Bryant’s Shot Reminds Them of Jordan

What is there to say when you did all you can and it wasn’t good enough?

“Good defense,” the Suns’ Penny Hardaway said of Kobe Bryant’s winning 15-foot jump shot in Game 2, with Jason Kidd’s hand in his face. “Better offense.”

Said Kidd, “It was a tough shot. If he misses that, we walk out of here with the series tied. But he made it.”

Of course, it’s a little early for this comparison but when did that ever stop anyone? Several Suns said it reminded them of Michael Jordan’s famous and oft-replayed shot over Craig Ehlo in 1988 that beat the Cavaliers in Game 5 and won the Bulls their first playoff series in the ‘80s.

“That’s exactly what I thought of,” Hardaway said.

Hardaway says Shaquille O’Neal fouled him on the Suns’ last possession before Bryant’s shot, as he blocked Penny’s hook shot in the lane.

Of course, the referees didn’t see it that way.

“I got hit by Shaq, but this is the playoffs, he’s the MVP, and he just got his trophy,” Hardaway said. “They would never make that call and I understand that. This is the playoffs.”

*

Not that he has to worry yet but: Bryan Colangelo, the team’s president and general manager, has agreed to become a blond if the Suns upset the Lakers.

He did so at the prodding of Kidd, who recently went blond himself.

*

The Suns are close to extending Kidd’s contract, which is to run out in 2002-3, by one season at $10.8 million.

“There are ongoing discussions about possible options that are available, given the rules of the current collective bargaining agreement and the terms of Jason’s contract,” Colangelo said.

*

Coach Scott Skiles, criticized for not double-teaming O’Neal in the first game, when O’Neal scored 37 points, did help his post defenders a little in the second game.

He had the defenders on the Laker point guards, Ron Harper and Brian Shaw, sag and help on O’Neal in a way that allowed them to get back to their men. Against this kind of a soft double-team, O’Neal went for 38 points.

Yet to be seen in this series is the Suns’ normal way of defending the post, by playing in front, challenging the offense to lob over the top and helping out if it does.

Also, yet to be seen is the only Sun who’s O’Neal’s size, or his weight anyway, 6-foot-8, 300-something-pound Oliver Miller. Asked if the chronically out-of-shape center could contribute anything in this series, Skiles answered, “I’ll leave that for you to decide.”