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nba.705 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Pacers say Davis not involved in woman's assault INDIANAPOLIS (Oct 10, 1997 - 16:10 EDT) -- The Indiana Pacers said Friday they're confident that forward Dale Davis was not involved in an assault on a woman at an Orlando, Fla., townhouse where he stayed during the team's training camp. Florida authorities, however, questioned whether the player was cooperating fully with investigators. An Orlando woman suffered a severely broken jaw when she was attacked at Davis's apartment while the Pacers were training at the Walt Disney Institute. Shala Miller, 19, was among about six people at the townhouse when she was attacked early Wednesday, police said. She was struck after she took issue with a remark a man made about another woman in the group, said Commander Steve Jones of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Police said it appeared that no team members were involved in the incident. "Our investigators talked to Dale Davis, and he apparently -- even though he was in the same (apartment) -- didn't hear any of this, which we find difficult to understand because there was blood all over the kitchen and the female was taken to the hospital in an ambulance." Miller was released Thursday from the hospital. Another Pacers player, Rik Smits, heard the fight from his apartment next door, investigators said. Pacers officials cooperated with police, Jones said. However, "The investigators didn't think very highly of Mr. Davis's cooperation. "They said he was smiling like he didn't care. Usually, if you have somebody around who's that seriously hurt, you would show some kind of concern," Jones said. Police were still looking for the attacker, identified by the woman only as "Tyrone." Davis declined to comment on the incident. The Pacers ended the training camp and returned to Indianapolis this week. They had an exhibition game Friday night in Dayton, Ohio, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pacers spokesman David Benner, asked to respond to Jones' comments, said Friday, "We're not going to comment on that because the investigation is still going on. But we're comfortable that Dale was not involved in the incident." Pacers President Donnie Walsh said he had no indication that Davis was guilty of any wrongdoing. Pacers coach Larry Bird said the matter remained under investigation.

nba.706 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Pacers looking into attack on woman DAYTON, Ohio (Oct 10, 1997 - 20:52 EDT) -- The Pacers are looking into reports that an Orlando, Fla. woman suffered a broken jaw when she was attacked in an apartment where Indiana's Dale Davis stayed during training camp. The Pacers said reports so far indicate that Davis was not involved. "I just talked to the (police officers) that were on the case. They're telling us that Dale didn't do it, it was just some guy that was there," coach Larry Bird said before an exhibition game Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "Unfortunately, it happened in his room. "That's as much as I know. I'm sure next week they'll have all of that cleared up." Davis declined to talk about the matter before the game. "We've heard about the incident," said David Benner, director of media relations. "He's not been charged in the incident and he's not a suspect in the incident." Shala Miller, 19, was taken to a hospital in Orlando for treatment about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and was released the next day, according to police reports. Police said it appeared that no team members were involved in the incident, which occurred at a two-level townhouse at the Disney Institute that Davis was occupying. Commander Steve Jones, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office, said the woman was struck after she took issue with a remark the man made about another woman in the group of about a half dozen people at Davis' apartment. "Our investigators talked to Dale Davis, and he apparently -- even though he was in the same (apartment) -- didn't hear any of this, which we find difficult to understand because there was blood all over the kitchen and the female was taken to the hospital in an ambulance," he said. Pacers center Rik Smits, in the apartment next door, heard the fight, investigators said. Pacers officials cooperated with police, Jones said. However, "the investigators didn't think very highly of Mr. Davis' cooperation," he said. "They said he was smiling like he didn't care," Jones said. "Usually, if you have somebody around who's that seriously hurt, you would show some kind of concern." Police were still looking for the attacker, identified by the woman only as "Tyrone."

nba.708 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Bird suited up, ready to coach DAYTON, Ohio (Oct 10, 1997 - 23:52 EDT) -- Larry Bird's coaching debut couldn't have been much tougher: He lost a game and two players. The Indiana Pacers lost first-round draft pick Austin Croshere for six weeks to a broken hand and Antonio Davis to a sprained left ankle Friday night. They also lost their preseason opener 105-98 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. "There's nothing you can do about injuries in this league," Bird said matter-of-factly. "I've know that for a lot of years." Before the game, Bird figured his biggest adjustment would be getting used to sitting on the bench in a suit coat. In no time at all, he had more troubling things to squirm about. Croshere, the 12th pick overall out of Providence, got into the game in the second quarter and came out two minutes later with a broken left hand suffered while going for a rebound. "The thing that's disappointing is that I spent so long getting ready and getting in shape for training camp and I was happy with how I did at training camp," said Croshere, who didn't miss a game in four years at Providence. "Now I have to sit and walk for six weeks." Davis was helped off the court in the third quarter, when he sprained his ankle severely enough that he couldn't put any weight on it. It's unclear how long he'll be sidelined. And the Pacers found themselves playing catch-up most of the game against the Cavaliers, who seemed energized by the debut of Shawn Kemp. Kemp had a pair of dunks and a fall-away jumper in a 12-3 spurt that put the Cavaliers ahead 68-57 midway through the third quarter. Overall, he scored a team-high 16 points in 18 minutes. The Cavaliers acquired Kemp from Seattle on Sept. 25 as part of a five-player trade among three teams that sent point guard Terrell Brandon to Milwaukee. They hoped the acquisition would help them get away from their plodding offense of recent years. "It felt good. That's what we've been trying to do," Kemp said. "We want to take the easy baskets when we get them. I'm surprised that we blended so well together, being it was our first game together." Indiana cut it to 100-98 on Jalen Rose's jumper with 1:50 left -- that brought Bird to his feet -- but Danny Ferry's 3-pointer ended the charge. Kemp got the biggest cheers from the crowd of 8,487, but many of the flashbulbs were saved for Bird, who received a standing ovation when he walked onto the court with 1:15 left before the opening tip. Fans kept sneaking down towards the Pacers' bench to snap pictures during timeouts. Bird, 40, looked a little uncomfortable in the first quarter as he sat on the bench in a brown suit. Unlike Cleveland's Mike Fratello, who would pop up to wave his arm and question things from time to time, Bird spent most of his time sitting calmly with hands folded in front of him. "I've always felt weird standing in a suit coat," Bird said before the game. "I've been around gymnasiums and coliseums my whole life. This time I'm not shooting, I'm sitting." He even kept his calm at the end, when his lineup full of backups got within a basket but no closer. "I think I was the only one calm out there with a couple of minutes to go," Bird said. "I kept telling the guys to take their time, get into their offense." Ultimately, it was a disappointment. The Pacers had 20 turnovers and gave up 24 points off fast breaks. "We did a lot of bad things out there tonight," Bird said.

nba.707 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Pitino debuts with Celtics STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Oct 10, 1997 - 23:10 EDT) -- New coach, same old Celtics. Rick Pitino's debut with the Boston Celtics on Friday night featured aggressive defense and all-out hustle. The result, however, was a 113-89 exhibition loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta opened the second half with a 19-2 run, extending an 8-point lead to 25 with five minutes left in the third quarter. The Hawks led by as many as 30 in the fourth quarter. Antoine Walker led Boston with 27 points and Chris Crawford had 16 for Atlanta. "I sort of expected what happened tonight," Pitino said. "I told the guys the first few exhibition games wouldn't mean much to us. We have to learn our offenses and defenses. "What I did enjoy about our basketball team is they kept on digging in." It was only an exhibition games -- at Penn State's basketball arena at that -- but Pitino showed early on the college enthusiasm he can bring. He paced. He crouched. He put his hands on his face. When his Celtics made a mistake, he yelled -- loudly. When they did something right, he gave a pat on the behind. Lenny Wilkens, his Atlanta counterpart, hardly moved from his seat. "I don't think anyone should be commenting on them at this time," Wilkens said after the game. "This is exhibition." Pitino said his pregame routine was the same as when he was with the New York Knicks. "I throw up all day," Pitino said with a laugh. "No, really, it's just watching a lot of film and exercising." His team knows about exercise. During training camp several players received fluids intravenously at night to rehydrate. On Friday night, they ran all over the court chasing down loose balls and hustling on defense. "What we're trying to do in these games is teach," Pitino said. "Any time you start from the bottom, you're looking for improvement from the young players and excitement from the fans." In his last trip to the pros, Pitino turned the New York Knicks from a 24-game winner to a division champion in two years. Pitino helped turn around Boston University in his first year there and took Providence to the NCAA tournament Final Four in his second year. After two years with the Knicks he went to Kentucky, where he won the national championship in 1996 and finished second this year.

nba.709 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Marshall looks for new beginning under Carlesimo SANTA ROSA, Calif. (Oct 10, 1997 - 08:46 EDT) -- It was an instinctive reaction, not unlike that of a player leaving his feet at the sight of an opponent pumping the ball, even though deep inside the defender knows it's just a fake. Donyell Marshall has been known to commit that defensive sin, just one of the many mistakes that have dotted his 2 1-2 seasons at Golden State. So when the Warriors announced that Marshall would miss a few practices at the beginning of training camp, it was only natural to think, "Of course he would." It didn't matter that Marshall had a valid reason for leaving after last Friday's first workout -- he was attending the birth of his son, Donyell Jr. When you have failed to live up to a nine-year, $42.6 million contract, especially on a team strangled by the salary cap, you're not granted many breaks. However, Marshall appears to have caught one anyway with the Warriors' hiring of P.J. Carlesimo as their coach. For one, Carlesimo got a load of Marshall at his best, when the 6-foot-9 forward was torching the opposition for three years at UConn. Carlesimo, then coach at Seton Hall, watched Marshall become the unanimous Big East Player of the Year as a junior in 1993-94. For another, the starting job at the small forward position is wide open for the first time in years after the trade of Chris Mullin, and Marshall has an opportunity to prove to a new staff that he deserves the nod. "At least I know this year I do have a chance to move into it," Marshall. "In the past couple of years I never had a chance right from the start. They gave it straight to Mully." There's no guarantee that this year they'll give it straight to Marshall. Veteran Duane Ferrell, acquired in the Mullin trade, has looked good in camp and could get the call. Plus the Warriors' new fastpaced offense hardly seems suited for the plodding Marshall. The fourth year forward said he's prepared for the physical challenge of the new, frenetic system espoused by assistant coach Paul Westhead. Marshall said he's in"60 percent better shape" than in previous years, the result of workouts that included playing in a summer league and exercising on a treadmill and stair machine. Even his friends back in his native Reading, Pa., tired of watching their pal log countless minutes of bench time, pushed him to go on hilly bike rides and spend time in the gym. Now he's glad he did. "It definitely helped me a lot," said Marshall, 24. "If I hadn't worked out, I think I might have passed out, gotten dehydrated or something. My body's a lot looser. I'm not waking up with cramps in my legs and having to stretch every time I hit the brakes." Of course, the story of Marshall's renewed commitment has made the training camp rounds for the last three years, only to be followed by a setback. An early lack of playing time has previously sent him right back into his old, lazy ways. Carlesimo's heard all about it throughout his three years in the league, which have coincided with Marshall's. The Warriors' new boss professes not to care. "All I'm concerned with is watching what he does this year and reacting to that," Carlesimo said. "If you ask me, I've seen him do nothing but play really well. I'd rather think that's Donyell Marshall instead of listen to people tell me what he hasn't done his couple of years in the league." Marshall did show some flashes toward the end of last season, leading the team in points and rebounds three times in a 12-game span while starting in place of Mullin. That fueled cries among some fans that Marshall should be given a real opportunity to prove whether he was worthy of being picked fourth in the 1994 draft, not to mention earning that huge salary. Few are more eager to see that happen than team owner Chris Cohan, who was unhappy with the lack of playing time Marshall received under previous coach Rick Adelman. It's safe to say Cohan and Marshall figure things will be different under Carlesimo. "Even when he was in Portland, every time we played Portland he was one coach who always talked to me and told me to keep my head up," Marshall said of Carlesimo. "He knew what I could do." The rest of the league is still waiting to find out.

nba.710 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Musselman is polar opposite of Smith (Oct 10, 1997 - 15:05 EDT) -- Bill Musselman was on the phone from Portland, Ore. Or was it Mobile, Ala.? Albany N.Y.? Cleveland? Downtown Minneapolis? The venues change. The message remains the same. Mussy said he had vacated his coaching job. He had clashed with his old boss and was ready to take on a new challenge. "I'm already in Portland with the Trail Blazers," he said. "We had a scrimmage last night. Today, we practice and break down tapes of the scrimmage." Dean Smith was on a podium in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was resigning his coaching job at the University of North Carolina. "I've been saying for the last eight years or so, maybe it's time to do something else," he said Thursday afternoon. In 35 years, Musselman has had 13 head coaching jobs. In 36 years, Smith has had one. Smith received a congratulatory call Thursday from President Clinton. Musselman checked the phone messages on the answering machine in his Sarasota, Fla., home. There were none from the president. A reporter asked Musselman whether there ever was a day when he longed for Smith's kind of permanence. To become basketball royalty. To never have to worry about packing another bag. "What Dean has done is amazing, but I don't think about that very much," Musselman said. "First of all, I don't think I could sustain my intensity that way. Besides, this isn't like the '60s or '70s anymore. There's really no loyalty. There's a lot more pressure at the college level than there used to be. There's so many things besides basketball that you have to deal with. You can get fired at a moment's notice. Our mentality is 'What can you do for me today?' " It is for all those reasons that Smith's 36-year run at North Carolina was nothing short of remarkable. His players' hair went from short to long to short, and Smith kept winning. The college game changed from a cute little competition to a billion-dollar business, and Smith kept winning. The snot-nosed coaches kept coming after him, and Smith kept winning. He won 879 games, more than any coach in basketball history. When he won his 877th game last March, breaking Adolph Rupp's record, more than a dozen of his former players were in attendance. When he announced his retirement on Thursday, many of his former players, including Larry Brown, were in the audience. Musselman rarely has had that luxury. Usually, he leaves before the players do. Sometimes, the players leave before he does. "I enjoy basketball," Smith said. "It's the out-of-season stuff I didn't handle well." In that way, Smith and Musselman were not that different at all. "I got tired of all the stuff you had to do when the season was over," Musselman said. "In college ball, especially at the mid-level programs, you can never rest. There is always something else to do. I got tired of all the meetings that had nothing to do with basketball. I talked to people who said, 'Bill, you belong in pro ball. There's where you can concentrate on basketball.' " It was the same Mussy who, after taking the South Alabama job two years ago, said: "My brother always told me that college basketball was where I belonged." Smith collected players -- from All-Americas (30 in all) to grunts. Musselman collects exits -- for reasons that range from serious to ridiculous. Musselman lost his Gophers job because of NCAA violations. He lost his Timberwolves job because he would not play Gerald Glass. He quit his South Alabama job because his per diem was cut from $45 to $24 and his conditioning coach was laid off. "I can't stand working for that guy one more day," Musselman said, referring to athletic director Joe Gottfried. So, after one successful year in which he nearly shocked eventual national champion Arizona in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Musselman left to become Mike Dunleavy's assistant coach with the Blazers. The last time he was an assistant coach, Lyndon Johnson was escalating the Vietnam War. "Will it work after all these years?" Musselman asked. "I don't know. But I'll tell you something. The guys I admire most are not the Dean Smiths and the Bobby Knights. It's the Rick Pitinos and Larry Browns, guys who have been willing to experience a lot of different coaching jobs, at all different levels. I know all kinds of people who are in their late 40s who are tired of having the same job day in and day out. I'd hate that." Smith reveled in it. He leaves with two national championships and an NCAA-record 27 consecutive 20-victory seasons. He leaves on his terms. Musselman rarely has. "I feel like the luckiest man in the world to be at North Carolina," Smith said. Said Musselman: "I feel like a very lucky man to have experienced all I have." Smith said he is going to get to know his grandchildren Musselman said he is going to get to know Isaiah Rider. Yet "Mussy" and Junior might be a better marriage than it appears at first glance. Neither fellow has ever felt the world understands him. This was why, only 10 minutes after chatting with a Minnesota reporter, Mussy was calling back. He had one other thing to say. "The Bobby Knights and the Dean Smiths, when they retire, they'll say to themselves, 'I wonder what it would have been like to coach in the NBA.' And they'll never know. You think maybe they might say that?" So as one coach, 66, closes a marvelous career, another, 57, keeps chasing something he can never quite get his hands on. Some coaches are meant to be legends. Others are meant to be vagabonds.

nba.711 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

For some, training camp offers hope reborn NBA training camp traditionally has been about hope (Alonzo Mourning and Scottie Pippen aside). This past week has been no different, with Dee Brown, Rik Smits, Brent Barry and, yes, even Yinka Dare, among those who have delivered unexpected optimism. Whether the good karma endures will be known soon enough. For now, though, there is hope for players who all too often have had to settle for despair. A look at those who might just be on the upswing: Dee Brown, Celtics -- Larry Bird ripped him in a New York tabloid this week. He still gets criticized for the six-year, $20 million contract he was able to negotiate in the wake of the death of Reggie Lewis. His constant trade demands got him labeled as a malcontent. Yet, for the Boston guard, there appears to be a rejuvenation in the Rick Pitino Era. He dropped about 25 pounds and was down to 185 at the start of camp. He once again is a co-captain. "I feel like a rookie,'' he said. "My body feels good. My mind feels great. I'm just excited about the new faces, the new enthusiasm, the enthusiasm that coach Pitino has brought to the city. People are excited about the Celtics again. We haven't had that the last couple of years.'' Rik Smits, Pacers -- Hardly known for his off-season work ethic, but well known for his injury struggles, the Indiana center was a regular at the team's pre-camp workouts. "I've never seen Rik come this early, coming in every day,'' Pacers guard Reggie Miller said. "A lot of people around town and around the league thought Rik slacked off a lot. This is really showing a different light on Rik Smits. He's coming in and putting in his time.'' Knowing new coach Larry Bird wants an up-tempo game, Smits said he will attempt to oblige. "I'm going to try to run as hard as I can,'' he said, "because I don't want to be left behind.'' Brent Barry, Clippers -- From the height of his 1995 Slam Dunk Championship to the depth of Bill Fitch's doghouse, Barry has seen it all in his two seasons in Los Angeles. But now, with the losses of Terry Dehere (Sacramento) and Malik Sealy (Detroit) as free agents, Barry embodies the hope of Fitch's starting backcourt. "I know what it's like to be a starter,'' Barry said. "My first year I started (44) games and last year I started none. Talk about black-and-white seasons ... . I think I kind of suffered through my rookie season last year and had my second year my first year. Everything should be in line for me to have a big third year.'' Barry said the Fitch feud is a thing of the past. "This year, after summer league was over, coach and I sat down and had a real long meeting,'' he said. "We're both on the same page.'' Yinka Dare, Nets -- To prove that hope truly does spring eternal in training camp, take the case of career washout Dare, New Jersey's no-assist wonder. Teammates in camp actually have taken up Dare as a possible answer to New Jersey's lack of size in the middle. "Yinka had a great camp. He really worked hard I'm real proud of him,'' forward David Benoit said. "I hope he keeps focused. Everybody's talking about how we need a center, he's probably just sitting over there waiting to get put in the game.'' Said swingman Kendall Gill, "Yinka's the surprise of training camp. I never saw Yinka play like this. I never saw him be so lively. Maybe we've got a center if he can play like this every night.''

nba.712 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Mavs camp General manager Don Nelson continued to overhaul the Mavericks during the summer. He unloaded Derek Harper and Ed O'Bannon and picked up sweet-shooting Hubert Davis and Dennis Scott. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 11 DALLAS Oct. 12 Utah (El Paso, Tex.) Oct. 15 Vancouver (Rapid City, S.D.) Oct. 17 PHOENIX Oct. 21 Houston (Albuquerque) Oct. 22 at San Antonio Oct. 25 at Phoenix Oct. 27 at New York The Mavs do have a lot of young talent with the likes of Michael Finley and Samaki Walker, but they also feature enigmatic Shawn Bradley at center. Heading into his second camp with the Mavs, Jim Cleamons has many questions which he must begin answering at the Baylor/Tom Landry Center. Has Bradley improved? The 7-6 Bradley is with this third team in five years and once again the team which owns his rights thinks it is on to something. "Someday soon, he's going to be one of the top three centers, if not the best in our league," said Nelson. "Our job is to make sure he's in a Mavericks uniform when that happens." Last season, with both Dallas and New Jersey, Bradley led the league in blocked shots, the first time a Maverick led the NBA in an individual category. In his 33 games with the Mavs, Bradley had the best stretch of his career, averaging 14.6 points and 8.7 rebounds. But the team went 7-26. Dallas has shied away from trying to bulk him up. When he was with the Sixers, the team brought in former body-building champion Lee Haney to work with him. Bradley says the 7,000 calories-a-day-diet he was on was a "disaster." Cleamons has keyed on strength and skills, not weight. "He looks bigger, but how much stronger is he?" wondered Cleamons. "We need him in the post more this season. He can't be getting pushed out of there anymore. He's never going to be Charles Atlas. I understand that. But he's got to get stronger by getting smarter. Without better positioning, he won't be able to consistently use his height." Will there be any team chemistry in Dallas? The Mavericks used a league-record 27 players and 18 starters last season, with only the now-departed Harper playing in more than 56 games. This summer the Mavericks added four more pieces to the puzzle in Scott, Davis and draft picks Bubba Wells and Chris Anstey. But, Cleamons isn't worried about the Mavericks meshing. He feels they have added veteran leadership -- both Scott and Davis have played in an NBA Finals in the last five years. They also have A.C. Green, who won two NBA titles with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988. "Those guys know what it takes to win, and that's crucial because we're basically a very young team," said Cleamons, who was an assistant coach on the Bulls first four championship teams. "A lot of guys don't have a clue. They've got to learn winning starts in training camp and becomes a part of everything you do, not just when they step on the court." Now that Nelson has turned over the whole roster, he is excited to see what he has cooked up. "One of the main things I'm looking for is just the guys bonding, coming together as a team and developing an attitude toward winning," said Nelson. "I don't think that's been in place here for a while." The Mavs haven't won a playoff game since 1988. Will Erick Strickland emerge as a star? After going as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, Strickland parlayed a 10-day contract into a six-year contract signed this past August. After beginning the season in the CBA, Strickland played 28 games with Dallas and averaged 10.6 points -- eighth among rookies and the highest among all undrafted rookies. Strickland secured his roster spot after he averaged 26.6 points at the FILA Summer League. He shot 55 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the new three-point line. This season, he is being counted on to start at shooting guard, but will be challenged by Davis. "Erick is the kind of guy we want to be in our organization," said Nelson. "He's the epitome of what we want the Dallas Mavericks players to be. He's a talented, young, bright basketball player who plays the game for all the right reasons." How are the Mavericks dealing with camp injuries? Just days into the Mavs camp, nine of the 18 players on the roster were either sidelined or playing hurt. Cleamons knew forwards Kurt Thomas and Martin Muursepp would miss camp because of ankle injuries. But, he has also lost Finley and Scott with mild hamstring injuries. Free agents Derrick Chandler and Kevin Whitted missed drills with a hip flexor and back strain, respectively. Rookie Bubba Wells has also been on the sidelines with a twisted ankle suffered in a Sunday scrimmage. And, guards Davis (sore hamstring) and Strickland (sore heel) have been playing with bumps and bruises. Strickland has also been playing with tendinitis. One oft-injured player that is healthy is Robert Pack. The guard, who has been limited to just 85 games over the last two seasons because of wrist, rib and leg injuries, came into camp pain-free. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Bradley, Finley, Green, Muursepp, Pack, Reeves, Strickland, Thomas, Walker. Old faces in new places:Davis (signed a free agent from Toronto), Scott (acquired in trade from Orlando). Draft picks: Anstey (Australia, first round, 18th overall), Wells (Austin Peay, second round, 35th overall). Camp long shots: Ace Custis (rookie free agent out of Virginia Tech), Chandler (first-year FA from Nebraska), Whitted (Tennessee), Malcom Mackey (free agent invitee from Georgia Tech), Ike Nwankwo (rookie free agent from Long Beach State), Carlos Strong (first-year free agent from Georgia).

nba.713 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Nuggets camp The Nuggets have arguably undergone more changes in the offseason than any other club in the NBA during the offseason. Only two players in training camp spent the entire 1996-97 season with the Nuggets, LaPhonso Ellis and Bryant Stith -- and both missed more than 25 games last year because of injury. New general manager Allen Bristow and head coach Bill Hanzlik have cleaned house. Among the departed from the 21-61 Nuggets team of '96-97 are Antonio McDyess, Ervin Johnson, Dale Ellis and Vincent Askew. Denver has added more than 10 new faces including Eric Williams, Johnny Newman, Dean Garrett and draft picks Tony Battie and Danny Fortson. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 9 L.A. Lakers (San Diego) Oct. 12 Golden St. (Colorado Springs) Oct. 14 Golden St. (San Jose) Oct. 17 WASHINGTON Oct. 20 Washington (Boise, Idaho) Oct. 21 L.A. LAKERS Oct. 24 Toronto (Hamilton, Ont.) Oct. 25 Detroit (Louisville, Ky.) Bristow and Hanzlik have started memorizing new jersey numbers, sorting out players and answering questions at training camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. What will the starting five look like? The only sure thing heading into camp is that team captain Bryant Stith will start at shooting guard. Stith, the man with the longest tenure on the Nuggets (six years), has made a full recovery from March surgery to remove a bone spur. Along with Stith in the backcourt, Anthony Goldwire is expected to start at point guard, but rookie Bobby Jackson is hot on his heals. Goldwire, who started 21 games with Denver late last year after being acquired from Charlotte, doesn't feel he's locked up the position. "I'm kind of new at this too," he said. Hanzlik said both Goldwire and Jackson need to become more vocal. But skills-wise, they are very similar in speed, quickness and ball pressuring. Hanzlik said the job will go to the player, "who does the better job of running the team, of making the fewest mistakes." At small forward, former Celtic Eric Williams is slotted to start in place of the injured Ellis -- who is expected to move to power forward when he returns. Former Buck, Knick and Hornet Johnny Newman is also expected to battle for time. Hanzlik is also thinking of using Fortson at small forward. Until Ellis returns, the Nuggets will use both Battie and Fortson at power forward. Hanzlik likes both players for separate reasons. "Tony is long, tall, athletic and quicker," he said. "Danny's stronger, maybe has a little more nastiness to him in there." The center spot should go to free-agent signee Dean Garrett. As Hanzlik said, "we didn't get him to be scrub pine." The Nuggets also have veterans George Zidek, Joe Wolf and Priest Lauderdale in camp for the first time. Are there any expectations with this team? With a team that has the potential to look more like a CBA squad, the Nuggets are not talking about making the playoffs or even thinking of posting a winning record. And, although the players and coaches won't admit it, they understand the situation. "When it comes to preseason pressure, you've got two ends of the spectrum," said Hanzlik. "You've got us, and then you've got Minnesota where they just signed a guy for a kazillion dollars. There's a lot of expectation from that ... Nobody expects us to do a thing." The players are trying to use the negative preseason forecasts as motivation. "I think we're just going to come out and shock people," said Battie. "If they expect the worst, and we do good, then great. If we do bad, well, then they're going to say, 'We told you so.' "From the players' standpoint, all the negative publicity, or whatever, it kind of gives us motivation to come out and work harder." When will Ellis return? After undergoing surgery to repair his torn right Achilles tendon last April, the Nuggets expected to be without their closest-thing-to-a-star for at least the first two months of the season. But Ellis, who has undergone three major surgeries in the last five years, has said he will be back for the team's opener on Oct. 31. "My aim is to get my game to a place where I'm ready to play the home opener, to some degree," said Ellis. Last year, in 55 games, Ellis averaged 21.9 points in 36.4 minutes, but knows he won't be able to play near that amount of time when he begins his comeback. Said Ellis, "I don't know how much I'll be able to accomplish." The Nuggets team physical predicted a 6-to-9 month recovery period after performing the surgery on April 6. The fourth day of Nuggets training camp on Oct. 6 marked the six month anniversary. The Nuggets assumed his return would be closer to the nine month anniversary. "Certainly, the situation with Phonz, once he gets back in full swing, there may be a minutes/roster problem," said Bristow. "But I think right now, knowing Phonz basically is going to miss some of the season." But Ellis is set on being in a uniform, not a suit, when the Nuggets host San Antonio on opening night. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Ellis, Goldwire, Stith, Zidek. Old faces in new places: Garrett (signed as free agent from Minnesota), Greg Graham and Steve Scheffler (acquired in trade from Seattle), Lauderdale (acquired in trade from Atlanta), Newman and Wolf (acquired in trade from Milwaukee), Williams (acquired in a trade from Boston). Draft picks: Battie (Texas Tech, first round, fourth overall), Fortson (Cincinnati, first round, 10th overall), Jackson (Minnesota, first round, 23rd overall), Eric Washington (Alabama, second round, 47th overall). Camp long shots: Bennett (camp invitee, played in five games with Denver last year), Merl Code (rookie free agent from Clemson), Alvin Sims (rookie free agent from Louisville).

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An inside look at Rockets camp The Rockets are banking on their trio of All-Stars -- Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon -- to lead them back to the playoffs. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 HOUSTON Oct. 11 at Dallas Oct. 15 PHOENIX Oct. 18 at San Antonio Oct. 19 Phoenix (Tucson, Ariz) Oct. 21 Dallas (Albuquerque, N.M.) Oct. 23 SAN ANTONIO Oct. 26 at Orlando Houston has had a relatively quiet summer with the most excitement coming when its WNBA sister, the Comets, won their league title. After opening camp with 10 new players on his roster for the 1996-97 season, Rudy Tomjanovich doesn't have many questions in his seventh training camp as Rockets head coach. The most important one he has to address at the Westside Tennis Center, is one he cannot answer right now. Will Barkley, Drexler and Olajuwon remain healthy? Of the three stalwarts, Olajuwon remained the healthiest last year, missing just four games. Barkley was sidelined for 29 games with ankle and hip ailments. Drexler missed 20 games with a left hamstring strain. But, when it came time for the playoffs, the three started all 16 Rockets post-season matchups. Understanding that all three players need to be ready when the playoff bell rings again this spring, Tomjanovich has told his veterans he will slightly curtail their regular season minutes. "I wouldn't use the word 'cut' minutes," he said. "I'd say trim a minute or two off the average. "The main thing is that I probably have to be conditioned more than the player ... we've got some really tough stretches late in the season and I want to be fresh then. There're no way I'm going to baby the players. In fact, you usually get hurt when you have the attitude." Tomjanovich will be looking to several younger veterans to pick some slack in those few minutes. "I feel good about the depth on our team this season," said Tomjanovich. "Everybody can play and they will play." Is Brent Price fully recovered? After tearing apart his knee for the second time in three years, Price is fully recovered and is participating in all drills during training camp. "The first time I had it on my (right) knee, it took me a good year before I was ready to play," said Price, who underwent surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee six months ago. "I think the new procedure that I did this time using the hamstring graft made all the difference in the world. I don't have that soreness that slows you down. "Plus, I think they're learning more and more about the injury. Players are going to push themselves more and more. It'll still be awhile before it feels normal, but it definitely feels strong enough to play." With Matt Maloney's emergence last season, Price will be hard-pressed to win the starting spot. Emanual Davis, the Rockets other point guard who underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, has also made a full recovery in time for training camp. Will the younger players see any playing time? The Rockets have a pair of rookies in camp, Rodrick Rhodes and Serge Zwikker, but neither figures to be a significant part of Houston's plans for the 1997-98 season. Tomjanovich has said he will look to some younger veterans such as Maloney, Davis, Sam Mack and Othella Harrington to see some more time. "I've got some younger guys who are high-energy guys, and I think we can keep an aggressive tone in the game longer by using the bench a little bit more," said Tomjanovich. "I feel good about the depth on our team this season." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Barkley, Matt Bullard, Davis, Drexler, Mario Elie, Harrington, Eddie Johnson, Mack, Maloney, Olajuwon, Price, Kevin Willis. Old faces in new places: none Draft picks: Rhodes (USC, first round, 24th overall), Zwikker (North Carolina, second round, 30th overall) Camp long shots:Doug Brandt (rookie free agent invitee out of Baylor), Randy Livingston (invited to camp after playing 64 games with Houston last year), Joe Stephens (free agent, played in two games with Houston last year).

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An inside look at T-Wolves camp All's well in Minnesota now that the Timberwolves have locked up Kevin Garnett and avoided a season of speculation. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 at Detroit Oct. 11 at Miami Oct. 17 MINNESOTA Oct. 19 Charlotte (Roanoke, Va.) Oct. 21 Milwaukee (Des Moines, Iowa) Oct. 22 Cleveland (Minot, N.D.) Oct. 24 Charlotte (Fargo, N.D.) General manager Kevin McHale and coach Flip Saunders are looking forward to building on the team's first-ever playoff appearance last spring -- a 3-0 loss to Houston. Heading into his third camp with the Wolves, Saunders has several position questions he must address during training camp at the Target Center/Arena Health Club. What are the expectation? With Garnett in the fold and young talents Tom Gugliotta and Stephon Marbury coming off superb seasons, Minnesota has raised the bar. Just two seasons ago, the Wolves were worried about winning 30 games, developing a home-court advantage and qualifying for the playoffs. Now, the Timberwolves are coming off a 40-win season in which they went 25-16 at the Target Center and made the playoffs. "Last year, they thought I was crazy when I said we'd make the playoffs," said McHale. "This year, I don't know what the ceiling is. It's higher than it was last year, no question. I'm not happy with 40 victories." The players expect there to be a different mindset among opponents when they see Minnesota on the schedule. "We're going to have to be a different team," said guard Terry Porter, "because we've had some success and our opponents are going to look at us differently. Our days of sneaking up on people are over." Owner Glen Taylor feels he has turned his team into a "glamour franchise" with Garnett acting as the centerpiece. "Will it pay off only in basketball victories?" questioned Taylor. "It has to bring to our franchise that we're one of the glamour franchises. In that sense, it can pay off. It brings up the value of the franchise." Who will start at center? With the free-agent departure of Dean Garrett to the Nuggets, the Timberwolves went out and traded for the oft-overweight Stanley Roberts and drafted Paul Grant out of Wisconsin. Roberts, who has played in just 83 games over the past four seasons, already missed a team scrimmage because of a sore foot. He has also missed parts of practice because of a sprained right ankle. Grant has impressed in camp, but the 7-0, 245-pounder isn't ready to battle the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. Veteran Cherokee Parks, who is better suited to play power forward, will see time in the pivot and rookie free agent Mikki Moore (Nebraska) has a chance to make the team because there is no clear-cut starter. Will Doug West or Chris Carr start at shooting guard? West, the Timberwolves all-time leading scorer and only man to play in all eight Minnesota seasons, started 66 games last year, but is being pressured by Carr, the third-year vet. The Wolves would love to mix the two players together. West is a strong defender, but his shooting has become unreliable. Carr is a flashy scorer and one of the best dunkers in the NBA, but he spends too much time thinking about offense and not working on his suspect defense. West lost a little bit of time early in camp as he pulled a groin muscle. Is Micheal Williams finally healthy? Williams, who has missed most of the past three seasons with plantar fascia in his left heel, has been told by doctors to limit his prcatice time. This has upset Saunders, who may have no choice but to cut the 10-year veteran. "I don't want a situation where we have somewhat of a part-time player," Saunders said. "That wouldn't be fair to the other guys we have here, If a guy isn't capable of playing or practicing every day, he can't play NBA caliber basketball. This is different from a guy who's hurt and just can't play until he's healthy." Williams, who has played 10 games since the 1993-94 season, has experienced slight discomfort in his left foot which has limited him in camp. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Carr, Bill Curley, Garnett, Gugliotta, Shane Heal, Marbury, Sam Mitchell, Parks, Porter, West, Williams. Old faces in new places: Roberts (acquired in trade from L.A. Clippers), Cliff Rozier (free agent from Toronto). Draft picks: Grant (Wisconsin, first round, 20th overall), Gordon Malone (West Virginia, second round, 44th overall) Camp long shots: Chris Collins (first-year free agent out of Duke, played in Europe last year), Jimmy King (free-agent invitee, former Raptor, averaged 18.8 points with CBA's Quad City last year), Moore (rookie free-agent out of Nebraska), Jason Osborne (first-year free agent out of Louisville, played with USBL's Long Island last year), Victor Page (rookie free agent out of Georgetown), Virginius Praskevicius (first-year free agent, spent four months on Minnesota injured list before being waived).

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An inside look at Spurs camp The Spurs have gone from playing in the Western Conference Finals in 1995 to making the No. 1 selection in the NBA draft in 1997, with virtually the same roster. Now, with top pick Tim Duncan in town, San Antonio -- a horrific 20-62 last season -- is optimistic it can experience one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 11 Washington (Fairfax, Va.) Oct. 12 New York (Syracuse, N.Y.) Oct. 14 at Orlando Oct. 16 WASHINGTON Oct. 18 HOUSTON Oct. 22 DALLAS Oct. 23 at Houston Oct. 25 NEW YORK The biggest question marks surround injuries to many of the Spurs key players -- David Robinson, Charles Smith and Sean Elliott. All spend the summer rehabilitation various ailments. Head coach Gregg Popovich, in his first training camp, will evaluate his team at Schreiner College in Kerrville, the Meadowlands in Boerne and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. How is Robinson's health? The Spurs kept quiet about the Admiral all summer as he rehabilitated from surgery to his left foot and underwent treatment for a severe back sprain. There was a lot of speculation as to whether he would be at full strength for the start of the season because he would not work out in front of the media. But he has been participating in five-on-five workouts and playing one-on-one with Duncan. "I've been out here every day, running and shooting or playing," Robinson said. "My back has responded extremely well." Popovich knows Robinson is the key the Spurs recovery. "It means the whole world having David healthy," Popovich said. "We learned that last year, obviously. He's about 90 to 95 percent and getting contact every day. "He's stronger than he ever has been, and we are very optimistic that he can return to his old self." But, one sign that the Spurs might not be totally sure with Robinson's back is that they have taken Will Perdue off the trading block. There was deal for the Nets' Jayson Williams on the table, but Popovich turned it down. How about Person, Elliott and Smith? Person, who missed all of the 1996-97 season after undergoing surgery for a herniated discs in his back, has been practicing with the team, but isn't sure he'll be ready for opening day. "I'm still in the day at a time stage," said Person. "I'm just getting a feel for things ... I feel pain but that's going to be part of it from now on. I'll just have to play with it. Optimism and pessimism are phrases I'd rather not use. I'm just going to go to camp and let it all hang out and do whatever I can do, although I'm not sure what that is right now." Elliott, whose season was curtailed to just 39 games after having surgery on his right quadriceps is already complaining of soreness. The Spurs are optimistic he will be ready for the season opener. Smith's situation is the most gloomy. There has been talk of early retirement because his rehab is not progressing at a normal rate. Smith had surgery on his right knee for osteoarthis, which limited him to just 19 games in 1996-97. The Spurs may ask Smith, who has three years left on his contract, to retire rather than let him sit on the end of their bench. "This is a very difficult situation for Charles and we all feel for him," Popovich said. "This is also an unfortunate situation for the Spurs. We are currently in consultation with Charles and the league in an effort to determine what the next step will be." He is due to be paid $12.5 million guaranteed through 2000. How much impact will Duncan have? Duncan may save basketball in San Antonio, literally. There has been talk that the Spurs will leave town before the turn of the century if the San Antonio doesn't built them a new home to replace the enormous Alamodome. The key to its survival is Duncan, who has been treated like a native son. The local media has followed his every step and the team is marketing him along with Robinson as the Twin Towers. With all of the injuries, Duncan is one player, the Spurs can count on. On the court, Duncan played well at the Rocky Mountain Revue over the summer, averaging 12.8 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Cory Alexander, Vinny Del Negro, Elliott, Carl Herrera, Avery Johnson, Perdue, Person, Robinson, Smith, Monty Williams. Old faces in new places: Jaren Jackson (free agent invitee, played 75 games with Washington last year), Malik Rose (free agent invitee, played 54 games with Charlotte last year), David Wood (free agent invitee, played 46 games with Milwaukee last year). Draft picks: Duncan (Wake Forest, first round, first overall). Camp long shots: Danya Abrams (rookie free-agent out of Boston College), Reggie Geary (free agent invitee, played 39 games with Cleveland last year), Artie Griffin (native of San Antonio, free-agent out of Alabama), Donnie Boyce (free agent invitee, played 22 games with Atlanta last year), Shaun Igo (rookie free agent out of Rice).

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An inside look at Jazz camp Coming off its most successful season ever, the Jazz expects to have nearly the same roster as the one that battled the Bulls for six games in the NBA Finals, headlined by Karl Malone and John Stockton. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 11 CHARLOTTE Oct. 12 Dallas (El Paso) Oct. 17 at Indiana Oct. 18 Indiana (Evansville, Ind.) Oct. 20 New Jersey (Cincinnati) Oct. 22 at Charlotte Oct. 25 at Portland Oct. 27 PHOENIX The only key player from its Western Conference title no longer with the team is Stephen Howard, who signed with the Sonics. As he runs training camp at Boise State University, Jerry Sloan will not have many pressing questions to answer. Will Greg Ostertag have an increased role? After signing a new six-year, $30 million contract, Ostertag has cemented himself as a piece of the Utah Jazz landscape for many years. But the big dollars haven't equaled bigger offensive opportunities -- at least not yet. "I know my role and that I won't be the leading scorer on the team -- at least for two more years," he said. "But I do have goals to be one. When I came here, they told me it was to help in the future. So that became one of my goals -- to become the man when Karl isn't around anymore. By the time he leaves, hopefully I'll be the go-to guy." Ostertag showed flashes of greatness as he averaged over 15 points and 14 rebounds at the Rocky Mountain Revue this past summer. "What happens when John and Karl are gone? What does the future look like for the Jazz? A big part of the answer to that question is sitting next to me," said Jazz owner Larry Miller, referring to Ostertag. Will Jacque Vaughn see any playing time? Stockton is entrenched as the Jazz point guard until he decides to hang up his sneakers. But the Jazz got a glimpse of the future early in training camp when Stockton missed a workout with a swollen knee and Vaughn was put in as his replacement. Of course, Stockton returned to action later that day. But, should Stockton -- who has missed just four games in his NBA career -- go down, Sloan feels he is in safe hands with backup Howard Eisley and Vaughn. "I like all those guys," said Sloan. "The young guys have done well ... Jacque played very hard. He's a very intelligent guy." Vaughn understands the Jazz is Stockton's team. "I came in with the highest of all expectations," said Vaughn. "I hope to think the fans and my teammates will feel that I was a steal (late) in the first round." The Kansas product has impressed the Jazz coaching staff. "Jacque's shooting is improving," said Jazz assistant Gordon Chiesa. "His form is getting better and he's working hard on it." But, regardless of his progress, it might be four or five years before Vaughn is a starter for the Jazz. Will Chris Morris contribute more? One of the few players who disappointed last year, Morris saw his average drop from 10.5 in his first season with the Jazz to 4.3 last year. His minutes dropped to 13 per game and he has never quite fit in with the Jazz offense. But Morris says he is intent on making a change this season. "I'll take what comes to me and I have to try and make do with it," said Morris. "Hopefully for me, things will go my way when the time comes. But right now, one thing is on my mind and that's continuing to play hard for the Jazz and hopefully see at least 20 minutes during the season to where I can better contribute better to the team." Sloan has told the forward it is up to him if he picks up more playing time. "Bryon Russell and guys at that position aren't just going to say, 'Here's the job for you,' " said Sloan. "That's what keeps pressure on everybody. We need everybody to perform well." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Shandon Anderson, Antoine Carr, Eisley, Greg Foster, Jeff Hornacek, Adam Keefe, Malone, Morris, Ostertag, Russell, Stockton. Old faces in new places: none. Draft picks: Vaughn (Kansas, first round, 27th overall), Nate Erdmann (Oklahoma, second round, 57th overall). Camp long shots: Greg Dreiling (10-year NBA veteran, played with Dallas last season), Nate Green (rookie free agent out of Idaho State), Troy Hudson (rookie free agent out of Southern Illinois), Bryon Ruffner (rookie free agent out of BYU).

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An inside look at Grizzlies camp The Grizzlies are hopeful the 1997-98 season is a breakthrough year for one of the NBA's youngest teams. With young veterans Bryant Reeves, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Roy Rogers and rookie Antonio Daniels leading the way, Vancouver can only go up after posting the league's worst record at 14-68 last year. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 11 at L.A. Clippers Oct. 12 at Phoenix Oct. 14 PORTLAND Oct. 15 Dallas (Rapid City, S.D.) Oct. 18 SACRAMENTO Oct. 20 Toronto (Halifax, N.S.) Oct. 22 PHOENIX Oct. 24 GOLDEN STATE New head coach Brian Hill is still familiarizing himself with his new players, who average just 3.3 years of NBA experience, as they participate in training camp at the University of Calgary. Hill will have to answer the following questions. Will Otis Thorpe be happy in Vancouver Thorpe has said he doesn't want to stay with the Grizzlies. He's been through plenty in his NBA career -- a move from Kansas City to Sacramento (on a team that struggled to win 30 games); an NBA title in Houston in 1993-94, only to be traded the next year while Houston was on another title run. After 13 seasons, Thorpe didn't want to be a part of a rebuilding program in Vancouver after being traded there by the Pistons. Initially, Thorpe said he didn't want to play for the Grizzlies because they were not a "contender or a realistic playoff team." For now, Thorpe has come to grips with his situation. "Being traded is part of the NBA business and something you've got to deal with," said Thorpe. "I'm dealing with things one day at a time. Right now I have a job to do for the Grizzlies and I have to make sure I put most of my focus towards that. "One of my goals is to get into the playoffs, then go past that. The goal here is to just get a foot in the door. I have higher goals than that because I'm towards the end." Will Daniels live up to expectations? When the Grizzlies made Daniels their top pick with the fourth overall selection many people wondered who the former Bowling Green star was. Now Daniels is being challenged to prove his worth at point guard. But Hill and the Grizzlies understand there will be some growing pains as Daniels makes the move from the MAC to the NBA. "There's no question that coming into the league and playing the point guard is the most difficult job a player can have," said Hill. "He's going to have peaks and valleys. It'll probably be a lot of videotape and everything else to get him comfortable running a team. I'm a big believer in not retarding the progress of young players. If they deserve to be out there ... we're going to let him get his baptism by fire. There's no better way to learn. There's no substitute for a pressure situation." Daniels says the challenge pales in comparion to losing his brother Chris, who died of a cardiac arrhythmia during his junior year in college. "I think losing my brother prepared me for anything in life as far as anything from a negative standpoint," said Daniels. "If I have a bad game, then I can easily compare that situation to the passing of my brother, then it seems microscopic." When it comes to playing on the court in the NBA, Daniels understands what it takes. "There are so many different adjustments to be made coming from college," said Daniels. "There's the physical adjustment, the mental adjustment of dealing with 82 games and also dealing with the competition level which is raised. You're playing against great players night after night." How improved will the Grizzlies be? The Grizzlies had the NBA's worst record last year, but they entered camp with a surprisingly optimistic outlook. "We have to enter the year with the idea we're going to shoot for the playoffs," said Reeves, 29-135 in two season with Vancouver. "You don't want to say, well ... let's win 20 games. Don't set your goals low, make sure you set them high. That way, you have to work a little bit harder every day to get there." But the reality is that Vancouver has to just hope to double its win total and make 30 wins a goal. Hill knows the way to more victories is through defense (last year Vancouver allowed almost 100 points per game. "Obviously, we're a team that has to make great strides defensively, whether it's our ability to play people one-on-one off the dribble, close down the middle of the floor or simply make every offensive possession a little harder for the other team," said Hill. In his second NBA coaching job, Hill knows there is a major difference from his first with the Magic. "In Orlando," he said, "it was more the pressure of expectations -- in many cases undue expectations. Here, it's more the challenge and excitement of having an opportunity to win with a team that has been down for a couple of years and to mold them and shape them mentally and physically into a winning basketball team. That challenge is certainly a big one but it is one all coaches relish." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Abdur-Rahim, Pete Chilcutt, Blue Edwards, Doug Edwards, George Lynch, Lee Mayberry, Eric Mobley, Anthony Peeler, Reeves, Chris Robinson, Rogers. Old faces in new places: Marcus Brown (free agent from Portland), Ivano Newbill (free agent from Atlanta), Thorpe (acquired in trade from Detroit). Draft picks: Daniels (Bowling Green, first round, fourth overall). Camp long shots: David Booth (free-agent invitee from DePaul, played in France last year), Litterial Green (three-year NBA Mark Hendrickson (free agent, played 29 games with Philadelphia last year), Alan Ogg (free agent, who played in China last year).

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An inside look at Warriors camp The Warriors are in the midst of another "rebuilding plan." With a new logo and newly-refurbished arena, the organization has its fourth head coach in four years (P.J. Carlesimo) and its fourth different training camp site in four years (Haehl Pavilion at Santa Rosa Junior College). And management cleaned house from a team that was 30-52 and finished last in the Pacific Division last season. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 Charlotte (San Jose) Oct. 12 Denver (Colorado Springs) Oct. 14 Denver (San Jose) Oct. 16 at Charlotte Oct. 18 Philadelphia (Norfolk, Va.) Oct. 21 Portland (Spokane, Wash.) Oct. 22 Seattle (Billings, Mont.) Oct. 24 at Vancouver Gone are Chris Mullin and Scott Burrell. But, more changes are expected as the Warriors open camp with three starting-caliber point guards in Mark Price, B.J. Armstrong and Bimbo Coles. They also have four centers in camp vying for the starting job. Carlesimo will have many questions to answer about his unbalanced roster at his first Warriors camp. Will the Warriors move a point guard? Golden State has been trying to move either Price, Coles or Armstrong all summer. There was talk of Armstrong going to Milwaukee for Armon Gilliam and rumors of Price returning to Cleveland. But all of their potential deals were killed by the Shawn Kemp-Vin Baker blockbuster. Now, management continues to look for a deal to help a squad needing power forwards -- leaving all three guards disgruntled. "Definitely, I think something else is going to be done, we just don't know what it is or when it's going to happen," Coles said. "As a professional, these are things you have to deal with. It's part of the business. I've been through it, Mark's been through it and B.J.'s been through it. It's out of our hands, we have no control over it." Both Armstrong and Price, who have been plagued by injuries, are completely healthy. Armstrong has fully recovered from knee surgery and Price went through his first pain-free summer in years. Of the trio, Coles is the early leader to start as the Warriors have implemented a new fast-paced offense under the tutelage of assistant coach Paul Westhead. Will Latrell Sprewell and Joe Smith ever be happy? The Warriors' two best players aren't right now. Smith didn't sign a contract extension prior to the season and might be traded. He is eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season. Sprewell was critical of the organization's selection of the tough Carlesimo to replace Rick Adelman. He skipped training camp media day and says he will boycott speaking with the media all season long, saying the media has been harsh on him for not taking a leadership role on the court and being a ball-hog. One sure sign the Warriors may be looking to deal one or both of the players is their marketing campaign for the 1997-98 season. It centers on the management -- new GM Garry St. Jean, Carlesimo and their staff -- not any players. Carlesimo summed up the Warriors' situation. "The focus doesn't seem to be on how we're going to play or whether we're going to be good or not," the coach said. "The focus is, we've got three point guards, we have a guy not talking, we have a guy that isn't signed. So those stories are always going to be more attractive." Who's starting at center? Along with point guard, the one position the Warriors are deep at is center, with four applicants. They are incumbent starter Felton Spencer, second-year man Todd Fuller, former Pacer Erick Dampier and rookie draft pick Adonal Foyle. Another candidate, second-round draft pick Marc Jackson, elected to play in Turkey for the 1997-98 season. The four centers in camp all figure to have a shot at earning the starting nod. Foyle was sidelined for most of the summer after breaking his left foot in the Jersey Shore League, and the Warriors figure to slowly bring him into the NBA game. He should be ready to play in the regular-season opener at Minnesota. Fuller and Dampier participated in Pete Newell's Big Man Camp to improve their skills. "As I went along I worked on the stuff," said Dampier, who was acquired in the Mullin trade. "It made me a better offensive player, with the way I went to the basket and my shot selection." Should none of these three be able to handle the load to start the year, eight-year veteran Spencer will start in the pivot. However, the Warriors are hoping to use him more as a safety net for the season. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Armstrong, Coles, Fuller, Donyell Marshall, Price, Smith, Spencer, Sprewell. Old faces in new places: Dampier, Duane Ferrell (acquired in trade from Indiana), Antonio Lang (free agent from Cleveland), Dickey Simpkins (acquired in trade from Chicago), Larry Stewart (free agent from Seattle), Carl Thomas (free agent from Cleveland). Draft picks: Foyle (Colgate, first round, eighth overall). Camp long shots: Isaac Burton, Dell Demps (four-year NBA vet, played two games with Orlando last year and averaged 21.1 with Yakima in CBA).

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An inside look at Lakers camp The Lakers feature one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Los Angeles was 56-26 record in the first season of the Shaquille O'Neal era. Now, the Lakers feel they can be one of the top teams in the NBA. They added depth in the off-season, signing free agents Rick Fox and Jon Barry. Early in camp both Nick Van Exel (bone bruise) and O'Neal (strained abdominal muscle) missed some practice, but they should be fine for the start of the season. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 9 Denver (San Diego) Oct. 10 at Phoenix Oct. 17 L.A. Clippers (St. Louis) Oct. 18 Cleveland (Kansas City) Oct. 21 at Denver Oct. 22 Washington (Las Vegas) Oct. 24 GREAT WESTERN SHOOTOUT Oct. 25 GREAT WESTERN SHOOTOUT Heading into the training camp at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., Del Harris will try to answer the following questions: Will the Lakers be able to rise to the top of the NBA? Despite a very successful season in 1996-97, the Lakers say this season is one in which they will stress urgency and determination. "Like (assistant coach) Larry Drew told us, last year we always had excuses," Van Exel said. O'Neal agreed and feels the Lakers must change their attitude this year. "The only team that beat us last year was us," O'Neal said. "This year we have to be more focused going in. Last year, no one set goals. I was trying to get used to nine new guys, and they were trying to get used to me, so we played it out, wait and see ... Now, we know ourselves and we've got to try to win every game we play. We have put ourselves in good position for the playoffs ... So we have to have a dominant regular season." O'Neal feels a key to the season will be Van Exel's so-called "strained" relationship with Harris. "I was with those guys 60 times last year, and they had only three arguments, that's not bad," O'Neal said. "Unfortunately, the timing of the last one was (bad) and we lost the game ... But, I think they'll be fine (this year)." How will Fox fit in? The arrival of Fox as a free agent from the Celtics will give the Lakers more versatility at the small forward spot. Harris is expecting Fox to be a key contributor to the Lakers' trapping defense. "Hopefully, we'll be a good ball-and-player movement team," Harris said. "We'll be a ball-pressuring and trapping defense." On offense, Harris is excited about the addition of Fox and will be able to change his offense game plan. "We've had a limited role for the small forward in the past because Cedric (Ceballos) was a specific kind of player as opposed to an all-around player," Harris said. "We'll have a small forward who can pass the ball and do some dribbling, especially Rick." Will Kobe Bryant have a more significant role this season? Bryant was told early in camp he had no shot at winning a starting job this season, but would see more minutes. The addition of Fox, which might curtail Bryant minutes initially, will eventually help him in the Lakers system. Harris said the Lakers will run more plays for the small forward and Bryant would be a beneficiary of the transition. "He's big enough and he's tough," Harris said. "He's pretty hard-nosed, especially for a guy who's 19." Bryant, who has grown an inch since last season, worked hard in off-season conditioning and added 10 pounds of muscle. Last season ended on a negative note for Bryant as he launched four airballs, including one as time expired in regulation of the Lakers' Game 5 overtime loss to the Jazz. But he has learned the situation and says it helped him grow. "It was forgotten, but at the same time you still know it was there," Bryant said. "Kind of water under the bridge. People around me, meaning the media and coaching staff, really looked at those shots as kind of a turning point, so to speak. I just basically looked at it as giving me more confidence. Even though I didn't hit the shots. I knew that my teammates had confidence in me to take the shots." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Corie Blount, Bryant, Elden Campbell, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Eddie Jones, O'Neal, Sean Rooks, Van Exel. Old faces in new places: Barry (signed as free agent from Atlanta), Fox (signed a free agent from Boston). Rookie signings/Draft picks: James Forrest (Wake Forest, rookie free agent), DeJuan Wheat (Louisville, second round, 52nd overall). Camp longshots: Mario Bennett (free agent signing, played with Phoenix two seasons ago), Shea Seals (rookie free agent out of Tulsa).

nba.720 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Clippers camp The Clippers hope they can build on their success of last season, which saw more wins and their first playoff appearance in five years. The Clippers enter camp with one of the youngest teams in the NBA. The camp roster features 14 players with two years or less of NBA experience. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 11 Vancouver (Anaheim) Oct. 13 >at Portland Oct. 14 at Sacramento Oct. 16 Milwaukee (LaCrosse, Wis.) Oct. 17 L.A. Lakers (St. Louis) Oct. 21 ATLANTA Oct. 24 PORTLAND The most significant off-season moves came when the team signed four-year vet James Robinson away from the Timberwolves, traded for Stojko Vrankovic and added rookies Maurice Taylor (first-round draft pick), Keith Closs (free agent) and Nate Huffman (free agent). Coach Bill Fitch has several questions he must answer at Clippers camp, which is taking place at the Lawrence Family Jewish Center in LaJolla, Calif. Who will start at center? The Clippers spent the off-season looking for solutions at center so that second-year power forward Lorenzen Wright could move back to his natural position. Of the three options that emerged, only one has NBA experience -- Vrankovic. The Yugoslavian started 35 games at center with Minnesota last year, but had injury problems and was replaced by Dean Garrett. Fitch is confident the 7-1, 235-pound Vrankovic can become a quality center in the NBA. "I think he's got a chance to be at every practice and contribute every day to what we're doing," Fitch said. "He's got a lot to learn. He's getting the rust off his game." Vrankovic, who averaged just 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds last year, knows his role with the team will not be to score. "We have a lot of guys to score," he said. "I will try to do my best on defense and block shots." Rookie free agent Closs is the wildcard. The Clippers handed the 7-3, 212-pounder a $8.5 million deal after he impressed them at the Fila Summer League. Closs, who led the nation in blocked shots while at Central Connecticut State, left school after his junior year and played with the Norwich Neptunes of the Atlantic Basketball Association last year. "A rookie is an unknown entity," Fitch said. "I have no idea what to expect from Keith this year. I hope he can play with our guys and learn quickly." The third center under contract in camp is rookie free agent Huffman, who played at Central Michigan. The 7-1, 235-pounder averaged 17.2 points as a senior. Will Brent Barry make a smooth transition? With the departure of Malik Sealy, Barry is slotted to move into the starting shooting guard spot. He showed flashes of greatness as a rookie, but his scoring average dropped to 7.5 last year. The versatile Barry spent most of the summer playing shooting guard. The Clippers feel his 6-6 height can be used to his advantage. "I'm beginning to feel more comfortable at the two," Barry said. "There's so much for me to learn and to improve on that it feels brand new." Barry is the Clippers' top returning 3-point shooter. Last year he made 56 threes and said he isn't intimidated with the line being moved back to 23-feet, 9-inches. "I usually stop way behind the line anyway, so it's not a big difference," Barry said. "It's not a huge adjustment, but if I'm going to shoot out there I want to make them and become more of a threat." Can Rodney Rogers become a star? Rogers was the Clippers' No. 2 returning scorer last season, and he came into camp expecting to be an important part of the team's offense. Rogers averaged 16.7 points over the Clippers' last 25 games a year ago. He has dropped 20 pounds from his playing weight of 255 last year and bulked up. "I realize that more is expected of me and I want to continue that momentum from last season," Rogers said. "I want to be one of the go-to guys on this team. I realize that I have to take more of a scoring role for us to make the playoffs." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Barry, Darrick Martin, Lamond Murray, Eric Piatkowski, Pooh Richardson, Rogers, Loy Vaught, Wright. Old faces in new places: Robinson (signed as free agent from Minnesota), Vrankovic (acquired in trade from Minnesota). Rookie signings/Draft picks: Closs (Central Connecticut State, rookie free agent), Huffman (Central Michigan, rookie free agent), Maurice Taylor (Michigan, first round, 14th overall). Camp longshots: James Collins (rookie free agent out of Florida State), Kiwane Garris (rookie free agent out of Illinois), Quinn Harwood (rookie free agent out of Davidson), Malcolm Leak (first-year free agent out of Central Oklahoma), Rich Manning (free agent, played 10 games with Clippers last year), Rodney McCray (11-year NBA vet, last played in NBA with Chicago in 1993), Mark Young (rookie free agent out of Kansas State).

nba.722 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Suns camp Things are looking up for the Suns. After opening last year with a 13-game losing streak, Phoenix went on to compile a 40-29 record, made the playoffs and pushed the Sonics to the brink of elimination in the Western quarterfinals. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 at L.A. Lakers Oct. 12 VANCOUVER Oct. 15 at Houston Oct. 17 at Dallas Oct. 19 Houston (Tucson, Ariz Oct. 22 at Vancouver Oct. 25 DALLAS Oct. 27 at Utah This season Danny Ainge's squad is expected to challenge for the Pacific Division crown with key acquisitions Antonio McDyess, Cliff Robinson and George McCloud. With camp underway at America West Arena, Ainge will have to decide what do with his logjam at small forward. Will the Suns deal Cedric Ceballos? With both McCloud and Robinson in town, Ceballos is the odd-man out. After coming back to Phoenix in impressive fashion -- averaging 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds -- Ceballos probably won't last the year with the Suns. Phoenix has had several offers for the 6-7 small forward, with interested teams including the Cavs, Pacers, Mavs and Hawks. "As is customary, we don't talk specifically about discussions we're having with other teams about possible trades," GM Bryan Colangelo said. "But to say we haven't had our share of phone calls after signing Clifford Robinson and George McCloud would be misleading. We've certainly heard from a lot of people. "But we've said before, we're not having a fire sale and we're not giving anybody away." However, Ceballos would like to stay in Phoenix. "I'm not trying to go anywhere," Ceballos said. "I hope they're not trying to send me anywhere." But the seven-year veteran knows trades are part of the business. "I've been hearing speculation since my first day in the league," Ceballos said. "I'd like to make my memories here and not somewhere else." Will Robinson be able to shed his negative image? After having his rights renounced by the Blazers after they signed Brian Grant, Robinson is determined to show he is not a troublemaker. "I just think I wasn't appreciated," the 6-10 forward said. "That's not a knock on the fans. I just think the media had a perception of me, and for the most part, it was negative. "Everything I did there was under a microscope. It didn't matter what it was. I was under the microscope for what I did during a game and after a game ... I just think it was time for a change." Robinson was labeled as selfish during his days in Portland. Ainge understands. "It happens in sports, and it's one of my pet peeves," the second-year head coach said. "There's no thought to what he might be like in a different mix, a different situation." Robinson is contemplating discarding his signature headband to show he has rid himself of his Portland image. Will Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson continue to co-exist? Ainge has made it clear he will be using both of his veteran point guards in the backcourt, with Kidd running the point and Johnson playing shooting guard. In fact, Ainge has said he will use three guards, with Rex Chapman being the other, in the Suns' "small ball look." Ainge says he is going to use the Kidd-KJ combination to his advantage. "It's definitely going to be a challenge juggling playing time," he said. "We've got a lot of options, a lot of versatility." Both Kidd and Johnson are excited and interested to see how Ainge's game plan develops. "Now we have a curveball," Kidd said. "We're going to have our jets on." Johnson said: "We're a better team, but I don't know if we're an elite team yet ... We look good on paper, but we still have to build an identity." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Mark Bryant, Ceballos, Chapman, Johnson, Kidd, Horacio Llamas, Danny Manning, Loren Meyer (injured, herniated disc in back), Steve Nash, Hot Rod Williams. Old faces in new places: Tom Chambers (free agent from Charlotte), McCloud (signed as free agent from L.A. Lakers), McDyess (acquired in trade from Denver), Robinson (signed as free agent from Portland), Dwayne Schintzius (free agent invitee, played with Indiana last year). Draft picks: Stephen Jackson (Butler County CC, second round, 43rd overall). Camp longshots: William Cunningham (first-year free agent, played in USBL after playing at Temple), Shawn Dirden (first-year free agent out of Idaho), Russ Millard (first-year free agent out of Iowa).

nba.723 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Blazers camp After four losing years with the Bucks, coach Mike Dunleavy takes over a winning team, the Trail Blazers, which went 49-33 last year. Dunleavy has kept the 1996-97 Blazers mostly intact; free agent Brian Grant is the most significant acquisition. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 at Sacramento Oct. 13 L.A. CLIPPERS Oct. 14 at Vancouver Oct. 16 at Seattle Oct. 17 SACRAMENTO Oct. 21 Golden St. (Spokane, Wash.) Oct. 24 at L.A. Clippers Oct. 25 UTAH With a talented, but underachieving team, Dunleavy will be hard pressed for too much success in his first season in Portland. Here are some of the questions he will have to address in training camp at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. Will Isaiah Rider show he is a changed man? Rider has been at the center of trouble through his entire career, first at UNLV, then with the Timberwolves and the Trail Blazers. This summer was no different as he was convicted of marijuana possession in May and possession of an illegal cellular phone in August. The two convictions have resulted in a two-day suspension, which Rider has appealed. The Blazers have publicly supported the NBA's suspensions; Rider calls them ridiculous, saying he has been misunderstood and judged unfairly by the league and fans. "I'm not a wicked person," he said. "If there is a problem with J.R. Rider, (it's that) he needs to be on time, not that he is a gangster or a thug. What I have to deal with is me being on time, not who I hang out with, what's going on here or there, what happened before. "I can't change what happened three year years ago in Minnesota with the women at the mall, and it's not fair to bring it up over and over." How will the players adjust to Dunleavy? Most of the Blazers were happy that the intense and strong-fisted P.J. Carlesimo is not back to coach the team. They feel Dunleavy will be more of a player's coach. "I think I'll have a little more input," point guard Kenny Anderson told The Oregonian. "The things I see out there, I'll speak my mind and (Dunleavy) might listen. P.J. was a great coach for me, and I got along with him, but it was like, 'This is how we're going to do it.' There was not much bending with P.J. and I understood that. It definitely worked --- we had 49 wins." Rider feels more comfortable with Dunleavy. "Mike is not as tense as P.J. was ... Mike is not uptight. He is easier to get along with and talk to. Everybody wants to play for a guy who is more loose." Jermaine O'Neal, in his second year in the NBA out of high school, also feels Dunleavy will be a better fit with Blazers. "I'd say the guys do feel a lot more comfortable, maybe because Mike was once a player and he understands what we're going through. Another difference is we like the type of offense and defense he runs, and we're having a lot of fun." Will O'Neal have more of a role this season? Yes, he will. The 19-year-old feels he is entering a possible breakout season. "I'm 10 times better," O'Neal said in comparing himself to last year. "I'm not afraid to make a mistake this year, and I know coach Dunleavy isn't going to yell at me." O'Neal had a difficult first year in the NBA. He played just 10.2 minutes per game and then got into trouble with the law during the off-season for snapping at a police officer in South Carolina. But the Blazers are willing to wait and see him develop. "Basically, you want to nurture him," Dunleavy said. "Give him confidence and allow him to make a few more mistakes than everybody else." The Blazers actually see the 6-11 forward moving from the four-spot to the three-spot by the end of his career. "When Jermaine ends his career, people are going to look at him as a small forward," Dunleavy said. "Right now, he's more of a power forward. But he has the speed and skills in the passing game that can be transferred to small forward." Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Anderson, Stacey Augmon, Chris Dudley (pending NBA approval will be traded to New York), O'Neal, Rider, Arvydas Sabonis, Gary Trent, Rasheed Wallace, Dontonio Wingfield. Old faces in new places: John Crotty (signed as free agent from Miami), Grant (signed as free agent from Sacramento), Alton Lister (signed as free agent from Boston). Draft picks: C.J. Bruton (Indian Hills JC, second round, 53rd overall), Kelvin Cato (Iowa State, first round, 15th overall), Alvin Williams (Villanova, second round, 48th overall). Camp longshots: Terrell Bell (first-year free agent out of Georgia, former second-round pick by Houston), Ernest Hall (first-year free agent out of Southwest Baptist), Sean Higgins (six-year NBA vet, played with Philadelphia in 1995-96 and in Europe last year).

nba.724 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Kings camp The Kings have made only minor changes from a team which finished 34-48 last season. Eddie Jordan enters his first training camp as a head coach at any level. He will be challenged to improve on the Kings' record of a year ago with the most significant off-season acquisitions being Terry Dehere, Lawrence Funderburke and Matt Fish. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 PORTLAND Oct. 14 L.A. CLIPPERS Oct. 17 at Portland Oct. 18 at Vancouver Oct. 22 at Detroit Oct. 24 at Indiana Oct. 25 at Chicago Jordan began to address several questions at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. How will Jordan handle his first full season as head coach? Jordan, who spent nearly five years as a Kings assistant, was named interim coach when Garry St. Jean was fired with 15 games left in the regular season. Jordan tallied a 6-9 mark. The Kings took the 'interim' off his title after the season. Now, Jordan has come to camp out to establish his authority. He has closed practice, and said "I want to keep what happens in practice within the team. Practice can be volatile and there can be confrontations, and we'd like to keep that inside the organization." Of course, word got out when center Olden Polynice was kicked out of practice on Tuesday for being a disruptive influence. The other players understand that Jordan means business and throwing Polynice out of practice was the sign of his authority. "It depends on how the coach takes it or how the players respect the player involved," forward Michael Smith said. "Sometimes coaches will use something like this to try and make a point. But a coach also can be trying to get across that this is his team and that this is how things are going to be." Will Mitch Richmond find happiness in Sacramento? Richmond is unhappy with his contract situation and told the team on Oct. 1 that he would refuse to report to training camp. He later arrived, yet feels unappreciated and would like the team to re-negotiate his salary. He would not speak with the media, but he issued a statement saying he made a commitment to the Kings and the city of Sacramento, but was very upset with his contract situation. "We have yet to find a satisfactory result," Richmond said. "However, I would like to be known that this situation has no bearing on my commitment to the community or winning. "As a professional, I know the importance of preparing myself for the season. I have an obligation to the community, my teammates, my family and myself to perform at the best of my abilities and do all the necessary steps to allow my teammates and I to bring a winning team to a very deserving community. With this in mind, I fully intend on being at camp. "On the subject of potential trades, I will not comment on this matter other than to say that I am confident that the organization will make those trades that are in their best interest. It is my desire to eliminate all speculation that might hinder my preparation and the direction of the organization in bringing a winning team to Sacramento." Richmond, who finished fourth in the NBA in scoring last year at 25.9 points per game, is only earning $3 million this season and $2.5 million next season, numbers which are not acceptable to him. How much will Bobby Hurley contribute? Jordan has given Hurley the Kings' starting point guard spot at the start of camp. "I've seen him through all of his ups and downs since he was a teenager," said Jordan, who went to college at Rutgers and later played for the Nets. "He's always been the smallest. He's taken the wrath of his father (who coached him at St. Anthony's High School). He went through the (life-threatening car) accident. he's had great success with Duke and he's seen the lowest of times. And, still he's there working every day. That shows some mettle ... that shows a lot of strong fabric, and that's what this team needs." Last season, Hurley played in 49 games, starting 12. He averaged 5.6 points and 7.8 assists in his dozen starts, compared to 2.1 points and 1.4 assists off the bench. Rookie Anthony Johnson has also impressed and will see some playing time at point. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Kevin Gamble, Hurley, Billy Owens, Polynice, Richmond, Kevin Salvadori, Lionel Simmons (injured, right knee surgery), Smith, Corliss Williamson. Old faces in new places: Dehere (signed as free agent from L.A. Clippers), Matt Fish (signed as free agent from Miami), Funderburke (free agent, 1994 Kings draft pick, played in France and Greece for last three seasons). Draft picks: Olivier Saint-Jean (San Jose State, first round, 11th overall), Johnson (Charleston, second round, 40th overall). Camp longshots: Derek Grimm (rookie free agent out of Missouri), Stacey King (signed as free agent from Dallas), Michael Stewart (Sacramento native, rookie free agent out of California).

nba.725 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

An inside look at Sonics camp The Sonics have left the Shawn Kemp era and entered the Vin Baker era. The Sonics, NBA finalists two years ago, cleaned house after a 57-win 1996-97 season. Kemp said he would never wear a Sonics jersey again, so they shipped him to Cleveland and got Baker in return in a three-way deal with Milwaukee. Preseason schedule Date Opponent (Site) Oct. 10 at Chicago Oct. 11 Chicago (Lawrence, Kan.) Oct. 13 at Toronto Oct. 14 at Detroit Oct. 16 PORTLAND Oct. 22 Golden St. (Billings, Mont.) Oct. 24 at L.A. Western Shootout Oct. 25 at L.A. Western Shootout Baker joins four other new veteran faces to go along with a veteran group of returning Sonics, headed by Gary Payton. Will Karl be around after the 1997-98 season? After trading Kemp, the Sonics have another unhappy camper -- their head coach. Karl is in the last year of his contract -- which was an extension he signed during the team's NBA Finals run in 1996 -- and is being paid $3 million for this season. "I'm disappointed that they haven't come to me and asked me about an extension," Karl said. "But my disappointment is out of loyalty to the team, love of the team and love of Seattle. "I don't think it's a good thing for me to keep something like this, my disappointment, inside my gut. Coaches, even in their greatest moments, are paranoid and all I'm doing is expressing that." Karl views his last year of his contract as "severance pay or the year you get a new deal." He is upset that team president Wally Walker has only talked to him about the extension for "two-and-one-half minutes," one time last June. "It's not a good feeling," Karl said. "I don't know that I feel like I'm a goner here, but it's not going to be a good feeling. There's a feeling of a lack of appreciation. Being in lame-duck position is not comfortable." Walker looks at the situation differently and blames Karl for the situation he is in. "You have to ask him why he took only one year," Walker said referring to the 1996 extension. "We're going to have a great year and I think that benefits everyone in the last year of their contract." Is this the last season for McMillan and Perkins? Yes. The 33-year-old McMillan has conceded this is his last season after battling injuries for the last four years. "I think it's time," said McMillan, who played in just 37 games last season. The 6-5 guard is entering his 12th season and feels he has beaten his body as much as it can take. "My body just wasn't made for the way I play," sad McMillan, who is in the last year of his contract. "I guess I have to be man enough to understand when to call it quits." He had two operation on his left ankle, two severe groin pulls, a major lower-back injury and surgery on his right knee over the last four years. His buddy Perkins also feels as though this will be his last season. Perkins, 36, is also in the last year of his contract that will pay him $3.27 million. The 13-year veteran says nagging injuries and his age have helped make the decision for him. Also, he doesn't expect to be as effective from 3-point range as the league has moved the line back to its original length of 23 feet, 9 inches. Will Detlef Schrempf be ready for the regular season? After undergoing surgery to repair a bone in his left hand during the off-season, Schrempf expects to be ready for Seattle's opener on Oct. 31 at Portland. But, the 6-10 forward still has his hand in a cast. Schrempf had surgery to repair the third metacarpal bone, an injury he originally suffered in a game against Utah just before the All-Star break last season. Schrempf played through that injury but re-injured the hand in an exhibition game in Japan in August. The end may be nearing for the 35-year-old Schrempf, who has missed 40 games over the last two years because of assorted leg and foot injuries. Camp Roster Roundup Back for another term: Craig Ehlo, Hersey Hawkins, Jim McIlvaine, McMillan, Payton, Perkins, Schrempf, Eric Snow, David Wingate. Old faces in new places: Baker (acquired in trade from Milwaukee), Dale Ellis (acquired in trade from Denver), Stephen Howard (signed as free agent from Utah), Jerome Kersey (signed as free agent from L.A. Lakers), Aaron Williams (signed as free agent from Vancouver). Draft picks: James Cotton (Long Beach State, second round, 33rd overall). Camp longshots: Ed Stokes (first-year free agent from Arizona).

nba.726 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Atlanta Hawks Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ====== === == == === ======= 0 Greg Anderson C 6-10 250 9 Houston 2 Anthony Miller F 6-9 255 3 Michigan State 3 Ken Norman F 6-8 228 10 Illinois 5 Eldridge Recasner G 6-3 190 3 Washington 6 Matt Steigenga F 6-7 225 1 Michigan State 8 Steve Smith G 6-8 215 6 Michigan State 10 Mookie Blaylock G 6-1 185 8 Oklahoma 11 Drew Barry G 6-5 191 R Georgia Tech 20 Donald Whiteside G 5-10 170 1 N. Illinois 22 Ed Gray G 6-3 210 R California 32 Christian Laettner F/C 6-11 245 5 Duke 33 Tyrone Corbin F 6-6 225 12 DePaul 42 Walter Bond G 6-5 200 3 Minnesota 44 Alan Henderson F 6-9 235 2 Indiana 46 Chris Crawford F 6-9 235 R Marquette 52 Chucky Brown F 6-8 215 8 No. Carolina State 55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7-2 261 6 Georgetown Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens

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Boston Celtics Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 4 Chauncey Billups G 6-3 202 R Colorado 5 Ron Mercer G/F 6-7 210 R Kentucky 7 Dee Brown G 6-2 205 7 Jacksonville 8 Antoine Walker F 6-9 245 1 Kentucky 9 Greg Minor G/F 6-6 230 3 Louisville 11 Dana Barros G 5-11 163 8 Boston College 12 Bruce Bowen F 6-7 200 R Fullerton State 20 Tyus Edney G 5-10 152 2 UCLA 29 Pervis Ellison F/C 6-10 242 8 Louisville 40 Travis Knight C 7-0 235 1 Connecticut 42 Chris Mills F 6-6 216 4 Arizona 44 Tony Massenburg F 6-9 250 5 Maryland 45 Andrew DeClercq F/C 6-10 230 2 Florida 50 Lorenzo Coleman C 7-1 300 R Tennessee Tech Head Coach: M.L. Carr

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Charlotte Hornets Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 00 Tony Delk G 6-2 189 1 Kentucky 1 Tyrone Bogues G 5-3 141 10 Wake Forest 3 Junior Burrough F 6-8 242 1 Virginia 5 Darnell Mee G 6-5 177 2 Western Kentucky 7 J.R. Reid F/C 6-9 255 7 North Carolina 8 Tony Farmer F 6-9 245 1 Nebraska 12 Vlade Divac C 7-1 260 8 Serbia 13 Bobby Phills G 6-5 220 6 Southern 14 Anthony Mason F 6-8 250 8 Tennessee State 15 Corey Beck G 6-2 190 1 Arkansas 30 Dell Curry G/F 6-5 205 11 Virginia Tech 32 Travis Williams F 6-7 250 R South Carolina 41 Glen Rice G/F 6-8 220 8 Michigan 52 Matt Geiger F/C 7-1 245 5 Georgia Tech 55 Nate Wilbourne C 6-11 255 R South Carolina Head Coach: Dave Cowens

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Chicago Bulls Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ====== === == == === ======= Roberto Duenas C 7-2 280 R Madrid Thomas Hamilton C 7-2 350 2 Pittsburgh 1 Randy Brown G 6-2 191 6 New Mexico State 3 Boris Gorenc G 6-6 210 R France 5 Rusty Larue G 6-2 185 R Wake Forest 7 Toni Kukoc F/G 6-11 232 4 Croatia 9 Ron Harper G 6-6 216 11 Miami-Ohio 13 Luc Longley C 7-2 292 6 New Mexico 14 Eric Gingold C 7-2 275 R Williams College 17 Dante Calabria G 6-5 205 R North Carolina 18 David Kornel F 6-9 235 R Hungary 22 Keith Booth F 6-6 226 R Maryland 23 Michael Jordan G 6-6 216 12 North Carolina 24 Scott Burrell F/G 6-7 218 4 Connecticut 25 Steve Kerr G 6-3 181 9 Arizona 30 Jud Buechler G/F 6-6 228 7 Arizona 33 Scottie Pippen F/G 6-7 228 10 Central Arkansas 34 Bill Wennington C 7-0 277 10 St. Johns 35 Jason Caffey F 6-8 256 2 Alabama 44 Dwayne Whitfield F 6-7 255 1 Jackson State 53 Joe Kleine C 7-0 271 12 Arkansas 91 Dennis Rodman F 6-6 220 11 SE Oklahoma State Head Coach: Phil Jackson

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Cleveland Cavaliers Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Wesley Person G/F 6-6 195 3 Auburn 3 Bob Sura G 6-5 200 2 Florida State 4 Shawn Kemp F 6-10 256 8 Trinity JC (Texas) 6 Mitchell Butler G 6-5 210 4 UCLA 11 Zydrunas Ilgauskas C 7-3 268 1 Lithuania 12 Brevin Knight G 5-10 173 R Stanford 20 Sherman Douglas G 6-1 198 8 Syracuse 23 Derek Anderson G 6-5 195 R Kentucky 24 Sherell Ford F 6-7 210 1 Illinois-Chicago 27 Tony Dumas G 6-6 190 3 Missouri-K.C. 32 Henry James F 6-8 220 6 St. Mary's (Tex) 33 Donny Marshall F 6-7 230 2 Connecticut 35 Danny Ferry F 6-10 235 7 Duke 44 Shawnelle Scott C 6-11 250 1 St. John's 45 Cedric Henderson F 6-7 215 R Memphis 50 Adrian Caldwell F/C 6-9 265 5 Lamar 52 Vitaly Potapenko C/F 6-10 280 1 Wright State 53 Jerome Allen G 6-4 184 2 Pennsylvania Head Coach: Mike Fratello

nba.731 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Dallas Mavericks Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ====== === == == === ======= 3 Kevin Ollie G 6-4 195 R Connecticut 4 Michael Finley G/F 6-7 215 2 Wisconsin 6 Khalid Reeves G 6-3 201 3 Arizona 7 Dennis Scott F 6-8 229 7 Georgia Tech 11 Chris Anstey C 7-0 249 R Australia 13 Martin Muursepp F 6-9 235 1 Estonia 14 Robert Pack G 6-2 190 6 Southern California 20 Erick Strickland G 6-3 210 1 Nebraska 24 Hubert Davis G 6-5 183 5 North Carolina 30 Kevin Whitted F 6-8 225 R Tennessee 33 Carlos Strong F 6-7 235 R Georgia 34 Malcolm Mackey F 6-9 248 1 Georgia Tech 35 Bubba Wells G/F 6-5 230 R Austin Peay 40 Kurt Thomas F 6-9 230 2 Texas Christian 42 Ace Custis F 6-9 211 R Virginia Tech 44 Shawn Bradley C 7-6 248 4 BYU 45 A.C. Green F 6-9 225 12 Oregon State 50 Ike Nwankwo C 6-11 234 R Long Beach State 52 Samaki Walker F 6-9 240 1 Louisville Head Coach: Jim Cleamons

nba.732 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Denver Nuggets Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= Steve Scheffler C 6-9 250 7 Purdue 3 Greg Graham G 6-4 182 4 Indiana 4 Tony Battie F/C 6-11 240 R Texas Tech 5 Anthony Goldwire G 6-2 182 2 Houston 8 Alvin Sims G 6-4 235 R Louisville 11 Merl Code G 6-2 190 R Clemson 13 Bobby Jackson G 6-1 185 R Minnesota 14 Eric Washington G 6-4 190 R Alabama 15 Danny Fortson F 6-7 260 R Cincinnati 16 Elmer Bennett G 6-0 171 3 Notre Dame 17 Joe Wolf F/C 6-11 253 9 North Carolina 20 LaPhonso Ellis F 6-8 240 5 Notre Dame 21 Dean Garrett C 6-11 250 1 Indiana 22 Johnny Newman F 6-7 205 11 Richmond 23 Bryant Stith G 6-5 208 5 Virginia 25 George Zidek C 7-0 266 2 UCLA 30 Priest Lauderdale C 7-4 325 1 Central State 32 Eric Williams F 6-8 220 2 Providence Head Coach: Bill Hanzlik

nba.735 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Houston Rockets Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ====== === == == === ======= Joe Stephens F 6-7 210 1 Ark-Little Rock 1 Rodrick Rhodes G/F 6-6 225 R Southern California 3 Randy Livingston G 6-4 209 1 Louisiana State 4 Charles Barkley F 6-6 252 13 Auburn 5 Sam Mack F 6-7 220 3 Houston 8 Eddie Johnson G 6-7 215 15 Illinois 12 Matt Maloney G 6-3 200 1 Pennsylvania 15 Emanual Davis G 6-5 195 1 Delaware State 17 Mario Elie F/G 6-5 210 7 Amer. International 20 Brent Price G 6-1 185 4 Oklahoma 22 Clyde Drexler G 6-7 222 14 Houston 27 Charles Jones C 6-9 215 14 Albany State 32 Othella Harrington F/C 6-9 235 1 Georgetown 34 Hakeem Olajuwon C 7-0 255 13 Houston 42 Kevin Willis F/C 7-0 245 13 Michigan State 43 Serge Zwikker C 7-3 273 R North Carolina 44 Doug Brandt F/C 6-10 225 R Baylor 50 Matt Bullard F 6-10 235 6 Iowa Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich

nba.733 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Detroit Pistons Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Lindsey Hunter G 6-2 195 4 Jackson State 3 Ray Weathers G 6-4 185 R Michigan State 4 Joe Dumars G 6-3 195 12 McNeese State 5 Charles O'bannon G/F 6-5 209 R UCLA 6 Art Long F/C 6-9 240 R Cincinnati 8 Brian Williams F/C 6-11 260 6 Arizona 10 Rumeal Robinson G 6-2 195 6 Michigan 12 Thomas Mcghee G 6-2 180 R Rice 13 Jerome Williams F 6-9 206 1 Georgetown 14 Malik Sealy G/F 6-8 200 5 St. John's 23 Aaron McKie G 6-5 209 3 Temple 24 Reggie Elliot G 6-5 180 R Mercer 31 Scot Pollard C 6-11 265 R Kansas 32 Ashraf Amaya F 6-8 250 2 S. Illinois 33 Grant Hill F 6-8 225 3 Duke 42 Theo Ratliff F/C 6-10 225 2 Wyoming 43 Grant Long F 6-9 248 9 Eastern Michigan 44 Rick Mahorn F 6-10 260 16 Hampton Institute 52 Don Reid F 6-8 250 2 Georgetown Head Coach: Doug Collins

nba.734 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Golden State Warriors Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= Marc Jackson C 6-10 270 R Temple Lou Roe F 6-7 220 2 Massachusettes 2 Antonio Lang F 6-8 230 4 Duke 3 Donyell Marshall F 6-9 230 4 Connecticut 8 Dickey Simpkins F 6-10 264 4 Providence 11 B.J. Armstrong G 6-2 185 9 Iowa 12 Bimbo Coles G 6-2 182 8 Virginia Tech 15 Latrell Sprewell G 6-5 190 6 Alabama 20 Dell Demps G 6-4 210 4 Pacific 21 Isaac Burton G 6-5 195 22 Ray Owes F 6-9 224 2 Arizona 25 Mark Price G 6-0 180 12 Georgia Tech 30 Carl Thomas G 6-4 195 3 E. Michigan 31 Adonal Foyle C 6-10 250 R Colgate 32 Joe Smith F 6-10 225 3 Maryland 33 Duane Ferrell F 6-7 215 10 Georgia Tech. 34 s-Marcus Mann F 6-8 245 R Miss. Valley State 35 Eric Dampier C 6-11 265 2 Mississippi State 43 Larry Stewart F 6-8 230 6 Coppin State 45 Jon Koncak C 7-0 255 12 South. Methodist 50 Felton Spencer C 7-0 280 8 Louisville 52 Todd Fuller C 6-11 255 2 North Carolina St Head Coach: P.J. Carlesimo s - suspended list

nba.736 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Indiana Pacers Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 3 x-Haywoode Workman G 6-3 180 6 Oral Roberts 4 Travis Best G 5-11 182 2 Georgia Tech 5 Jalen Rose G 6-8 210 3 Michigan 8 Ron Riley G/F 6-5 205 1 Arizona State 9 x-Derrick McKey F 6-10 225 10 Alabama 13 Mark Jackson G 6-3 185 10 St. John's 17 Chris Mullin F 6-7 215 13 St. John's 20 Fred Hoiberg G 6-4 203 2 Iowa State 21 Etdrick Bohannon F 6-9 220 R Auburn-Montgomery 27 Gerald Madkins G 6-4 200 2 UCLA 31 Reggie Miller G 6-7 185 10 UCLA 32 Dale Davis F 6-11 230 6 Clemson 33 Antonio Davis F/C 6-9 230 4 Texas-El Paso 41 Mark West C 6-10 246 14 Old Dominion 44 Austin Croshere F 6-9 235 R Providence 45 Rik Smits C 7-4 265 9 Marist 53 Mark Pope F 6-10 235 R Kentucky 55 Todd Lindeman C 7-0 265 R Indiana Head Coach: Larry Bird x - injured list

nba.737 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Los Angeles Clippers Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 2 Pooh Richardson G 6-1 180 8 UCLA 3 Kiwane Garris G 6-2 183 R Illinois 7 Lamond Murray F 6-7 236 3 California 9 Quinn Harwood F 6-9 225 R Davidson College 11 Stojko Vrankovic C 7-2 260 2 Croatia 15 Darrick Martin G 5-11 170 3 UCLA 20 Malcolm Leak F/G 6-8 235 R Central Oklahoma 21 Mark Young G/F 6-6 195 R Kansas State 22 Rodney McCray F 6-8 248 11 Louisville 23 Maurice Taylor F 6-9 260 R Michigan 26 James Robinson G 6-2 180 5 Alabama 31 Brent Barry G 6-6 195 2 Oregon State 32 James Collins G 6-4 196 R Florida State 33 Keith Closs Jr. C 7-3 212 R Cent. Conn. State 35 Loy Vaught F 6-9 240 7 Michigan 50 Rich Manning C 6-11 260 2 Washington 51 Nate Huffman C 7-1 235 R Central Michigan 52 Eric Piatkowski G/F 6-7 215 3 Nebraska 54 Rodney Rogers F 6-7 255 4 Wake Forest 55 Lorenzen Wright F 6-11 240 1 Memphis Head Coach: Bill Fitch

nba.738 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Los Angeles Lakers Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Dejuan Wheat G 6-0 165 R Louisville 2 Derek Fisher G 6-1 200 1 Ark.-Little Rock 4 James Forrest F 6-8 245 R Georgia Tech 5 Robert Horry F 6-10 220 5 Alabama 6 Eddie Jones G/F 6-6 200 3 Temple 8 Kobe Bryant G 6-6 210 1 Lower Merion HS 9 Nick Van Exel G 6-1 190 3 Cincinnati 17 Rick Fox F 6-7 242 6 North Carolina 20 Jon Barry G 6-5 210 5 Georgia Tech 23 Mario Bennett F 6-9 235 1 Arizona State 24 Shea Seals G 6-5 210 R Tulsa 34 Shaquille O'Neal C 7-1 315 5 Louisiana State 41 Elden Campbell F/C 7-0 255 7 Clemson 43 Corie Blount F 6-10 242 4 Cincinnati 45 Sean Rooks C 6-10 260 5 Arizona Head Coach: Del Harris

nba.739 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Miami Heat Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Mark Sanford F 6-9 210 R Washington 2 Keith Askins G/F 6-8 224 7 Alabama 3 Ruben Nembhard G 6-2 217 1 Weber State 5 Eric Murdock G 6-1 200 6 Providence 6 Terry Mills F 6-10 250 7 Michigan 8 Isaac Austin C 6-10 270 4 Arizona State 9 Dan Majerle G/F 6-6 220 9 Central Michigan 10 Tim Hardaway G 6-0 195 8 Texas-El Paso 11 Todd Day G/F 6-6 188 5 Arkansas 12 Malcolm Huckaby G 6-2 218 R Boston College 14 Charles Smith G 6-4 194 R New Mexico 21 Voshon Lenard G 6-4 205 2 Minnesota 24 Jamal Mashburn F 6-8 250 4 Kentucky 30 Mark Strickland F 6-9 220 2 Temple 31 Duane Causwell C 7-0 240 7 Temple 32 Patrick Savoy F 6-8 214 R UNLV 33 Alonzo Mourning C 6-10 261 5 Georgetown 35 Willie Anderson G 6-8 200 9 Georgia 40 Muntrelle Dobbins F 6-6 240 R Ark-Little Rock 42 P.J. Brown F 6-11 240 4 Louisiana Tech 43 Ben Davis F 6-9 240 1 Arizona 54 Ed Pinckney F 6-9 240 12 Villanova Head Coach: Pat Riley

nba.740 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Milwaukee Bucks Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 3 Melvin Booker G 6-0 188 2 Missouri 5 Elliot Perry G 6-0 152 5 Memphis 7 Terrell Brandon G 5-11 173 6 Oregon 9 Jeff Nordgaard F 6-6 222 R Wisc-Green Bay 10 Armon Gilliam F 6-9 260 10 UNLV 11 Jamie Feick F 6-8 255 1 Michigan State 12 Michael Curry G 6-5 227 3 Georgia Southern 13 Glenn Robinson F 6-7 235 3 Purdue 20 Michael McDonald C 6-10 225 R New Orleans 21 Reggie Freeman G 6-6 208 R Texas 22 Tim Breaux F 6-6 216 2 Wyoming 25 Jerald Honeycutt F/G 6-9 254 R Tulane 28 Andrew Lang C 6-11 270 9 Arkansas 34 Ray Allen G 6-5 205 1 Connecticut 40 Ervin Johnson C 6-11 245 4 New Orleans 42 Tyrone Hill F 6-9 250 7 Xavier (Oh) 55 Acie Earl F/C 6-11 279 4 Iowa Head Coach: Chris Ford

nba.741 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Minnesota Timberwolves Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 3 Stephon Marbury G 6-2 180 1 Georgia Tech 4 Micheal Williams G 6-2 175 9 Baylor 5 Doug West G/F 6-6 220 8 Villanova 7 Victor Page G 6-3 200 R Georgetown 8 Jimmy King G 6-5 210 R Michigan 10 Shane Heal G 6-0 180 1 None 12 Chris Collins G 6-3 185 R Duke 15 Bill Curley F 6-9 245 3 Boston College 21 Kevin Garnett F 6-11 220 2 None 22 Clifford Rozier F/C 6-11 255 3 Louisville 24 Tom Gugiotta F 6-10 240 1 North Carolina State 25 Jason Osborne F 6-8 200 R Louisville 30 Terry Porter G 6-3 195 12 U.W. Stevens Point 40 Paul Grant C 7-0 245 R Wisconsin 42 Sam Mitchell F 6-7 215 8 Mercer 43 Chris Carr G 6-6 220 1 Southern Illinois 44 Cherokee Parks F/C 6-11 240 2 Duke 45 Mikki Moore C 6-11 225 R Nebraska 53 Stanley Roberts C 7-0 290 6 Louisiana State Head Coach: Phil "Flip" Saunders

nba.742 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

New Jersey Nets Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ====== === == == === ======= 2 David Benoit F 6-8 220 5 Alabama 7 Kenny Smith G 6-3 170 10 North Carolina 10 Sam Cassell G 6-3 185 4 Florida State 11 Steve Henson G 6-1 180 5 Kansas State 12 Lucious Harris G 6-5 205 4 Long Beach State 13 Kendall Gill G 6-5 216 7 Illinois 15 Chris Gatling F/C 6-10 230 6 Old Dominion 21 Kevin Edwards G 6-3 210 9 DePaul 24 Don MacLean F 6-10 235 5 UCLA 30 Kerry Kittles G 6-5 179 1 Villanova 33 Yinka Dare C 7-0 265 3 George Washington 40 Robert Werdann C 6-11 250 3 St. John's 44 Keith Van Horn F 6-10 220 R Utah 45 Michael Cage F/C 6-9 248 13 San Diego State 54 Jack Haley C 6-10 242 9 UCLA 55 Jayson Williams F 6-10 245 7 St. John's Head Coach: John Calipari

nba.745 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Philadelphia 76ers Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 00 Eric Montross C 7-0 270 4 North Carolina Marko Milic F 6-6 235 R Smelt Olimpija Kebu Stewart F 6-8 239 R Cal St. Bakersfield 1 Tim Thomas F 6-10 230 R Villanova 3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 165 1 Georgetown 7 Mark Davis G/F 6-7 210 2 Texas Tech 11 Doug Overton G 6-3 190 5 La Salle 12 Anthony Parker G 6-6 215 R Bradley 14 Mark Hendrickson F 6-9 220 1 Washington State 20 Frankie King G 6-1 185 2 Western Carolina 22 Jim Jackson G 6-6 220 6 Ohio State 23 Rex Walters G 6-4 190 4 Kansas 34 Terry Cummings F 6-9 250 15 DePaul 35 Clarence Weatherspoon F 6-7 240 5 So. Mississippi 42 Jerry Stackhouse G/F 6-6 218 2 North Carolina 44 Derrick Coleman F 6-10 260 7 Syracuse 45 Adrian Caldwell F/C 6-9 265 6 Lamar 50 Mark Bradtke C/F 6-10 265 1 Redcliff H.S. (AU) 55 Scott Williams C/F 6-10 230 7 North Carolina Head Coach: Larry Brown

nba.746 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Phoenix Suns Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Cedric Ceballos F 6-7 220 7 Cal Fullerton 2 Mark Bryant F/C 6-9 245 9 Seton Hall 3 Rex Chapman G 6-4 195 9 Kentucky 4 Stephen Jackson G/F 6-8 218 R Oak Hill (Va) 7 Kevin Johnson G 6-1 190 10 California 8 William Cunningham C 6-11 250 R Temple 12 Shawn Dirden G 6-3 190 R Idaho 13 Steve Nash G 6-3 195 1 Santa Clara 15 Danny Manning F/C 6-10 234 9 Kansas 18 John Williams C/F 6-11 245 11 Tulane 21 George McCloud F 6-8 225 7 Florida State 24 Tom Chambers F/C 6-10 230 15 Utah 30 Cliff Robinson F 6-10 225 8 Connecticut 32 Jason Kidd G 6-4 212 4 California 34 Antonio McDyess F/C 6-9 220 3 Alabama 40 Loren Meyer C/F 6-10 260 2 Iowa State 52 Russ Millard F 6-7 240 R Iowa 55 Dwayne Schintzius C 7-2 285 8 Florida Head Coach: Danny Ainge

nba.744 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Orlando Magic Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Anfernee Hardaway G/F 6-7 215 4 Memphis State 2 Rick Brunson G 6-4 195 R Temple 4 Rony Seikaly C 6-11 253 9 Syracuse 8 Jason Lawson C 6-11 240 R Villanova 9 Tim Kempton F/C 6-10 255 7 Notre Dame 10 Darrell Armstrong G 6-1 180 3 Fayetteville State 11 Brian Evans F 6-8 220 R Indiana 12 Derek Harper G 6-4 206 14 Illinois 13 Ed O'Bannon F 6-8 220 2 UCLA 17 Johnny Taylor F 6-9 220 R Tenn.-Chattanooga 20 Brian Shaw G 6-6 200 8 UC Santa Barbara 21 Gerald Wilkins G/F 6-6 225 12 Tenn.-Chattanooga 24 Danny Schayes C 6-11 260 16 Syracuse 25 Nick Anderson G/F 6-6 228 8 Illinois 33 Derek Strong F 6-9 240 6 Xavier 42 David Vaughn F/C 6-9 240 1 Memphis 45 Charles Outlaw F/C 6-8 210 4 Houston 54 Horace Grant F 6-10 245 10 Clemson Head Coach: Chuck Daly

nba.743 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

New York Knicks Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Chris Childs G 6-3 195 3 Boise State 2 Larry Johnson F 6-7 263 6 Nevada-Las Vegas 3 John Starks G 6-5 185 8 Oklahoma State 4 Scott Brooks G 5-11 165 9 Cal-Irvine 5 Dontae' Jones F 6-8 220 1 Mississippi State 8 Pete Myers G/F 6-6 190 8 Arkansas-Little Rock 14 Chris Dudley C 6-11 240 11 Yale 20 Allan Houston G 6-6 200 5 Tennessee 21 Charlie Ward G 6-2 190 3 Florida State 25 John Thomas F 6-9 265 R Minnesota 32 Herb Williams F/C 6-11 260 16 Ohio State 33 Patrick Ewing C 7-0 240 12 Georgetown 34 Charles Oakley F 6-9 245 12 Virginia Union 40 Walter McCarty F 6-10 230 1 Kentucky 52 Buck Williams F 6-8 225 16 Maryland Head Coach: Jeff Van Gundy

nba.747 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Portland Trail Blazers Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 2 Stacey Augmon F 6-8 205 6 Nevada-Las Vegas 5 Jermaine O'Neal F 6-11 226 1 Eau Claire HS 7 Kenny Anderson G 6-1 168 6 Georgia Tech 10 Dontonio Wingfield F 6-8 256 2 Cincinnati 11 Arvydas Sabonis C 7-3 292 2 Lithuania 12 John Crotty G 6-2 194 5 Virginia 17 Vincent Askew F 6-6 235 8 Memphis 21 Alvin Williams G 6-5 185 R Villanova 30 Rasheed Wallace C/F 6-11 225 2 North Carolina 31 Kelvin Cato C 6-11 255 R Iowa State 33 Gary Trent F 6-8 250 2 Ohio University 34 Isaiah Rider G 6-5 215 4 UNLV 44 Brian Grant F 6-9 254 3 Xavier Head Coach: Mike Dunleavy

nba.748 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Sacramento Kings Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 0 Olden Polynice F/C 7-0 250 10 Virginia 2 Mitch Richmond G 6-5 215 9 Kansas State 3 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf G 6-1 162 7 Louisiana State 4 Corliss Williamson F 6-7 245 2 Arkansas 7 Bobby Hurley G 6-0 165 4 Duke 9 Oliver Saint-Jean G/F 6-6 223 R San Jose State 10 Anthony Johnson G 6-3 190 R College of Charleston 13 Michael Stewart C 6-10 230 R California 22 Lionel Simmons F 6-7 210 7 La Salle 24 Terry Dehere G 6-4 190 4 Seton Hall 30 Billy Owens F/G 6-9 225 6 Syracuse 33 Kevin Salvadori C 7-0 231 1 North Carolina 34 Michael Smith F 6-8 230 3 Providence 35 Kevin Gamble F/G 6-6 225 10 Iowa 51 Lawrence Funderburke F 6-9 230 R Ohio State 54 Derek Grimm F 6-9 230 R Missouri Head Coach: Eddie Jordan

nba.749 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

San Antonio Spurs Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Cory Alexander G 6-1 190 2 Virginia 2 Jaren Jackson G 6-6 215 7 Georgetown 3 Monty Williams F 6-8 225 3 Notre Dame 4 Reggie Geary G 6-2 190 1 Arizona 6 Avery Johnson G 5-11 180 9 Southern 7 Carl Herrera F 6-9 225 6 Houston 10 David Wood F 6-10 240 7 Nevada-Reno 11 Shawn Igo C 6-10 240 R Rice 15 Vinny Del Negro G 6-4 200 7 North Carolina St. 21 Tim Duncan F/C 7-0 248 R Wake Forest 28 Danya Abrams F 6-7 265 R Boston College 31 Malik Rose F 6-7 250 1 Drexel 32 Sean Elliott F 6-8 220 8 Arizona 41 Will Perdue C 7-0 240 9 Vanderbilt 45 Chuck Person F 6-8 235 11 Auburn 50 David Robinson C 7-1 250 8 Navy 54 Charles Smith F 6-10 245 9 Pittsburgh Head Coach: Gregg Popovich

nba.750 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Seattle Supersonics Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 2 Greg Anthony G 6-1 180 6 UNLV 3 Craig Ehlo G/F 6-7 203 14 Washington State 4 James Cotton G 6-5 220 R Long Beach State 7 Jerome Kersey F 6-7 225 13 Longwood 9 Dale Ellis G/F 6-7 215 14 Tennessee 10 Nate McMillan G/F 6-5 210 11 No. Carolina St. 11 Detlef Schrempf F 6-10 235 12 Washington 13 Eric Snow G 6-3 204 2 Michigan State 14 Sam Perkins F/C 6-9 260 13 North Carolina 15 Aaron Williams F 6-9 225 3 Xavier 20 Gary Payton G 6-4 180 7 Oregon State 22 Jim McIlvaine C 7-1 264 3 Marquette 25 David Wingate G/F 6-5 187 11 Georgetown 33 Hersey Hawkins G 6-3 200 9 Bradley 42 Vin Baker F 6-11 250 4 Hartford 44 Stephen Howard F 6-9 225 3 Depaul 50 Ed Stokes C 7-0 264 1 Arizona Head Coach: George Karl

nba.751 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Toronto Raptors Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Tracy McGrady G/F 6-8 210 R Mt. Zion 3 Zan Tabak C 7-0 245 3 Croatia 4 Sharone Wright C/F 6-11 260 3 Clemson 5 Brandon Williams F 6-6 200 R Davidson 6 John Coker C 7-1 253 1 Boise State 12 Chris Garner G 5-10 156 R Memphis 13 Doug Christie G/F 6-6 205 5 Pepperdine 20 Damon Stoudamire G 5-10 171 2 Arizona 21 Marcus Camby C/F 6-11 220 1 Massachusetts 22 Rowan Barrett F 6-5 190 R St. John's 24 Reggie Slater F 6-7 255 3 Wyoming 25 John Long G 6-5 200 14 Detroit 31 Shawn Respert G 6-2 195 2 Michigan State 34 Carlos Rogers F/C 6-11 220 3 Tennessee State 42 Walt Williams F 6-8 230 5 Maryland 44 John Wallace F 6-9 225 1 Syracuse 54 Popeye Jones F 6-8 250 3 Murray State Head Coach: Darrell Walker

nba.752 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Utah Jazz Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ====== === == == === ======= 00 Greg Ostertag C 7-2 280 2 Kansas 3 Bryon Russell F 6-7 225 4 Long Beach State 10 Howard Eisley G 6-2 180 3 Boston College 11 Jacque Vaughn G 6-1 190 R Kansas 12 John Stockton G 6-1 175 13 Gonzaga 14 Jeff Hornacek G 6-4 190 11 Iowa State 22 Nate Erdmann G 6-5 195 R Oklahoma 25 Troy Hudson G 6-1 170 R Southern Illinois 31 Adam Keefe F 6-9 230 5 Stanford 32 Karl Malone F 6-9 256 12 Louisiana Tech 34 Chris Morris F 6-8 228 9 Auburn 40 Shandon Anderson F 6-6 210 1 Georgia 44 Greg Foster C 6-11 250 7 Texas-El Paso 45 Greg Dreiling C 7-1 265 10 Kansas 55 Antoine Carr C/F 6-9 270 12 Wichita State Head Coach: Jerry Sloan

nba.753 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Vancouver Grizzlies Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Anthony Peeler G 6-4 208 5 Missouri 3 Shareef Abdur-Rahim F 6-9 230 1 California 4 Marcus Brown G 6-3 185 1 Murray State 5 Chris Robinson G 6-5 200 1 Western Kentucky 9 George Lynch F 6-8 228 4 North Carolina 10 Otis Thorpe F 6-10 246 13 Providence 11 Lee Mayberry G 6-1 180 5 Arkansas 12 Litterial Green G 6-1 195 3 Georgia 18 David Booth F 6-7 200 R DePaul 23 Pete Chilcutt F 6-11 240 6 North Carolina 28 Ivano Newbill C 6-11 245 2 Georgia Tech 30 Blue Edwards G 6-4 228 8 East Carolina 32 Doug Edwards F 6-7 228 4 Florida State 33 Antonio Daniels G 6-4 195 R Bowling Green 35 Alan Ogg C 7-2 245 3 Alabama-Birmingham 44 Roy Rogers F 6-10 235 1 Alabama 50 Bryant Reeves C 7-0 292 2 Oklahoma State Head Coach: Brian Hill

nba.754 nba.news, 11 Oct 97

Washington Wizards Pre-Season Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE == ===== === == == === ======= 1 Rod Strickland G 6-3 185 9 DePaul 2 God Shammgod G 6-0 169 R Providence 3 Johnny Rhodes G 6-0 169 R Maryland 4 Chris Webber F 6-10 245 4 Michigan 5 Juwan Howard F 6-9 240 3 Michigan 12 Chris Whitney G 6-0 170 4 Clemson 23 Tim Legler G 6-4 210 7 LaSalle 30 Ben Wallace F 6-9 240 1 Virginia Union 31 Darvin Ham F 6-7 230 1 Texas Tech 33 Jimmy Oliver G/F 6-5 210 6 Purdue 35 Tracy Murray F 6-7 228 5 UCLA 40 Calbert Cheaney G/F 6-7 215 4 Indiana 42 Chuck Kornegay F 6-9 240 R Villanova 43 Lorenzo Williams C/F 6-9 230 5 Stetson 44 Harvey Grant F/G 6-9 225 9 Oklahoma 50 Eric Leckner C 6-11 245 8 Wyoming 52 Charles Shackleford C/F 6-11 245 5 North Carolina State 55 Amal McCaskill F/C 6-11 245 1 Marquette 77 Gheorghe Muresan C 7-7 303 4 Cluj University Head Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff

nba.755 mango, 12 Oct 97

Nisam pratio poruke sa nba.news-a, pa sam kad sam prelistao statistike, mnogo sam se iznenadio. Sta se desava? Pola igraca nije igralo ili je bilo mnooogo trejdova. Ajde napisite ukratko vaznije trejdove.

nba.756 vpoznanovic, 12 Oct 97

1997 NBA Preseason Saturday, October 11 Boston at Atlanta 91:100 Charlotte at Utah 86:105 Houston at Dallas 104:103 Orlando at Detroit 77:89 San Antonio at Washington 99:87 Seattle at Chicago 92:101 Toronto at Indiana 100:104 Vancouver at L.A. Clippers 94:98 NBA AT HUNTSVILLE AL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- BOSTON 18 24 27 22 91 ATLANTA 24 21 21 34 100 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 32, DANA BARROS 16, TRAVIS KNIGHT 10 ATL - STEVE SMITH 18, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 15, CHUCKY BROWN 15 HIGH REBOUND: BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 12, CHRIS MILLS 7 ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 14, ANTHONY MILLER 8 HIGH ASSISTS: BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 3, DEE BROWN 3 ATL - MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 9, CHUCKY BROWN 3 ATT: 7,200 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- CHARLOTTE 30 19 21 16 86 UTAH 29 24 31 21 105 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: CHA - GLEN RICE 19, DAVID WESLEY 17, MATT GEIGER 10 UTH - JEFF HORNACEK 17, JOHN STOCKTON 14, GREG OSTERTAG 13 HIGH REBOUND: CHA - MATT GEIGER 11, ANTHONY MASON 9 UTH - GREG OSTERTAG 19, GREG FOSTER 6 HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2 UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 8, KARL MALONE 4 ATT: 19,078 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- HOUSTON 25 23 34 22 104 DALLAS 23 25 35 20 103 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: HOU - RODRICK RHODES 18, BRENT PRICE 16, SAM MACK 13 DAL - DENNIS SCOTT 22, MICHAEL FINLEY 20, SHAWN BRADLEY 19 HIGH REBOUND: HOU - MATT BULLARD 9, KEVIN WILLIS 9 DAL - SHAWN BRADLEY 17, AC GREEN 11 HIGH ASSISTS: HOU - RODRICK RHODES 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3 DAL - ROBERT PACK 8, ERICK STRICKLAND 4 ATT: 10,506 NBA AT GRAND RAPIDS MI FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- ORLANDO 19 18 24 16 77 DETROIT 18 21 27 23 89 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: ORL - ANFERNEE HARDAWAY 16, DEREK HARPER 13, NICK ANDERSON 13 DET - BRIAN WILLIAMS 16, AARON MCKIE 15, GRANT LONG 14 HIGH REBOUND: ORL - DEREK STRONG 5, THREE PLAYERS WITH 4 DET - JEROME WILLIAMS 12, AARON MCKIE 6 HIGH ASSISTS: ORL - DARRELL ARMSTRONG 5, ANFERNEE HARDAWAY 4 DET - GRANT HILL 7, GRANT LONG 6 ATT: 11,203 NBA AT FAIRFAX VA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- SAN ANTONIO 20 31 22 26 99 WASHINGTON 24 19 21 23 87 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: SAS - TIM DUNCAN 19, DAVID ROBINSON 17, CORY ALEXANDER 16 WAS - TRACY MURRAY 15, CHRIS WEBBER 13, ROD STRICKLAND 13 HIGH REBOUND: SAS - DAVID ROBINSON 6, WILL PERDUE 6 WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 8, BEN WALLACE 6 HIGH ASSISTS: SAS - CORY ALEXANDER 3, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2 WAS - GOD SHAMMGOD 4, CHRIS WHITNEY 4 ATT: 7,024 NBA AT LAWRENCE KS FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- SEATTLE 22 28 12 30 92 CHICAGO 27 27 25 22 101 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: SEA - JAMES COTTON 16, VIN BAKER 16, AARON WILLIAMS 12 CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 23, SCOTT BURRELL 13, STEVE KERR 12 HIGH REBOUND: SEA - AARON WILLIAMS 10, VIN BAKER 4 CHI - TONI KUKOC 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6 HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - DAVID WINGATE 4, ERIC SNOW 3 CHI - RANDY BROWN 4, LUC LONGLEY 3 ATT: 16,300 NBA AT FORT WAYNE IN FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- TORONTO 14 31 26 29 100 INDIANA 34 16 29 25 104 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: TOR - MARCUS CAMBY 21, DAMON STOUDAMIRE 17, DOUG CHRISTIE 16 IND - FRED HOIBERG 21, RIK SMITS 18, REGGIE MILLER 15 HIGH REBOUND: TOR - MARCUS CAMBY 6, DOUG CHRISTIE 5 IND - DALE DAVIS 10, MARK POPE 8 HIGH ASSISTS: TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4 IND - MARK JACKSON 6, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2 ATT: 8,239 NBA AT ANAHEIM CA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- VANCOUVER 25 30 18 21 94 LA CLIPPERS 28 19 25 26 98 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 32, BRYANT REEVES 16, ANTHONY PEELER 10 LAC - BRENT BARRY 13, DARRICK MARTIN 11, KEITH CLOSS JR 11 HIGH REBOUND: VAN - OTIS THORPE 10, BRYANT REEVES 7 LAC - KEITH CLOSS JR 13, LOY VAUGHT 11 HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - LEE MAYBERRY 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2 LAC - DARRICK MARTIN 5, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2 ATT: 6,990 Sunday, October 12 Minnesota vs. Cleveland at St. Louis, 3:00 p.m. San Antonio vs. New York at Syracuse, N.Y., 7:00 p.m. Philadelphia at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Dallas vs. Utah at El Paso, Texas, 8:30 p.m. Golden State vs. Denver at Colorado Springs, 9:00 p.m. Vancouver at Phoenix, 9:00 p.m.

nba.757 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

BOSTON (91) AT ATLANTA (100) BOSTON REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === WALKER F 38 13-30 3-4 2 10 12 3 5 2 5 32 MILLS F 29 2-6 0-0 1 6 7 1 3 0 0 4 KNIGHT C 27 4-10 2-2 1 2 3 1 5 0 3 10 BROWN G 33 1-5 2-4 0 3 3 3 2 2 2 4 BARROS G 25 4-8 7-7 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 16 BOWEN 14 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 1 4 DECLERCQ 9 1-3 3-6 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 5 BILLUPS 15 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 MERCER 15 2-4 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 5 ELLISON 11 2-3 0-0 1 4 5 0 6 0 1 4 EDNEY 8 0-3 2-2 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 2 COLEMAN 5 1-4 0-2 4 1 5 0 2 0 1 2 MASSENBURG 7 0-1 1-2 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 1 MINOR 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 TOTALS 240 33-84 21-31 13 36 49 15 35 5 17 91 (.393) (.677) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 17(17 PTS) ATLANTA REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === CORBIN F 23 4-9 5-6 1 6 7 0 4 1 0 13 HENDERSON F 20 1-5 0-0 1 5 6 0 1 0 2 2 MUTOMBO C 26 2-5 11-16 3 11 14 0 4 0 1 15 SMITH G 31 5-13 8-9 0 2 2 1 5 0 2 18 BLAYLOCK G 38 5-11 2-3 1 2 3 9 1 2 5 12 MILLER 21 3-6 5-6 3 5 8 0 1 0 0 11 BOND 6 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2 BROWN 28 5-7 5-8 0 4 4 3 3 1 0 15 CRAWFORD 12 0-3 2-2 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 2 GRAY 24 4-8 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 9 RECASNER 10 0-2 1-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 LAETTNER 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 240 30-71 40-54 10 39 49 16 23 4 14 100 (.423) (.741) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 15(11 PTS) BOSTON 18 24 27 22 - 91 ATLANTA 24 21 21 34 - 100 BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - MILLS 2, WALKER, KNIGHT. ATLANTA - BROWN 3, MUTOMBO 2, BLAYLOCK. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 4-8 (.500), WALKER 3-4, BROWN 0-1, BARROS 1-3. ATLANTA 0-7 (.000), SMITH 0-2, BLAYLOCK 0-4, BOND 0-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: DON VADEN, MARK WUNDERLICH, TONY BROTHERS. A - 7,200. T - 2:21. BOSTON (91) AT ATLANTA (100) Steve Smith scored 18 points to lead six players in double figures as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Boston Celtics, 100-91, in an exhibition game in Huntsville, Alabama. Dikembe Mutombo had 15 points and 14 rebounds and Chucky Brown added 15 points for the Hawks (2-0), who limited the Celtics to 39 percent shooting and led by as many as 15 points. Anthony "Pig" Miller scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter, when Atlanta shot 58 percent and outscored Boston, 34-22. Hawks rookie guard Ed Gray scored nine points. Antoine Walker had 32 points and 12 rebounds for his second straight big game for the Celtics (0-2). He had 27 points and 16 rebounds in the team's exhibition opener on Friday. Dana Barros added 16 points for Boston. Rookie point guard Chauncey Billups, the third pick in the draft, had two points in 15 minutes, while Ron Mercer, the sixth pick, had five points in 15 minutes.

nba.758 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

CHARLOTTE (86) AT UTAH (105) CHARLOTTE REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === RICE F 29 6-17 4-5 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 19 MASON F 37 3-7 3-3 1 8 9 4 2 2 0 9 GEIGER C 25 4-9 2-2 5 6 11 1 2 0 1 10 PHILLS G 22 3-6 2-2 0 2 2 2 5 0 0 8 WESLEY G 31 7-14 3-7 1 0 1 2 2 4 3 17 DIVAC 15 0-4 1-2 3 2 5 1 2 0 0 1 CURRY 21 2-12 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 6 REID 15 1-3 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 2 WILLIAMS 14 1-6 1-2 1 1 2 0 3 2 0 3 BECK 17 1-4 7-8 2 1 3 0 2 3 0 9 WILBOURNE 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 BURROUGH 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 MEE 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 TOTALS 240 29-86 24-33 16 21 37 12 24 13 9 86 (.337) (.727) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 10(11 PTS) UTAH REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === RUSSELL F 22 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 4 MALONE F 23 5-7 1-3 0 4 4 4 2 0 3 11 OSTERTAG C 27 4-8 5-5 4 15 19 1 3 0 0 13 HORNACEK G 22 6-11 5-7 1 0 1 2 3 1 1 17 STOCKTON G 20 5-6 4-5 0 1 1 8 3 0 2 14 EISLEY 17 2-6 2-2 0 3 3 2 0 1 3 7 ANDERSON 20 5-8 0-0 2 3 5 3 2 2 2 10 FOSTER 21 3-8 0-0 2 4 6 0 2 0 2 6 CARR 16 0-3 2-2 0 4 4 2 3 0 0 2 KEEFE 13 2-2 3-4 2 0 2 1 2 0 0 7 DREILING 9 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 VAUGHN 8 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 5 0 MORRIS 13 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 12 ERDMANN 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 HUDSON 3 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 2 TOTALS 240 39-78 22-28 13 39 52 27 28 6 23 105 (.500) (.786) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 23(24 PTS) CHARLOTTE 30 19 21 16 - 86 UTAH 29 24 31 21 - 105 BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - MASON, WESLEY, REID. UTAH - OSTERTAG 3, CARR 2, MALONE, ANDERSON, FOSTER, DREILING, MORRIS. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 4-12 (.333), RICE 3-4, WESLEY 0-2, CURRY 1-5, BECK 0-1. UTAH 5-12 (.417), RUSSELL 0-1, HORNACEK 0-1, STOCKTON 0-1, EISLEY 1-2, ANDERSON 0-1, VAUGHN 0-1, MORRIS 4-4, HUDSON 0-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, BRUCE ALEXANDER, SCOTT WALL. A - 19,078. T - 2:02. CHARLOTTE (86) AT UTAH (105) Jeff Hornacek scored 17 points and teamed with Karl Malone to fuel a third-quarter burst as the Utah Jazz cruised to a 105-86 exhibition victory over the Charlotte Hornets. John Stockton scored 15 points and Greg Ostertag added 13 and 18 rebounds for the Jazz, who took control with an 8-0 run in the second quarter, then put away the game just after halftime. After the Hornets scored the first basket of the second half to close to 53-51, Hornacek scored four points and Malone five in a 20-4 spurt that gave the Jazz a 73-55 advantage. Malone had 11 points. Glen Rice scored 19 points and point guard David Wesley added 17 for the Hornets. Wesley was signed as a free agent during the offseason, as was Bobby Phills, who had eight points. Guard Muggsy Bogues, nursing a sore knee, did not play.

nba.759 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

HOUSTON (104) AT DALLAS (103) HOUSTON REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === BARKLEY F 9 2-4 4-4 3 2 5 0 0 0 2 8 STEPHENS F 15 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 0 2 3 WILLIS C 24 3-7 4-4 2 7 9 0 4 0 2 10 PRICE G 29 5-12 4-5 0 3 3 3 6 1 2 16 MACK G 28 5-8 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 13 HARRINGTON 19 3-7 1-2 1 6 7 1 3 2 0 7 RHODES 29 6-11 6-8 0 0 0 4 2 2 2 18 ZWIKKER 19 2-5 0-0 1 4 5 0 3 0 0 4 JOHNSON 24 3-9 4-4 2 1 3 1 1 1 0 11 DAVIS 19 3-6 1-3 1 3 4 3 2 2 1 8 BULLARD 25 2-7 0-0 0 9 9 1 1 0 1 6 TOTALS 240 35-80 26-32 12 36 48 15 24 8 15 104 (.438) (.813) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 15(12 PTS) DALLAS REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === SCOTT F 43 7-17 5-6 0 5 5 3 4 0 1 22 GREEN F 34 7-12 0-0 5 6 11 1 1 5 1 14 BRADLEY C 35 7-15 5-8 9 8 17 1 5 2 3 19 FINLEY G 37 8-19 3-4 0 2 2 1 1 1 2 20 PACK G 18 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 8 6 1 1 0 WALKER 16 3-4 2-4 1 3 4 0 3 0 1 8 STRICKLAND 26 2-13 5-6 2 4 6 4 5 1 1 10 CUSTIS 15 0-5 4-4 3 1 4 2 2 0 1 4 MACKEY 2 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 REEVES 8 1-3 3-4 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 5 WELLS 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 OLLIE 3 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 TOTALS 240 35-92 28-38 21 33 54 21 28 10 11 103 (.380) (.737) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 11(7 PTS) HOUSTON 25 23 34 22 - 104 DALLAS 23 25 35 20 - 103 BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - PRICE, JOHNSON, BULLARD. DALLAS - BRADLEY 4, SCOTT, FINLEY. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 8-17 (.471), STEPHENS 1-1, PRICE 2-6, MACK 1-2, JOHNSON 1-2, DAVIS 1-1, BULLARD 2-5. DALLAS 5-14 (.357), SCOTT 3-5, FINLEY 1-5, STRICKLAND 1-3, REEVES 0-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, KEN MAUER, MIKE SMITH. A - 10,506. T - 2:16. HOUSTON (104) AT DALLAS (103) Emanual Davis made a three-pointer from the left corner with two-tenths of a second remaining to lift the Houston Rockets to a 104-103 exhibition victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas (0-1) had taken a 103-101 lead with 6.3 seconds left after Erick Strickland was fouled by Brent Price and hit the second of two free throws. The Rockets improved to 2-0 when Davis hit the game-winning three-pointer during Houston's final possession. Rookie Rodrick Rhodes scored 18 points to lead the Rockets. Price added 16 points and Kevin Willis and Matt Bullard nine rebounds each. Dennis Scott, playing in his first game for Dallas since being acquired from Orlando, led all scorers with 22 points. Michael Finley added 20 points and Shawn Bradley had 19 points and 17 rebounds. Houston All-Star forward Charles Barkley was ejected from the game with 2:55 left in the first quarter after picking up his second technical foul for arguing a call.

nba.760 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

ORLANDO (77) AT DETROIT (89) ORLANDO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === STRONG F 24 4-7 1-2 1 4 5 3 2 0 1 9 ANDERSON F 35 6-15 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 1 1 13 SEIKALY C 14 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 2 3 2 D HARPER G 21 6-8 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 13 A HARDAWAY G 30 6-13 4-6 2 2 4 4 5 2 2 16 BRUNSON 3 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 LAWSON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 KEMPTON 7 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 ARMSTRONG 18 3-5 0-0 1 3 4 5 3 2 2 7 EVANS 15 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 4 SCHAYES 27 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 4 VAUGHN 15 1-2 1-2 0 2 2 1 3 1 2 3 OUTLAW 28 2-2 0-1 2 2 4 2 4 0 2 4 OBANNON 2 0-2 0-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 240 34-70 6-13 8 16 24 22 27 9 20 77 (.486) (.462) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 20(16 PTS) DETROIT REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === G LONG F 26 6-10 2-2 3 2 5 6 3 3 0 14 HILL F 29 5-12 2-4 1 4 5 7 1 2 1 12 B WILLIAMS C 24 7-12 2-2 1 3 4 2 3 1 3 16 HUNTER G 10 0-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 MCKIE G 36 7-10 0-0 1 5 6 4 3 0 2 15 OBANNON 24 3-8 1-2 1 4 5 0 1 1 0 7 ROBINSON 9 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 J WILLIAMS 19 1-6 1-3 8 4 12 0 3 1 3 3 SEALY 29 4-6 3-3 1 0 1 2 2 1 2 11 POLLARD 9 1-2 1-2 1 2 3 2 0 0 0 3 AMAYA 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 RATLIFF 14 0-5 0-0 2 1 3 0 3 0 2 0 REID 10 0-0 4-4 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 TOTALS 240 36-78 16-22 20 27 47 25 22 11 13 89 (.462) (.727) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 17(10 PTS) ORLANDO 19 18 24 16 - 77 DETROIT 18 21 27 23 - 89 BLOCKED SHOTS: ORLANDO - STRONG 3, SEIKALY 2, ANDERSON, EVANS. DETROIT - HILL, G LONG, POLLARD, RATLIFF. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ORLANDO 3-11 (.273), ANDERSON 1-4, D HARPER 1-3, A HARDAWAY 0-1, BRUNSON 0-1, ARMSTRONG 1-1, EVANS 0-1. DETROIT 1-2 (.500), MCKIE 1-2. TECHNICALS: ORLANDO - A HARDAWAY. OFFICIALS: DEREK RICHARDSON, STEVE JAVIE, RON OLESIAK. A - 11,203. T - 2:16. ORLANDO (77) AT DETROIT (89) Aaron McKie scored six of his 15 points in an 18-6 run over the final eight minutes, leading the Detroit Pistons to an 89-77 exhibition victory over the Orlando Magic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Pistons (1-1) were led by Brian Williams, who was 7-of-12 from the field and had 16 points. Williams was signed as a free agent to a seven-year $45 million deal during the offseason. Detroit's Jerome Williams pulled down 12 rebounds in 19 minutes and Grant Hill added seven assists. Anfernee Hardaway scored 16 points and Nick Anderson and Derek Harper chipped in 13 points apiece for Orlando (0-2). The Magic tied the game 71-71 on a driving layup by Darrell Armstrong before the Pistons went on their game-ending burst.

nba.761 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

SAN ANTONIO (99) AT WASHINGTON (87) SAN ANTONIO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === ELLIOTT F 18 4-6 2-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 10 DUNCAN F 22 9-13 1-2 2 2 4 2 3 1 3 19 ROBINSON C 26 6-10 5-10 1 5 6 0 1 1 2 17 DEL NEGRO G 27 3-5 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 0 1 6 JOHNSON G 21 1-4 3-4 1 1 2 1 0 4 0 5 HERRERA 18 1-5 1-2 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 3 ALEXANDER 25 4-10 6-8 1 4 5 3 3 2 2 16 JACKSON 15 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 W PERDUE 25 4-6 5-6 1 5 6 2 2 0 1 13 C PERSON 20 0-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 ROSE 18 2-4 2-4 1 2 3 0 1 2 0 6 WOOD 3 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 2 GEARY 2 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 2 0 TOTALS 240 36-72 25-38 11 29 40 13 20 12 11 99 (.500) (.658) TEAM REBS: 0 TOTAL TO: 11(0 PTS) WASHINGTON REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === WEBBER F 22 5-12 3-3 2 6 8 0 0 0 1 13 GRANT F 19 1-5 0-0 1 0 1 1 3 1 3 2 WILLIAMS C 9 0-0 0-2 1 2 3 0 4 0 0 0 CHEANEY G 21 4-8 0-2 3 2 5 0 4 0 1 8 STRICKLAND G 22 4-6 5-6 0 1 1 3 3 0 2 13 T MURRAY 28 4-11 6-8 2 2 4 3 3 1 1 15 WALLACE 31 2-3 1-3 3 3 6 0 0 0 0 5 LECKNER 5 0-0 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 0 0 0 WHITNEY 23 3-10 2-2 0 3 3 4 4 1 2 9 OLIVER 8 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 7 MCCASKILL 8 2-4 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 5 HAM 14 0-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 SHAMMGOD 18 2-3 1-2 0 1 1 4 2 1 3 6 KORNEGAY 6 0-3 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 RHODES 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 SHACKLEFORD 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 TOTALS 240 31-74 21-34 13 26 39 16 36 4 17 87 (.419) (.618) TEAM REBS: 0 TOTAL TO: 20(0 PTS) SAN ANTONIO 20 31 22 26 - 99 WASHINGTON 24 19 21 23 - 87 BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - DUNCAN. WASHINGTON - HAM, WALLACE, MCCASKILL, WHITNEY. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 2-9 (.222), HERRERA 0-1, ALEXANDER 2-5, C PERSON 0-3. WASHINGTON 4-11 (.364), WEBBER 0-2, T MURRAY 1-5, WHITNEY 1-2, OLIVER 1-1, SHAMMGOD 1-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: JOE DEROSA, BENNETT SALVATORE, JIM KINSEY. A - 7,024. T - 2:15. SAN ANTONIO (99) AT WASHINGTON (87) Rookie Tim Duncan scored 19 points and David Robinson added 17 as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Wahington Wizards, 99-87, in an exhibition game in Fairfax, Virginia. Duncan, the top overall pick in the draft, was 9-of-13 from the field and had four rebounds and a block in 22 minutes. He and Robinson both sat out the fourth quarter. Cory Alexander scored 16 points and Sean Elliott added 10 for the Spurs, who shot 50 percent from the field and limited the Wizards to 42 percent. San Antonio took control in the second quarter, surging to a 51-43 halftime lead. Tracy Murray scored 15 points, Rod Strickland added 14 and Chris Webber 13 for Washington, which committed 20 turnovers. Rookie guard God Shammgod added six points and four assists in 15 minutes for the Wizards, who waived forward Charles Shackleford after the game.

nba.762 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

SEATTLE (92) AT CHICAGO (101) SEATTLE REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === KERSEY F 23 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 BAKER F 29 5-12 6-12 3 1 4 1 1 1 1 16 PERKINS C 23 1-4 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 4 PAYTON G 30 1-6 0-0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 HAWKINS G 28 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 3 4 ANTHONY 26 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 3 EHLO 25 4-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 9 COTTON 16 4-6 7-10 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 16 WILLIAMS 17 5-9 2-2 0 10 10 1 4 1 1 12 WINGATE 6 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 4 1 2 1 4 HOWARD 8 5-8 1-1 2 1 3 1 1 2 2 11 STOKES 1 1-2 0-1 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 2 ELLIS 4 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 2 0 5 SNOW 4 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 0 3 4 TOTALS 240 35-76 17-28 10 23 33 15 15 12 17 92 (.461) (.607) TEAM REBS: 1 TOTAL TO: 20(0 PTS) CHICAGO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === CAFFEY F 28 3-6 3-4 0 5 5 1 5 0 0 9 LONGLEY F 25 3-6 4-4 1 2 3 3 4 1 1 10 HARPER C 30 4-6 2-2 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 10 JORDAN G 35 10-19 3-3 1 5 6 2 0 0 2 23 BROWN G 28 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 4 0 1 3 6 LARUE 19 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KUKOC 22 1-5 2-4 1 6 7 2 0 0 2 4 BURRELL 12 5-6 3-4 1 5 6 1 3 3 2 13 KERR 12 4-9 2-2 2 0 2 0 1 2 2 12 BUECHLER 10 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 HAMILTON 11 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 6 BOOTH 0 0-3 1-2 2 1 3 2 2 0 4 1 WENNINGTON 5 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 KLEINE 3 1-1 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 3 TOTALS 240 38-75 23-29 12 30 42 16 21 9 20 101 (.507) (.793) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 20(0 PTS) SEATTLE 22 28 12 30 - 92 CHICAGO 27 27 25 22 - 101 BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - KERSEY, WILLIAMS. CHICAGO - BURRELL 3, JORDAN, LONGLEY, HAMILTON, KERR. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 5-11 (.455), PERKINS 1-4, HAWKINS 0-2, ANTHONY 1-1, EHLO 1-1, COTTON 1-2, ELLIS 1-1. CHICAGO 2-3 (.667), KERR 2-3. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, ED MIDDLETON, BENNIE ADAMS. A - 16,300. T - 0:00. SEATTLE (92) AT CHICAGO (101) Michael Jordan scored 23 points and the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls cruised to a 101-92 exhibition victory over the Seattle SuperSonics in Lawrence, Kansas, gaining a split of their two-game series. Jordan was 10-of-19 from the floor as the Bulls shot 51 percent from the field. Newly acquired Scott Burrell was 5-of-6 from the field and scored 13 points. Steve Kerr was 2-for-3 from the new, longer three-point arc. Vin Baker and rookie guard James Cotton scored 16 points for the Sonics (1-1). Aaron Williams added 10 rebounds for Seattle.

nba.763 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

TORONTO (100) AT INDIANA (104) TORONTO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === SLATER F 5 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 CAMBY F 30 8-15 5-10 0 6 6 2 3 1 2 21 TABAK C 20 2-4 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 0 1 4 CHRISTIE G 25 7-11 0-0 0 5 5 3 5 3 2 16 STOUDAMIRE G 33 6-10 3-3 0 3 3 5 3 1 4 17 JONES 25 5-6 3-3 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 13 ROGERS 21 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 MCGRADY 12 1-9 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2 WALLACE 25 5-13 3-4 0 2 2 4 1 2 1 13 RESPERT 20 1-4 4-4 0 1 1 4 3 2 1 7 B WILLIAMS 12 1-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 GARNER 12 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 240 38-79 19-26 0 30 30 20 24 11 15 100 (.481) (.731) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(0 PTS) INDIANA REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === MULLIN F 23 5-11 3-3 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 13 D DAVIS F 23 3-5 0-0 0 10 10 2 3 1 3 6 SMITS C 20 8-12 2-3 0 3 3 1 2 3 1 18 MILLER G 30 3-6 7-8 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 15 BEST G 25 2-6 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 5 WEST 20 2-2 3-6 0 6 6 1 4 0 2 7 POPE 20 0-4 2-2 0 8 8 1 4 2 5 2 ROSE 20 3-6 1-2 0 4 4 2 0 0 1 7 JACKSON 24 2-2 3-4 0 2 2 6 2 1 2 8 HOIBERG 20 8-13 2-3 0 4 4 0 3 0 3 21 BOHANNON 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 LINDEMAN 6 1-1 0-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 MADKINS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 RILEY 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 TOTALS 240 37-69 24-35 0 41 41 17 28 10 20 104 (.536) (.686) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 21(0 PTS) TORONTO 14 31 26 29 - 100 INDIANA 34 16 29 25 - 104 BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - SLATER, CAMBY. INDIANA - SMITS 2, D DAVIS 2. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 5-11 (.455), CAMBY 0-1, CHRISTIE 2-3, STOUDAMIRE 2-2, MCGRADY 0-1, RESPERT 1-3, B WILLIAMS 0-1. INDIANA 6-11 (.545), MILLER 2-4, ROSE 0-1, JACKSON 1-1, HOIBERG 3-5. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TOM WASHINGTON, RODDY MOTT. A - 8,239. T - 2:09. TORONTO (100) AT INDIANA (104) Reggie Miller scored 10 of his 15 points in the first quarter, when the Indiana Pacers raced to a 20-point lead and held on for a 104-100 exhibition victory over the Toronto Raptors in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fred Hoiberg scored 21 points and Rik Smits added 18 for the Pacers, who led 34-14 after one quarter but just 50-45 at the half. Indiana, which shot 54 percent from the field, rebuilt its lead to 14 points in the fourth quarter. New acquisition Chris Mullin scored 13 points for the Pacers (1-1), who shot 6-of-11 from the longer three-point arc. Hoiberg was 3-of-5 and Miller 2-of-4. Marcus Camby scored 21 points and Damon Stoudamire added 17 for the Raptors (0-1), who shot 48 percent and were outrebounded, 43-30. Toronto rookie Tracy McGrady, drafted directly out of high school, was 1-of-9 from the field.

nba.764 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

VANCOUVER (94) AT LA CLIPPERS (98) VANCOUVER REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === ABDUR-RAHIM F 32 9-15 14-15 0 6 6 1 1 1 1 32 THORPE F 29 3-6 2-6 1 9 10 1 6 1 3 8 REEVES C 31 7-15 2-2 3 4 7 0 3 1 2 16 DANIELS G 25 3-5 2-3 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 8 PEELER G 27 4-12 1-2 0 0 0 2 3 1 0 10 B EDWARDS 11 1-3 1-1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3 ROGERS 17 2-6 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 5 MAYBERRY 23 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 4 3 1 1 4 NEWBILL 13 1-2 1-4 3 3 6 0 1 0 2 3 D EDWARDS 16 2-3 0-0 4 1 5 0 4 0 3 4 BROWN 11 0-3 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 BOOTH 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION GREEN DNP - COACH'S DECISION LYNCH DNP - COACH'S DECISION OGG DNP - COACH'S DECISION ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION TOTALS 240 34-77 25-37 12 27 39 10 25 6 13 94 (.442) (.676) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 13(15 PTS) LA CLIPPERS REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === MURRAY F 20 4-12 2-2 2 1 3 1 5 1 2 10 VAUGHT F 26 4-12 0-0 2 9 11 2 2 0 0 8 VRANKOVIC C 21 3-6 3-3 2 3 5 1 1 0 0 9 MARTIN G 24 4-8 3-3 1 0 1 5 1 0 0 11 BARRY G 28 5-8 1-2 0 3 3 1 1 1 0 13 MCCRAY 7 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 2 WRIGHT 22 3-6 2-4 0 3 3 1 5 0 0 8 TAYLOR 21 3-7 3-6 0 2 2 2 5 0 1 9 RICHARDSON 12 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 4 CLOSS 27 4-7 3-4 5 8 13 1 3 0 2 11 PIATKOWSKI 17 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 3 COLLINS 3 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 5 GARRIS 12 1-4 3-4 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 5 HUFFMAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION ROGERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION TOTALS 240 36-80 22-30 14 32 46 16 29 2 11 98 (.450) (.733) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 12(14 PTS) VANCOUVER 25 30 18 21 - 94 LA CLIPPERS 28 19 25 26 - 98 BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - D EDWARDS. LA CLIPPERS - CLOSS 4, PIATKOWSKI 2, GARRIS, RICHARDSON, BARRY, VRANKOVIC, MURRAY. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 1-4 (.250), PEELER 1-1, MAYBERRY 0-2, BROWN 0-1. LA CLIPPERS 4-11 (.364), MURRAY 0-3, MARTIN 0-2, BARRY 2-3, PIATKOWSKI 1-2, COLLINS 1-1. TECHNICALS: LA CLIPPERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE. OFFICIALS: TERRY DURHAM, LEON WOOD, LUIS GRILLO. A - 6,990. T - 2:11. VANCOUVER (94) AT LA CLIPPERS (98) Rookie center Keith Closs had the go-ahead basket, two free throws and a key blocked shot in the final 3 1/2 minutes as the Los Angeles Clippers edged the Vancouver Grizzlies, 98-94, in the exhibition opener for both teams in Anaheim, California. Closs, a 7-3, 212-pound center from Central Connecticut State, had 11 points and 13 rebounds. His basket with 3:30 remaining gave the Clippers the lead for good at 88-87. He added two free throws with 1:13 to go and with 34 seconds left, blocked a shot by Bryant Reeves and controlled the rebound, preserving a 96-94 lead. Rookie Maurice Taylor scored on a lay-in with one second on the shot clock and eight seconds to play to seal the win for the Clippers, who received 13 points from Brent Barry and nine from Taylor, a first-round pick from Michigan. Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 24 of his 32 points in the first half to help the Grizzlies to a 55-47 lead. Reeves added 16 points and rookie guard Antonio Daniels added eight in 25 minutes.

nba.765 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

National Basketball Association Transactions Oct 11 1997 Minnesota Timberwolves: Re-signed guard Reggie Jordan.

nba.766 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

Rebuilt Celtics stumble out out of gate STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Oct 11, 1997 - 15:46 EDT) -- These are not your father's Celtics. With the new-look Celtics, who debuted Friday night under the leadership of Rick Pitino, there's a lot of enthusiasm but not a lot of execution. But what do you expect when more than half of last season's players are gone and the new players spent training camp worrying about not wearing themselves out. "We fouled too much, we didn't handle the basketball properly," Pitino said of the 113-89 exhibition loss to the Atlanta Hawks. "We didn't know the offenses and the defenses. But we get home, we practice on Monday and Tuesday, we're going to see a much better basketball team on Wednesday and by the next set of games I expect drastic improvement." It can't get much worse. The Celtics, once the most dominant team in the NBA but one of the worst last season, shot 28 percent from the field while missing a slew of open shots. They were out-rebounded on the defensive glass and turned the ball over 17 times. At one point, they trailed by 30 points. One highlight was Antoine Walker, who had a game-high 27 points and 16 rebounds. Bruce Bowen was the only other Celtics player in double figures with 11 points. "I expected what happened tonight," Pitino said. "I told the guys the first two exhibition games aren't going to mean too much to us in terms of what we are going to accomplish. We have to learn our offenses and our defenses." With so much confusion on the court, it was tough to tell what was planned and what was improvised. Pitino said his players made up plays on the spot several times. "On offense, we were terrible," said Travis Knight, who had eight points and nine rebounds in 17 minutes. "People were running into each other. We didn't know where to go. Sometimes they'd call a play and three guys knew it and two guys didn't." The full-court press, which Pitino used so successfully at Kentucky, popped up against Atlanta, which generally broke it without much trouble. Boston did pressure the Hawks into some turnovers late in the game and rookie Ron Mercer took advantage with two straight dunks. The only problem was the team was so far behind. "They don't know what they're doing in the press," Pitino said. "I know sometimes they make a steal. They're making a steal and hustling, but they have no idea about the proper angles on the press. "Even Ron (Mercer), who I coached, was not using the proper angles. It was probably the money weighing him down on the weak side. He couldn't get to the middle in time." Pitino predicted it would take 10 or 15 games into the regular season before the team was comfortable with the new systems. Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens gave the new Celtics coach the benefit of the doubt. "I don't think anybody should comment on them at this point in time," he said. "This is one exhibition game. Exhibition is for coaches to find out how their players play, where they are, what you have to work on. That's what we use exhibition for."

nba.767 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

Knicks trade part of future for Ewing insurance NEW YORK (Oct 11, 1997 - 11:10 EDT) -- When John Wallace was drafted, New York Knicks fans went wild. Now that he's been traded, some of his ex-teammates aren't so crazy about the deal. In their eyes, the Knicks gave up a lot of talent in the 23-year-old Wallace when they made a three-way trade with Portland and Toronto to get 32-year-old backup center Chris Dudley. "To me that's obvious," Allan Houston said when asked if the Knicks made a sacrifice. "If you compare potential vs. experience, it's obvious what's going on. "It's not the best thing for us on a personal level, but on a professional level we have to welcome Chris." The trade had been held up for a 1 1/2 months. After the NBA voided it, an arbitrator reversed the ruling and the league filed a final appeal. The three-man panel ruled Thursday that the deal could go forward, but it wasn't finalized until Friday when an arbitrator settle a dispute between general managers Ernie Grunfeld of New York and Bob Whitsitt of Portland over whether a first-round pick going from New York to Portland would be lottery protected (it will be). Toronto gets Wallace, who was used sparingly by the Knicks in his rookie season, Portland gets New York's No. 1 and a second-round pick from Toronto, and the Knicks receive a lottery-protected first-round pick from the Raptors. "I'm ready to get on with my life and the season," Wallace said. "I'm a Raptor now. They (the Knicks) are the enemy. I have to treat them as such." Wallace's departure left the Knicks without a proven backup to Larry Johnson at small forward. Grunfeld said second-year pros Walter McCarty and Dontae' Jones will compete for the job. Both of them were behind Wallace on the depth chart last season. "He was a home grown guy from Rochester, a heckuva person as well as a great basketball player," Johnson said of Wallace. "After playing with the guy for a year, you're sorry to see him go. "John was a heckuva player and I saw a lot of room for improvement. I still think he's going to be an All-Star in this league. I don't know a whole lot about Dudley, except on the floor he seems to be a real good guy." "Everybody liked John here, but this will give Patrick (Ewing) some spells," McCarty said. "The fresher Pat's legs are the better he's going to play." Wallace was chosen 18th overall in the 1996 draft at East Rutherford, N.J., just across the river from Manhattan, and drew several thousand Knicks fans. When the first 17 choices had been made and Wallace wasn't among them, they chanted, "We Want Wallace." Grunfeld obliged and selected the forward from Syracuse who almost single-handedly had shot his team into the NCAA championship game about three months earlier. The Knicks landed a player with limited defensive skills but strong offensive talent. He was one of the best players on the team at creating his own shot, a superb fast-break finisher and an excellent leaper. Wallace also carried a reputation of being somewhat flaky, a characterization -- correct or not -- that perhaps was easier to believe because Wallace had worn uniform No. 44 at Syracuse, the same as another ex-Orangemen, Derrick Coleman. But the Wallace the Knicks knew didn't deserve the head case label. The last time they saw him in a New York uniform was Wednesday when Wallace took part in media day activities. Knowing full well that he was likely to become Toronto property in a matter of days, Wallace was asked if he'd rather play for the Knicks or Raptors. Trying to be as noncommittal as possible, he answered: "Obviously the best situation is winning. There's no better situation than knowing you're going to win." "He made it clear that he wanted to be here in how he handled himself during his seven weeks in limbo, how much work he put in and what he said," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "The trade could lead to more playing time, but he would have rather stayed with a contending team. I think that tells you a lot about his attitude that people don't realize. He never was an attitude problem. Maybe he got mislabeled that way because of things he did in college." Grunfeld had been trying for a long time to get a serviceable backup to Ewing. In Dudley, he gets a strong offensive rebounder best known for his career 46 percent free throw percentage. "I'd rather that not be my identity," said Dudley, adding that he made 500 free throws per day in about 700 attempts during workouts this summer. The acquisition of Dudley does not bode well for 39-year backup Herb Williams, who becomes expendable. It also will take playing time away from Buck Williams, who backed up both Ewing and Charles Oakley last season.

nba.768 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

Hoosier residents turn out for favorite son FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Oct 12, 1997 - 00:05 EDT) -- As Larry Bird walked out of the Indiana Pacers locker room, the hundreds of fans waiting for him let out a roar that shook Memorial Coliseum. Bird smiled and gave a little wave, then made his way to the Pacers bus for the trip back to Indianapolis. The fans watched until they couldn't see him anymore, then slowly scattered, smiles on their faces. Larry Legend is back in Indiana, and Hoosiers couldn't be happier. "He's from Indiana. This is basketball. That says it all," said Randy Gephart. The Pacers gave Bird his first victory as a coach Saturday night, beating the Toronto Raptors 104-100 in a preseason game. "Being at his first game as a coach, that's something the kids will look back on and remember," said Tom Neff, who came to the game with his children, Ben, 16, and Rachel, 14. "We were five feet from him. He only signed a few autographs, but he's a class guy." Hoosiers had been waiting for Bird's homestate debut since May, when he was hired as the Pacers coach. It didn't matter who the Pacers were playing or that they'd lost to Cleveland on Friday. It didn't even matter who was playing for the Pacers. It was Bird's night Saturday. Many people had on Pacers T-shirts and hats, but there quite a few wearing the green and white of the Celtics, Bird's old team. Fans crowded around the locker room, hoping for a glimpse of him. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime feeling, getting to meet someone you never thought you'd get to meet," said Kevin Dibble, 15, of Fort Wayne, who was a ball boy at the game. A roar went up as Bird walked on the floor two minutes before game time, and he gave the standing crowd a quick wave as he reached the Pacers bench. He was given another ovation as the final buzzer sounded and he walked back to the locker room. "I've been gone a long time," he said. "It's good to be back." Even the players got into the spirit of Birdmania, clapping and yelling with the fans when Bird was introduced. And the players don't mind it a bit if their coach overshadows them. "That's Larry Legend, so that's going to carry on forever and ever, probably," said Jalen Rose, who finished with seven points. "It feels good to go into an arena and have not only your home crowd give you a standing ovation, but give your coach one, too." Hoosiers don't love Bird for the three titles he won with the Boston Celtics or the three NBA MVP trophies he has. And it's not even that he was the college player of the year in 1979 at Indiana State, when the Sycamores were undefeated before losing in the NCAA championship game. He's adored because he's one of them: A simple guy who succeeded more because of his work ethic than his talent. When an Indiana boy looks at Larry Bird, he sees himself. "He's a great role model for my kids," said Pam Kessie, who came to the game with her husband, parents and two sons, Zach and Greg. "His dedication early in life, practicing every day before school, being from a small town, succeeding when he probably shouldn't have." Greg Kessie, 15, has turned his bedroom into a Bird shrine. Posters of him cover the walls, he has hundreds of trading cards and a Boston Celtics bedspread. The teen-ager even saw Bird play once, but doesn't remember it. Seeing Bird in his Indiana coaching debut should make up for that, Pam Kessie said. "To be the first to see Larry Bird coach is just great," she said. If the adoration of an entire state is wearing on him, Bird doesn't show it. He said over and over how glad he was to be back, how he didn't want to coach any other team. "I could have coached other places, but this is the place I want to be," he said. "My goal is to win a championship in Indiana, that'd be great. "It's going to be great," he added. "It's going to be awesome."

nba.769 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

Miller, Malone make up in Utah SALT LAKE CITY (Oct 11, 1997 - 13:40 EDT) -- Karl Malone and Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller have mended their friendship following a training camp rift. Miller, a wealthy auto dealer who has often compared the relationship with 1997's Most Valuable Player to that of a father and son, showed up at Jazz practice Friday. Miller asked Malone if he wanted to talk, and the two walked away together for a 45-minute, closed-door session. The two came out smiling. "When we got done I said, 'How are you feeling?' And he said, 'I feel great,"' said Miller. "I said, 'Good, so do I." Added Malone: "Everything is cool. This is behind us, and we'll go on from here." The meeting, on the eve of Utah's preseason home opener with Charlotte, came two days after Malone had complained to reporters that Miller failed to support him when he criticized teammates for showing up for camp out of shape. Malone also was angry that Miller had spoken more than once about Malone's eventual retirement, and how the Jazz were building for a future when the perennial All-Star was gone. Malone's contract expires following the 1998-99 season. He will reportedly earn $5 million this season. "I told him I still love him ... I'm satisfied that things are right back where they should be and things between he and I are terrific," Miller said. "It is a special relationship in professional sports. Perhaps it's unique." Both men apologized, to a point. "I wouldn't change the things (I said) about my teammates, but I probably would have changed the way I handled things with Larry," Malone said. Malone stressed no monetary issues came up during his talk with Miller. "The first thing people want to say is, 'Oh, Larry must have given him something.' No promises were made," Malone said.

nba.770 nba.news, 12 Oct 97

Ainge: Anticipation brings excitement One of the most surprising teams in the NBA last season had to be the Phoenix Suns. After starting the season 0-13, the team fired head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons and replaced him with 14-year NBA veteran Danny Ainge. The Suns, with Ainge at the controls, went on to win 40 games and finished fourth in the Pacific Division. They lost to Seattle in the first round of the playoffs 2-3. The Suns have been one of the busiest teams in the off-season acquiring forwards Antonio McDyess, Cliff Robinson and guard George McCloud. As the preseason gets underway, Ainge took time to sit down and answer user questions: Wendal Dorsey of Dallas: Did the Suns ask KJ to return because they felt that Jason Kidd had a few more things to learn about playing the point (and who better to teach him than KJ)? Danny Ainge: No definitely not. We just encouraged KJ to play because we think he's a great player and if Jason Kidd were our point guard today, we'd feel great about our future, but having both of them is an added bonus. Will Maclean of St. John, Neb.: I've heard you say in the past that you have confidence regarding the skills of Steve Nash. How do you see him fitting in this season and will he be given the opportunity to contribute? Danny Ainge: I think Steve is more than an effective NBA player, even right now. Unfortunately, he's behind some quality players ahead of him and it would be difficult for him to get time. But I know if Steve went somewhere, where he would get an opportunity to play, he would prove to be a great player. Kenneth Roskelley of Tucson: Has it been difficult to get a coach-player relationship with some of the players who you were friends with when you played? Danny Ainge: No, I don't find it tough at all. I enjoy the camaraderie that I have with the players. We have a partnership going, we're all trying to accomplish the same thing and I have a great relationship with my players. Gregg Biermann of Austin, Texas: Do you believe there's any difference between the young players of today and the players you played with? Danny Ainge: Sure, but I'm not sure it's negative as most people believe. There's some negative things you see about players in today's game, there were negative things about players that I played with. I believe that the young players today are different, but I also believe that they have a good work ethic. I think that the money changes the way we look at people. When a player comes out of college making $200,000, like in my day, and they're drafted by a good team, like I was with Boston and James Worthy was L.A., the expectations are less. When players come into the market today and they're making significant money, in the millions of dollars, and they're projected to be franchise players when they're not, even they're paid like them, the expectations grow, a la Shawn Bradley, Christian Laettner, players like that. I think expectations grow and their reputations, they're perceived as being bad people or not as good, when there's a lot of pressure put on them and sometimes they don't respond to that pressure quite as well. But I think expansion has changed the image we have of players, I think the money has changed the image, there's so much more media coverage nowadays and I think that's probably more of a factor than players just changing. Dave Boice of Phoenix: What amount of success are you looking for this season? Where do you see us finishing? Danny Ainge: I don't know. I'm real excited about this year but we're going to have to have that question asked again, once we have our full roster in place. I'm excited and I think we can exceed most people's expectations. I'm not in to making predictions, I let them happen, but I feel very confident with our team and feel like we can far exceed our success of last year. Glen Leichty of Kissimmee, Fla.: Most people would still pick the Bulls to win it all, but who do you think has the best chance in the West? Danny Ainge: Well, I think that two teams that on paper are powerhouses, are San Antonio and L.A.. Anytime you have the Shaq and the dominance on the inside with Tim Duncan and David Robinson, that puts you in a great position. Everybody in the league wants big talent and a lot of the teams are just big or just talented. So the big talent is an advantage in this league and I think San Antonio and the Lakers are the teams to beat. Jason MacDonald of Edinburg, Texas: Jayson Williams made a comment in GQ about a game against Boston in which Larry Bird talked so much trash that it took him completely out of the game to the point where he wouldn't guard him again. Was Bird really like that at getting into people's heads? Danny Ainge: Larry loved to talk trash. Most of the time it was to motivate himself, to take a challenge and to try and bring out the most in his opponents. But Larry was pretty good at it because of who he was. There's a lot of guys who can talk but have no effectiveness, but because Larry was THE best player in the game in his time, his talk was effective because it was an intimidating factor for lesser players. Andrew Schneller of Boston: With Larry coaching now, McHale in Minnesota, you, DJ looking like he might be a coaching candidate someday, what is it about the Celtics organization that seems to breed coaches and GMs? Danny Ainge: I don't know the answer to that. Did we become coaches as a result of playing for the Celtics or did the Celtics draft players that had that inclination from the beginning? I'm not sure the answer to that. I think that our experience with the Celtics was obviously a good experience for us. Having so much success probably heightened our visibility, our perception as winners and all sorts of things like that. Getting jobs like I have and like Larry has and like Kevin has, a lot of times it's just perception more than reality anyway. So playing for the Celtics has enhanced our visibility and our recognition as being winners and great players, so that is certainly a factor. At the same time, I think the Celtics also had a knack at drafting players who were pretty smart players and understood the game and were team-oriented people, so I think those two things combined were probably the reasons. Gowtham Jayaram of San Jose, Calif.: Last season we ran the four-guard offense a lot and we had the "Small Ball" era, as it became called, how do you see our team shaping up this season? Danny Ainge: Well, I believe the Small Ball is an effective way to play. I think it can hurt you if you solely rely on that constantly. It hurt us last year when Mark Bryant went down with an injury, then Hot Rod was hurt in the Seattle series with strained knee ligaments and Danny Manning had a broken toe, so not only were we small but we were injured in our bigs. That affected us. Hopefully this year we can get some big bodies that can play and stay healthy on the front line, and play some small ball, but just pick our spots rather than having to rely on them.

nba.771 vpoznanovic, 12 Oct 97 -> #755, mango

>> Nisam pratio poruke sa nba.news-a, pa sam kad sam prelistao statistike, >> mnogo sam se iznenadio. Sta se desava? Pola igraca nije igralo ili je >> bilo mnooogo trejdova. Ajde napisite ukratko vaznije trejdove. To su egzibicione utakmicame koje se igraju u sklopu priprema za narednu sezonu. Ekipe se uigravaju, ispituju se snage, vrši se selekcija... Sasvim je normalno da se u takvim okolnostima ne forsiraju najbolji igrači. Evo ti ovako kumulativno sve što se u međuvremenu desilo, sortirano po timovima. Juče sam poslao i sastave svih ekipa u predsezoni, pa pogledaj i to ako te interesuje. 1997 National Basketball Association Off-Season Deals Atlanta Hawks -- Agreed with guard Mookie Blaylock on a four-year contract extension; re-signed free agent forward Tyrone Corbin; traded center Priest Lauderdale to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to forward Efthimios Rentzias and a second-round pick in 2000. Boston Celtics -- Renounced the rights to the following players: guard Michael Hawkins, swingmen Todd Day, Rick Fox and Nate Driggers, forwards Marty Conlon and Frank Brickowski, and centers Steve Hamer, Brett Szabo and Alton Lister; signed free agent center Travis Knight, who had been with the Los Angeles Lakers, to a seven-year contract; waived forward-center Dino Radja; signed free agent center Andrew DeClercq, who had been with the Golden State Warriors; signed free agent forward Tony Massenburg, who had been with the New Jersey Nets; traded forward Eric Williams to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for the Nuggets' second-round picks in the 1999 and 2001 NBA drafts; signed free agent swingman Chris Mills, who had been with the Cleveland Cavaliers; signed free agent guard Tyus Edney, who had been with the Sacramento Kings. Charlotte Hornets -- Signed free agent guard David Wesley, who had been with the Boston Celtics; renounced the rights to forwards Donald Royal and Rafael Addison; signed free agent forward J.R. Reid, who played last year in Europe; signed free agent guard Bobby Phills, who had been with the Cleveland Cavaliers; waived guard Ricky Pierce; renounced the rights to forward Malik Rose. Chicago Bulls -- Re-signed free agent guard Michael Jordan to a one-year contract; signed free agent center Joe Kleine, who had been with the New Jersey Nets, to a one-year contract; re-signed free agent center Bill Wennington; traded forward Dickey Simpkins to the Golden State Warriors for forward Scott Burrell. Cleveland Cavaliers -- Re-signed free agent center Shawnelle Scott; signed free agent forward Henry James, who had been with the Atlanta Hawks; acquired forward Shawn Kemp from the Seattle SuperSonics and traded guard Terrell Brandon, forward Tyrone Hill and a conditional first-round draft pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for guard Sherman Douglas as part of a three-way deal; signed guard Bob Sura to a multi-year contract extension; acquired swingman Wesley Person and guard Tony Dumas from the Phoenix Suns and sent a future first-round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets as part of a three-way trade. Dallas Mavericks -- Traded the rights to center Kelvin Cato to the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to center Chris Anstey and an undisclosed amount of cash; re-signed free agent guard Erick Strickland to a six-year contract; renounced the rights to guard Sasha Danilovic; signed free agent guard Hubert Davis, who had been with the Toronto Raptors, to a six-year contract; acquired forward Dennis Scott and $500,000 from the Orlando Magic for guard Derek Harper and forward Ed O'Bannon; signed forward Michael Finley to a five-year contract extension. Denver Nuggets -- Traded the rights to center Jason Lawson to the Orlando Magic for the rights to guard Eric Washington and a 1999 second-round draft pick; traded the rights to guard James Cotton and a 1998 second-round pick to the Seattle SuperSonics for the rights to guard Bobby Jackson; acquired forwards Johnny Newman and Joe Wolf and the rights to forward Danny Fortson from the Milwaukee Bucks for center Ervin Johnson; renounced the rights to Jerome Allen, Vincent Askew, Keith Jennings, Jimmy King, Sarunas Marciulionis and Kenny Smith; re-signed free agent guard Anthony Goldwire; acquired forward Eric Williams from the Boston Celtics in exchange for their second-round picks in the 1999 and 2001 drafts; signed free agent center Dean Garrett, who had been with the Minnesota Timberwolves; waived forward Tom Hammonds; renounced the rights to free agent guard Brooks Thompson; traded the rights to Efthimios Rentzias and a second-round pick in 2000 to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for center Priest Lauderdale; traded forward Antonio McDyess to the Phoenix Suns for two first-round draft picks, two second-round draft picks and an undisclosed amount of cash from Phoenix and a first-round pick from the Cleveland Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-way trade; re-signed forward Eric Williams to a six-year contract extension; traded swingman Dale Ellis to the Seattle SuperSonics for guard Greg Graham, center Steve Scheffler, the least favorable of their second-round draft picks in 1998 and a conditional second-round draft pick in either 1999 or 2002. Detroit Pistons -- Re-signed free agent guard Joe Dumars; traded forward Otis Thorpe to the Vancouver Grizzlies for a conditional first-round draft pick; re-signed free agent guard Lindsey Hunter to a multi-year contract; signed free agent forward-center Brian Williams, who had been with the Chicago Bulls, to a seven-year contract; signed free agent guard Malik Sealy, whose rights were renounced by the Los Angeles Clippers; re-signed free agent forward Rick Mahorn to a one-year contract; re-signed free agent forward Don Reid to a multi-year contract. Golden State Warriors -- Acquired forwards Erick Dampier and Duane Ferrell from the Indiana Pacers for forward Chris Mullin; acquired forward Dickey Simpkins from the Chicago Bulls for forward Scott Burrell; signed free agent guard Carl Thomas, who had been with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Houston Rockets -- Re-signed free agent guard Emanual Davis; re-signed free agent forward Othella Harrington; re-signed free agent guard Matt Maloney; re-signed free agent swingman Eddie Johnson; re-signed free agent forward Matt Bullard. Indiana Pacers -- Traded forwards Erick Dampier and Duane Ferrell to the Golden State Warriors for forward Chris Mullin; signed free agent center Mark West, who had been with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and forward Mark Pope, their 1996 second-round pick. Los Angeles Clippers -- Acquired center Stoyko Vrankovic from the Minnesota Timberwolves for center Stanley Roberts; acquired the rights to guard James Collins from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 1998 second-round draft pick; renounced the rights to center Dwayne Schintzius; waived guard Terry Dehere; renounced the rights to free agent guard Malik Sealy; signed free agent guard James Robinson, who had been with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles Lakers -- Signed free agent forward James Forrest, who played last year in Europe; re-signed free agent forward Robert Horry to a multi-year contract; signed free agent guard Jon Barry, who had been with the Atlanta Hawks; signed free agent forward Rick Fox, who had been with the Boston Celtics, to a one-year contract. Miami Heat -- Re-signed free agent guard Voshon Lenard; acquired center Duane Causwell from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Gary Grant, center Matt Fish and a 1999 second-round draft pick; signed free agent forward Terry Mills, who had been with the Detroit Pistons, to a two-year contract; signed free agent guard Eric Murdock, who had been with Bologna Fortitudo in Italy; signed free agent swingman Todd Day, who had been with the Boston Celtics. Milwaukee Bucks -- Traded forwards Johnny Newman and Joe Wolf and the rights to forward Danny Fortson to the Denver Nuggets for center Ervin Johnson; signed free agent guard Michael Curry, who had been with the Detroit Pistons, to a multi-year contract; acquired guard Terrell Brandon, forward Tyrone Hill and a conditional first-round draft pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Sherman Douglas, and traded forward Vin Baker to the Seattle SuperSonics as part of a three-way deal. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Acquired center Stanley Roberts from the Los Angeles Clippers for center Stoyko Vrankovic; agreed to terms with forward Kevin Garnett on a six-year contract extension. New Jersey Nets -- Traded guard Jim Jackson, center Eric Montross and the rights to forward Tim Thomas and guard Anthony Parker to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Lucious Harris, forward Don MacLean, center Michael Cage and the rights to forward Keith Van Horn; re-signed free agent guard Sam Cassell to a six-year contract; re-signed free agent forward David Benoit. New York Knicks -- Re-signed free agent center Patrick Ewing to a four-year contract; re-signed free agent guard Scott Brooks; traded forward John Wallace to the Toronto Raptors for a 1998 first-round draft pick, and sent the draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for center Chris Dudley in a three-way trade. Orlando Magic -- Traded the rights to guard Eric Washington and a 1999 second-round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets to the Orlando Magic for the rights to center Jason Lawson; re-signed free agent forward Derek Strong; re-signed free agent forward-center Amal McCaskill; re-signed free agent swingman Gerald Wilkins; re-signed free agent swingman Nick Anderson to a six-year contract; signed free agent forward-center Bo Outlaw, who had been with the Los Angeles Clippers; signed free agent center Tim Kempton, who had been with the San Antonio Spurs; re-signed free agent center Danny Schayes; traded forward Dennis Scott and $500,000 to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Derek Harper and forward Ed O'Bannon. Philadelphia 76ers -- Traded guard Lucious Harris, forward Don MacLean, center Michael Cage and the rights to forward Keith Van Horn to the New Jersey Nets for guard Jim Jackson, center Eric Montross and the rights to forward Tim Thomas and guard Anthony Parker; traded the rights to guard James Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 1998 second-round draft pick; re-signed free agent guard Doug Overton; re-signed free agent forward Mark Davis; signed free agent forward Terry Cummings, who had been with the Seattle SuperSonics. Phoenix Suns -- Re-signed free agent forward Mark Bryant to a two-year contract; re-signed free agent guard Rex Chapman, forward-center John Williams and center Horacio Llamas to one-year contracts; signed free agent forward Cliff Robinson, who had been with the Portland Trail Blazers; signed free agent forward George McCloud, who had been with the Los Angeles Lakers, to a one-year contract; acquired forward Antonio McDyess from the Phoenix Suns for two first-round draft picks, two second-round draft picks and an undisclosed amount of cash, and sent swingman Wesley Person and guard Tony Dumas to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-way trade. Portland Trail Blazers -- Traded the rights to center Chris Anstey and an undisclosed amount of cash to the Dallas Mavericks for the rights to center Kelvin Cato; acquired the rights to guard C.J. Bruton from the Vancouver Grizzlies for an undisclosed amount of cash; signed free agent forward Brian Grant, who had been with the Sacramento Kings, to a seven-year contract; re-signed free agent center Chris Dudley to a one-year contract; renounced the rights to forward Cliff Robinson and guards Rumeal Robinson, Mitchell Butler and Marcus Brown; signed free agent guard John Crotty, who had been with the Miami Heat; signed free agent forward Vincent Askew, who had been with the Denver Nuggets; signed forward Rasheed Wallace to a six-year contract extension; traded center Chris Dudley to the New York Knicks for a 1998 first-round draft pick that was acquired from the Toronto Raptors. Sacramento Kings -- Re-signed free agent center Kevin Salvadori; signed free agent guard Terry Dehere, who was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers; traded center Duane Causwell to the Miami Heat in exchange for guard Gary Grant, center Matt Fish and a 1999 second-round draft pick; waived center Matt Fish and guard Gary Grant. San Antonio Spurs -- Re-signed free agent guard Avery Johnson to a multi-year contract. Seattle SuperSonics -- Traded the rights to guard Bobby Jackson to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to guard James Cotton and a 1998 second round pick; signed free agent forward Stephen Howard, who had been with the Utah Jazz; re-signed free agent swingman David Wingate to a one-year contract; re-signed free agent guard Eric Snow to a two-year contract; signed free agent forward Jerome Kersey, who had been with the Los Angeles Lakers, to a one-year contract; traded forward Shawn Kemp to the Cleveland Cavaliers and acquired forward Vin Baker from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-way deal; acquired swingman Dale Ellis from the Denver Nuggets for guard Greg Graham, center Steve Scheffler, the least favorable of their second-round draft picks in 1998 and a conditional second-round draft pick in either 1999 or 2002. Toronto Raptors -- Re-signed free agent guard-forward Walt Williams to a five-year contract; signed guard Doug Christie to a seven-year contract extension; re-signed free agent forward-center Carlos Rogers to a five-year contract; re-signed free agent forward Reggie Slater to a two-year contract; acquired forward John Wallace from the New York Knicks for a 1998 first-round draft pick. Utah Jazz -- Re-signed free agent forwards Antoine Carr and Shandon Anderson; re-signed free agent forward Bryon Russell to a five-year contract; re-signed free agent guard Howard Eisley; re-signed free agent guard Jeff Hornacek to a two-year contract; agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension with center Greg Ostertag. Vancouver Grizzlies -- Traded the rights to guard C.J. Bruton to the Portland Trail Blazers for cash; re-signed free agent guard Chris Robinson to a two-year contract; acquired forward Otis Thorpe from the Detroit Pistons for a conditional first-round draft pick; renounced the rights to free agent guard Greg Anthony; signed free agent guard Marcus Brown, who had been with the Portland Trail Blazers, to a two-year contract; signed free agent center Ivano Newbill, who had been with the Atlanta Hawks, to a one-year contract. Washington Wizards -- Re-signed free agent guard Chris Whitney; re-signed free agent guard Tim Legler and free agent forward Ben Wallace.

nba.772 vpoznanovic, 12 Oct 97 -> #586, junior

>> Ma oni se obnavljaju već 5 godina. :) Ništa njih ne može spasti. Upravo se o tome radi. Da su produžili ugovor sa McDyessom, vjerovatno bi se obnavljali i narednih pet, i na kraju opet od toga ne bi bilo ništa. Ovako su sačuvali lovu i svoju priliku će da traže u ovogodišnjim rukijima i tim pikovima koje su dobili trejdom. >> Mada, ako kupe nekog DOBROG mladog igrača sledeće godine, možda, >> ali samo možda, bi mogli da uđu u play-off. Šanse da se tako nešto desi su minimalne. U globalu, sadašnji način potpisivanja ugovora sa mladim igračima ne daje mogućnost drugima da ih se domognu kupovinom. Rekonstrukcija tima je na taj način postala još složeniji i dugotrajniji proces. >> Nego, šta se ovo događa sa Sacramentom? Imaš li više nekih vesti? >> Znam da je Petrie (menadžer) omražena ličnost, i da ga niko ne voli, >> ali da li će zadržati Ritchmonda ... bar neki trač? :) Richmond je, ako mene pitaš, ušao u onu fazu u kojoj je sve moguće i u kojoj se stvari odvijaju iznenada, do posljednjeg momenta često i bez znanja samog igrača. Teško je reći da li će zaista biti trejdovan ili će se naći neki kompromis, presudiće procjena uprave kluba da li je Mitch spreman da ove sezone u tim uslovima da svoj puni doprinos timu. Mislim da je šansa da ostane veća nego u slučaju Kempa, Richmond je ipak veći profesionalac od njega. Od tračeva, najučestaliji je onaj po kojem će trejd biti obavljen s Lakersima. U varijanti jedan-za-jedan mogao bi da ode u zamjenu za Eddiea Jonesa, dok mu se kao partner u varijanti dva-za-dva spominje Olden Polynice. U tom slučaju bi u Sacramento trebao da dođe i Elden Campbell ili Nick Van Exel, vjerovatnije ovaj prvi zato što je drugi ovih dana izgladio svoje odnose sa trenerom Harrisom.

nba.773 miskop, 13 Oct 97 -> #758, nba.news

-> CHARLOTTE (86) AT UTAH (105) -> DIVAC 15 0-4 1-2 3 2 5 1 2 0 0 1 Ovogodišnji prvenac... :)

nba.774 vpoznanovic, 13 Oct 97

1997 NBA Preseason Sunday, October 12 Dallas at Utah 88:94 Golden State at Denver 88:102 Milwaukee at Sacramento 94:86 Minnesota at Cleveland 99:119 Philadelphia at Miami 102:111 San Antonio at New York 97:90 Vancouver at Phoenix 88:93 NBA AT EL PASO TX FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- DALLAS 22 20 19 27 88 UTAH 26 23 23 22 94 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: DAL - SHAWN BRADLEY 16, ERICK STRICKLAND 15, TWO PLAYERS WITH 13 UTH - SHANDON ANDERSON 16, JACQUE VAUGHN 16, BRYON RUSSELL 13 HIGH REBOUND: DAL - THREE PLAYERS WITH 8 UTH - KARL MALONE 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6 HIGH ASSISTS: DAL - BUBBA WELLS 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3 UTH - JACQUE VAUGHN 6, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2 NBA AT COLORADO SPRINGS FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- GOLDEN STATE 24 22 19 23 88 DENVER 29 34 15 24 102 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: GSW - DONYELL MARSHALL 17, JOE SMITH 16, THREE PLAYERS WITH 9 DEN - BOBBY JACKSON 24, ERIC WILLIAMS 16, TONY BATTIE 16 HIGH REBOUND: GSW - JOE SMITH 12, ERICK DAMPIER 10 DEN - TONY BATTIE 15, DEAN GARRETT 14 HIGH ASSISTS: GSW - THREE PLAYERS WITH 4 DEN - THREE PLAYERS WITH 5 ATT: 3,412 NBA AT FRESNO CA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- MILWAUKEE 29 18 28 19 94 SACRAMENTO 20 19 24 23 86 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 21, RAY ALLEN 11, MICHAEL CURRY 11 SAC - LAWRENCE FUNDERBURKE 20, OLIVIER SAINT-JEAN 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 11 HIGH REBOUND: MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 6, JAMIE FEICK 6 SAC - LAWRENCE FUNDERBURKE 11, MICHAEL STEWART 6 HIGH ASSISTS: MIL - TERRELL BRANDON 7, GLENN ROBINSON 3 SAC - LAWRENCE FUNDERBURKE 3, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2 ATT: 3,896 NBA AT ST LOUIS MO FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- MINNESOTA 23 23 28 25 99 CLEVELAND 27 32 27 33 119 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 20, KEVIN GARNETT 12, CHRIS CARR 12 CLE - ADRIAN CALDWELL 15, DEREK ANDERSON 13, BREVIN KNIGHT 12 HIGH REBOUND: MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 9, TOM GUGLIOTTA 7 CLE - SHAWN KEMP 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5 HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 4, CHRIS CARR 4 CLE - BOB SURA 6, BREVIN KNIGHT 4 ATT: 10,448 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- PHILADELPHIA 27 22 20 33 102 MIAMI 27 22 33 29 111 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 26, DERRICK COLEMAN 15, JERRY STACKHOUSE 15 MIA - ISAAC AUSTIN 23, VOSHON LENARD 17, MARK STRICKLAND 17 HIGH REBOUND: PHI - CLARENCE WEATHERSPOON 11, DERRICK COLEMAN 7 MIA - PJ BROWN 13, MARK STRICKLAND 9 HIGH ASSISTS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 6, JIM JACKSON 3 MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 6, JAMAL MASHBURN 5 ATT: 13,868 NBA AT SYRACUSE NY FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- SAN ANTONIO 28 25 22 22 97 NEW YORK 16 28 17 29 90 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: SAS - TIM DUNCAN 19, WILL PERDUE 16, CHUCK PERSON 15 NYK - ALLAN HOUSTON 20, JOHN STARKS 20, PATRICK EWING 17 HIGH REBOUND: SAS - WILL PERDUE 12, TIM DUNCAN 9 NYK - PATRICK EWING 7, CHARLES OAKLEY 6 HIGH ASSISTS: SAS - SEAN ELLIOTT 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4 NYK - CHRIS CHILDS 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4 ATT: 18,495 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- VANCOUVER 23 20 22 23 88 PHOENIX 24 17 25 27 93 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 22, BLUE EDWARDS 13, PETE CHILCUTT 12 PHO - STEVE NASH 21, CLIFF ROBINSON 17, REX CHAPMAN 13 HIGH REBOUND: VAN - OTIS THORPE 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5 PHO - DANNY MANNING 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5 HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3 PHO - JASON KIDD 10, STEVE NASH 9 ATT: 19,023 Monday, October 13 Seattle at Toronto, 1:00 p.m. New Jersey at New York, 7:30 p.m. Atlanta at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Portland, 10:00 p.m.

nba.775 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

DALLAS (88) AT UTAH (94) DALLAS REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === FINLEY F 24 6-16 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 2 1 13 SCOTT F 23 0-5 2-2 1 0 1 2 2 0 1 2 BRADLEY C 35 7-13 2-4 0 7 7 1 4 1 3 16 PACK G 24 1-4 11-12 0 1 1 3 2 3 2 13 OLLIE G 3 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 STRICKLAND 23 6-10 0-2 1 1 2 3 2 1 2 15 MACKEY 9 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 0 2 WELLS 22 0-1 2-4 0 3 3 4 1 2 2 2 CUSTIS 25 6-12 0-0 3 5 8 2 0 0 0 12 GREEN 24 2-7 2-5 4 4 8 1 3 0 0 6 WALKER 28 1-4 3-4 1 7 8 0 5 0 2 5 TOTALS 240 30-76 24-35 11 31 42 16 24 10 13 88 (.395) (.686) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 13(0 PTS) UTAH REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === RUSSELL F 23 5-9 2-2 2 2 4 0 2 1 3 13 FOSTER F 22 3-5 3-4 0 5 5 2 2 1 1 9 OSTERTAG C 23 1-3 4-8 0 5 5 1 1 0 1 6 EISLEY G 21 5-12 0-0 0 6 6 1 4 1 2 10 ANDERSON G 28 6-8 4-8 2 1 3 1 3 2 1 16 VAUGHN 27 7-12 2-2 0 1 1 6 3 1 2 16 ERDMANN 20 3-10 0-0 3 1 4 0 2 2 0 7 KEEFE 25 3-4 1-2 2 4 6 2 0 0 1 7 MALONE 14 0-4 3-4 3 4 7 0 2 1 1 3 DREILING 14 0-3 2-2 1 3 4 0 2 0 1 2 CARR 23 2-7 1-3 2 3 5 2 1 0 0 5 TOTALS 240 35-77 22-35 15 35 50 15 22 9 13 94 (.455) (.629) TEAM REBS: 2 TOTAL TO: 13(0 PTS) DALLAS 22 20 19 27 - 88 UTAH 26 23 23 22 - 94 BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - BRADLEY 4. UTAH - OSTERTAG 3, ERDMANN, KEEFE, CARR. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 4-8 (.500), FINLEY 1-2, SCOTT 0-1, STRICKLAND 3-5. UTAH 2-4 (.500), RUSSELL 1-1, VAUGHN 0-2, ERDMANN 1-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: JIM CLARK, WOODY MAYFIELD, BILL SPOONER. A - 0. T - 2:40. DALLAS (88) AT UTAH (94) Bryon Russell and rookie guard Jacque Vaughn scored 16 points apiece as the defending Western Conference champion Utah Jazz held on for a 94-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in El Paso, Texas. Russell scored seven in the opening quarter to help the Jazz (2-0) seize a 26-22 lead. Vaughn, who was 7-of-12 from the field, handed out six assists in 27 minutes off the bench. Utah led throughout the entire contest despite playing without point guard John Stockton, who sat out with a sore knee. Karl Malone played just 14 minutes in a reserve role, missing all four of his field-goal attempts, finishing with three points. Shawn Bradley had 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks to lead the Mavs (0-2). Erick Strickland contributed 15 points while Robert Pack and Michael Finley added 13 apiece for Dallas.

nba.776 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

GOLDEN STATE (88) AT DENVER (102) GOLDEN STATE REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === LANG F 19 1-4 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 2 SMITH F 26 5-14 6-7 3 9 12 1 4 0 0 16 FULLER C 22 4-7 1-1 0 7 7 0 3 0 1 9 SPREWELL G 31 3-13 3-4 1 0 1 2 2 4 2 9 PRICE G 12 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 1 5 MARSHALL 32 7-17 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 1 3 17 SIMPKINS 6 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 ARMSTRONG 16 3-5 2-2 1 2 3 0 5 0 3 8 COLES 16 2-3 0-2 0 3 3 4 1 2 0 4 DEMPS 15 1-8 2-4 1 0 1 2 3 0 0 4 BURTON 2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DAMPIER 26 3-8 3-6 3 7 10 4 2 0 2 9 STEWART 17 2-6 1-1 2 4 6 0 5 0 2 5 TOTALS 240 33-94 18-27 13 39 52 17 32 8 15 88 (.351) (.667) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(0 PTS) DENVER REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === BATTIE F 38 8-15 0-0 4 11 15 4 4 0 1 16 WILLIAMS F 36 7-18 2-8 1 5 6 5 1 1 2 16 GARRETT C 32 1-6 1-2 2 12 14 0 1 1 0 3 JACKSON G 31 9-16 6-6 0 5 5 5 1 3 1 24 STITH G 28 2-14 4-6 3 2 5 4 6 3 3 9 GOLDWIRE 17 1-4 0-1 0 2 2 5 1 0 1 2 WASHINGTON 5 1-1 3-3 1 2 3 0 0 0 1 5 FORTSON 12 2-5 5-10 3 0 3 0 6 0 1 9 WOLF 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NEWMAN 25 6-10 1-5 0 3 3 2 1 0 0 13 LAUDERDALE 14 2-7 1-2 0 5 5 0 2 1 2 5 TOTALS 240 39-97 23-43 14 47 61 25 23 9 12 102 (.402) (.535) TEAM REBS: 23 TOTAL TO: 12(0 PTS) GOLDEN STATE 24 22 19 23 - 88 DENVER 29 34 15 24 - 102 BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 3, SPREWELL 2, MARSHALL 2, DAMPIER 2, ARMSTRONG, STEWART. DENVER - BATTIE 6, GARRETT 4, WASHINGTON, LAUDERDALE. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 4-11 (.364), SMITH 0-1, SPREWELL 0-2, PRICE 1-2, MARSHALL 3-5, STEWART 0-1. DENVER 1-6 (.167), JACKSON 0-2, STITH 1-3, WOLF 0-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, BRUCE ALEXANDER, SCOTT WALL. A - 3,412. T - 0:00. GOLDEN STATE (88) AT DENVER (102) Bobby Jackson had 24 points and fellow rookie Tony Battie registered 16 and 15 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets cruised to a 102-88 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Jackson, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, hit 9-of-16 shots, handed out five assists and made three steals. Battie, the one-time Texas Tech Red Raider, also blocked six shots for the Nuggets (1-1), who never trailed. Former Celtic Eric Williams contributed 16 points, six boards and five assists and Dean Garrett pulled down 14 rebounds for the Nuggets. Rookie forward Danny Fortson, who scored 21 points in the opener, had just nine points and made just 5-of-10 free-throw attempts. Donyell Marshall scored 17 points and Joe Smith had 16 and 12 boards for Golden State (0-2), which shot just 35 percent (39-of-97).

nba.777 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

MILWAUKEE (94) AT SACRAMENTO (86) MILWAUKEE REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === ROBINSON F 26 7-11 7-9 3 3 6 3 2 0 2 21 HILL F 19 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 4 0 2 4 JOHNSON C 17 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 5 3 1 4 BRANDON G 20 1-6 6-6 1 3 4 7 2 2 1 8 ALLEN G 12 4-6 2-2 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 11 BOOKER 9 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2 PERRY 17 4-7 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 2 4 9 NORDGAARD 11 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 GILLIAM 14 4-7 2-3 1 3 4 2 2 0 1 10 FEICK 21 2-5 2-2 1 5 6 2 4 0 0 6 CURRY 15 4-5 3-3 2 1 3 1 4 2 0 11 MCDONALD 12 2-3 1-1 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 5 FREEMAN 7 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 0 1 0 BREAUX 17 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 HONEYCUTT 12 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 EARL 11 1-3 1-2 1 3 4 0 0 1 3 3 TOTALS 240 34-75 24-28 11 28 39 25 34 13 19 94 (.453) (.857) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 19(0 PTS) SACRAMENTO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === C WILLIAMSON F 19 2-5 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 0 2 4 OWENS F 17 2-2 2-2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 6 POLYNICE C 18 2-6 3-4 3 2 5 1 3 0 2 7 HURLEY G 20 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 3 GAMBLE G 14 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 0 4 SAINT JEAN 28 5-14 3-6 3 1 4 2 1 0 2 13 JOHNSON 28 2-7 5-6 0 1 1 1 2 6 4 11 STEWART 23 2-5 2-4 1 5 6 1 3 0 1 6 DEHERE 20 2-5 7-8 1 0 1 1 4 0 1 11 SALVADORI 7 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 SMITH 7 0-1 1-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 FUNDERBURKE 30 5-8 10-13 2 9 11 3 0 1 5 20 GRIMM 9 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 TOTALS 240 25-62 34-47 13 27 40 14 27 8 21 86 (.403) (.723) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 21(0 PTS) MILWAUKEE 29 18 28 19 - 94 SACRAMENTO 20 19 24 23 - 86 BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - NORDGAARD, FEICK, EARL. SACRAMENTO - OWENS, POLYNICE, FUNDERBURKE. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 2-6 (.333), BRANDON 0-1, ALLEN 1-2, PERRY 1-2, BREAUX 0-1. SACRAMENTO 2-7 (.286), HURLEY 0-1, SAINT JEAN 0-1, JOHNSON 2-3, DEHERE 0-1, GRIMM 0-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, TED BERNHARDT, KEVIN FEHR. A - 3,896. T - 2:20. MILWAUKEE (94) AT SACRAMENTO (86) Glenn Robinson scored 21 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 94-86 victory over the Sacramento Kings in their exhibition opener in Fresno, California. Ray Allen had 11 points in the first half for the Bucks but did not return for the second due to a bruised hip. Lawrence Funderburke led the Kings with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Funderburke, a Kings' draft pick in 1994, signed as a free agent this summer. Sacramento was without All-Star guard Mitch Richmond, who has a sore right achilles tendon, and Lionel Simmons, who is rehabilitating his right knee. Guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf also did not make the trip.

nba.778 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

MINNESOTA (99) AT CLEVELAND (119) MINNESOTA REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === K GARNETT F 29 5-12 2-2 2 7 9 4 4 1 3 12 GUGLIOTTA F 29 7-13 6-6 0 7 7 3 2 3 3 20 PARKS C 22 3-4 2-4 1 1 2 0 6 0 1 8 PORTER G 20 2-3 2-2 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 6 CARR G 31 4-8 4-4 0 4 4 4 4 1 1 12 MITCHELL 8 0-1 3-4 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 3 GRANT 22 2-7 3-3 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 7 HEAL 10 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 WEST 7 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 ROZIER 15 2-3 3-6 0 4 4 1 2 0 1 7 OSBORNE 11 1-3 3-3 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 5 PAGE 6 1-2 1-6 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 3 MOORE 8 2-3 0-1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 COLLINS 12 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 KING 10 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 TOTALS 240 34-69 29-41 6 28 34 16 33 8 15 99 (.493) (.707) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(20 PTS) CLEVELAND REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === KEMP F 20 2-6 1-2 3 3 6 0 5 1 3 5 PERSON F 20 3-9 2-3 2 2 4 0 2 1 0 10 ILGAUSKAS C 20 3-4 5-5 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 11 ANDERSON G 20 4-6 5-6 0 0 0 3 2 3 2 13 SURA G 20 3-4 1-2 1 1 2 6 2 0 3 8 FERRY 15 3-5 1-2 1 2 3 2 2 0 0 8 POTAPENKO 12 1-4 3-4 2 2 4 0 0 0 2 5 HENDERSON 14 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 KNIGHT 15 4-6 4-6 1 0 1 4 4 1 1 12 BUTLER 15 4-5 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 0 1 8 CALDWELL 13 6-7 3-4 2 3 5 0 1 0 0 15 SCOTT 16 2-2 5-8 2 3 5 0 1 0 0 9 JAMES 13 1-6 3-4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 FORD 7 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 DOUGLAS 13 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3 ALLEN 7 1-1 2-2 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 4 TOTALS 240 39-72 36-50 20 20 40 19 29 8 13 119 (.542) (.720) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(25 PTS) MINNESOTA 23 23 28 25 - 99 CLEVELAND 27 32 27 33 - 119 BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - NONE. CLEVELAND - KEMP, FERRY. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 2-6 (.333), PORTER 0-1, CARR 0-1, HEAL 0-1, COLLINS 2-3. CLEVELAND 5-16 (.313), KEMP 0-1, PERSON 2-5, ANDERSON 0-1, SURA 1-2, FERRY 1-2, HENDERSON 0-1, JAMES 1-2, FORD 0-1, ALLEN 0-1. TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - DELAY, ROZIER (EJECTED-FIGHTING), CLEVELAND - POTAPENKO (EJECTED-FIGHTING). OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, DEE KANTNER. A - 10,448. T - 2:13. MINNESOTA (99) AT CLEVELAND (119) Adrian Caldwell scored 15 points and rookie Derek Anderson had 13 as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 119-99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at St. Louis. With the game tied at 30, Caldwell scored eight points during a 29-16 run over the final 8:42 of the second quarter, extending Cleveland's lead to 59-46 at the half. Rookie Brevin Knight added 12 points and four assists for the Cavaliers, who shot 54 percent from the field. Tom Gugliotta netted 20 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 for Minnesota (1-1). Stephon Marbury did not play due to a dislocated finger. Minnesota's Clifford Rozier and Cleveland's Vitaly Potapenko were each ejected with 3:26 remaining in the contest after a benches-clearing brawl erupted when the two fought for a rebound. Rozier connected with a punch. Newcomer Shawn Kemp totaled five points, six rebounds and five personal fouls in 20 minutes for Cleveland (2-0).

nba.779 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

PHILADELPHIA (102) AT MIAMI (111) PHILADELPHIA REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === STACKHOUSE F 23 5-11 4-6 0 2 2 1 2 1 2 15 COLEMAN F 27 5-12 4-7 3 4 7 0 3 0 3 15 MONTROSS C 14 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 2 JACKSON G 27 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 1 5 2 IVERSON G 37 9-13 7-9 1 3 4 6 5 1 3 26 WEATHERSPOON 24 2-5 6-8 4 7 11 1 3 1 0 10 DAVIS 19 3-9 4-4 5 1 6 1 2 2 2 10 CUMMINGS 18 2-5 4-6 4 2 6 0 2 1 0 8 THOMAS 16 4-7 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 3 0 9 WALTERS 12 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 WILLIAMS 10 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 2 4 PARKER 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 PHELPS 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 STEWART 3 0-1 1-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 TOTALS 240 34-80 31-44 19 29 48 13 28 11 21 102 (.425) (.705) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 21(26 PTS) MIAMI REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === MASHBURN F 28 4-10 1-2 0 4 4 5 4 0 2 10 BROWN F 30 6-9 1-3 4 9 13 3 5 2 3 13 AUSTIN C 35 8-12 7-9 4 4 8 4 5 1 0 23 LENARD G 33 4-12 8-10 0 2 2 1 3 1 1 17 HARDAWAY G 27 5-10 5-6 1 2 3 6 4 2 2 16 DAY 20 3-9 2-5 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 9 MURDOCK 21 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 2 5 4 STRICKLAND 26 7-12 3-4 6 3 9 0 1 4 1 17 SANFORD 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 DAVIS 7 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 1 0 0 SMITH 9 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 TOTALS 240 40-84 27-39 17 29 46 23 31 14 16 111 (.476) (.692) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS) PHILADELPHIA 27 22 20 33 - 102 MIAMI 27 22 33 29 - 111 BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - STACKHOUSE 2, COLEMAN, JACKSON, IVERSON, WEATHERSPOON, WILLIAMS, STEWART. MIAMI - STRICKLAND 4, BROWN 2, AUSTIN, LENARD. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 3-7 (.429), STACKHOUSE 1-2, COLEMAN 1-1, JACKSON 0-1, IVERSON 1-2, WALTERS 0-1. MIAMI 4-13 (.308), MASHBURN 1-2, LENARD 1-5, HARDAWAY 1-4, DAY 1-2. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: DON VADEN, TONY BROTHERS, MARK WUNDERLICH. A - 13,868. T - 2:20. PHILADELPHIA (102) AT MIAMI (111) Mark Strickland had eight of his 17 points in the third quarter and Tim Hardaway had half of his 16 in that decisive period as the Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 111-102. Miami was protecting a 51-48 lead with 11:12 left in the third period before using a 14-5 spurt to build a 12-point lead. Philadelphia closed within two points late in the game on Jerry Stackhouse's three-pointer, but Voshon Lenard converted a three-point play with 1:33 to go, as the Heat built the lead back to seven points. Isaac Austin had 23 points and Lenard 17 for the Heat (1-0), who saw all five starters reach double figures. P.J. Brown contributed 13 points and Jamal Mashburn 10. Allen Iverson scored 26 points and Stackhouse and Derrick Coleman chipped in with 15 apiece for the 76ers (1-1). First-round pick Tim Thomas, acquired in a draft-day trade with the New Jersey Nets, left the game with an apparent injury to his left ankle with 9:18 remaining and did not return.

nba.780 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

SAN ANTONIO (97) AT NEW YORK (90) SAN ANTONIO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === DUNCAN F 36 6-11 7-12 6 3 9 4 3 1 3 19 ELLIOTT F 20 3-8 1-1 1 3 4 5 4 1 0 7 ROBINSON C 20 6-10 1-2 1 7 8 0 3 0 2 13 JOHNSON G 23 2-4 2-4 1 2 3 3 1 1 1 6 DEL NEGRO G 22 2-4 2-2 1 2 3 4 6 0 1 7 C PERSON 20 6-11 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 15 W PERDUE 26 5-8 6-11 3 9 12 0 3 0 3 16 ALEXANDER 19 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 1 1 5 ABRAMS 14 1-1 1-3 0 3 3 1 0 0 0 3 GEARY 15 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 0 1 0 WOOD 13 1-3 0-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 2 JACKSON 12 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 4 TOTALS 240 36-71 20-37 13 34 47 24 32 6 13 97 (.507) (.541) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 13(0 PTS) NEW YORK REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === OAKLEY F 25 2-6 3-4 1 5 6 0 5 1 0 7 JOHNSON F 35 4-15 2-6 2 3 5 1 4 1 4 10 EWING C 32 5-18 7-10 1 6 7 0 3 2 2 17 HOUSTON G 38 4-8 12-13 1 2 3 2 4 2 1 20 CHILDS G 21 1-1 0-0 0 4 4 5 0 1 1 2 BROOKS 13 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 1 0 2 MCCARTY 26 3-8 2-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 8 H WILLIAMS 17 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 0 1 2 THOMAS 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 STARKS 29 6-8 5-9 2 2 4 4 6 0 0 20 TOTALS 240 28-71 31-44 8 27 35 18 31 8 9 90 (.394) (.705) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 9(0 PTS) SAN ANTONIO 28 25 22 22 - 97 NEW YORK 16 28 17 29 - 90 BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - DUNCAN 2, ROBINSON. NEW YORK - NONE. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 5-11 (.455), DEL NEGRO 1-1, C PERSON 3-6, ALEXANDER 1-3, GEARY 0-1. NEW YORK 3-8 (.375), JOHNSON 0-1, EWING 0-1, MCCARTY 0-1, STARKS 3-5. TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - OAKLEY. OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TOM WASHINGTON, RODDY MOTT. A - 18,495. T - 0:00. SAN ANTONIO (97) AT NEW YORK (90) Rookie Tim Duncan scored 19 points, including the final four of the game, to help the San Antonio Spurs secure a 97-90 victory over the New York Knicks at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The Knicks trailed through most of the game, but a driving lay-in by Patrick Ewing pulled New York within 93-90 with just over a minute to play. Duncan answered with a jump hook and later added a pair of free throws to seal the win. Duncan, who scored 13 in the first half, also grabbed nine rebounds. Will Perdue scored 16 and Chuck Person added 15 points for San Antonio (2-0). David Robinson chipped in with 13 points and eight boards. New York's Allan Houston and John Starks scored 20 points apiece, and Ewing finished with 17 but hit just 5-of-18 from the field. Starting point guard Chris Childs left the game in the third quarter when his head struck the floor. The Knicks (0-2), who never led, trailed 53-44 at the half and shot just 39.4 percent for the game.

nba.781 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

VANCOUVER (88) AT PHOENIX (93) VANCOUVER REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === ABDUR-RAHIM F 29 7-12 8-8 1 4 5 2 2 0 3 22 THORPE F 25 4-11 1-3 2 5 7 1 3 0 3 9 REEVES C 27 1-5 1-1 1 4 5 2 5 1 1 3 DANIELS G 29 5-10 0-0 0 2 2 3 3 1 2 10 PEELER G 20 1-5 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 4 1 2 BROWN 11 0-3 2-2 1 1 2 1 0 0 1 2 CHILCUTT 23 5-9 0-1 2 2 4 1 1 4 2 12 NEWBILL 17 1-2 2-4 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 4 GREEN 19 2-3 1-1 0 0 0 3 1 1 5 5 LYNCH 19 2-6 2-4 0 3 3 3 1 1 1 6 OGG 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 B EDWARDS 17 6-9 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 1 13 TOTALS 240 34-76 17-24 8 25 33 19 26 12 21 88 (.447) (.708) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 23(27 PTS) PHOENIX REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === CHAPMAN F 29 4-9 4-4 0 1 1 3 2 2 4 13 MCDYESS F 29 4-8 3-6 0 4 4 1 2 0 2 11 ROBINSON C 27 8-13 1-2 0 5 5 0 4 1 0 17 KIDD G 29 1-6 0-0 2 3 5 10 1 3 1 2 NASH G 38 5-11 9-9 0 2 2 9 2 4 3 21 MANNING 24 4-7 2-3 3 5 8 2 3 0 3 10 BRYANT 16 1-2 2-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 4 MILLARD 12 2-3 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 1 0 4 JACKSON 7 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 5 1 CHAMBERS 12 3-8 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 1 1 6 CUNNINGHAM 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 0 CEBALLOS 9 1-3 2-2 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 4 TOTALS 240 33-73 24-30 9 29 38 25 23 13 21 93 (.452) (.800) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 22(22 PTS) VANCOUVER 23 20 22 23 - 88 PHOENIX 24 17 25 27 - 93 BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ABDUR-RAHIM 2, BROWN, LYNCH. PHOENIX - MCDYESS 2, ROBINSON, MANNING, BRYANT. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 3-9 (.333), BROWN 0-3, CHILCUTT 2-4, B EDWARDS 1-2. PHOENIX 3-10 (.300), CHAPMAN 1-2, ROBINSON 0-1, NASH 2-3, MANNING 0-1, MILLARD 0-1, CHAMBERS 0-2. TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - B EDWARDS. OFFICIALS: JIM CAPERS, BILL OAKES, BLANE REICHELT. A - 19,023. T - 2:08. VANCOUVER (88) AT PHOENIX (93) Steve Nash, filling in for an injured Kevin Johnson, scored 21 points, handed out nine assists and helped rally the Phoenix Suns to a 93-88 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies. The game was knotted at 77 with just over five minutes to play when Cliff Robinson, who finished with 17 points, drained a jumper to spark an 11-3 run for the Suns (2-0). Nash traded three-pointers with Vancouver's Blue Edwards and then sank a 17-footer to give Phoenix an 84-80 edge. Robinson hit a fastbreak layup and Rex Chapman, who added 13 points, had a 17-foot jumper to cap the spurt as Phoenix took an 88-80 lead with 2:25 to play. Nash, who hit all nine of his free-throw attempts, got the start as Johnson sat out with a groin injury. Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 22 points and Edwards added 15 for the Grizzlies (0-2). Tom Chambers received a standing ovation when he entered the game in the second quarter, seeing his first game action in his second stint with the Suns. Chambers, an All-Star forward when he last played in Phoenix, signed with the Suns during the off-season. He scored six points in his only quarter of work.

nba.782 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

Burrough, Wilbourne waived by Hornets CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct 12, 1997 - 21:10 EDT) -- The Charlotte Hornets reduced their preseason roster to 14 players by waiving free agents Junior Burrough and Nate Wilbourne. The cuts were announced Sunday by Hornets coach Dave Cowens and Bob Bass, the team's vice president of basketball operations. Burrough, a Charlotte native who played in college at Virginia, was signed earlier this month. The 6-foot-8 forward played last season in the Italian League. Wilbourne, a 6-11 rookie, played college ball at South Carolina. The Hornets must reduce its roster to 12 active players before the regular season begins Oct. 31. Charlotte can place up to three players on the injured list, a team spokesman said. Charlotte is 1-1 on the preseason, including a 105-86 loss to Utah Saturday night in Salt Lake City. Burrough and Wilbourne played against Utah but did not score any points.

nba.783 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

Jordan doesn't disappoint sellout crowd LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Michael Jordan was clearly the people's choice, and he didn't disappoint, scoring 23 points and drawing oohs and aahs and hundreds of flashbulbs from the stands as his Chicago Bulls beat Seattle 101-92 Saturday night. Tickets sold out in just over 24 hours for the first NBA exhibition game in Allen Field House since 1988. "This is pretty normal for us in preseason," said Jud Buechler. ``In college towns that don't get to see No. 23 very often, it gets pretty crazy." Jordan hit 10 of 19 shots and had six rebounds in about 27 minutes. He closed out the first half with three baskets in the last two minutes as the Bulls took a 54-50 halftime lead. Jordan scored on an acrobatic move in the lane, a slam on a pass from top draft choice Keith Booth and a turn-around jumper in the lane that left Hersey Hawkins looking befuddled. Jordan opened the second half with a jumper from the baseline, then added a three-point play when he hit a bank shot while being knocked down after grabbing a rebound. The defending champion Bulls played without starters Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, and the Sonics were without starter Detlef Schrempf, who is recovering from hand surgery. "It was very different with all the flashbulbs and with people everywhere," Seattle coach George Karl said. Scott Burrell, acquired from Golden State in an offseason trade, added 13 points for the Bulls and Steve Kerr had 12. `I'm just glad a championship team wants me," Burrell said Vin Baker scored 16 to lead Seattle. The Bulls, who lost to Seattle in Chicago on Friday night, played intense defense Saturday in holding the Sonics to 12 points in the third quarter. "I think we were focused," Kerr said. ``Last night we were getting everyone in the game."

nba.784 nba.news, 13 Oct 97

Bird settling in to life on the bench FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Oct 12, 1997 - 15:40 EDT) -- A ball boy was picking up around the Indiana Pacers bench when a voice from behind asked if he was having fun. The boy nodded, and rookie coach Larry Bird smiled. So was he. After 13 years with the Boston Celtics, three NBA titles and three league MVP trophies, Bird doesn't miss being out on the floor. This is where he wants to be: on the bench, coaching his home team. "Them days are over," he said about playing. "I had all the opportunities I wanted to do that. This is something I wanted to do. I could have coached other places, but this is the place I want to be. "Now I just want to get a winning team out there." If his first weekend as a coach is any indication, that could take some time. The Pacers looked sloppy in a 105-98 loss to Cleveland Friday, and struggled before beating Toronto 104-100 Saturday in Bird's Indiana debut. But Bird saw flashes Saturday of what he wants his team to look like, and he was smiling as he walked off the court to yet another standing ovation. "The defense was great, ball movement, guys were setting good picks -- I thought they just placed excellent," he said. "I have no complaints." With fans still wearing his Celtics jersey, Bird looked a little out of place when he walked onto the floor dressed in a suit coat and tie. He's no Pat Riley, but it's still quite a change for the guy who used to wear white socks pulled up to his knees. And he looked uncomfortable on the bench at times, too, as if he was still trying to figure out what he's supposed to do with himself during games. While Cleveland coach Mike Fratello and Toronto coach Darrell Walker were jumping up and waving their arms, Bird stayed glued to his seat even when he looked like he was dying to get up. He rocked back and forth in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. Then he leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. Then he shifted sideways, stretching out his legs. He finally got up at the end of the first quarter Saturday, took a short stroll to the end of the bench, then quickly returned to his seat. "I've always felt weird standing in a suit coat," he said. "I've been around gymnasiums and coliseums my whole life. This time I'm not shooting, I'm sitting." The adoration of an entire state takes some getting used to, too. Bird got a standing ovation before Friday's game -- in Ohio -- then another when he was introduced Saturday night. Hundreds of fans were waiting for him when he left the locker room after Saturday's game, and they roared when they saw him. "As a coach, I haven't done anything yet," he said. "So they're wasting their time." Don't tell his players that. Chris Mullin came to the Pacers after 12 years with Golden State just to play for Bird. Jalen Rose reverently refers to him as "Larry Legend." Even though he's only coached two games, he's already got an air of authority with his players that some veteran coaches never have. "The thing that amazes me is looking on the sidelines and having Larry Bird as my coach," Mark Jackson said. "We have the opportunity to steal from him, to learn from him, to listen and realize how he accomplished what he did all these years with not a tremendous amount of athletic ability, but by outworking people, outthinking people. "There's no question, he's going to be a great coach."

nba.785 junior, 13 Oct 97 -> #644, nba.news

> Minnesota Timberwolves: Signed Clifford Rozier to a 1 year, > guarantee contract; E, smradovi. Uzeli su zverinu od igrača. Ja sam se nadao da će ponovo da potpiše sa Torontom, pogotovo, kako je Sharon Wright povređen. No, nema veze, ambicije ostaju iste: > Stoudamire says Raptors will be better > "Our goal is to win the NBA championship: that's still the > process and we're still in the beginning of that process." ;)

nba.786 junior, 13 Oct 97 -> #682, gligo

>> McGrady's leap > Zna li ovaj jos nesto sem da dobro zakuca ? ;) To ćeš videti ove sezone. :) Ali, dečko koji je visok oko 205, igra na poziciji beka, ima 18 godina, zverski zakucava, a u srednjoj školi je imao prosek od 7 skokova i 8 asistencija, uz 25 poena po meču (da ne spominjemo 2 ukradene lopte:), mislim da zaslužuje više nego veliku pažnju.

nba.787 gmatic, 13 Oct 97 -> #773, miskop

==> Ovogodisnji prvenac... :) Ne. Vec su igrali jednu i pobedili. Zaboravih koga pa pogledaj poruke pre dan,dva.

nba.788 gligo, 13 Oct 97 -> #786, junior

> 43-30. Toronto rookie Tracy McGrady, drafted directly out of > high school, was 1-of-9 from the field. E juniore, juniore.... Gde si ovog nas'o da hvalis.....;)

nba.789 junior, 13 Oct 97 -> #596, nba.news

> Hurley vows to be more aggressive player :)) Za njega je Rakočević nabildovan dečko.

nba.790 junior, 13 Oct 97 -> #612, nba.news

> Additionally, Toronto's Damon Stoudamire (No. 7) has > agreed in principle to a contract but won't sign until next > summer to help the Raptors deal with salary-cap restrictions > this season. Ima li šta konkretnije o ovom dogovoru ove sezone, ili je ovo samo obično lupetanje da se popuni tekst, tj. da deluje zanimljivije?

nba.791 junior, 13 Oct 97 -> #788, gligo

>> 43-30. Toronto rookie Tracy McGrady, drafted directly out of > Gde si ovog nas'o da hvalis.....;) Moje je da verujem u njega, a njegovo je da se pokaže. Uvek imaj u vidu da si ti (verovatno) stariji od njega, pa razmisli kako bi se ti ponašao da se nađeš na parketu, ispred 20 000 ljudi, da ugledaš Redžija kako ti se približava i sprema da zakuca preko tebe, a na klupi samo 2m od tebe sedi čovek kome si se divio kad si bio mali, čiji dres imaš okačen u sobi, i koji ti je uvek bio idol - Larry legenda. A do pre samo 2 meseca, igrao si sa ortacima basket na DIFu. E, sad pokušaj da shvatiš njegovu psihologiju i kako se on oseća. Uostalom, pokazaće se on večeras protiv Sietla.

nba.792 vpoznanovic, 14 Oct 97

1997 NBA Preseason Monday, October 13 Atlanta at Chicago 84:83 L.A. Clippers at Portland 87:91 New Jersey at New York 107:83 Seattle at Toronto 111:116 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- ATLANTA 25 15 23 21 84 CHICAGO 23 23 23 14 83 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: ATL - STEVE SMITH 13, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 11, MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 11 CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 15, JASON CAFFEY 14, TONI KUKOC 12 HIGH REBOUND: ATL - CHUCKY BROWN 8, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 7 CHI - SCOTT BURRELL 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6 HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - STEVE SMITH 4, MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 3 CHI - SCOTT BURRELL 4, MICHAEL JORDAN 4 ATT: 23,697 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- LA CLIPPERS 18 20 24 25 87 PORTLAND 26 18 22 25 91 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: LAC - RODNEY ROGERS 16, LOY VAUGHT 13, BRENT BARRY 10 POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 26, JOHN CROTTY 13, JERMAINE ONEAL 10 HIGH REBOUND: LAC - LOY VAUGHT 9, KEITH CLOSS JR 8 POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 13, KELVIN CATO 8 HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3 POR - THREE PLAYERS WITH 5 ATT: 19,542 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- NEW JERSEY 25 17 31 34 107 NEW YORK 26 17 17 23 83 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: NJN - KEITH VAN HORN 20, KERRY KITTLES 14, DON MACLEAN 13 NYK - LARRY JOHNSON 22, ALLAN HOUSTON 14, JOHN STARKS 14 HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 12, YINKA DARE 8 NYK - CHARLES OAKLEY 12, CHRIS DUDLEY 11 HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - KERRY KITTLES 7, SAM CASSELL 7 NYK - JOHN STARKS 5, CHRIS DUDLEY 2 ATT: 19,763 NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- SEATTLE 28 25 33 25 111 TORONTO 32 30 25 29 116 FINAL HIGH SCORERS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 27, DETLEF SCHREMPF 20, VIN BAKER 15 TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 27, JOHN WALLACE 18, MARCUS CAMBY 17 HIGH REBOUND: SEA - DETLEF SCHREMPF 8, VIN BAKER 7 TOR - JOHN WALLACE 10, ZAN TABAK 10 HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 8, ERIC SNOW 5 TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 10, POPEYE JONES 4 ATT: 14,228 Tuesday, October 14 Minnesota at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Seattle at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. San Antonio at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Cleveland at Indiana, 8:00 p.m. Portland at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m. Denver vs. Golden State at San Jose, Calif., 10:30 p.m.

nba.793 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

ATLANTA (84) AT CHICAGO (83) ATLANTA REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === CORBIN F 23 2-4 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 1 3 4 HENDERSON F 12 1-2 5-5 1 2 3 0 1 1 1 7 MUTOMBO C 23 5-6 1-2 0 7 7 2 1 0 1 11 SMITH G 26 5-13 0-0 0 0 0 4 2 3 3 13 BLAYLOCK G 26 4-12 2-7 1 0 1 3 2 2 0 11 STEIGENGA 25 3-4 2-2 6 0 6 1 4 2 3 10 BROWN 34 4-8 2-2 2 6 8 2 4 0 3 10 BOND 10 1-8 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 3 RECASNER 10 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 ANDERSON 15 0-1 1-2 2 3 5 0 1 1 1 1 WHITESIDE 12 3-5 0-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 8 GRAY 12 0-4 2-4 2 2 4 0 1 0 1 2 MILLER 12 0-0 2-4 0 3 3 2 2 0 2 2 BARRY DNP - COACH'S DECISION CRAWFORD DNP - COACH'S DECISION LAETTNER DNP - NOT WITH TEAM NORMAN DNP - NOT WITH TEAM TOTALS 240 29-70 17-30 14 30 44 18 22 10 19 84 (.414) (.567) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 20(15 PTS) CHICAGO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === HARPER F 21 1-5 2-2 0 4 4 2 2 2 1 4 CAFFEY F 24 5-8 4-5 1 4 5 2 0 1 1 14 LONGLEY C 21 2-6 0-0 1 5 6 0 2 1 2 4 BROWN G 19 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 1 2 6 JORDAN G 20 5-13 5-5 1 2 3 4 2 0 1 15 BURRELL 26 1-7 0-0 5 4 9 4 2 1 3 3 WENNINGTON 16 2-5 3-4 2 3 5 0 4 0 0 7 KERR 20 5-10 1-2 2 1 3 1 0 0 1 11 KUKOC 24 4-16 2-2 1 3 4 3 3 2 1 12 BUECHLER 20 2-7 0-0 0 4 4 2 1 1 1 5 KLEINE 5 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 BOOTH 17 0-4 2-4 1 5 6 1 3 1 1 2 LARUE 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 CALABRIA DNP - COACH'S DECISION GINGOLD DNP - COACH'S DECISION GORENC DNP - COACH'S DECISION HAMILTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION KORNEL DNP - COACH'S DECISION TOTALS 240 30-89 19-24 14 38 52 22 24 11 14 83 (.337) (.792) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(15 PTS) ATLANTA 25 15 23 21 - 84 CHICAGO 23 23 23 14 - 83 BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 2, STEIGENGA. CHICAGO - LONGLEY 3, BURRELL. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 9-20 (.450), SMITH 3-6, BLAYLOCK 1-5, STEIGENGA 2-2, BOND 1-4, RECASNER 0-1, WHITESIDE 2-2. CHICAGO 4-13 (.308), JORDAN 0-1, BURRELL 1-2, KERR 0-3, KUKOC 2-5, BUECHLER 1-1, LARUE 0-1. TECHNICALS: NONE. OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, ROBBY ROBINSON, JOE BORGIA. A - 23,697. T - 2:06. ATLANTA (84) AT CHICAGO (83) Anthony Miller converted the second of two free throws with three seconds remaining to give the Atlanta Hawks an 84-83 exhibition victory over the Chicago Bulls. Chicago (1-2) tied the game, 83-83, with eight seconds left on a free throw by Bill Wennington. But a foul by Toni Kukoc sent Miller to the line, where he missed the first shot before sinking the second. Steve Smith scored 13 points for the Hawks (3-0), who outscored Chicago in the fourth quarter, 21-14. Dikembe Mutombo and Mookie Blaylock contributed 11 points apiece. Michael Jordan scored 11 of his 15 points in the first half and Jason Caffey added 14 points for the Bulls.

nba.794 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

LA CLIPPERS (87) AT PORTLAND (91) LA CLIPPERS REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === MURRAY F 24 3-10 2-2 1 5 6 0 0 1 0 8 VAUGHT F 22 6-10 1-3 2 7 9 0 6 1 2 13 VRANKOVIC C 12 0-0 2-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 MARTIN G 17 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 2 4 0 BARRY G 24 3-11 2-2 0 0 0 2 1 2 2 10 RICHARDSON 26 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 3 3 1 1 6 PIATKOWSKI 14 2-4 2-2 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 7 CLOSS 27 1-5 7-8 2 6 8 3 3 0 1 9 WRIGHT 12 0-2 1-4 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 1 ROGERS 22 5-10 5-8 2 2 4 1 5 2 4 16 TAYLOR 12 1-4 2-2 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 4 COLLINS 10 1-2 1-2 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 4 MANNING 9 1-3 2-3 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 4 GARRIS 5 1-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 MCCRAY 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 HUFFMAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION TOTALS 240 27-74 28-39 12 29 41 16 26 11 21 87 (.365) (.718) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 21(21 PTS) PORTLAND REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === AUGMON F 29 2-4 2-2 0 3 3 5 3 0 3 6 WALLACE F 34 3-10 2-4 1 5 6 5 4 1 2 8 SABONIS C 28 12-20 1-3 5 8 13 2 4 0 3 26 ANDERSON G 23 2-7 5-6 0 1 1 4 3 0 2 9 RIDER G 28 3-7 2-3 0 0 0 1 2 1 5 8 CROTTY 25 3-7 6-6 0 0 0 5 2 0 2 13 ONEAL 19 4-5 2-3 0 6 6 1 1 0 1 10 CATO 14 1-4 1-2 1 7 8 0 5 0 3 3 WINGFIELD 17 3-4 2-2 0 2 2 0 5 2 1 8 HIGGINS 9 0-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 WILLIAMS 12 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 0 BELL 2 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 LISTER DNP - COACH'S DECISION TOTALS 240 33-76 23-31 9 32 41 24 32 6 23 91 (.434) (.742) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 23(20 PTS) LA CLIPPERS 18 20 24 25 - 87 PORTLAND 26 18 22 25 - 91 BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - CLOSS 5, MURRAY. PORTLAND - SABONIS 3, CATO 2, WALLACE, ONEAL. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 5-16 (.313), MURRAY 0-1, VAUGHT 0-1, MARTIN 0-1, BARRY 2-5, RICHARDSON 0-1, PIATKOWSKI 1-2, ROGERS 1-2, COLLINS 1-2, GARRIS 0-1. PORTLAND 2-8 (.250), WALLACE 0-1, SABONIS 1-2, CROTTY 1-2, WINGFIELD 0-1, HIGGINS 0-2. TECHNICALS: LA CLIPPERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, PORTLAND - WALLACE. OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, KEVIN FEHR, TED BERNHARDT. A - 19,542. T - 2:16. LA CLIPPERS (87) AT PORTLAND (91) Arvydas Sabonis had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Jermaine O'Neal scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 91-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Sabonis had 12 points in the first quarter, helping the Blazers to a 26-18 lead. The Clippers cut the deficit to two in the third quarter, but Sabonis scored 14 in the period as Portland took a 66-62 edge into the final quarter. Los Angeles was within 77-74 with 7 1/2 minutes to play, but O'Neal scored four points and Rasheed Wallace six as Portland extended to a 91-83 lead. Off-season acquisition John Crotty contributed 13 points and five assists for Portland (2-0). Rodney Rogers scored 16 points and Loy Vaught had 13 and nine rebounds for the Clippers (1-1).

nba.795 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

NEW JERSEY (107) AT NEW YORK (83) NEW JERSEY REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === KITTLES F 34 4-8 5-6 0 2 2 7 0 3 0 14 VAN HORN F 28 9-13 0-0 1 3 4 0 6 2 4 20 J WILLIAMS C 28 3-5 0-0 3 9 12 0 2 0 1 6 GILL G 25 4-7 4-8 1 1 2 1 4 3 2 12 CASSELL G 20 4-7 3-3 0 1 1 7 3 0 2 11 MACLEAN 25 4-10 4-8 0 2 2 1 4 0 0 13 HARRIS 22 3-9 1-2 1 0 1 3 2 2 1 8 DARE 20 3-6 2-3 3 5 8 0 4 0 2 8 BENOIT 14 3-9 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 8 SMITH 18 1-4 3-4 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 5 HALEY 6 1-1 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 0 0 2 CAGE DNP - COACH'S DECISION EDWARDS DNP - COACH'S DECISION HENSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION WERDANN DNP - COACH'S DECISION GATLING DNP - RIGHT LEG INJURY TOTALS 240 39-79 22-34 10 28 38 20 30 11 12 107 (.494) (.647) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 12(9 PTS) NEW YORK REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === JOHNSON F 40 6-13 9-10 3 4 7 1 2 0 2 22 OAKLEY F 33 1-4 1-2 2 10 12 1 5 0 2 3 H WILLIAMS C 22 1-7 1-2 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 3 HOUSTON G 36 4-9 6-6 1 3 4 1 2 0 5 14 BROOKS G 21 2-5 3-3 0 1 1 1 5 1 1 7 STARKS 35 4-16 5-5 1 3 4 5 4 1 7 14 DUDLEY 24 4-5 2-8 5 6 11 2 3 0 2 10 MCCARTY 23 2-5 1-2 1 1 2 0 6 0 0 5 THOMAS 6 2-3 1-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 5 EWING DNP - COACH'S DECISION CHILDS DNP - LEFT EYE CONTUSION JONES DNP - NOT WITH TEAM - PERSONAL MYERS DNP - RIGHT HAMSTRING STRAIN WARD DNP - STRESS FRACTURE RIGHT LEG B WILLIAMS DNP - STRAINED RIGHT GROIN TOTALS 240 26-67 29-40 13 32 45 11 29 2 22 83 (.388) (.725) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(28 PTS) NEW JERSEY 25 17 31 34 - 107 NEW YORK 26 17 17 23 - 83 BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - J WILLIAMS, DARE. NEW YORK - MCCARTY 2, DUDLEY. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 7-15 (.467), KITTLES 1-3, VAN HORN 2-2, CASSELL 0-1, MACLEAN 1-1, HARRIS 1-2, BENOIT 2-4, SMITH 0-2. NEW YORK 2-7 (.286), JOHNSON 1-1, HOUSTON 0-1, STARKS 1-5. TECHNICALS: NEW JERSEY - MACLEAN. OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, NOLAN FINE, DEREK RICHARDSON. A - 19,763. T - 2:24. NEW JERSEY (107) AT NEW YORK (83) Rookie Keith Van Horn scored eight of his 20 points during a pivotal third quarter that featured a 21-6 run as the New Jersey Nets pulled away for a 107-83 victory over the New York Knicks in their exhibition opener. Van Horn, drafted second overall by the Philadelphia 76ers before being dealt to New Jersey, led the Nets in scoring despite fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. Kerry Kittles scored 14 points and Don MacLean added nine of his 13 in the third quarter for New Jersey, which held the Knicks to one field goal during the decisive run. Larry Johnson scored 22 points to lead New York (0-3), which was unable to pull closer than seven points in the final quarter. New York's Patrick Ewing was given the night off, while former Nets guard Chris Childs sat out due to a fractured orbital bone near his left eye.

nba.796 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

SEATTLE (111) AT TORONTO (116) SEATTLE REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === D SCHREMPF F 26 6-8 6-6 2 6 8 2 1 0 2 20 BAKER F 31 6-13 3-12 4 3 7 2 4 2 1 15 WILLIAMS C 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 PAYTON G 31 11-18 4-10 0 4 4 8 2 1 7 27 HAWKINS G 21 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 3 3 0 1 0 SNOW 21 3-4 2-4 2 2 4 5 3 0 1 8 PERKINS 20 2-6 4-4 0 6 6 1 4 1 1 9 ELLIS 28 4-11 4-4 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 14 KERSEY 11 4-8 0-0 4 0 4 2 1 2 1 8 ANTHONY 15 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 3 2 WINGATE 14 0-1 2-4 0 1 1 2 4 0 2 2 COTTON 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 HOWARD 14 3-4 0-1 2 1 3 0 3 2 0 6 TOTALS 240 40-83 25-45 14 29 43 29 29 8 20 111 (.482) (.556) TEAM REBS: 43 TOTAL TO: 20(25 PTS) TORONTO REBOUNDS PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS ====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == === B WILLIAMS F 16 3-6 0-0 0 3 3 2 3 1 2 7 CAMBY F 31 5-15 7-12 2 3 5 3 2 2 4 17 TABAK C 18 5-8 0-0 5 5 10 1 6 0 2 10 CHRISTIE G 31 5-11 3-4 0 2 2 2 6 1 1 14 STOUDAMIRE G 39 6-7 14-17 0 5 5 10 4 2 2 27 JONES 26 3-8 0-0 2 2 4 4 5 2 1 6 MCGRADY 5 0-3 2-2 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 2 WALLACE 29 7-11 4-4 3 7 10 3 0 1 1 18 RESPERT 15 2-6 3-3 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 7 ROGERS 12 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 0 4 BARRETT 6 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 GARNER 9 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 SLATER 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 TOTALS 240 40-82 33-42 13 30 43 29 33 11 18 116 (.488) (.786) TEAM REBS: 43 TOTAL TO: 20(21 PTS) SEATTLE 28 25 33 25 - 111 TORONTO 32 30 25 29 - 116 BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - HAWKINS 2, D SCHREMPF, BAKER, PERKINS, KERSEY. TORONTO - CAMBY 7, WALLACE, RESPERT, BARRETT. 3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 6-21 (.286), D SCHREMPF 2-2, BAKER 0-1, PAYTON 1-2, HAWKINS 0-2, PERKINS 1-4, ELLIS 2-7, ANTHONY 0-2, COTTON 0-1. TORONTO 3-3 (1.000), B WILLIAMS 1-1, CHRISTIE 1-1, STOUDAMIRE 1-1. TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - PAYTON 2 (EJECTED). OFFICIALS: CRAIG CARMICHAEL, RON OLESIAK, STEVE JAVIE. A - 14,228. T - 2:21. SEATTLE (111) AT TORONTO (116) John Wallace scored six of his 18 points in a fourth-quarter run and Damon Stoudamire poured in 27 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 116-111 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. Toronto (1-1) led 87-86 after three quarters and extended a 93-92 advantage when Wallace scored the final six points of an 8-0 run that made it 101-92 with 6:35 to play. Seattle (1-2) pulled to within 106-105 after Gary Payton scored five straight points and fed Vin Baker for an alley-oop with 1:24 remaining. But Stoudamire drew a foul from Payton 22 seconds later and wound up making three free throws after Payton's technical foul to bump the lead back to 109-105. Marcus Camby chipped in 17 points for Toronto. Payton finished with 27 points, Detlef Schrempf had 20 and Baker 15 for Seattle.

nba.797 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

NBA Top Individual Performances (Through Monday, October 13th) POINTS PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE Olden Polynice, SAC vs. Portland 33 10-10-97 Shareef Abdur-rahim, VAN at La Clippers 32 10-11-97 Antoine Walker, BOS at Atlanta 32 10-11-97 Kobe Bryant, LAL at Denver 31 10-09-97 Allen Iverson, PHI at New York 30 10-09-97 Eric Williams, DEN vs. La Lakers 27 10-09-97 Antoine Walker, BOS vs. Atlanta 27 10-10-97 Shaquille Oneal, LAL at Phoenix 27 10-10-97 Gary Payton, SEA at Toronto 27 10-13-97 Damon Stoudamire, TOR vs. Seattle 27 10-13-97 REBOUNDS PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE Greg Ostertag, UTH vs. Charlotte 19 10-11-97 Shawn Bradley, DAL vs. Houston 17 10-11-97 Antoine Walker, BOS vs. Atlanta 16 10-10-97 Shaquille Oneal, LAL at Phoenix 15 10-10-97 Tony Battie, DEN vs. Golden State 15 10-12-97 Dikembe Mutombo, ATL at Boston 14 10-10-97 Dikembe Mutombo, ATL vs. Boston 14 10-11-97 Dean Garrett, DEN vs. Golden State 14 10-12-97 Keith Closs Jr, LAC vs. Vancouver 13 10-11-97 Pj Brown, MIA vs. Philadelphia 13 10-12-97 Arvydas Sabonis, POR vs. La Clippers 13 10-13-97 ASSISTS PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE Jason Kidd, PHO vs. La Lakers 10 10-10-97 Jason Kidd, PHO vs. Vancouver 10 10-12-97 Damon Stoudamire, TOR vs. Seattle 10 10-13-97 Mookie Blaylock, ATL vs. Boston 9 10-11-97 Steve Nash, PHO vs. Vancouver 9 10-12-97 Eric Snow, SEA at Chicago 8 10-10-97 Robert Pack, DAL vs. Houston 8 10-11-97 John Stockton, UTH vs. Charlotte 8 10-11-97 Gary Payton, SEA at Toronto 8 10-13-97 Allen Iverson, PHI at New York 7 10-09-97 Chris Childs, NYK vs. Philadelphia 7 10-09-97 John Starks, NYK vs. Philadelphia 7 10-09-97 Bob Sura, CLE vs. Indiana 7 10-10-97 Darrell Armstrong, ORL at Houston 7 10-10-97 Kenny Anderson, POR at Sacramento 7 10-10-97 Grant Hill, DET vs. Orlando 7 10-11-97 Terrell Brandon, MIL at Sacramento 7 10-12-97 Kerry Kittles, NJN at New York 7 10-13-97 Sam Cassell, NJN at New York 7 10-13-97

nba.798 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

Knicks' Childs to miss at least a week NEW YORK (Oct 13, 1997 - 19:46 EDT) -- New York Knicks guard Chris Childs fractured his left eye socket when he was elbowed by San Antonio's David Robinson on Sunday night in an exhibition game at Syracuse, the team announced Monday. Terming the injury a minimally displaced fracture of the left orbit, the Knicks said Childs would be sidelined for a week and then re-evaluated. If he is cleared to play, he will wear a protective mask. Childs is the second Knicks point guard to be sidelined during the exhibition season. Backup Charlie Ward, who has a slight stress fracture of the lower right leg, is expected to be in playing condition by the start of the regular season. Two other Knicks were hobbled by injuries heading into Monday night's exhibition game against New Jersey because of injuries. Pete Myers had a strained right hamstring and Buck Williams had a strained right groin. In addition, Patrick Ewing sat out because coach Jeff Van Gundy didn't want to use him in back-to-back games, and second-year forward Dontae' Jones missed his second straight game due to undisclosed personal reasons.

nba.799 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

Shackleford waived by Wizards LANDOVER, Md. (Oct 13, 1997 - 15:34 EDT) -- The Washington Wizards waived Charles Shackleford on Monday, less than a week after the center-forward was signed to a free-agent contract. Shackleford played three minutes with no points in Saturday's exhibition game against the San Antonio Spurs. Shackleford averaged 5.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game over five seasons -- two each with the New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers and one with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shackleford, 31, hadn't played since May, before having knee surgery to relieve arthritis he incurred during a season in Greece, where he led the league in rebounding. He is a former N.C. State player.

nba.800 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

National Basketball Association Transactions Oct 13 1997 Detroit Pistons: Released free-agent invitees Ray Weathers, Art Long, Thomas McGhee and Reggie Elliott. Phoenix Suns: Waived center William Cunningham.

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Shaq says knee bothered him during playoffs LOS ANGELES -- Injured left knees were the subject of much conversation Monday for the Los Angeles Lakers -- one that's better now, and one that remains a concern. Shaquille O'Neal said the knee he injured in February that sidelined him for two months bothered him a lot during the playoffs, although he averaged a team-leading 26.9 points in nine postseason games. Nick Van Exel said his knee continues to bother him, and while he's just going to have to live with it, he admitted his career could be shortened as a result. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee in 1992 and 1993. As the playoffs began last spring, O'Neal said he had fresher legs than usual because of the injury that limited him to 51 regular-season games. "I'm not beat up like I usually am at this time," he said. "I saved two months of being battered. I'm fresh and ready for battle." Maybe he was just trying to convince himself at that time. "My knee was killing me, and I hated that brace," O'Neal said Monday during media day at Los Angeles Southwest College. "I was hurting. Oh, I'm straight now. After the season, I just sat down and rested, stayed off it." Lakers coach Del Harris said he was aware O'Neal was in pain. "Absolutely, I don't know how everybody missed it," Harris said. "It was just one of those things. There are some things you can't say as a coach. I had figured in my own mind that Shaq played at about 85 percent." Harris said O'Neal's rehabilitation situation -- where he could play in games but was limited in practice -- hampered him. "The longer he was with our team, the more condition he lost," Harris said. "By the Utah series, he wasn't nearly as effective as he might have been. He gave a great effort. Shaq at 85 percent is still a pretty good player." Assistant coach Bill Bertka recalled how frustrated O'Neal became with the brace. "He took the brace one time (during practice) and threw it 15 or 20 rows into the stands," Bertka recalled. "But he never complained." When asked if O'Neal's mobility was limited, Bertka replied, "Oh, yeah, but there was nothing you could do about it. You play the cards you've got in your hand. He was going to give us what he could give us. You could tell he was frustrated at times because it limited his mobility. "Utah did a great job with their team defense. It was their year, their style of play affected our productivity. We have to play better." The Jazz beat the Lakers 4-1 in a second-round playoff series en route to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls. Van Exel missed three games in April because of soreness in his knee, but didn't miss any after returning to action. However, the pain flared up after training camp started, and he sat out the first two preseason games last week. The problem has been diagnosed as a bone bruise. "It's all right, not good, but all right," Van Exel said. "I'm not worried about it at all. If it hampers me, I'll sit out. I'm here for a reason, I'll stick it out." However, Van Exel acknowledged he might not stick it out after his five-year, $10.5 million contract expires in 1999, saying he might retire at that time even though he'll only be 28. Harris said he wasn't sure if Van Exel will be limited this season. "I told him yesterday, 'Pace yourself,' " Harris said. "We don't want to get it when he goes real hard for two or three days and then can't practice." Harris said he might use Van Exel the way Utah uses veteran guard John Stockton, who plays about 32 minutes a game. "Maybe something like that will work with Nick," Harris said. "I mentioned that to him as a possible way to extend his season and extend his career. Something like that might be a viable plan assuming Nick can play like he did last year. I'm assuming he will be able to. He's a little bit down right now."

nba.802 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

Long shots try not to get erased by Pacers INDIANAPOLIS -- No way both of them make the Indiana Pacers. Probably, neither lives to see Halloween in New Jersey -- which might be the name of a bad HBO movie, but definitely is where the Pacers begin their season. Former Kentucky Wildcat Mark Pope would love to be in New Jersey on Halloween. In his situation, you take the tricks with the treats. "I'll do anything," he says, almost breathless. "I'll play backup point guard." Because Pope is 6-foot-10, playing point guard is unlikely, though he has a better shot at the job than Damon Bailey, who at last report was the best eighth-grader Bob Knight had ever seen. Meantime, former Indiana center Todd Lindeman -- who also has a better chance at playing point guard than Damon Bailey -- is, like Pope, getting a second shot with the Pacers. But let's be honest: If Pope wasn't 6-10, if Lindeman wasn't 7-0, there might never have been a first chance. Allowances are made for size, even in the NBA. The big guy always has a little hope. So, if you're aiming to snare the 11th or 12 spot on the roster, the agenda is simple: You work your tail off every second, you walk around with a big grin, and you never lay a hand on the resident star (Reggie Miller). You show that besides taking up space on the floor for two or three minutes every fourth game, you won't hurt the team. You don't have to help the team, just don't make three turnovers and miss two free throws while losing a rebound to a 6-5 guard and getting stuffed by a 6-7 forward. Is that so hard? Of course. It's the NBA. "I don't know if I have any chance at all," says Pope, smiling that big smile. "But fortunately, I don't have to make that decision." The guy who does have to make that decision, first-year coach Larry Bird, was talking the other day about the Pacers' good new players, and he mentioned Pope in the same breath as former Dream Teamer Chris Mullin. And what Bird said about Lindeman would have made Bob Knight goofy. Hey, that's the word Knight once used when describing life with Lindeman. Said Knight: "The guy's driving me goofy. If I can survive Lindeman, I may coach a very long time." Bird says Lindeman has improved his game by 20 percent in the last three weeks: "He's been unbelievable. He's played hard, but with ease." Do not tell Bob Knight this while he's on a hunting trip; at least not while he's holding a loaded gun. Don't tell him what Bird said about Lindeman next, either. "He's a player that should be in this league, there's no question about that." Lindeman averaged 9.8 points as a college senior, but his career average was 5.9. He finished with a career rebounding average of 3.3. You would think he could have bumped into more basketballs than that. Last year in the CBA with Connecticut, he averaged just 4.4 rebounds and 6.9 points. But there's no question he should be in the NBA? Goofy. Daffy, too. Lindeman says he more confident than last time and now "knows what to expect." He believes if he plays good defense and screens effectively on offense -- he surely had enough practice at IU -- he can make the team. If he doesn't, he'll probably return to the CBA. Pope doesn't know what he'll do, only that it's very unlikely he again would play professionally in Turkey. "On our media day there, we sacrificed a ram," he says, recalling the good times. "It's a little different situation." Of course it is. On Pacers Media Day, Miller and Rik Smits sacrificed whatever good memories remained from the Eastern Conference finals years under coach Larry Brown. We learned Brown was too tough, too demanding ... and not in the room to defend himself. But Brown also left this legacy: He made quick, obvious, decisions about the ability of Lindeman, a free agent, and Pope, a 1996 second-round draft choice. Now, there's a new coach and a new chance. And, if Bird meant what he said, it's actually possible Todd Lindeman could be in the NBA. And, if that comes to pass, it can only mean one thing: When no one was looking, Todd Lindeman must have sacrificed a stork.

nba.803 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

Ainge sees bright future for rising Suns Somebody in the front office of the Phoenix Suns is a certified genius. Stand up and take a bow, Bryan Colangelo. A round of applause for Danny Ainge. Three cheers for Jerry Colangelo. OK, it might be a collective effort but give the fellows some credit. Since being forced to trade Charles Barkley -- and getting mostly a bunch of rubble in return -- the Suns have made some splendid moves that have taken them from that dreadful 0-13 start of the 1996-97 season to a chance for respectability and more this season. It started last season with the trade that sent Michael Finley and Sam Cassell to Dallas for Jason Kidd. Granted, Finley and Cassell are decent players, and Kidd's marksmanship is generally worse than a blind man's in a shooting gallery. Nevertheless, Kidd, 23, does just about everything else well and has a lot of good basketball yet to play in his career. Then, the Suns pick off Robinson -- at 30, in the middle stages of his career -- for the $1 million exception. Robinson, a 6-foot-10 forward who spent his first eight seasons in Portland, is no superstar or even an all-star. But he is a versatile front-line player who will score, play defense and fit in beautifully as a third or fourth option. Finally, Phoenix absolutely steals McDyess, 22, from Denver -- which figures it will lose the third-year forward after this season unless it trades him -- and has to give up only some draft choices and expendable guard Wes Person. McDyess, 6-9, is the next-best young forward in the league behind Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace. With Robinson, Danny Manning and Hot Rod Williams, the Suns suddenly have depth, experience and talent on the front line. "He is a good player," Phoenix coach Danny Ainge said after McDyess scored 24 points in the Suns' exhibition victories over the Lakers and Vancouver. "It's just going to take him time to fit into the way we play. We're not going to just throw the ball in and let him play one-on-one in the post, like the Lakers do with Shaq. "Our focus is our guards. (McDyess) is going to learn how to play a complementary role at first, and that's going to help him in the long run. He needs to concentrate on the offensive boards, to play post defense, block shots, make cuts at the right time, find seams and get the ball from our penetrating guards, play the pick-and-roll. ... We want him to expand his game, and he's going to do that." Another youngster Ainge has fallen in love with: Second-year point guard Steve Nash, a Canadian who played sparingly as a rookie. He had 21 points and nine assists in Sunday's 93-88 victory over the Grizzlies, and though he has Kevin Johnson, Kidd and Rex Chapman to compete with in the backcourt, he'll get some rotation minutes this season. "Right now, he is a good NBA player -- I mean, even better than that," Ainge says. "I know people think this sounds crazy, but I'd challenge anybody to find 10 better NBA point guards. "I'm looking for chances to play Nash because he has improved so much and played so well. We're not going to trade Steve Nash. We didn't have to include him in the McDyess deal, which we felt was a real coup for us. He and Jason can play together; they're my best defensive guard combination." As a player, Ainge was a shooter; Kidd is anything but. Still, Ainge loves him. "I put Jason's effort chart above anybody in the league, game in and game out," Ainge says. "He worked all summer long on his shot, and I think it's gong to get better. But he has played very well, does all the little things. You can't even begin to get his game onto a stat sheet." Ainge considers McDyess, Kidd and Nash to be "coach's dreams. Three guys under 24, with their work ethic and intensity ... I've been blessed." The Suns will still go small at times with Chapman playing small forward. They won't have to as much as they did last year, however. And the future looks bright. With only Manning, Kidd and Nash tied up contractually after this season, the Suns could have as much as $16 million to play with under the salary cap next summer. But now is now, and the Suns figure to be somewhere in the lower end of the Western Conference playoff picture, below the Lakers, Seattle, Utah, Houston and San Antonio but in there with everyone else. "Before we made the McDyess trade, I was real excited," Ainge says. "I felt like, 'Man, this is going to be really fun.' Then, we get him, and all of a sudden it made my job harder. I mean, all of a sudden our depth is big instead of small, and it changes a lot of things about how we'll play. "So there is going to be a dilemma there at first, but at the same time, it's an incredible deal for the franchise long-term. When they mature, it's going to be really scary to play against McDyess and Kidd."

nba.804 nba.news, 14 Oct 97

Conversation with Kevin Garnett Just when it looked like the Timberwolves would be unable to re-sign their star forward enabling him to become a free agent after this season, Minnesota locked up Kevin Garnett with a six-year deal, worth up to $125 million. ESPN's David Aldridge entered the lifestyles of the rich and famous to discuss the new contract with Garnett. Aldridge: You said it wasn't about the loot. But how could it not be about the loot when you're talking about that kind of loot? Garnett: My thing is, I know Minnesota. I've been through the first year, blown out by 40, and the second year, blowing people out by 40. I'm coming into my third year. I wanted it to be one of those years that one and two add up to being something real strong, something real more confident. My thing was all about a comfort level. I really wasn't focused on anyplace else. I really don't put money before basketball. I've been playing this before the money, before the lights, before you guys. So that's me. I can't really speak for the next guy, and what's going through his head, or whatever. But I always felt like if you work hard and are dedicated to something you love then it pays off for itself. Aldridge: After the first discussions didn't go well, did you think that was it? Garnett: Well, what you've always have to understand is what's in the media and what's going on (behind closed doors) is sometimes two different things. The media sometimes pumps stuff up where it's really not. Like I said, when I left that office and I talked to (coach) Flip (Saunders) and he looked in my eyes and he told me that we were going to get this done. As soon as I left, I left on a good note. These days, a lot of people don't have anything but their word. Aldridge: What was it like in the room with (your agent) Eric (Fleischer) and (Timberwolves owner) Mr. (Glen) Taylor, trying to hash it out. Was there nervousness, anticipation? Garnett: People felt like it was a big old argument, or a rush or something. That wasn't the case. He had his points, I had mine. We talked. It wasn't anything that made me scared or nervous about it. I just looked at it like I'm going in to talk to a very wealthy guy. He can really teach something. So I went in there with my ears and my eyes all the way open. Aldridge: Who was the first person you told when it the deal was done? Garnett: Bug. My boy Bug, my best friend Bug, he's like my right hand. You know what, we both sort of just got quiet. It was real quiet. I mean, what's to say, know what I'm saying? He congratulated me and everything, but I had just come from South Carolina ... and we were hearing that it was going to get done. So I think just for a brief moment it just got quiet and it was a happy moment, because you always think back to where you come from and what you have been through in life. And I think we were alone, with ourselves, we sort of shed a little (tear), just being happy or whatever. Aldridge: Is your deal structured in such a way that they can re-sign Stephon Marbury and re-sign Tom Gugliotta, without going into bankruptcy? Garnett: My thing was, make this so we can keep guys and we can get a whole bunch of guys in here that want to play basketball and have fun, the whole nine. So, I would never put myself into any kind of difficult predicament or anything like that. The team, myself, up and coming. I think everybody around me understands that and they knew that. So everything that's out in the media is not what it appears to be. Aldridge: If it was somebody else, would you sit back and ask yourself, "Is that guy worth all that money?" Garnett: You have this thing called market value, and value and all this. When Juwan (Howard) signed his deal, I was so happy for Juwan, because I knew him and I was happy. You sit back, because a lot of people really don't know a lot of basketball players are fans also. So you look back and say, "(Shaquille O'Neal) got a lake. He got a lot of money." You look back at stuff like that and you're happy for these guys. You're not really asking yourself are they worth it, or can they do this, or what can't they do. My first reaction was, "Yay." I'm happy for him and the O'Neal family, or the Howard family.' Aldridge: Are you ready for the resentments that are going to be out there -- whether it's players or fans? Garnett: I'm not God; I'm not Superman. I know you're going to have some tough nights. The best of the best have them. So I just always put that in my head, that everything's not going to go my way every night, everything's not going to go Minnesota's way. I understand that. I understand people are going to say whatever they're going to say. So I can never be mad about another person's opinion. Aldridge: Do you think the league is able, financially, to withstand the kind of increases we've seen in the last few years in player salaries? Garnett: I don't think so. I mean, you look at guys like (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen, guys I grew up watching, and you always think to yourself, "God, a player like this ... God, these guys are rich." If somebody would have told me that I would have over $100 million in future earnings and all that stuff, I probably would have looked at them and told them to fly a kite or something. The world is crazy. You never know what to expect.