Utah Jazz: Fisher knows there's no quit in Jazz

LOS ANGELES — Even after spending just one season in Utah, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Derek Fisher knows how Jazz coach Jerry Sloan thinks.

Knows how he'd react.

Knows what he'll say.

Which is why Fisher did not hesitate when asked what Sloan, having had time to digest the Lakers' Game 1 victory over the Jazz in the NBA Western Conference semifinal series, will do to help his club adjust for tonight's Game 2.

"He'll continue," Fisher said, "to impress upon to them to throw the first punch, so to speak — continue to be the team that is physical and is gonna play hard, not giving up an easy shot, continuing to pound the offensive glass.

"I think he'll probably be a little frustrated with some of the early shots that were taken from the perimeter in the first half (of Game 1). In the second half, I think they did a much better job of being patient and taking advantage of some inside play, or more penetration, as opposed to quick outside shots.

"Then, from there, I think Jerry has always been great at really letting his team know that if you play the way you practice playing every day, you can beat anybody," added Fisher, who is back with the Lakers after spending last season as the Jazz's starting shooting guard and backup point guard. "I think he said it (Sunday), and I think he'll say it (again) as they prepare for the game — that, 'If you play Jazz basketball, you can win.'"

The physical part, for sure, is something the Lakers expect to deal with even more once the Jazz implement their alterations for outing No. 2 in a seven-game series.

Not that L.A. seems to mind.

"It's nice," Lakers star Kobe Bryant said of Utah's reputation for physicality. "It's a chance to bang, and that's what basketball is about. If you're an '80s fan, or a basketball aficionado, you kind of like that stuff."

But the Jazz — according to Bryant, who was officially recognized Tuesday as NBA MVP for the past season — aren't just the lunch-bucket bangers of glory days gone by.

Rather, he sees an added trait — one that No. 4 seed Utah must exploit if it is to have any hope of evening the series with the West's No. 1-seeded Lakers.

"They have more athleticism," Bryant said. "With the '90s teams, you're talking about John Stockton, Bryon Russell, Jeff Hornacek — who played the last seven years on one leg and was very effective.