Majerus Can’t Win, but Can’t Lose Either

Talk about being a middle man.

Rick Majerus--close friend of Laker Coach Del Harris, friend of Jazz executives Frank and Scott Layden, fan of the Jazz--was back at the Great Western Forum on Friday night, working as a guest analyst for the CBS affiliate in Salt Lake City and trying his best not to take sides as he supports both sides. It was the same way a year ago when the Lakers and Utah met in the playoffs, so at least Majerus has experience at this torn-emotions thing.

“This is a hard one for me,” the University of Utah coach said. “I’m going to tell you the truth. I root for individuals. I love Del, I like the Laydens, I live in Utah, and the Jazz represent the best of what basketball is about. And I like Shaq [O’Neal]. He’s a great guy.

“I come out no winner in this series as a fan. Whoever loses I’m going to feel bad for, and whoever wins I’m going to feel good for. I’m taking the press route on this one.”

Harris is taking the understanding route, declining to try to pick Majerus’ brain for insight into the Jazz.

“I wouldn’t want to put him in a bad position,” Harris said.

Besides, “I didn’t tell him how to beat Arizona or Kentucky.”

*

Laker players might have been bothered by critical comments from Jazz announcer Rod Hundley, if only they knew who he was.

“Never heard of him,” O’Neal said in a typical response.

An original Los Angeles Laker?

A longtime play-by-play man?

“Well,” Nick Van Exel concluded after being told a few of the credentials, “he doesn’t have to play. All he has to do is talk.”

Said Harris, not entirely unhappy at least someone from Salt Lake City was saying something: “The Jazz doesn’t give you much bulletin-board material. So if their announcer does, let’s take it.”

*

The Lakers are trying to become the second team in NBA history to reach the finals by beating two 60-game winners, in their case the Seattle SuperSonics and the Jazz. The 1995 Houston Rockets, including Robert Horry, were the only team to do it. . . . Monday’s loss gave the Lakers five consecutive playoff defeats at the Delta Center. But three of those have come by five of fewer points (five, four and two). . . . The Washington-Sacramento trade affects the Lakers in that they will now have to deal with Mitch Richmond two times instead of four, but also because it gives the Kings the youth of Chris Webber and a more encouraging long-term future in the Pacific Division. “They’ve got some good young players,” Harris said. “It’ll make them a better team.”