vslice02
Well-Known Member
He started the 1999-00 season in Orlando. Would've made the rotation but Doc Rivers was in his first season (taking over for Chuck Daly) and the Magic were in a rebuilding phase (traded away Penny Hardaway and Horace Grant) so Doc agreed after training camp to release Armen in hopes that he could sign with a contending team and so the Magic could get younger. Didn't find any takers initially and sat out of basketball until a roster spot opened up in Utah after they cut Pete Chilcutt (thank goodness).
Gilliam gave the Jazz what Chilcutt didn't - an adequate backup to Karl Malone as well as a big body who could finish games playing center next to Malone (a la Antoine Carr - and something the Jazz needed since Olden Polynice was a sub-40% FT shooter), and he did have his moments for Utah - most notably an outstanding 4th-qtr defending Alonzo Mourning in a big victory over the Heat and playing tough defense on Chris Webber in a big win in Arco.
Throughout his career his go-to move was facing up from about 12-feet on the baseline and either shooting the jumper (almost resembling a 1-hand push-shot) or rolling into the lane for a little left-handed hook. At times he was able to give Utah the low-post scoring they needed from their depleted 2nd-unit but he also struggled mightily in the playoffs at converting easy baskets and catching the ball - especially against Portland in the 2nd-round. I think by that time he just didn't have much left in the tank, and wasn't surprised it was the last NBA basketball he ever played.
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