaq was not some young buck, he was 2 years removed from Finals MVP and 'most dominant ever' as people like to claim.

Duncan and D-Rob won the very next year, so I don't see how they were 'establishing themselves'.

Truth is Stockton and Malone destroyed both Shaq and Duncan in their prime. Hakeem they could not destroy and that is why Hakeem is ranked top 10 despite only two rings.

[bigkingsfan]

That Houston team won 41 games that year, age/injuries caught up to them. Kobe average 21.8 mins with 10 ppg in that series, Shaq didn't have a chance with this version.

Having a rookie leading you to the NBA championship is not expected. Yes one year does make a difference, even though it's an asterisk due to the lockout. MJ also retired.

Jazz were the #1 seed for a reason.

[Bawkish]

That Houston team won 41 games that year, age/injuries caught up to them. Kobe average 21.8 mins with 10 ppg in that series, Shaq didn't have a chance with this version.

Having a rookie leading you to the NBA championship is not expected. Yes one year does make a difference, even though it's an asterisk due to the lockout. MJ also retired.

Jazz were the #1 seed for a reason.

you can argue bout Houston though because of their age, but the Spurs and especially the Lakers were solid that year. Of course you can't really expect from Kobe that much (coming from the bench) but Shaq did have that chance to win. He's surrounded by good talents (Eddie Jones, Van Exel, etc.). The Jazz ran a perfect system and uses every role players efficiently that's why they managed to pull through

[fourkicks44]

well, the fact that Malone-Stockton tandem beat that loaded talent pool, regardless of experience, is still impressive nonetheless

that Utah playoff run is tougher than the Bulls faced in the east that year

The Pacers that year though, damn. Tough East finals. GOAT era.

[bigkingsfan]

Jazz also had Sloan VS Del Harris (LOL)

[Bawkish]

The Pacers that year though, damn. Tough East finals. GOAT era.

i agree, pushed the Bulls into the brink

Bird did an excellent job with this team, i can picture him going full metal jacket on his players before every game in that series

[Nikola_]

they even had HC over the bulls and still couldnt get it done

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199806070CHI.html :bowdown:

[Gileraracer]

If MJ had not existed, Karl Malone would rank above Lebron all time.


He does either way

[90sgoat]

He does either way

:cheers:

[JebronLames]

Lol one championship wouldn't put Malone #3 all time. :facepalm

[90sgoat]

Lol one championship wouldn't put Malone #3 all time. :facepalm

Lebron is 12-15 bro.

[feyki]

Weak era .

[sportjames23]

Weak era .


Yes, today's NBA is. OP was talking about the 90s, doe.

[feyki]

Yes, today's NBA is. OP was talking about the 90s, doe.

Late 90's was trash and you already knew this . But let's act like Jordan played in the toughest era , right ?

[Bawkish]

Late 90's was trash and you already knew this . But let's act like Jordan played in the toughest era , right ?

care to describe your definition of "toughest era"?

[stalkerforlife]

I already have Karl Malone ahead of Bran all time.

Malone didn't collude twice in his prime.

Malone is a true great.

[Segatti]

Not even close to the level the Warriors and the Spurs are playing in this season, you can cry all you want.

[Labissiere]

All you noobs and youngins disrespecting the Utah Jazz that MJ destroyed - twice. Do you even know who that Utah team beat to get there?

First round vs Houston Rockets: 3-2

Houston team had: Hakeem, Drexler, Barkley, Kevin Willis

Second round vs San Antonio Spurs: 4-1

Spurs had: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Avery Johnson

Conference Finals vs Los Angeles Lakers: 4-0

Lakers had, Shaq, Eddie Jones, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Robert Horry, Nick Van Excel, Derek Fisher

In one single playoff run Malone and Stockton destroyed: Hakeem, Barkley, Drexler, Duncan, D-Rob, Shaq, Kobe Bryant.


SWEPT Shaq. Backdoor SWEPT Duncan and D-Rob.

Then put up a hell of a fight with MJ and the Bulls, but ultimately lost.

If MJ had not existed, Karl Malone would rank above Lebron all time.
I figured this was about the Kobe air ball game.

[ShawkFactory]

You're just off-base.

Duncan was a rookie. Yes, he was an excellent player still. But he was NOT in his prime.

One year makes a huge difference for a player that young. The difference between a rookie and a second year player is big, and it showed.

Kobe was still a teenager.

They caught both of those teams before they were really ready to be legit title contenders. And they caught Houston once they were done being contenders.

Malone wouldn't be above Lebron if MJ didn't exist. At least not once Lebron's career is over.

[aj1987]

Rookie Duncan lol. The guy was an instant STAR in the league, 4 years of college, this wasn't modern rookies, Duncan contributed like a veteran from day one and next year in his second season won Finals MVP.
:oldlol:

He was still a ROOKIE. That Spurs team had a non-existent bench and was mediocre outside the twin towers.


Shaq as in his absolute prime and had a great supporting cast of all stars Van Exel, Eddie Jones. Rick Fox, Horry, Kobe, Fisher, the entire cast that went on to win.

2 years removed from Finals MVP.
That team shot 33% outside Shaq. 33%. "All-Stars" Van Exel and Jones combined to score 24 PPG on 33%.

[90sgoat]

:oldlol:

He was still a ROOKIE. That Spurs team had a non-existent bench and was mediocre outside the twin towers.


That team shot 33% outside Shaq. 33%. "All-Stars" Van Exel and Jones combined to score 24 PPG on 33%.

Rookie Duncan was better than 90% of players who ever played the game. He had 4 years of college, ready to go, a leader and star from day one. Duncan put 20-10 with 3 blocks in those playoffs on .521 FG%. That's better than what Ewing did in most of his peak playoff runs.

And the Lakers made the conference finals so their supporting cast couldn't be that bad.

[aj1987]

Rookie Duncan was better than 90% of players who ever played the game. He had 4 years of college, ready to go, a leader and star from day one. Duncan put 20-10 with 3 blocks in those playoffs on .521 FG%. That's better than what Ewing did in most of his peak playoff runs.
Doesn't matter. He was still a rookie playing with some of the best to EVER play the game. 4 years of college won't matter for shit when you come to the NBA and it's on a whole another level. He wasn't even in his prime then, BTW.


And the Lakers made the conference finals so their supporting cast couldn't be that bad.
Are you being in denial?

That team shot 33% outside Shaq. 33%. "All-Stars" Van Exel and Jones combined to score 24 PPG on 33%.

[StrongLurk]

That Houston team was on its last leg.
Rookie Duncan.
2nd year Kobe.

What's so impressive about that?

THIS IS CORRECT.

It's funny how people just look at names and don't realize they were basically done at that point or not in their prime yet. Otherwise this era would be the best just based off of the "NAMES" in the league right now.

[SilentObserver]

That Houston team was on its last leg.
Rookie Duncan.
2nd year Kobe.

What's so impressive about that?
@ Houston - correct
@ rookie Duncan, well as far as i remember, first two games in utah were nailbiters, and duncan was already amazing.
The problem was that he turned his ankle in the late stage of game 3 or game 4.
He was still playing, but you could see that his impact evaporated.
@ Kobe, correct, they just couldnt wait for him to take some long jumpers.

[ClipperRevival]

The Lakers were seen as legit contenders to the throne. Yes, Kobe was only in his 2nd season but Shaq, Van Exel and Jones were vets and very good players at the time. Del Harris underachieved. It's not a coincidence that when PJ took over, he won a ring. This was a Laker team that went 61-21 that year and 56-26 the year before.

The talent was definitely there. But they got utterly dissected by Utah, who played a very discipline brand of ball, sort of like the Spurs. And you have to give that Jazz team credit.

[90sgoat]

The Lakers were seen as legit contenders to the throne. Yes, Kobe was only in his 2nd season but Shaq, Van Exel and Jones were vets and very good players at the time. Del Harris underachieved. It's not a coincidence that when PJ took over, he won a ring. This was a Laker team that went 61-21 that year and 56-26 the year before.

The talent was definitely there. But they got utterly dissected by Utah, who played a very discipline brand of ball, sort of like the Spurs. And you have to give that Jazz team credit.

Here is Shaq fumbling the ball against Ostertag and Foster again and again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so5JjKpxJjc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHL85uWYMMA

Actually what you can see from those clips is a tenacious physical defense.

And you get to see Stockton in all his glory with insanely accurate fast break full court passes.

[fourkicks44]

98 Pacers team was better than any east conference team Lebron has faced in his career. Believe it.

[JBSptfn]

And the Lakers made the conference finals so their supporting cast couldn't be that bad.

They had a better team on paper in 98 than in their three-peat years.

[fsvr54]

98 Pacers team was better than any east conference team Lebron has faced in his career. Believe it.

Probably the toughest team MJ played in any of his championship runs.

[diamenz]

imagine the 98' jazz with mount eaton at the c.

/over

[Da_Realist]

Probably the toughest team MJ played in any of his championship runs.

Negative. They were physical but the Bulls were an older team going for their third straight title which is tough both physically and mentally plus there was a very serious chemistry issue between the coach/players and upper management. The Bulls were growing tired of each other. Pacers were a good team but they benefited a little from all this.

Even with all this, the Bulls should have gone up 3-1 and finished it in 5 games. Reggie blatantly pushed MJ on his last shot in game 4. I think the 96 Sonics were a better team. Just as physical, younger, more athletic, better defense.

[Round Mound]

And they still think Barkley>Malone

Lmao

Most people that saw both in their primes will take Barkley over Malone. Most kids saw the broken down, injured and fat Barkley on the Rockets. Barkley in the Sixers and part so Suns was a total different player.

[90sgoat]

Most people that saw both in their primes will take Barkley over Malone. Most kids saw the broken down, injured and fat Barkley on the Rockets. Barkley in the Sixers and part so Suns was a total different player.

I don't see the problem, Malone is a more typical power forward and the best ever power forward if you're going strictly by old school '4'. Barkley is more of a Magic, Bird, Lebron positionless player. You could start Barkley at the 3 and in this small ball era you could even play him at 5. Both have a case for best power forward ever, but calling Barkley 'only' a power forward is not telling the entire story.

[feyki]

Most people that saw both in their primes will take Barkley over Malone. Most kids saw the broken down, injured and fat Barkley on the Rockets. Barkley in the Sixers and part so Suns was a total different player.

I think Karl's best days came with his 96 season . But Barkley's 89-93 way better .



Negative. They were physical but the Bulls were an older team going for their third straight title which is tough both physically and mentally plus there was a very serious chemistry issue between the coach/players and upper management. The Bulls were growing tired of each other. Pacers were a good team but they benefited a little from all this.

Even with all this, the Bulls should have gone up 3-1 and finished it in 5 games. Reggie blatantly pushed MJ on his last shot in game 4. I think the 96 Sonics were a better team. Just as physical, younger, more athletic, better defense.

True .