"3 to 1," he said. "The Lakers are just one win away from the Finals. The Houston Rockets lost both games on the road. Their legs can't run anymore, their knees can't hold up anymore, and their lungs are burned out. Olajuwon is 37, Barkley is 34, and Pippen is 34. They might steal a win in Game 1, but they can't play like that every game in a seven-game series. That's the difference between youth and age."
Bill Walton picked up the thread. "The Lakers have shown everything a championship team should have in this series—O'Neal's dominance inside, Kobe's all-around ability on the perimeter, and Phil Jackson's ability to make tactical adjustments. After losing Game 1, they didn't panic or blame each other. They sat down, watched the tape, found the problems, and solved them. They adjusted in Game 2 and won. They carried those adjustments into Game 3 and won. In Game 4, they played at their own pace and won. That's the true character of a championship team."
Marv Albert's voice grew deeper. "After the Houston Rockets return to Houston, maybe they can win one game. Maybe. The atmosphere at Compaq Center is insane, and Barkley always seems capable of something unbelievable at home. But can you say the Houston Rockets will win three straight in this series? Impossible. They don't have that ability anymore. Their legs won't allow it, their knees won't allow it, and their lungs won't allow it."
Harlan had the final word. "Next game, Los Angeles. The Lakers will end this series at home. And for the Houston Rockets' Big Three, perhaps this will be the last time they play together. Olajuwon may retire, Barkley may leave, and Pippen may go elsewhere. But whatever happens, remember them—remember Olajuwon's Dreamy Footsteps, Barkley's low-post isolation