Dr. Jack's Breakdown: Jazz-Blazers
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
No. 2 Jazz (55-27) vs. No. 3 Blazers (59-23)
 Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter and NBA Today. Here he breaks down the playoffs for ESPN.com. The color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.
Throughout the 2000 playoffs, Dr. Jack will break down each series from the backcourts to intanglibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.
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BACKCOURT
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EDGE
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| The Blazers have the superior backcourt with Damon Stoudamire and Steve Smith. Stoudamire is quicker than John Stockton and can penetrate. Smith has an inside advantage against Jeff Hornacek and can post him up. Nevertheless, no one can dismiss Stockton and Hornacek. Stockton had a tremendous Game 5 against Seattle (17 points, 15 assists). But in their guard rotation, the Blazers also use Greg Anthony, a great defender who will spend a lot of time guarding Stockton.
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FRONTCOURT
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EDGE
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Although he will be matched against perennial All-Star Karl Malone at big forward, Rasheed Wallace is a very good defender who can play Malone. Wallace did a great job on Kevin Garnett in the first round, and he will do the same thing against Malone. Then after Wallace, the Blazers bring in Brian Grant, another quality defensive player. Even though the Mailman should get his points, I wouldn't expect him to shoot a high percentage. Scottie Pippen, who had a big series against Minnesota, gets the edge over Bryon Russell at small forward. And at center, Arvydas Sabonis is better than both Olden Polynice and Greg Ostertag.
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BENCH
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EDGE
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Portland has a much deeper bench with greater skilled players, like Grant, Anthony, Detlef Schrempf, Bonzi Wells and Jermaine O'Neal. For Utah, the only bench contributors are Eisley and Ostertag. The Jazz only go seven deep. The Blazers' bench has been very productive over the course of the season, and it should continue.
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INTANGIBLES
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EDGE
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Portland gained some strength in its series against Minnesota. Many thought the Blazers might lose to the T-Wolves, but that series may have toughened them up for the Jazz. They won the series good ways, too. There were no blowout games; the Blazers had to come from the behind, play defense down the stretch, and execute big offensive plays. The death of assistant Bill Musselman could also be a motivating factor. He was well-liked by the players. His death may further bring the team together. Plus, I think the Blazers saw some vulnerability in the Lakers against the Kings. They may be hungry to meet the Lakers, but they have to get through Utah first.
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PREDICTION
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Blazers in six. Portland has experience, depth and skill. However, coach Jerry Sloan has done an amazing job with Utah because he is really shorthanded.
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