Playoffs 2000:Pacers playbook: Rik Smits

Pacers playbook: Rik Smits
Coach's Edge

The Knicks and Pacers certainly know each other very well as this rivalry is renewed again. Last year the Knicks beat the Pacers in six games, and now they will have a healthy Patrick Ewing. Ewing's absence last year for the last four games of the series enabled Rik Smits to put up some decent numbers. Now Ewing is hurt again. Here is how the Pacers might go to Smits.

ANIMATE THIS PLAY DIAGRAM WITH SHOCKWAVE

(A) Rik Smits (45) is a dangerous big man. He can take it inside, and he can also knock down the jumper. When he steps out to 15 feet, Patrick Ewing (33) has to go with him. Smits cuts to the top of the key off a screen from Dale Davis (32) and gets the pass from Mark Jackson (13).

(B) Smits (45) reverses the ball to Jalen Rose (5) on the wing. While Rose looks for his shot, Davis (32) clears the paint and Smits flashes to the block for the feed. Rose feeds Rik, and the Pacers are Smitten.