Center James Donaldson, who spent this year in Seattle before being signed by the Jazz for the playoffs, says he already has his post-NBA career lined up.
Donaldson is part-owner of two Seattle-area health clubs. The clubs, called Fitness America, include aerobics classes, cardiovascular and weight-lifting equipment and one of the two clubs has a regulation-size basketball court.Donaldson, who attends school in the off-season to become a physical therapist, also has two physical therapy clinics in the Seattle area. He said being at his fitness centers "was where I spent every day this year until the Jazz called."
Donaldson attended the University of Washington the past five summers as a prerequisite to entering physical therapy school.
Jazz guard Jeff Malone and Seattle guard Eddie Johnson have gone back and fourth throughout this series, each talking about how cocky the other is. But they seem to understand one another, too.
Malone accused the Sonics of being cocky several times this week, while Johnson singled out Malone, saying "he raises hands after scoring a bucket like he's won a championship."
The cockiness continued Thursday night when Johnson landed a crucial 3-point shot, after which he trotted down the court, holding his hands high in the signal of a converted basket - apparently mocking Malone's actions.
Asked about the gesture, Malone shrugged. "He was having a great game. He wants to celebrate, I have no problem with that."
Meanwhile, Johnson apparently has no problem with Malone's game, either. "He's an excellent scorer," said Johnson. "And he could probably score more, but their offense is designed for Karl Malone."
If this is the playoffs, then that must be Mike Brown rattling teeth and cracking ribs.
The Jazz's backup center/forward has played well during this year's first round, bringing to mind his performance in the playoffs two years ago. In 1991, Brown came off the bench to average 9.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in the playoffs, earning a lucrative contract the following summer. His numbers were down last year, though, as he made just 40 percent of his shots, averaged 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds.
So far this year, though, Brown has been impressive enough in the playoffs. He is averaging 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in three games, and is shooting 55 percent.
Asked if he plays better in the playoffs, Brown replies, "I try to, because that's what playing the 82 regular-season games is for. This is what I look forward to."
Brown added that his job is to "get in there and mix it up, get some rebounds, try to get the team started."
"I don't have to score 15 points to have a good night," he said. "I just try to do the things they want me to in order to get the team going."
Karl Malone on his new four-door truck: "I'm a family man now. It used to be two doors and fast cars. Now it's four doors and slow cars." . . . Tyrone Corbin on whether Seattle will have the confidence to win on its home court: "Oh yeah. For that team, lack of confidence isn't a problem." . . . Larry H. Miller on the status of Malone and John Stockton, as far as summer trades go: "Untouchable." . . . Financial World magazine ranks the Utah Jazz the 67th most valuable pro sports franchise. The magazine puts the Jazz's value at $72 million, just behind the Montreal Canadiens and a million ahead of the Phoenix Suns. The Dallas Cowboys, at $165 million, is ranked the most valuable pro franchise.