News from May 16. Alonzo Mourning (Mia) was named as Defensive Player of the Year. Mourning received 62 out of 121 media votes. Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) received 21 votes, Eddie Jones (Cha) received 11 votes, Dikembe Mutombo (Atl) received 11 votes, Kobe Bryant (LAL) received 4 votes, Gary Payton (Sea) received 4 votes, Kevin Garnett (Min) received 2 votes, Kendall Gill (NJ) received 1 vote, Jason Kidd (Pho) received 1 vote, Anthony Mason (Cha) received 1 vote, Bo Outlaw (Orl) received 1 vote, Scottie Pippen (Por) received 1 vote, and Clifford Robinson (Pho) received 1 vote. On the lighter side: Alonzo Mourning on winning the award: "I thank my teammates for letting their men blow by them." Washington named Darrell Walker as director of player personnel, Rod Higgins as assistant GM, and Fred Whitfield as assistant basketball operations. Walker had been the interim coach this past season. Scott Burrell (NJ) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove loose bodies and repair a torn lateral meniscus. Por 81, Uta 79 - at Por Scottie Pippen (Por) had 23 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Arvydas Sabonis (Por) had 16 points and 9 rebounds. Steve Smith (Por) had 10 points and 6 assists. Bryon Russell (Uta) had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Karl Malone (Uta) had 27 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Jeff Hornacek (Uta) had 10 points in the last game of his NBA career. Adam Keefe (Uta, strained right hamstring) did not play. Portland takes the series 4-1 and advances to the Conference Finals where they will face the LA Lakers. LAL 87, Pho 65 - at LAL Glen Rice (LAL) had 14 points and 9 rebounds. Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 15 points, 21 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 17 points. Todd Day (Pho) had 10 points. Rodney Rogers (Pho) had 9 points and 8 rebounds. LAL shot 36.3% (29-80) FG and Pho shot 288% (23-80) FG. LAL led 49-23 at the half - 23 points by Pho tied the NBA playoff record low for a half. The LA Lakers take the series 4-1 and advance to the Conference Finals where they will face Portland. Playoff Standings 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round Finals (Best of 5) (Best of 7) (Best of 7) (Best of 7) 1 LA Lakers (3) __ 8 Sacramento (2) |_ 1 LA Lakers (4) ___ _ 5 Phoenix (1) | 4 San Antonio (1) _| |_ 1 LA Lakers (0) _ 5 Phoenix (3) _ 3 Portland (0) | | | 2 Utah (3) _____ | | 7 Seattle (2) |_ 2 Utah (1) ____| | _ 3 Portland (4) | 3 Portland (3) ___| | 6 Minnesota (1) |_ ___________ _ ___________ | 1 Indiana (3) ___ | 8 Milwaukee (2) |_ 1 Indiana (3) _ | _ 5 Philadelphia (2) | | 4 Charlotte (1) _| | | 5 Philadelphia (3) |_ _______________ _| _ _______________ 2 Miami (3) _____ | 7 Detroit (0) |_ 2 Miami (2) ____| _ 3 New York (2) 3 New York (3) ___| 6 Toronto (0)