No doubt that there is an abundance of great young talent in the NBA. The only problem is that the only place you can see them play is pick-up games in their local communities. Once again this year, the battle — scared, experienced teams have advanced the farthest in the playoffs.

Utah and Chicago, two of the oldest teams in the league, will once again face each other in the Finals. Michael Jordan is a perfect example that when the top players get older, they get better. Now his “Airness” can’t drive to the basket and dunk on teams with the frequency he did in the past, but who cares when he can stick that fade away jumper that no one seems to be able to stop. With age brings maturity. Jordan realized that by staying on the perimeter he would not have to endure the pounding from the giants lying in wait in the middle. Big men around the league would like nothing more than sending Jordan to the ground, especially with the prospect of him “posterizing” them.

The top three players for the Bulls; Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, are all in their mid-30’s. They certainly don’t have the jumping ability or foot speed they did in their younger days, but they have learned to adjust. Their experience has taught them all the little tricks of getting a rebound or putting the ball in the basket. Also, with that experience, the referees give them the benefit of the doubt during questionable calls, with the exception of Rodman. His antics often alienate refs, but when he stays under control, he too gets the calls.

The Jazz, as well, are led by aged stars. Karl Malone and John Stockton probably dream about that patented pick and roll that will be sending both of them to the Hall of Fame. This is a team in which the role players do just that — play their role. They have been playing with the dynamic duo for quite some time and know the offense will be funneled through them. Nick Van Exel, point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers — whom the Jazz swept in the Western conference final — said the only way to stop the pick and roll is to “bring a bat and kill one of them.”

LA clearly had a great deal more talent than the Jazz seemingly at every position, but simply had no answers for the Jazz’s questions. The younger Lakers continually seemed rattled and disappeared late in contests at critical positions. They had no clear leadership and often stood around looking for someone to take charge — no one did, and now they are watching at home. They also showed immaturity in their comments to the press.

Shaquille O’Neal and others pointed fingers at each other over whose fault it was for the team’s woes. This almost certainly caused a rift amongst the players, even if they didn’t admit it publicly.

The Houston Rockets are another good example of experience paying off. The Rockets, who older players seemed to spend more time on the disabled list than on the floor, finished the regular season in eighth place in the West just squeaking into the playoffs. Once the second season began, the Jazz gave everything they could handle, having two opportunities to eliminate Utah in the first round. Something a lot of people forgot was this team was in the conference finals just a season ago. They too have stars nearing the end or who have recently ended careers. Clyde Drexler did retire after this season, while Charles Barkley is nearing that same decision.

The younger super-stars are certainly entertaining to watch, but have seemed to lack the edge when it comes to crunch time. Something that people should keep in mind is that many of these players would actually still be in college or just in their first or second year in the league if they hadn’t entered the draft early. Before people start handing over the crown to the next generation, everyone should appreciate what these valiant warriors have done and continue to do for the game of basketball.

Scott Johnson is a senior in liberal studies from Holstein.