CBA Flavor Still Strong in NBA Playoffs
Published on May 19, 2003 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, Idaho (May 19,2003) - When the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs take the floor tonight in Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs, there will be a significant representation from the Continental Basketball Association. Each team lays claim to two CBA alums, including the starting tandem of the Spurs' Bruce Bowen and Stephen Jackson, while Adrian Griffin and Raja Bell (who is expected to start) will lace it up for the Mavericks.
"Having three CBA players out of ten players in the starting lineup of tonight's game is great," said Continental Basketball Association Commissioner Gary Hunter. "I think this helps us legitimize the fact that the CBA is full of talent and that we are the second-best basketball league in the world."
The Spurs have leaned heavily on Bowen and Jackson so far during their playoff run, which includes a series win over the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. So far, both players have started every post-season contest for San Antonio, with Jackson averaging 12.3 points per game, and Bowen adding 8.2 points per contest. During the conference semi-finals series with the Lakers, Bowen raised his scoring average to 11.2 points per game while also having the responsibility of guarding Kobe Bryant.
Facing the Spurs are Bell, Griffin and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks, who have been the highest scoring team throughout the 2003 playoffs. Bell has helped Dallas achieve that feat by shooting 58.7% from the floor, including 44.4% from the three-point line, to lead the team. He has started Dallas' last four games for the injured Griffin, who has been out with an ankle injury, and went 6-for-9 from the floor with 12 points in a Game 7 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
The Dallas duo of Bell and Griffin both tasted victory in the CBA before jumping to the NBA. Griffin won a CBA Championship in 1999, while Bell helped lead the Yakima Sun Kings to the CBA Title in 2000. Now, both players attribute their winning experiences in the NBA Playoffs to the success they achieved in the CBA.
"I played in the CBA for three years and it gave me time to develop," said Adrian Griffin after a Mavericks practice. "Just knowing how it is to be in a high-pressure game, you draw on those experiences."
"The CBA was great for me," added Bell. "I was fortunate enough to win in Yakima, and that next year I went to the (NBA) Finals with the (Philadelphia) Sixers. All of that experience, combined, helps me in situations like this. The CBA has helped me tremendously with every part of my game."
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from May 19, 2003
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