Outlaw Gets the 1-2 Punch

Clipper swingman Bo Outlaw may be the most hated man here today.

Outlaw got tangled up with Jazz guard/demigod John Stockton as they chased a loose ball near the Clipper bench midway through the second quarter. Outlaw wound up on top of Stockton, who took a swing at Outlaw before referee Ron Garretson separated them.

On the ensuing Jazz possession, Karl Malone drew a technical foul for decking Outlaw with an elbow with 5:59 remaining. Ironically, Outlaw was called for a foul on the play.

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Forward Loy Vaught, the only remaining player from the Clippers’ back-to-back playoff teams in 1992 and 1993, said this is more satisfying.

“This is more rewarding because it wasn’t expected of us like it was those other times,” Vaught said. “We opened up a lot of eyes along the way, so it feels better.”

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Clipper guard Malik Sealy, who reached the 1994 Eastern Conference finals with the Indiana Pacers, thinks the Clippers are in a similar situation.

“No one gave us a shot, but we went in with nothing to lose and tried to play our hearts out,” Sealy said.

Sealy doesn’t care that many expect the Clippers to be swept by Utah.

“The only people who haven’t counted us out are ourselves,” Sealy. “A lot of the people who’ve counted us out have never even shot a basketball.”

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Sealy maintained he didn’t realize he was playing at a high altitude until a reporter asked him about it.

“This altitude has never really hurt me,” Sealy said. “The only place I’ve ever been affected basketball wise is Denver. I didn’t even know it’s an altitude change. I’ve never noticed the difference.”

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In honor of their first playoff appearance in four years, the Clippers wore black shoes for first time since 1993-94.

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Juan Antonio Samaranch, executive director of the International Olympic Federation, attended the game while in town to tour facilities for the 2002 Winter Games.

He was presented with an autographed basketball by Jazz owner Larry Miller at halftime.