That was before the playoffs struck.

In a move to apparently designed speed things up more, Warriors' coach Don Nelson started second-year guard Monta Ellis, rather than center Andris Biedrins on Tuesday. It made him look terribly smart, as Ellis went for a team-high 12 points in the first half. But the Jazz countered with its own off-the-bench guy, putting Paul Millsap into the lineup in the first quarter. In just over four minutes he turned in four points and four rebounds; by half he had eight points and nine boards.

Which raises an interesting question: When's the last time the Jazz got down on their knees and gave thanks for rookies in the playoffs?

From there the plot thickened toward the final run. It's quite a plan, actually. Sort of quirky-weird.

You miss six straight free throws when the game is tight.

Your star player misses 10 of 11 shots for the game. You treat the ball like it's radioactive, committing 25 turnovers.

Then you say to yourself: Bad day. How about a restart?

After which you make 10 of 11 free throws in the final 2:35.

So there is still basketball left to play. Whether it's Phoenix or San Antonio the Jazz meet, they'll be the underdog. That may not bother them in the least. Go ahead and tell them they aren't supposed to win. Bring up the old, battle-tested Jazz teams. Remind them they have big shoes to fill.

This Jazz team is just as likely to use those shoes to kick you in the pants.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com