Stockton’s Shot at Redemption Is Off Mark

The heart was willing, but the elbow was hyper-extended, the hamstring pulled, the thigh bruised.

John Stockton had the final shot Sunday, and the chance to make up for everything. But his three-point attempt with about a second left lacked steam, and that’s the way it has gone for the Utah star in these Western Conference finals.

He has had the guts, but not the glory.

That still belongs to the Seattle SuperSonics, who haven’t had much of either before this playoff run of 10 victories in 12 games. This time, they withstood a horrible start to the fourth quarter and then Stockton’s 25-footer to earn an 88-86 victory over the Jazz before 19,911 at the Delta Center, a 3-1 series lead and the chance to advance to the NBA finals with a victory at home Tuesday night.

Stockton had his chance with Game 4 on the line. As if it’s not strange enough to consider that a player with his credentials is in such need of redemption, it’s even more bizarre to consider that he is shooting 25% against Seattle, including 16.6% (two for 12) on three-point tries, and averaging only 9.3 points and seven assists.

It could be the SuperSonics’ vaunted defense. But in four regular-season games against the same Seattle alignment, Stockton went for 60% overall, 46.2% (six for 13) from behind the arc, 15.3 points and 10 assists.

It could be his health, even with Stockton and Coach Jerry Sloan having spent the last several days brushing aside any such suggestion.

But teammate Karl Malone said, “My hat’s off to the guy. Ninety-five percent of the guys in this league wouldn’t be playing.”

And then there’s the portable electrical-stimulation machine, which speeds recovery from injuries, on the floor inside Stockton’s locker Sunday, sitting there while he spent another long postgame session in the trainer’s room.

Not that the Jazz didn’t have other problems, such as shooting 11 for 22 from the free-throw line while Seattle was 31 for 36.

“The free throws beat us,” Sloan said.

Still, the Jazz opened the fourth quarter with a 13-4 run for a 78-77 lead, a rally that came as the SuperSonics had a stretch of 6:52 without a field goal.

But then came the final two possessions.

The SuperSonics led, 87-86, when Hersey Hawkins missed a jump shot and Malone got the rebound, one of his 12 rebounds to go along with 25 points and eight assists.

Then the Jazz brought the ball up court and called a timeout when it was knocked out of bounds with 17.3 seconds--and nine on the shot clock--remaining.

There was about 14 seconds left when Jeff Hornacek whistled a pass from the perimeter into Malone on the right post. Seattle’s Sam Perkins barely tipped it, but enough to alter the course a bit, right through, and off, Malone’s hands.

Detlef Schrempf, standing nearby, grabbed possession out of the air, then was immediately fouled by Malone. At the line with 12.2 seconds remaining, he made one free throw for the 88-86 margin.

The Jazz called another timeout. Owner Larry Miller joined the huddle. When play resumed, Stockton brought the ball up court, then threw it into Malone on the left post. When the Seattle defense converged, Malone threw it back out to Stockton, near the SuperSonic bench.

“What I didn’t like was that Stockton called for the ball,” Seattle Coach George Karl said. “He wanted to shoot.”

A few steps behind the three-point line, Stockton let it fly. “It was on line,” Karl said. “I know that because I was right there.”

But not strong enough, like Stockton himself trying to match up with Gary Payton and getting destroyed as Payton posts up with regularity. The shot hit the front of the rim.

“The shot was straight, no question about it, just a little short,” said Stockton, who finished with eight assists, his best output this series, and seven points on three-for-nine shooting. “It was probably lengthier than what you’d want.”