News from May 3.

The NBA announced that Isaac Austin (Mia) has won the Most Improved Player
award.  Austin received 41 of the 115 media votes.  Doug Christie (Tor)
received 17 votes, Rasheed Wallace (Por) received 13 votes, Voshon Lenard
(Mia) received 9 votes, Kendall Gill (NJ) received 7 votes, Glen Rice
(Mia) received 7 votes, Lindsey Hunter (Det) received 5 votes, Kevin
Garnett (Min) received 4 votes, LaPhonso Ellis (Den) received 3 votes, Tom
Gugliotta (Min) received 3 votes, David Wesley (Bos) received 2 votes, Tim
Hardaway (Mia) received 1 vote, Eddie Jones (LAL) received 1 vote, Rony
Seikaly (Orl) received 1 vote, and Monty Williams (SA) received 1 vote.

Kevin Johnson (Pho) announced his retirement from the NBA.


Sea 116, Pho 92 - at Sea
Shawn Kemp (Sea) had 21 points including 9-11 FT and 11 rebounds.
Detlef Schrempf (Sea) had 24 points including 9-14 FG and 4-6 3-pointers,
7 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Gary Payton (Sea) had 19 points including 7-26 FG and 1-9 3-pointers and
10 assists.
David Wingate (Sea) had 19 points including 6-7 FG and 3-3 3-pointers and
10 rebounds.
Wesley Person (Pho) had 26 points including 5-10 3-pointers and 8
rebounds.
Kevin Johnson (Pho) had 20 points including 8-27 FG and 4 steals.
Jason Kidd (Pho) had 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Nate McMillan (Sea, torn ligament in knee) did not play.
Seattle takes the series 3-2.


Playoff Standings
  1st Round             2nd Round            3rd Round         Finals
  (Best of 5)           (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)     (Best of 7)
1 Utah (3)        _
8 LA Clippers (0)  |_ 1 Utah (0)      ___
                    _ 4 LA Lakers (0)    |
4 LA Lakers (3) ___|                     |_ _____________ _
5 Portland (1)                            _ _____________  |
                                         |                 |
2 Seattle (3) _____                      |                 |
7 Phoenix (2)      |_ 2 Seattle (0) _____|                 |
                    _ 3 Houston (0)                        |
3 Houston (3)   ___|                                       |
6 Minnesota (0)                                            |_ ___________
                                                            _ ___________
                                                           |
1 Chicago (3)    __                                        |
8 Washington (0)   |_ 1 Chicago (0)  ____                  |
                    _ _____________      |                 |
4 Atlanta (2) _____|                     |                 |
5 Detroit (2)                            |_ _____________ _|
                                          _ _____________ 
2 Miami (2)   _____                      |
7 Orlando (2)      |_ ______________  ___|
                    _ 3 New York (0) 
3 New York (3)  ___|
6 Charlotte (0)