THE SACK

Jason, In my opinion I think the Sacramento Kings are overrated. They are playing a team whose players are older than dinosaurs and still get beaten on their home floor. The Kings got lucky the first game because Utah was just too fatigued to outplay the Kings at the end. I believe that Utah has a chance to beat them in Utah. What is your take on this? Kyle from parts unknown Kyle, The Kings aren't overrated. They were overconfident in the first two games. I don't think their confidence is shot, but they will watch their mouths and their execution against the Jazz from this point on. They can still win this series. Kings head man Rick Adelman believes his team can play at any tempo. For his sake, I hope he's right. The Jazz will continue to milk the clock and attempt to pick-and-roll the Kings to sleep. If the Jazz make shots, the Kings will have to patient. Patience isn't hitting 3-of-22 3 point shots, either (Game 2's total for Sacramento). Jason, In yesterday's "THE SACK" you mentioned that you "see a lot of Kobe haters out there" but you fail to explore the reasons behind it. Although I can give Bryant mad props for his basketball ability he rubs me entirely the wrong way with his arrogance and demeanor both on and off the court. Case in point: his latest Sprite commercial that sends youth the message that school is pointless, listening to teachers and adults who care about you is pointless, and that you should only listen to yourself. A horrible sentiment for anyone to espouse, much less a star of his caliber, but not surprising considering Kobe's egotistical and self-aggrandized view of himself. Ari Washington, D.C. Ari, I am sorry you missed Monday through Wednesday's debate about Kobe. There was plenty of exploration there. As for the Sprite commercial, I see a message that says obey your own desires -- not the ones imposed by others. I believe it is a message tie-in with the Obey Your Thirst campaign. From skipping college, going with sweats over suits, signing with adidas over Nike, getting married young to going with the former 'fro over a fade, Kobe (right or wrong) has clearly tried to pave his own way. I think that's the message in the Sprite spot. However, you are not alone. For every 10 people I meet and talk hoops, six love Kobe and four do not. For the most part, the disdain is always tough to explain. It is just a feeling they have inside. Jason, With Joe Dumars at the helm, I feel that we are in for a special treat of Bad Boys (First Blood part II). He seems to be building a team that is reminiscent of the good ole days of hard-nosed players and an abundance of role players. I believe this is the true essence of basketball, rather than the atypical one-on-one game that it has evolved to be. Your thoughts on the chances of the Pistons becoming champions in the near (if not this year) future, with this back-breaking, role-playing, Ben Wallace flexing style of play? Chad Alma, Mich. Chad, You hit Joe's plan right on the head. I picked your Pistons to get past the Raptors, but to fall in the conference semifinals to the Celtics. That doesn't mean I don't respect the style of play or the accomplishments. The Pistons are on the brink of advancing for the first time since the 1990-91 season. The decade of pain must have been terrible following the back-to-back titles. Nevertheless, know the growth will continue due to Dumars' plan. Guys who steal the ball, block the ball and rebound the ball are just as important as scorers.

Jason Jackson is the host of ESPN's "NBA Matchup," ESPN2's "NBA 2Night" and ESPN Radio's "GameDay with Jason Jackson." You can e-mail him at Jason.Jackson@espn.com. Please type JaxLine into your subject line or your e-mail might not reach Mr. Jackson.