nba.1226vpoznanovic,
Shaq era begins Friday night for Lakers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Oct 31, 1996 - 19:12 EST) -- One team added a young
superstar over the summer. The other traded an aging standout. And
both have a slew of new faces.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns will start finding out if the
moves they made translate into improvement Friday night when they open
the 1996-97 season against each other at the Forum.
The Lakers have seven new players on their 12-man active roster, and a
pair of forwards who were put on the injured list Thursday -- Jerome
Kersey and Trevor Wilson -- are also newcomers.
Leading the way, of course, is the $120 million man, center Shaquille
O'Neal, who signed a seven-year free-agent contract with the Lakers in
July after playing four seasons with the Orlando Magic.
O'Neal, 24, was named by coach Del Harris earlier this week as one of
three Laker captains. The others are starting point guard Nick Van
Exel, one of the five returnees from last year's team, and veteran
Byron Scott, who spent his first 10 NBA seasons with the Lakers before
playing elsewhere for three years.
The Lakers went 53-29 last season before losing to Houston in the
first round of the playoffs. This year, with O'Neal joining Van Exel,
Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell and Cedric Ceballos in the starting
lineup, and with a bench made up of Scott, rookies Kobe Bryant and
Derek Fisher, Rumeal Robinson, Sean Rooks and Corie Blount, among
others, the potential is much greater.
Of course, potential is just that. The games must be played.
Harris expressed anger late last week with how the team was coming
along after losing its final three preseason games.
"We did better," he said this week of recent practices. "Was it
perfect? No. There's a lot of distraction, and trying to keep
everybody focused is going to be a constant problem."
Bryant, suffering from a strained left hip flexor, returned to
practice Thursday.
"He looked pretty good," Lakers spokesman John Black said. "He's
probably not going to be ready for this weekend, but it's not an
impossibility. He's 18, he recovered quicker than normal guys do. He
looked OK in practice. There's a slight chance he might play (this
weekend), but it's not likely."
After facing the Suns, the Lakers play host to the Minnesota
Timberwolves on Sunday night. Then they play three games on the road,
starting at New York against the Knicks on Tuesday night. It's more
likely Bryant will make his professional debut on the road trip than
in one of the first two games.
The Suns, 41-41 last season after winning 59 games a year earlier,
traded 33-year-old Charles Barkley to Houston during the summer for
Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Chucky Brown and Mark Bryant.
Bryant, John "Hot Rod" Williams and Kevin Johnson are all starting the
season on the injured list for the Suns. But Cassell, Horry, Brown,
Michael Finley, A.C. Green and Danny Manning give them a productive
group of players.
nba.1227vpoznanovic,
Lakers to battle high expectations
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Oct 31, 1996 - 11:24 EST) -- High expectations.
The 12 players who don Lakers uniforms for Friday night's season
opener had better get used to them.
The bar effectively was raised when Shaquille O'Neal signed a Los
Angeles contract in August, and from this point nothing less than
serious contention for a championship will do.
Anything less, after an off-season in which $186 million in guaranteed
salaries (to O'Neal, Elden Campbell, Sean Rooks and Kobe Bryant) were
added to Jerry Buss' ledger, will be considered underachievement.
And not just in the eyes of the fans, either.
"We have high expectations, too," coach Del Harris said. "But the word
'contender' is the key. We're a legitimate contender, but that just
means we're in a position to challenge for something. That doesn't
mean you're automatically the champions or the big dog. It means you
might be. It means you have a chance to be.
"We believe we have a chance to be very good, and that's what
contending is all about."
Contending, in this case, means more than being a feared playoff
opponent by the time the season ends. The Lakers were that last
spring, and all it got them was embarrassment and bruised feelings by
the time their first-round loss to the Houston Rockets had run its
course.
No, this time the onus will be on the Lakers to reach the Western
Conference finals at the very least. Of course, there was a time when
making the Western Conference finals and losing was considered a
failure, so things aren't necessarily the way they used to be just
yet.
But they're getting there. Friday night's opener against Phoenix will
be the first of what could be 41 sellouts, which would be
unprecedented in Lakers history -- and which probably will be needed
to help defray all those big salaries.
Already, the atmosphere around the Forum resembles that of the 1980s,
said Byron Scott, the remaining on-court link to Showtime.
"The atmosphere, the crowd's response, the way we got out there and
got after them ... the setting was a lot like it used to be," Scott
said after one of the club's home exhibition appearances. "I remember
those days, and I enjoyed them. And I feel almost the same way now."
The biggest reason is also the biggest man in the lineup. O'Neal,
entering his fifth season in the NBA at just 24 years old, has won
individual honors but as yet no titles.
His signing with the Lakers -- after an acrimonious breakup with the
Orlando Magic, his former employer -- had a lot to do with feeling
comfortable in Los Angeles, but the heritage of championships also
appealed to him.
"I realize this organization has a great tradition of big men," O'Neal
said. "I'd like to take those guys' (strengths), whatever they did
best, and add it to my game but develop my own personality.
"I remember Showtime, baby -- Magic (Johnson), Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar),
the Lakers and Celtics, the Lakers and Knicks. (Growing up) I was
Magic. I wanted to be a 6-9 point guard."
It was Johnson's arrival in 1979 that presaged the Lakers' dynasty of
the '80s. But Johnson augmented an existing nucleus that already
included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Norm Nixon and Jamaal Wilkes, plus an
injured rookie named Michael Cooper. All would play key roles in
future championships.
And when Johnson suggests that these Lakers are, from 1-12, better
than the teams he played on... well, this requires some explanation.
Once he explains, it makes more sense.
"Our last three or four guys weren't as talented," Johnson said. "We'd
have a (Bob) McAdoo or a Cooper coming in, but after that we'd have a
big drop-off. Maybe not from 1-6 or 1-7, but from 1-12, no question
about it, there's more talent here.
"This team has a chance to be more exciting than our team, too,
because there are more finishers on this team. There's Kobe, Eddie
(Jones), Jerome (Kersey), who can still get out on that wing and dunk
on you, and Cedric (Ceballos). And now you've got the big boys (O'Neal
and Campbell) who can get out and run. Oh, man, they'll be a better
finishing team than we ever could be."
Going into the regular season, the Lakers will be slightly banged up.
Kersey, slotted as a small forward backup, is sidelined for the next
couple of weeks with a fracture in his left foot. Bryant, the
18-year-old prodigy who made the jump from high school ball to the
NBA, has been sidelined with a strained hip flexor the past week and a
half and may not be available for the opener.
And they'll face a tough schedule coming out of the gate. LA plays 10
of its first 17 on the road, with four back-to-backs in the first
month.
When fully healthy, the Lakers' rotation probably will consist of a
starting five of O'Neal at center, Campbell at power forward, Ceballos
at small forward, Jones at shooting guard and Nick Van Exel at point
guard.
Sean Rooks will back up O'Neal and Campbell. Kersey can play small
forward, but Jones also can slide over to small forward when Ceballos
goes out, with Scott and Bryant available at shooting guard. Rookie
Derek Fisher will back up Van Exel, and Corie Blount has earned
additional time at power forward with his play in the exhibition
season.
Rookie 7-footer Travis Knight, from Connecticut, probably won't play
much but will stay around as a project. With Kersey apparently
destined to start the season on the injured list, either forward
Trevor Wilson or guard Rumeal Robinson will make the opening-night
roster, as well.
That group will be charged with maintaining, and adding to, the
tradition exemplified by the six championship banners on the south
wall of the Forum, and the six retired numbers on the north wall (soon
to be seven, when Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich's number goes up Nov.
20).
"The tradition here is just like it is in Boston," said Scott, who was
an integral part of Lakers tradition in the '80s and came back -- on
an NBA minimum contract -- precisely for the chance to win another
championship here. "It's something you want to carry on as long as
possible, and everybody on this team has a responsibility to carry on
the tradition of Laker basketball -- to keep winning, to be
successful.
"We were the team of the '80s," he added. "The '90s haven't been real
successful. But the '90s aren't over."
nba.1228vpoznanovic,
O'Neal shakes the balance of power in Western Conference
(Oct 31, 1996 - 09:18 EST) -- The Lakers' signing of Shaquille O'Neal
sent general managers in the West scrambling for big, athletic bodies
they could throw at the 7-1, 300-plus-pound Goliath.
Predictably, there weren't many to be found. That helps explain
O'Neal's $120 million price tag for seven years. Something about
supply and demand.
It also sheds some light on why the Sonics were willing to give Jim
McIlvaine and his 2.1 points-per-game career scoring average a
seven-year, $35 million deal. Shawn Kemp found his new teammate's
contract so absurd he went on a protracted holdout. As the sixth
highest-paid Sonic, Kemp was insulted.
Money matters notwithstanding, the 7-1 McIlvaine can block shots and
clog the middle, and he's Seattle's only legitimate center. In a
conference that includes O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and
Arvydas Sabonis, that's an absolute necessity.
Here's a preview of the Western Conference in predicted order of
finish, with last season's record in parentheses:
Seattle (64-18): After putting up a respectable fight against the
Bulls in last year's NBA Finals, the SuperSonics seem the logical
heirs to the throne. Or at least they did until Kemp started whining
about his contract. If they can keep his discontentment from festering
all season, they should be back playing for the title.
Seattle features the enviable combination of a quick-striking offense
and a suffocating defense that hounds opponents into turnovers. That
plus the presence of steady veterans like Hersey Hawkins, Detlef
Schrempf and Nate McMillan make this club less likely to implode than
in the past.
Heck, even Gary Payton, armed with a new $85 million deal, is ready to
assume a position of responsibility.
"I see a remarkable maturity in Gary Payton," coach George Karl said
of his point guard. "The Dream Team experience has given him a
confidence and attitude I hadn't seen before."
If that attitude rubs off on Kemp, the Sonics should take off.
L.A. Lakers (53-29): The Lakers took the occasion of Shaq's signing to
raise ticket prices. But high as they went (especially those Jack
Nicholson courtside specials), they couldn't keep up with
expectations.
No wonder. The 24-year-old with the Superman tattoo on his left arm
has already proven he can leap tall opponents in a single bound and
stop a speeding fast break. Now if only someone would remove the
Kryptonite from the free throw line.
The starting lineup of O'Neal, Nick Van Exel, Cedric Ceballos, Elden
Campbell and budding star Eddie Jones should bring Showtime back to
Inglewood. High school sensation Kobe Bryant has yet to play a minute
and he's already a teen idol.
If coach Del Harris can keep his players' heads from inflating while
coaxing some solid minutes out of a thin bench, the Lakers might even
be more super than the Sonics.
Portland (44-38): A nuclear experiment gone awry does not have the
volatility of this group. As if moody Cliff Robinson playing out his
contract weren't enough, the Blazers have added Isaiah Rider (already
suspended for a game), Kenny Anderson and Rasheed Wallace to the mix.
Hope the windows of the Rose Garden are shatter-proof.
The scary thing is, these guys are loaded with talent. The frontline
of Sabonis, Robinson and Wallace towers over anybody else's and
18-year-old rookie Jermaine O'Neal looks like he's for real. Reserves
such as Chris Dudley and Aaron McKie would start on many other clubs.
If coach P.J. Carlesimo can somehow find the right chemistry, the
Blazers will blow out a lot of teams.
Houston (48-34): The three core players -- Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde
Drexler and Charles Barkley -- average 33 years of age and 10 All-Star
appearances. Clearly, the Rockets want another championship and they
want it now.
Whoever handles point guard duties will have a difficult task
distributing enough shots among the three future Hall of Famers.
Free-agent signee Brent Price was supposed to handle the job, but he's
out for four months with a broken arm. The search for his successor
continues.
Phoenix (41-41): Is this the year Robert Horry becomes the next
Scottie Pippen? The 6-10 Horry, one of four players acquired for
Barkley, represents a nightmarish matchup for most small forwards.
Being on the final year of his contract may motivate him to tap his
enormous potential.
The versatility and athleticism of players like Horry, Danny Manning
and Michael Finley will make the Suns fun to watch. Their ultimate
success will depend on whether Manning, point guard Kevin Johnson and
center Hot Rod Williams can remain relatively injury-free. History is
not on their side.
Utah (55-27): Sure, the Karl Malone-John Stockton act is still playing
to rave reviews. Their contributions helped the Jazz lead the league
in shooting at nearly 49 percent. But outside of Jeff Hornacek, the
supporting cast is questionable and those three guys average 33 years
of age.
Can Greg Ostertag provide a presence in the middle? Will perennial
underachiever Chris Morris ever live up to his ability? Will anybody
from the bench step up? Those are too many questions with uncertain
answers.
San Antonio (59-23): The Spurs have been taking flak for flaming out
in the playoffs after winning the Midwest Division title four out of
the last seven years. That might not be a concern this time.
All-world center David Robinson is out until perhaps December with a
back injury, putting pressure on Sean Elliott and the backcourt of
Vinny Del Negro and Avery Johnson to carry the load. San Antonio did
not get any better in the offseason, just older, adding 36-year-old
Dominique Wilkins and notorious hothead Vernon Maxwell.
Coach Bob Hill failed to get his desired contract extension in the
offseason. In fact, he may not last the year he has left.
Sacramento (39-43): Mitch Richmond and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf form a
high-octane backcourt, though the latter can't guard a statue. The
Kings are loaded with talented forwards like Brian Grant, Billy Owens
and Corliss Williamson, who after shedding some weight seems ready to
emerge.
Last year's playoff experience, which included a near-upset of the
Sonics, should prove beneficial. If they cut down on the turnovers,
the Kings could make even more noise in the postseason this year.
Denver (35-47): "We're in the same position as 19 or 20 other teams.
We've got a lot of new faces," said coach Bernie Bickerstaff. He
failed to mention the Nuggets are not as good as 19 or 20 other teams.
The new faces belong to Mark Jackson, Ricky Pierce, Sarunas
Marciulionis (all three fairly grizzled ones), Eric Murdock and Ervin
Johnson. They all should contribute in some measure, but it will be up
to Antonio McDyess and Bryant Stith to rescue this team from
mediocrity.
Golden State (36-46): Rony Seikaly's holdout makes an already soft
frontcourt even more suspect. Budding star forward Joe Smith can only
do so much by himself. Where are Chamberlain, Thurmond and Parish when
you need them?
Latrell Sprewell and B.J. Armstrong are a solid backcourt, but for the
Warriors to make a playoff run they need Chris Mullin and free-agent
signee Mark Price to find the fountain of youth. Good luck.
Dallas (26-56): Turns out gifted passer Jason Kidd took offense at a
teammate making a pass of his own -- at Kidd's date. So goes the story
of the rift between Kidd and Jim Jackson, reportedly rooted in a
dispute over singer Toni Braxton.
Every bit the problem as the J's is the D, as in the lack of it. New
coach Jim Cleamons inherits a club that was last in the league in
points, rebounds and shooting percentage allowed. The Mavs can stick
the J, but without a commitment to defense, it won't matter.
Minnesota (26-56): This will be another season of growing pains, but
GM Kevin McHale finally has the Wolves pointed in the right direction.
McHale has built a nice foundation with Kevin Garnett, Tom Gugliotta
and rookie Stephon Marbury. Perhaps more important, he's dumped
troublemakers Isaiah Rider and Christian Laettner.
There's still a ways to go: The center and shooting guard spots are
still liabilities. At least that's three fewer holes than in the past.
L.A. Clippers (29-53): The Clippers have a load of overweight centers,
from the gargantuan Stanley Roberts (just back from a suspension) to
the merely obese Kevin Duckworth, both well over 300 pounds. Dwayne
Schintzius, listed at 285, is puny by comparison. Meanwhile the team's
best power player, Brian Williams, remains unsigned.
It seems any stay longer than a year at Clipperland scars a player,
often forever. Lamond Murray and Eric Piatkowski regressed after fine
rookie seasons two years ago. Pity promising second-year guard Brent
Barry.
Vancouver (15-67): Last year the Grizzlies couldn't shoot (29th in the
league) or rebound (28th). Their leading scorer was point guard Greg
Anthony at a meager 14 points a game. No matter the country, those
numbers translate into trouble.
The frontline is starting to take shape with Bryant "Big Country"
Reeves and rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim. They, like the Vancouver fans,
will have to wait their turn.
nba.1229vpoznanovic,
Something old, something new: NBA season opens
(Oct 31, 1996 - 17:06 EST) -- When millions of Americans and Canadians
sit down in their easy chairs Friday night for the first televised NBA
game of the season, the newest thing they'll see will look like
something from 50 years ago.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors will be wearing old-fashioned
uniforms to commemorate the NBA's 50th anniversary. It will be the
first of 22 games this season in which teams go retro.
The New York-Toronto game comes 50 years to the date the first
Basketball Association of America contest was played between the
Knickerbockers and the Toronto Huskies on a hardwood floor laid over
the ice at Maple Leaf Gardens.
This time, the floor will be laid over the astroturf of the SkyDome.
And the Raptors, instead of wearing their usual red, white and purple
outfits, will be wearing plain white jerseys with "Huskies" written
across the front in blue letters.
New York also will wear replica uniforms with light blue lettering
outlined in orange against a blue background.
"Really? I didn't know. This is the first I've heard of it," Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy said Thursday. "I'm always the last guy to know."
The Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, Detroit Pistons,
Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio
Spurs and Seattle SuperSonics will also wear retro uniforms
occasionally during the first half of the season.
With so many familiar faces playing in new places, it's an interesting
twist to a season that promises to be a curious mix of old and new
Shaquille O'Neal will be wearing the purple and gold colors of the
Lakers and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., will be packed with
celebrities again Friday night when Los Angeles plays the Charles
Barkley-less Phoenix Suns.
That game, too, will be televised nationally in the U.S. on cable.
It's one of 97 -- not counting the All-Star game -- that will be shown
on NBC, TNT and TBS this season.
O'Neal's free agent move to the Lakers, who gave him a $120 million,
seven-year contract, was the biggest story in a summer filled with
personnel changes around the league.
Barkley has moved over to the Houston Rockets, who have only two
players remaining from the team that won the first of its two
consecutive championships in 1994.
The Rockets open at home against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night,
the busiest night of the entire season with 14 games scheduled. The
Charlotte Hornets are the only team that won't be playing.
In other games, it's Chicago at Boston, Cleveland at New Jersey,
Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Washington at Orlando, Atlanta at Miami,
Indiana at Detroit, San Antonio at Minnesota, Dallas at Denver,
Seattle at Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State and Portland
at Vancouver.
Another 10 games will be played Saturday night and four more Sunday.
The moves of O'Neal and Barkley are just two of dozens that teams made
in an effort to catch up to the Chicago Bulls, who return basically
the same team that won a record 72 games last season before winning
their fourth championship in six years.
After missing most of the exhibition season, Scottie Pippen will be in
the starting lineup alongside Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Luc
Longley and Ron Harper.
The newest face on Chicago's bench will also be the oldest. Robert
Parish, who on Wednesday was named one of the 50 greatest players in
NBA history, will coax his 43-year-old body out for another season of
the sport he used to play alongside Larry Bird, Rick Barry, Gus
Williams and Jo Jo White.
The Seattle SuperSonics, last season's Western Conference champions,
will have Jim McIlvaine playing center beside an unhappy Shawn Kemp,
who made the mistake of signing a long-term contract two years ago
before the league's salary structure became so inflated over the
summer.
Among the players who were traded or switched teams for lucrative
contracts worth tens of millions of dollars are Dikembe Mutombo
(Atlanta), Rod Strickland (Bullets), Larry Johnson (Knicks), Anthony
Mason (Hornets), Kenny Anderson (Trail Blazers), Ervin Johnson
(Nuggets) and Sam Cassell (Suns).
The NBA's leading active career scoring leader is back, too. Dominique
Wilkins, who played last season in the Greek League, signed with the
San Antonio Spurs for the league's minimum salary of $247,500.
nba.1230vpoznanovic,
Early NBA player remembers the not-so-glory days
(Oct 31, 1996 - 08:48 EST) -- Harry Miller will see Toronto this week
for the first time in nearly 50 years. If basketball has changed
dramatically in that time, so has the city in which he once played the
game.
"That's what I understand," Miller said from his home in Latrobe, Pa.,
near Pittsburgh, "I'm looking forward to it."
Miller was known as Dutch when he played for the Toronto Huskies of
the Basketball Association of America, forerunner of the National
Basketball Association. He later was known as Moose, a name he said
came with maturity. Miller, 6-5 and 240 pounds, was sort of an
enforcer in those days when professional basketball was more physical
and less airborne than today's game. He was not a big scorer, but he
could pass with finesse, as the press coverage of those games reveals.
He played at Maple Leaf Gardens against the New York Knickerbockers on
Nov. 1, 1946, in what is recognized as the first NBA game. The Knicks
won 68-66 before 7,090, the largest crowd the Huskies would attract to
the Gardens.
Miller is the last surviving member of the Huskies who was with the
team all the way through their first season. He is coming to Toronto
to take part in the 50th anniversary celebrations when the Knicks play
the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at the SkyDome to open the 1996-97
NBA season.
The fact that he played in the first game and that the NBA is back in
Toronto has brought new awareness of the pioneer players like Miller,
who said he is deeply touched by the attention.
"I'm overwhelmed, that's the only word I can use. I'm all excited
about it."
It never occurred to Miller or his contemporaries that they could be
the beginning of something big.
"No. It's just something we wanted to do," he said. "We loved
basketball. We were gym rats, guys from the playgrounds of New York."
The Toronto that Miller left was smaller, a lot quieter and not nearly
so cosmopolitan. It must have been strange back then for a New Yorker.
"It was different, but it was enjoyable," he said. "Something
different that you wanted to be proud of. First of all, it was pro
basketball. You're getting paid to do it, that was something
different. Then to be in a different country doing it, that was also
something we enjoyed. Most of us were guys that just got back from the
(Second World) war."
Toronto used to shut down on Sundays. There weren't even Sunday
movies. The pubs were closed on Sunday and on other days there were
rules covering opening and closing times.
"You had to have a schedule to know when you could get a beer," he
said. "And then they had a room for ladies only and men only and for
men and women. In those days if you wanted a mixed drink you had to
get a bottle and have it at your home."
Cocktail lounges were in the process of being introduced. He was an
outgoing sort and working in that business was suggested to him by a
Toronto businessman as a possible opportunity, one he never took.
Miller and five teammates lived in a rooming house off Bloor Street.
They would go to the Gardens by trolley. He paid his rent by saving
meal money from road trips. There was a restaurant not far from the
boarding house. He remembers buying a liver dinner special that
included vegetables, potatoes, bread and salad for a total of 35
cents.
Road trips offered another way to profit besides stashing meal money.
He'd bring in cigarettes and a bottle or two of Southern Comfort from
trips to the United States. Travel was by train, and with trips often
taking five or six days, there wasn't much time to wash sweaty socks
and other apparel. The smell from the luggage bag discouraged close
inspection by customs officials.
"I used to bring in maybe six or eight cartons of cigarettes," he
said. "Cigarettes were very expensive in Canada. The people liked the
American cigarettes more. I had a guy that I sold them to who sent
them to England. He'd give me an order."
If Miller felt his salary of $3,500 for the season was small, he
didn't feel so badly when he learned from some of the Toronto Maple
Leafs of the National Hockey League that they were being paid $2,200
and $2,600. They would talk when they shared the same train. He became
particularly friendly with Leafs forward Bill Ezinicki.
"Talk about a tough guy," Miller said.
After basketball, Miller went into sales, then worked in special
education as a physical-education director. The 72-year-old is still
involved in sports. He evaluates basketball officials for National
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. In summer, he runs the
hospitality room at the Pittsburgh Steelers' National Football League
training camp. He also does some scouting for the Seattle SuperSonics
of the NBA. He said he appreciates today's game.
"It is entertainment. It's unbelievable. Great athletes. I think
basketball players are the greatest athletes in sports. When you look
at some of these guys like (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen, it's
unbelievable what they can do."
He saw the Raptors once last season on television.
"I couldn't believe that (Damon) Stoudamire. I watched him play at
Arizona, and for some reason he looked bigger when he was at Arizona.
He runs like he's got a motor up his rear. He's the kind of guy that
if he kept running on me, I'd have to punch him one. I used to hate
those little guys who could run. When we'd get frustrated and mad in
those days, we'd try to hurt a guy."
Playing the rough game involved some sneakiness.
"You didn't do it like, grab a guy and choke him, or something like
that," he said. "You'd try to use finesse. How good could you use an
elbow? We used our elbows discreetly. How good could you knock a guy
off with a hip? Stuff like that.
"But then inside -- don't forget they only had two officials then --
and if you had an official where he couldn't see you, you'd give a
little kidney punch every once in a while. You'd get your eyes busted
up, your nose."
It wasn't all rough stuff. The Huskies had few great moments. But one
was against the Philadelphia Warriors. The Huskies had been down by 25
points in the first half. They outscored Philadelphia 21-3 in the
final quarter and won 77-69. Miller held league-leading scorer Joe
Fulks to two points on free throws in the second half and also scored
nine points. There weren't enough games like that for the Huskies.
"If the team had gone another year, maybe it could have been a
different thing," Miller said, "you don't know."
nba.1231vpoznanovic,
Magic waive Ellis, place three on injured list
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct 31, 1996 - 19:36 EST) -- Orlando waived LeRon Ellis
and placed first-round draft pick Brian Evans and two others on the
injured list Thursday to trim its roster to the NBA season-opening
limit of 12 players.
The 6-foot-11 Ellis, a third-year pro, had been competing for backup
playing time at forward and center.
Evans missed training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery this
summer. He was joined on the injured list by Jon Koncak, who had
surgery last month to remove torn cartilage and bone spurs from his
left knee, and second-round draft pick Amal McCaskill (patella
tendinitis, right knee).
nba.1232vpoznanovic,
Edney is clear on role -- and goal
CHICAGO (Oct 31, 1996 - 08:01 EST) -- Things aren't that much
different for Sacramento point guard Tyus Edney.
But then again, yes they are.
Edney has a year of NBA experience, but he heads into his second
season wondering if he'll be a starter or a reserve.
Kings coach Garry St. Jean insists that just because Edney or Mahmoud
Abdul-Rauf begins the season as the starter does not mean that player
will be the starter for the remainder of the campaign.
That was pretty much the situation last year when Bobby Hurley began
as the starter but was replaced by Edney less than a month into the
season.
"There is nothing written in stone here," St. Jean said.
Edney says he is ready to perform, whether it is as a starter or a
reserve. His status may change, but his role will remain the same.
"I don't know exactly what my situation will be," Edney said. "But I
know what they'll want when I'm in the game. They want me to run the
team, like last year, push the ball upcourt and make things happen."
Edney said the experience of last season provides a level of comfort.
"I know what to expect from everything, including what the season is
like," he said. "Last year, everything was new, the players on the
other teams, our players, everything. It's just a little easier when
you kind of have an idea of what you're walking into."
Edney said he is not troubled by the team's acquisition of Abdul-Rauf.
"I just want the team to get better," he said. "That's the whole
idea."
Edney's improvement, along with that of Brian Grant, Michael Smith and
Corliss Williamson, will be the keys to the team's growth. One
characteristic of Edney's that will need no improvement is his
attitude. Edney also puts the team first.
That's why Edney was a fixture in the team's weight room this summer
and why he worked diligently to improve his outside shot. He knows he
needs to gain strength and weight and needs to prevent teams from
dropping off him and double-teaming the Kings' low-post players.
Edney averaged nearly 11 points last season, led the team in assists
with 6.1 per game and proved capable of producing during tough times.
Edney's performance in the playoffs was particularly impressive,
despite the problems he faced trying to guard the taller and stronger
Gary Payton.
Edney made just 41.2 percent of his field-goal attempts last season
but shot a respectable 37 percent from three-point range. It wasn't
Edney's perimeter shooting that pulled down his overall field-goal
percentage as much as when his penetration carried him into the lane
and led to tough shots.
"I worked on my shot to try to improve, but I felt last year that I
didn't shoot as well as I can," he said. "It was a little
frustrating."
But Edney said he will not be frustrated if he is not the starter.
"I don't know what will happen, and it is not my decision. I want what
is best for our team. Whatever the coaches believe will be the most
effective. That's the only concern."
Edney penetrates better in the half-court offense and pushes the ball
better on the fast break than Abdul-Rauf, but Abdul-Rauf is one of the
league's best shooters and provides a different type of threat.
Edney said his free-agent status at the end of the season is not a
concern.
"I plan to be here next year," he said. "I want to do everything I can
to help this team this year and in the future."
nba.1233vpoznanovic,
Owens could begin season on injured list
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct 30, 1996 - 05:54 EST) -- Kings forward Billy
Owens did not practice Tuesday and vice president Geoff Petrie
acknowledged that the versatile 6-foot-9 player could begin the season
on the injured list.
"It's a possibility," Petrie said of Owens, who is hampered by a
strained left groin. "We're going to meet (Wednesday) and decide what
the best thing is to do. He needs to be there for every game and every
day. We don't want to have him play one game and then sit the next.
It's one thing to do that in the exhibition season, but when the
season comes and you are trying to formulate a rotation and a core
group of guys, it's tough."
Owens has not played since last Wednesday in Pueblo, Colo.
Owens had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Test done Monday, but Petrie
said it revealed nothing.
PLAYER MOVES DUE: The Kings likely will make moves Wednesday to get to
the 12-man active roster.
They have 15 players currently on the roster. Free-agent center Kevin
Salvadori will go on the injured list with his severely sprained left
ankle. He is still 2 1/2 weeks away from even practicing and the Kings
still will have to pay him while he is medically unfit.
Free agent Dell Demps has outplayed veteran Kevin Gamble and free
agent Gaylon Nickerson, but final roster decisions don't always come
down to just on-court play. Gamble could be part of a trade package if
the Kings plan to make such a move.
If Owens goes on the injured list, just one would have to go and the
guess here would be Nickerson.
EDNEY TO RETURN: Kings guard Tyus Edney missed practice Tuesday, but
said he expects to return to workouts Wednesday and plans to play in
Friday night's regular-season opener.
Edney has been limited by tendinitis in his left knee.
nba.1234vpoznanovic,
Karl worried about team's attitude
SEATTLE (Oct 31, 1996 - 05:36 EST) -- Maybe it was just a
psychological ploy intended to bring back to earth a team that's heard
a lot of good things about itself lately.
Maybe it was simply the frustration of a coach who is anxious to get
the regular season started.
Or maybe Sonic coach George Karl really is as concerned as he sounded
on Wednesday after a two-hour-plus practice.
"I think they think they are a little better than they are," said Karl
of the Sonics, the defending Western Conference champions who open
their season Friday night at Utah.
"I just think they are not working hard enough. Their attitude is
casual. They are not serious enough. I think we are preparing
ourselves for a big letdown."
Those words came two days after Karl had said he felt the team had
played well and accomplished much of what it wanted to in going 6-2 in
the preseason, beating Chicago, Indiana, Portland and the Lakers.
But Wednesday's lengthy practice that included two quarters of
full-scale scrimmaging left Karl unhappy.
"I hope I'm wrong, and there's a good chance I'm wrong," Karl said.
"But I was very disappointed in today's practice. ... There are some
things that need to be addressed, some problems that I'll address."
Karl wouldn't go into specifics, other than to say they involved "the
whole team."
A less-than-serious attitude, however, is something Karl had mentioned
earlier this week, when he said the team might be "too loose."
That was a charge Nate McMillan didn't disagree with.
"Any time a team has been successful they get a little cocky and stop
doing some of the things they had done to get there," McMillan said.
"But I don't think that will last long. We understand what we are
doing. We all work and play hard."
Forward Sam Perkins said what Karl may be perceiving as a lax attitude
may simply be a team worn down a little bit by a strange preseason
that included the three-week holdout of star Shawn Kemp and a trip to
Europe to play games in Germny and Spain.
Perkins, entering his 13th NBA season, said a scrimmage like the
Sonics had on Wednesday is "unusual" two days before the season. But
he said he understood it because the team hasn't had all the practice
time it has needed because of the awkward preseason, which also
included breaking in newcomers Jim McIlvaine and Craig Ehlo.
"It's been a little different, all the things that happened, and some
people are playing catch-up in a sense," Perkins said. "There's been
so many uncertainties and so many new people it's been an adjustment.
Maybe that's why we are behind."
Karl is worried that the team doesn't have much time to get ahead with
11 of its first 17 games on the road, including a six-game trip to the
East coast the third week of November.
"We are a good basketball team, but we are only special when our
attitude is special," Karl said. "And today's attitude was not
special."
ROSTER MOVES DUE THURSDAY: The Sonics must cut their active roster
from its current 15 to 12 by 3 p.m. PST THURSDAY.
One move that seems a certainty is putting backup center Steve
Scheffler on the injured reserve list, which means he would have to
sit out at least the first five games of the season. The Sonics can
put two other players on the injured reserve list, meaning they don't
technically have to cut anybody.
McMillan completed his third straight full practice Wednesday and
should be able to play in the opener Friday. Fighting for the other
spots are recently acquired center Elmore Spencer, free-agent forward
Larry Stewart and guards Greg Graham and Sherell Ford.
Karl apparently wants to keep Stewart, but the complication is that
Ford and Graham have guaranteed contracts that must be paid even if
the players are cut.
KEMP ANXIOUS TO GET STARTED: Kemp, for one, is glad the season starts
against Utah and Karl Malone, saying playing against The Mailman is a
good, quick way to get in game shape.
"It's going to be tough to play against Karl down low," Kemp said.
"You've got to remind yourself to keep the ball away from him and not
let him slap it away. All the little things you have to remind
yourself of."
Karl said he still thinks Kemp is rounding into shape and that it
might take 10-15 games for Kemp to get in optimum condition.
"He needs to play," Karl said. "He's probably not in game shape yet
and the only way he'll get in game shape is to play in a game. ...
He's a great athlete which will allow him to handle the tiredness and
his special skills will allow him to still perform at a high level
despite not being in the best of shape."
nba.1235vpoznanovic,
Sonics waive Ford; Graham, Scheffler on injured list
SEATTLE (Oct 31, 1996 - 22:18 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics waived
Sherell Ford, a first-round pick in last year's draft, the team
announced Thursday.
The 24-year-old small forward from Illinois-Chicago was signed
September 1995 to a three-year contract. He played sparingly,
averaging 3.2 points and 4.9 minutes in 28 regular-season games.
Guard Greg Graham was placed on the injured list Thursday with a
strained right thigh, the team also announced.
Center Steve Scheffler, who missed the last five preseason games, was
also put on the list. He has an injured right foot.
nba.1236vpoznanovic,
Raptors waive Tyler
TORONTO (Oct 31, 1996 - 18:48 EST) -- The Toronto Raptors waived guard
B.J. Tyler on Thursday and placed forward Mark Hughes on the injured
list.
Tyler missed all of last season because of nerve damage in his leg,
suffered when he left an ice bag on too long. The University of Texas
product was originally taken by the Raptors in the 12th round of the
NBA expansion draft last year.
Donald Whiteside beat Tyler out for the backup point guard job behind
captain Damon Stoudamire.
Hughes has been sidelined by a dislocated finger on his left hand.
The Raptors open their season Friday night at home to the New York
Knicks.
nba.1237vpoznanovic,
Muresan to start season on injured reserve
LANDOVER, Md. (Oct 31, 1996 - 21:12 EST) -- Washington Bullets center
Gheorge Muresan will start the season on the injured reserve list
because of a strained hip flexor.
Muresan was placed on the injured reserve list Thursday. The team also
released guard-forward Dwayne Morton.
Muresan strained the hip flexor while working out before the preseason
and did not play at all during the preseason. He is expected to miss
the first five games of the season.
nba.1238vpoznanovic,
Negotiations for downtown arena canceled
ATLANTA (Nov 1, 1996 - 00:01 EST) -- Negotiations for a new downtown
basketball arena were abruptly canceled after the Atlanta-Fulton
County Recreation Authority voted to name a plaza outside the new
baseball stadium after Hank Aaron.
Atlanta Hawks president Stan Kasten on Thursday halted the talks,
which were to resume Friday.
Kasten, who also is president of the Braves, was angered by the
action.
"They have no rights whatsoever to name or control anything having to
do with any area having to do with the stadium or parking," he said.
"I am canceling the arena negotiating sessions over the way they act."
The authority, which has been negotiating with owner Ted Turner and
the Hawks over the proposed $215 million arena for more than two
years, defended its action, saying it had naming rights to areas
outside the stadium.
"What we did today is unrelated to the arena deal," said Davetta
Johnson Mitchell, who chairs the authority. "This may be an excuse or
a ploy to walk away from the table."
She said the decision was made to honor Aaron and would not be
rescinded.
Turner executives have grown increasingly frustrated and impatient
with city and Fulton County officials. The executives want a new arena
finished by fall 1999 for their Atlanta Hawks and a possible National
Hockey League team.
Turner plans Friday to apply formally for an NHL expansion franchise.
nba.1239vpoznanovic,
Bulls know it won't be as easy this time around
DEERFIELD, Ill. (Nov 1, 1996 - 09:42 EST) -- The 72-10 record march
through the schedule last season is not the Chicago Bulls' goal this
time around.
As a matter of fact, they don't even figure on coming close to the
70-victory plateau.
"We are going to try to have as good of a season as we can have and go
from there," multi-talented Bulls forward Scottie Pippen said. "I
don't think that (72 victories) is realistic. What we did last season
was definitely history. It's going to be hard to go back and top that.
"Last season was a very special season."
Indeed.
Buoyed by the return of Michael Jordan for a full season, the addition
of rebounding madman Dennis "Bad As I Wanna Be" Rodman and the
splendid play of Pippen, the Bulls captured 41 of their first 44 games
during the 1995-'96 season.
Phil Jackson's crew then rolled to a record-breaking 70th victory in
Milwaukee at the Bradley Center, finished out the regular season and
breezed through the playoffs to capture its fourth National Basketball
Association title in the last six seasons by knocking off Shawn Kemp
and the Seattle SuperSonics in six games.
But last season was last season, and while the Bulls don't feel
they're up to chasing their own record, one goal remains the same:
They want to retain their title. Badly.
"It should be a fun season," said Jordan, who won his eighth NBA
scoring title and fourth most valuable player award last season. "I
anticipate us coming out and playing just as hard. We may not win 73
games or 72 games, but the ultimate goal is to win a championship."
Said Pippen: "The motivation is always the same, trying to maintain
your title. I think that's going to be the mind-set of our team,
thinking that we can come in and do it again."
The Bulls got a big boost when management kept the team together by
spending some loot. Jordan ($30 million), Rodman ($9 million) and
Jackson ($2.5 million) were all signed to one-year contracts during
the off-season.
The lengths of those deals and the fact that the Bulls are the oldest
team in the league has fueled the speculation that this season could
be the Bulls' farewell tour.
By the time the playoffs get into full swing, Rodman will be 36,
Jordan 34, Bill Wennington 34, Ron Harper 33, Pippen 31 and Steve Kerr
31. And the Bulls' lone off-season acquisition, Robert Parish, will be
a ripe 43.
"It's hard to say, but we have three guys coming back with one-year
deals," Pippen said. "We realize that we enjoy playing with one
another. We'll enjoy the challenge of going out and being a dominant
franchise."
The team won't lack for motivation, though, according to Jordan.
"The hook is to be a champion again," Jordan said. "We saw the hard
work that we had to put forth last year. A lot of guys on this team
had never experienced it before; now they've experienced it."
One key to a Bulls repeat will be the behavior of the cross-dressing
Rodman (sound familiar?).
His lifestyle aside, Rodman was fairly stable last season, and the
Bulls will need his contribution on a daily basis during the 1996-'97
campaign. Other than the head-butting incident with a referee, Rodman
made it through last season with no major blowups. Still, it must be
duly noted that Rodman was seeking that hefty new contract, chasing
down his third NBA crown and pursuing his fifth consecutive rebounding
title.
"Dennis has really made some tremendous strides in just the amount of
time that he's been with us," Jackson said. "We are really hopeful
that he can have a great year. He's now making the kind of money that
he deserves."
However, Rodman, who's been nursing a hamstring injury, has been
acting a bit strangely during the exhibition season. He's missed a few
practices and did not sit on the bench for a couple of games. Jordan
defended Jackson's decision to let Rodman work out at the Berto
Center, but he sounded a mild warning about Rodman's full
participation in team activities.
"I don't think Phil is going to let him deteriorate what this team is
all about, and the focus we are trying to achieve," Jordan said. "I
think he is going to give him space to be himself. If that means not
dressing up in a suit and not sitting on the bench, that is something
we have to accept.
"That is Phil's responsibility to make the judgment."
Rodman had permission to miss one game, but when he missed a second,
sirens went off. Rodman said he received permission from general
manager Jerry Krause to skip both the shoot-around that day and the
game that night.
"I was working out (at the Berto Center)," Rodman said. "I'm not
pulling a Horace Grant, (who) pulled out like he was hurt or
something. I'd rather be here working out, trying to get myself
together. It's kind of hard for me to sit there and not play."
The Bulls do need Rodman's contributions on the court, where there are
no plans to overhaul what was truly a winning formula. There will be
some minor tinkering, but most of that will be induced by the
off-season surgeries of Pippen (ankle), Harper (knee) and Luc Longley
(ankle).
Pippen played in only one pre-season game.
"I'm still having some soreness on my ankle, so I'm taking it easy,"
Pippen said. "I want my ankle to heal as much as possible before going
into the season. I have been bothered by this problem and dealing with
it for a few years, and I'd like to be done with it."
With the Bulls hobbled, a start comparable to theirs of a year ago is
not likely.
"You always want to go out and start in a good fashion, but we have
had some surgeries over the summer and haven't had a chance to
practice together as a unit," Jordan said. "It seems we were made to
get off to a slow start.
"But as long as you finish strong. This will take some of the
expectations away, but I like to think we are mature enough not to try
to live up to expectations, anyway. We are going to try and play our
style of basketball, and hopefully that will end up with a
championship."
The Bulls' leader would also like to add a fifth championship ring to
his collection.
This time, however, the march will be much more difficult.
nba.1240vpoznanovic,
Barkley joins 'Dream Team South'
(Nov 1, 1996 - 10:06 EST) -- With Charles Barkley joining Hakeem
Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler on the same team, the Rockets have an array
of stars that's matched only by Chicago's triumvirate of Michael
Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.
Barkley, Olajuwon and Drexler should all have a future place in the
NBA Hall of Fame, and all three have played for the U.S. Olympic team,
thus the "Dream Team South" nickname.
"Most people that start stuff like that, don't know anything about
basketball," Barkley huffed. "I'm just looking forward to the season.
Hopefully we can play well and it will all come together."
The Rockets plan to attack the regular season with Barkley starting at
power forward, Drexler at shooting guard and Olajuwon at center. Mario
Elie and Brent Price -- when healthy -- will man the small forward and
point guard spots, respectively.
"We all complement each other," said Olajuwon, who carried the Rockets
to back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. "It's like a weight and it's
balanced. Everybody can carry their own weight and make it easier on
each other. It's a good fit, not any friction. We just strengthen each
other."
The Rockets have been built around Olajuwon's solid low-post game and
Drexler's slashing drives to the basket. When teams swarm to Olajuwon,
he tosses the ball back outside to wide-open shooters.
It's still unclear how Barkley will fit into the mix. However, he's
not too concerned about blending in with his new squad.
"I don't worry about roles, I just play," Barkley said. "I just try to
be consistent and do my job every night. I think obviously with Clyde
and Hakeem, people expect us to have a good team and I expect that.
There haven't been any problems and it's going well."
The Over-The-Hill-Gang is another nickname that the Rockets can be
dubbed because of their collective ages. Barkley even attempts to find
some humor in the team's senior status.
"Hakeem, Clyde and I will all be 34 by the end of the season," Barkley
said. "Though with Hakeem, you can't really tell because over there in
Africa, when the babies are born, they just write down the year in the
dirt and when it rains it gets washed away. It's rained a lot over all
those years. No telling how old Hakeem is."
The Rockets were beset with injuries last season as they attempted to
defend their back-to-back titles. They were knocked out of the
playoffs by eventual Western Conference champion Seattle.
A repeat of the injury bug could derail the Rockets' grand title plan.
"If you get hurt, that's part of life," Barkley said. "I never get
upset about getting hurt."
Much has been made of Barkley's desire to win a championship.
"I never set goals, because you don't know how good you can be,"
Barkley said. "If I just play well, I think I'll know if I play well.
Everybody will know if I play well, but I don't necessarily set goals
because you don't want to put limitations on yourself."
Barkley will get more than $9 million on a contract that has two years
remaining. It seems as if Barkley has made it an annual affair to
state that he's contemplating retirement, but really, this could be
it.
"It depends on how I'm playing," Barkley said. "If I'm playing well
and finish out the seasons playing well, then I'll play. But I don't
perceive myself playing more than two years. I think that would be
stretching it. As long as I'm healthy I'd like to play this year and
next."
Barkley, Olajuwon and Drexler all can carry the offensive load. All
can post up. All can shoot from the field.
But it will be up to coach Rudy Tomjanovich to monitor the shot
distribution charts.
"Every team has to be concerned about that kind of stuff," Tomjanovich
said. "That's what basketball is all about. When the team wins out
over the individual, that's when you have a good year."
The Barkley deal has also rejuvenated Tomjanovich. He's been editing
his play book to best utilize all of Barkley's skills.
"It's very exciting because Charles is such a good passer,"
Tomjanovich said. "The layup becomes a weapon: guys cutting. Clyde
brought that to our team, too. We added a couple of different sets for
Clyde and before we even got into the one-on-one situation, guys were
cutting through and they were getting layups.
The Rockets, as some contend, may have mortgaged their future to
acquire Barkley from the Phoenix Suns by giving up Sam Cassell, Robert
Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown over the summer. Tomjanovich isn't
so sure about that.
"With the other team, that team, because of the salary cap would have
had to go on," Tomjanovich said. "As the older stars retired, we'd
still be over the cap and we couldn't change.
"The only way that we could change would be through a draft choice and
it would probably be in the 20s. Now after this era is over and these
guys are gone, it's just going to open up the salary cap and we could
go out and get a top-level player."
nba.1241vpoznanovic,
Heat, county agree on new deal for privately funded arena
MIAMI (Nov 1, 1996 - 16:54 EST) -- Taxpayers wouldn't pay for the
Miami Heat's new home under a plan announced Friday, but the proposal
to build the arena on the waterfront still faces a hurdle with voters
on Election Day.
The new deal between the Heat and Dade County calls for the team to
pay for the $165 million arena on vacant land downtown by Biscayne
Bay, with the county paying for a parking garage and some of the
building's operating costs.
Private funding could make the project more palatable for voters who
will decide in a referendum Tuesday whether the arena can be built on
the city-owned land.
"This deal doesn't mean anything if 51 percent of people vote yes on
Tuesday," Heat owner Micky Arison said.
Civic activist Dan Paul, who has led opposition to the arena, said the
new plan was "the same old deal in a new dress." He promised to
continue fighting against the project.
Polls showed the proposal for a publicly-funded arena on the
waterfront was unpopular. But a poll by The Miami Herald also showed
strong support for having an arena built on public land with private
money.
Metro-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, who ran for election on a promise to
fight the publicly-funded arena, stood next to Arison at a news
conference Friday and declared victory. Calling the new agreement a
"fair deal," he also switched sides on the referendum question and
asked voters to allow the arena on public land.
"Tax dollars will not be used to build the new arena," he said.
Under the old plan, the county would have been liable for up to $250
million in total costs while the new agreement allows the county to
make money, Penelas said.
Among the key elements to the new deal:
-- The Heat would cover the costs of building the arena, pegged at
$165 million, on land the county will lease from the city.
-- The county would own the arena and contribute $3 million toward
operating costs while retaining valuable naming rights to the
facility.
-- The Heat would keep all profits up to $14 million, after which the
county gets 40 percent.
-- The county would be responsible for building a 3,400 space garage,
while the Heat would operate it and receive the profits.
Still in question is the future of the Heat's current home, the
8-year-old Miami Arena.
Arison considers the Miami Arena inadequate. It lacks luxury suites
and has few sky boxes, which sports franchises consider vital these
days. He has said he would either sell or relocate the team if voters
reject the new project.
Paul said Penelas and Arison merely switched the public dollars to
other parts of the project to mask the real taxpayer bill and confuse
voters.
"It's nothing but a bait and switch," he said.
nba.1242vpoznanovic,
A lot has changed since NBA's first game in 1946
TORONTO (Nov 1, 1996 - 16:54 EST) -- The top salary was $10,000, about
a season's worth of meal money today.
Overnight train travel was the mode of transportation;
custom-outfitted chartered jets were not in vogue.
Room and board was about $10 a week, the luxury hotels were for
another class of citizen.
But eight men who played in the first game of what would be the NBA
all agree they had it good on Nov. 1, 1946, when the Toronto Huskies
and New York Knicks got things rolling at Maple Leaf Gardens.
"We were just so happy to be out of the service and get back home, we
would have played for nothing," said Henry "Moose" Miller, one of
eight surviving players from that game who were honored before Friday
night's Toronto Raptors-Knicks season-opener at the SkyDome.
"We thought we were doing all right."
The eight -- four Huskies and four Knicks -- were in Toronto to help
the NBA begin its 50th anniversary season. They were all on the floor
a half-century ago when 7,090 fans watched the first game of the
Basketball Association of America, which changed its name to the NBA
three years later.
"We didn't know what would come of the league," said Gino Sovran, a
native of Windsor, Ontario, who would appear in six games for the
Huskies. "We were just interested in making a living."
The now-historic Nov. 1 game was foisted on the BAA by the NHL. The
basketball league wanted to start Nov. 2, but the Toronto Maple Leafs
had a game at the Gardens that night and the BAA moved its opener a
night earlier.
The Knicks won 68-66.
Understandably, it wasn't the only time hockey and basketball mixed in
Toronto. But the mix didn't always come with predictable results.
"We used to know the hockey players well, that was the big sport up
here," Miller said. "They'd ask how much I made and when I told them
$3,500, guys wanted to smack me.
"They were making $2,400, $2,600."
The players also had to educate the fans.
"Canadians didn't know a lot of the basketball terms," Miller said.
"We'd be playing defense, the other team would be coming down the
court and the fans would be yelling, 'Check him, check him.' "
That the NBA now is honoring the men who blazed the trail for today's
millionaires is long overdue, commissioner David Stern said.
"I can say we have been so thoroughly focused on trying to stay afloat
and making sure we're ready for the future that we haven't had the
opportunity to develop the kind of traditions that baseball does
better than anyone else," Stern said.
"I think it (50th anniversary season) is a great excuse and reason for
doing it, but we should have been doing it better. It gives a richer
appreciation to our current players of some of the sacrifices and
contributions that have led to the success they now have."
nba.1243vpoznanovic,
To define change, just look at the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 09:06 EST) -- Anybody seen any children on playgrounds
practicing two-handed set shots lately?
Anybody out there worried that the game might be totally dominated and
maybe even distorted out of recognition by a man 6-10 tall, with a
hook shot?
Anybody got season tickets for the Fort Wayne team? Maybe Rochester?
The Waterloo Hawks? Maybe even the Milwaukee Hawks? The Chicago
Packers? (Were they kidding with that name?) Or for that matter, the
Sheboygan Redskins?
Every answer is either no or, "Are you kidding?" But think about it:
Fifty years in the history of humankind is the blink of an eye. But
within 50 years, the game of professional basketball was invented,
reinvented, revolutionized and finally marketed into orbit.
The National Basketball Association is celebrating its 50th
anniversary season. It is all right for the league to celebrate. No
other professional sport on the American scene has changed so much, so
rapidly, so often. And the changes have all worked.
Why? Better yet, why not?
It must be the shoes. No, no, the commercials only make it seem that
way. Actually, it's the players. The game used to be horizontal. Now,
it's vertical.
When the NBA started, it was largely a creature of the East and
Midwest, and it was played in some towns that would make Green Bay
look like Gotham. It was interesting, but it was not necessarily
threatening baseball as the national pastime.
George Mikan, alluded to just a few paragraphs ago, changed some of
that. Here was the NBA's first star Big Man. The Minneapolis Lakers
were his team. At least the nickname made sense. The Los Angeles
Lakers? But that's another story.
The lords of the early game were so worried about Mikan's dominance
that they doubled the width of the lane to keep him from hanging out
near the hoop. They even toyed with the notion of raising the height
of the basket to 12 feet, a thought that eventually someone will have
again.
Mikan represented the first leap forward, although leaps in that
postwar era don't really have much to do with leaps in this one.
The game had its brilliance in subsequent years. There were the Boston
Celtics teams on which Bill Russell appeared to be the inventor of
defense and rebounding, and on which Bob Cousy's ball-handling
wizardry was an omen of things to come.
The star center position became occupied by men who dwarfed Mikan and
whose athleticism seemed as gigantic as their stature. Wilt
Chamberlain. Later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Elsewhere, there were players
of stunning ability and staying power -- Elgin Baylor, Oscar
Robertson, Jerry West. Name your own favorites. Everyone from big,
tough Nate Thurmond to Nate "Tiny" Archibald. The list is nearly
inexhaustible and the history is rich.
But the fact is that the NBA did not soar in popularity until the last
two decades. And then soar it did.
Two men are widely given credit for initiating the push -- Magic
Johnson and Larry Bird.
They came to national attention competing for an NCAA championship,
and they kept going after it with the Lakers and the Celtics.
Basketball in Los Angeles became "Showtime." The faces of Hollywood
showed up at courtside. These were figures, at least in part, of
imagination. If they wanted to see basketball and be seen at
basketball games, well, it must be cool.
Dr. J, Julius Erving, must get an assist in here somewhere. He was not
only airborne for much of his professional life, he was also class. If
he didn't play on as many championship teams as Johnson or Bird, he
did introduce the broader public to the concept of multiple midair
moves.
And then, the ultimate breakthrough: Michael. Jordan. Air Jordan. He's
up, he's down, he's up again, he's across, he's swooping and soaring
and gravity-defying and scoring.
No other single athlete, in any other single sport, has had Jordan's
impact, not only on the audience but on the game itself. He is now the
measuring stick, the barometer, the standard. Somebody looks like a
young giant? Why, he could be the Michael Jordan of whatever.
Except that nobody else is quite the Michael Jordan of anything,
unless he is actually Michael Jordan himself. But that doesn't stop a
planet-full of people from trying to emulate him.
The cast of contemporary stars is too large to list here. But just
contemplate for a moment Hakeem Olajuwon, a giant of a man with moves
that a lead guard could envy. Fifty years ago, he would have been a
figure beyond imagination. Now, for every position, for every taste, a
standard of excellence has been set. And in trying to reach and
surpass those standards, the game only grows.
With more children playing the game, with more children seeing
basketball as the game, the talent pool grows and the game expands.
There are more wonderful basketball players than ever available, and
they are all fully aware that the game has grown to accommodate their
abilities.
Raise the basket? Hey, they might have to raise the roof. The game is
no longer ground-bound, and its future isn't horizontal, either.
The game is not free of troubles or potential pitfalls. The
exponential growth of salaries troubles the small-market franchises.
Management-labor squabbles have not erupted as they have in baseball,
but they are simmering. But unless you're going to worry about Dennis
Rodman's dress clashing with his current hair color, the state of the
NBA should not cause you to lose any sleep.
In the 50 years since the dawn of the pro game, you still have the
basket and you still have the ball. Apart from that, change has been a
constant. And in this case, given the entertainment value of the game
and the athleticism of its players, this has not merely been change
for the sake of change.
This has been growth ... by leaps and bounds.
nba.1244vpoznanovic,
You can't tell the players without a scorecard in the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 10:42 EST) -- Juwan Howard finished the 1995-'96
National Basketball Association season in the uniform of the
Washington Bullets.
Over the summer -- at least for a few weeks -- he found himself
preparing to wear the colors of Pat Riley's Miami Heat.
And today, well, Howard is right back where he started after
re-signing with Washington.
Howard's trek down and then back up the East Coast has come to
symbolize the unprecedented player movement that marked the NBA's
first off-season under its new collective bargaining agreement.
Literally, a scorecard is needed to track all of the player movement
and the wholesale face lifts that several teams underwent.
Don't show up at a Orlando Magic game expecting to see Shaquille
O'Neal.
He's now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
And if you wanted to see Denver and boo Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf during the
national anthem, you better make plans to attend the Sacramento game,
because he now shares the Kings' backcourt with Mitch Richmond.
Charles Barkley. Phoenix, right? Wrong. Call it the Dream Team South,
or the Houston Rockets, whichever name you prefer.
Dikembe Mutombo was a tower in Denver, but how he could be bigger than
CNN in Atlanta.
Mark Price was a Bullet like Howard, but that was then. He's with
Golden State.
Grant Hill's main man is sweet-shooting Allan Houston. That may be
true, but Hill will have to use the phone to talk to Houston, who is
now playing in Madison Square Garden with the New York Knicks after
signing a huge contract in the off-season.
What about the the Portland Trail Blazers? Well, there are some who
are calling them the Jail Blazers, simply because they now have Kenny
Anderson, Rasheed Wallace and former Minnesota bad boy Isaiah Rider in
their lineup.
"Let's just hope this summer was an aberration," Boston coach and
director of operations M.L. Carr said.
Bucks general manager Mike Dunleavy believes this signing frenzy was a
unique situation.
"I think this was an aberration because you had so many high-profile
free agents coming available," Dunleavy said. "I can't see it coming
up when you have the magnitude of stars like Shaq, Michael Jordan,
Rodman, Juwan Howard -- all of these guys to all be up in the same
year."
However, under the new collective bargaining agreement that
substantially raised the salary cap, this type of change most likely
is the wave of the future. Teams that are under the salary cap will
look to the free-agent pool as a way to get competitive quickly.
With the money that's being paid out -- there were three deals that
topped the $100 million mark -- there don't figure to be many teams
that will have funds to spend.
Not every team, however, got caught up in the player-signing frenzy.
The champion Chicago Bulls re-signed their own players, Michael Jordan
and Dennis Rodman. The Indiana Pacers successfully retained their top
three key free agents -- Antonio Davis, Dale Davis and Reggie Miller,
keeping that winning formula intact.
"It certainly helps to keep a team together, though I don't think
that's going to be the norm anymore," Pacers coach Larry Brown said.
With all the movement, league-wide observers will be watching closely
to see whether there was a power shift from the Eastern Conference to
the Western Conference or vice versa.
Certainly, the Lakers, with the addition of O'Neal, should be much
improved. Some even consider the Lakers, who won 53 games last season,
as title contenders.
"They are definitely a championship team now," Houston's Hakeem
Olajuwon said. "Once you have Shaq, you have a foundation, and you can
build quickly around it."
To make room for O'Neal's $120 million-plus deal, the Lakers had to
dump players. They filled out their roster with free agents such as
Jerome Kersey, Sean Rooks and Rumeal Robinson. They now feature a
starting five of O'Neal at center, Elden Campbell and Cedric Ceballos
at the forward spots, and Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones at the guards.
Lakers coach Del Harris doesn't expect the changes to take hold
overnight.
"It takes time," Harris said. "There is no microwave in basketball. It
takes time for things to simmer, to marinate."
The Detroit Pistons, who watched haplessly as agent Bill Strickland
guided Houston to the Knicks, were a big loser in the free-agent
signing bonanza.
Perhaps the biggest loser of all was Riley and the Heat. Miami lost
Howard because it was deemed to be over the salary cap. Riley figured
he had two marquee players in Alonzo Mourning and Howard to build a
title contender around. Now he's moving on to Plan B.
"We are going to have to develop the team differently," Riley said.
"We are going to have to get lucky with some draft choices, develop
some young players and do it that way.
"Maybe somewhere a timely trade might be able to enhance it."
Or another off-season of rapid change.
nba.1245vpoznanovic,
Hey! Who are those Husky guys?
(Nov 1, 1996 - 01:36 EST) - The NBA begins its 51st season tonight,
and one of the games will feature the New York Knicks playing a team
with "Huskies" written across their chests.
No, you didn't miss another round of expansion over the summer.
But you might have missed the announcement about retro uniforms.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors will be wearing old-fashioned
uniforms to commemorate the NBA's 50th anniversary. It will be the
first of 22 games this season in which teams wear replicas of uniforms
from the league's past.
The Raptors, instead of wearing their usual red, white and purple
outfits, will be wearing plain white jerseys with "Huskies" written
across the front in blue letters.
New York will wear uniforms with light blue lettering outlined in
orange against a blue background.
"Really? I didn't know. This is the first I've heard of it," Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy said Thursday. "I'm always the last guy to know."
The Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, Detroit Pistons,
Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio
Spurs and Seattle SuperSonics will also wear retro uniforms
occasionally during the first half of the season.
It's an interesting twist to a season that promises to be a curious
mix of old and new.
Shaquille O'Neal will be wearing the purple and gold colors of the
Lakers, and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., will be packed with
celebrities again tonight when Los Angeles plays the Charles
Barkley-less Phoenix Suns.
That game, too, will be televised nationally in the U.S. on cable.
It's one of 97 -- not counting the All-Star game -- that will be shown
on NBC, TNT and TBS this season.
O'Neal's free-agent move to the Lakers, who gave him a $120 million,
seven-year contract, was the biggest story in a summer filled with
personnel changes around the league.
Barkley has moved over to the Houston Rockets, who have only two
players remaining from the team that won the first of its two
consecutive championships in 1994.
The Rockets open at home against the Sacramento Kings on the busiest
night of the entire season, with 14 games scheduled. The Charlotte
Hornets are the only team that won't be playing.
In other games, it's Chicago at Boston, Cleveland at New Jersey,
Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Washington at Orlando, Atlanta at Miami,
Indiana at Detroit, San Antonio at Minnesota, Dallas at Denver,
Seattle at Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State and Portland
at Vancouver.
Another 10 games will be played Saturday night and four more Sunday.
The moves of O'Neal and Barkley are just two of dozens that teams made
in an effort to catch up to the Chicago Bulls, who return basically
the same team that won a record 72 games last season before winning
their fourth championship in six years.
After missing most of the exhibition season, Scottie Pippen will be in
the starting lineup alongside Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Luc
Longley and Ron Harper.
The newest face on Chicago's bench will also be the oldest. Robert
Parish, who on Wednesday was named one of the 50 greatest players in
NBA history, will coax his 43-year-old body out for another season of
the sport he used to play alongside Larry Bird, Rick Barry, Gus
Williams and Jo Jo White.
The SuperSonics, last season's Western Conference champions, will have
Jim McIlvaine playing center beside an unhappy Shawn Kemp, who made
the mistake of signing a long-term contract two years ago before the
league's salary structure became so inflated over the summer.
Among the players who were traded or switched teams for lucrative
contracts worth tens of millions of dollars are Dikembe Mutombo
(Atlanta), Rod Strickland (Bullets), Larry Johnson (Knicks), Anthony
Mason (Hornets), Kenny Anderson (Trail Blazers), Ervin Johnson
(Nuggets) and Sam Cassell (Suns).
The NBA's leading active career scoring leader is back, too. Dominique
Wilkins, who played last season in the Greek League, signed with the
Spurs for the league's minimum salary of $247,500.
nba.1246vpoznanovic,
As teams revamp, NBA players are either haves or have-nots
TACOMA, Wash. (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:48 EST) -- Shaquille O'Neal was the
biggest winner.
Walt Williams was the biggest loser.
The gap between O'Neal's $120 million deal and Williams' $247,500
minimum contract is indicative of a widening gap between the NBA's
rich and poor.
The winners of the largest free-agency movement in league history were
crowned quickly in early July.
O'Neal was lured from Orlando by $120 million to become a Los Angeles
Laker. Alonzo Mourning re-signed with the Miami Heat for $112 million.
After the league invalidated the Heat's claim to Juwan Howard, he
re-signed with the Washington Bullets for $105 million.
Gary Payton became the highest-paid point guard in the league when the
Seattle SuperSonics forked over $87.5 million to re-sign him, and
Allan Houston left Detroit when the New York Knicks offered $56
million.
Dikembe Mutombo said goodbye to the Denver Nuggets for an Atlanta
Hawks deal worth $56 million and P.J. Brown shed the New Jersey Nets
for the Heat's $35 million. Jim McIlvaine signed with Seattle for a
similar figure after turning down a couple higher offers.
All of the nouveau riche signed seven-year deals -- O'Neal has an out
after three years -- except league most valuable player Michael
Jordan, who agreed to a one-year deal for $30 million with the
defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls.
As eye-popping as some of the new deals proved to be -- Payton
expected $56-60 million at the outset -- the number of players left to
scramble for the NBA's version of table scraps was equally surprising.
As space under the $24.3 million salary cap dissolved, players such as
Kenny Smith -- a key part of Houston's second consecutive NBA title
just 17 months ago -- signed for the minimum, with the Detroit
Pistons.
A week before training camps opened on Oct. 4, 56 free agents were
still looking for employment, many of whom continued to resist the
reality of signing for bottom-scale wages.
"Basketball is going through what baseball went through a few years
ago," said Elmore Spencer, a free agent who was unemployed until last
Saturday when he signed a "make-good," minimum contract with the
Sonics.
"You're going to have a have and have-not system, so most of the
veteran free agents are going to have to take the minimum until they
can show their value and move on when salary cap space opens up."
The vast majority of the free agents who settled for the league
minimum had no other choice.
But that was not the case for Walt Williams, Rex Chapman, Benoit
Benjamin, Brian Williams and Oliver Miller.
Walt Williams had two years remaining for $6 million when he exercised
the option in his contract, thinking the Heat would re-sign him at a
higher salary. But the Heat renounced him in order to sign Howard.
When the league ruled that the Heat couldn't have Howard, Miami
general manager and coach Pat Riley offered Williams a one-year deal
for $1 million or a seven-year deal with bonuses averaging $750,000 in
base salary.
By this time, Williams was no longer interested in playing for the
Heat. He waited for offers from other teams, but by then only a few,
including Charlotte and Cleveland, had room under the cap.
So, Williams accepted the minimum from the Toronto Raptors.
Chapman did the same with the Phoenix Suns only a few months after
turning down two offers from the Heat, a six-year, $4.5 million deal
and a one-year $1 million contract.
"We never tried to do anything but make him a good, solid offer,"
Riley told Miami reporters. "Maybe he didn't read the market. I think
the market has shown (a higher offer) wasn't there."
Similarly, Benjamin gave up a couple million with the Milwaukee Bucks
to explore other offers and ended up settling for the minimum with the
Raptors.
Brian Williams has yet to settle, and yet to find a job. His bid for
approximately $10 million a year went unanswered after McIlvaine, a
less-proven center, signed for $35 million with the Sonics.
Although Williams is arguably a better player than McIlvaine, his
market value was lower because no one had the desire nor salary cap
space to meet his asking price.
Miller could have stayed with the Raptors for $6 million over the next
two years, but he opted out and wound up with the Dallas Mavericks for
the minimum.
"Oh, well, life is one big risk," Miller told reporters. "Right now,
beggers can't be choosers."
Miller's departure from the Raptors was part of a complete roster
overhaul of the second-year franchise. Of the 14 players selected in
the expansion draft, only two are left, B.J. Tyler and Acie Earl.
The Knicks, Heat, Rockets, Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and second-year
Vancouver Grizzlies replaced nine members of their 1995-96 rosters and
seven other teams replaced seven players, including the Portland Trail
Blazers.
In an attempt to improve upon a 44-38 season, the Blazers traded
disgruntled point guard Rod Strickland and Harvey Grant to the Bullets
for Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler, sent James Robinson and Bill
Curley to Minnesota for troubled shooting guard Isaiah Rider and
signed free-agent point guard Kenny Anderson.
Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo expects mixed results from the league's
roster revamping.
"Every situation will be different," he said. "Some will be a great
fit, things'll work out and it'll be a better situation than it was.
And there will probably be some where it won't work out. I don't think
there will be a constant.
"Early in the season, it'll take a little bit longer if you're
introducing a lot of faces like we are. It might not compare to the
stability of Seattle or a Chicago situation, but if you compare it to
a situation where things weren't great in the first place, you might
be better off. It may take a little time, depending on how many people
are playing key roles, but it may be worth it."
As for the possibility of fans losing interest amid all the changes,
Carlesimo foresees no problem.
"Our fans are going to support whoever's wearing black and red," he
said. "And Seattle's fans are going to support whoever's wearing green
and gold, I'm not saying it's not nice to have guys there for a long
time.
"But Chicago fans didn't have any trouble liking Dennis Rodman. Some
of Seattle's guys started in other places. Their fans loved Hersey
Hawkins last year. I didn't hear anyone say, 'Hey, I don't like Hersey
Hawkins, he hasn't been here all along.' It's the opposite, they love
him. How you play for your team is all fans are concerned with."
nba.1247vpoznanovic,
20 questions to consider about the NBA season
(Nov 1, 1996 - 11:48 EST) -- So much for summer vacations. A flood of
high-priced free agents turned the NBA's golf season into a bidding
bonanza, producing a curious cast of winners and losers.
Shaquille O'Neal brought a $120 million generation of Magic to Los
Angeles. Juwan Howard wound up going nowhere for more money, and Jim
McIlvaine discovered the road to riches goes through Seattle.
But not everyone is better off. Pat Riley got burned in Miami. Walt
Williams took a sizable pay cut to work in Toronto, and Orlando got
stuck with a big hole in the middle of Magic mania.
If the regular season proves as interesting as the offseason, NBA fans
can count on an entertaining ride through winter and spring.
As in life, there are more questions than answers:
1. Who were the winners in the free-agent market?
That's sure to spark more than a few watering-hole debates. O'Neal,
who signed a seven-year, $120 million deal with the Lakers, and
McIlvaine, a backup center who landed a seven-year, $35 million
contract with Seattle, made out well. So did Michael Jordan, who
stayed in Chicago with a one-year, $25 million deal, and Howard, whose
seven-year, $105 million contract with Washington was a $4.2 million
improvement over the voided deal he had struck with Miami.
The Lakers and Bullets look like the team free-agency winners. Los
Angeles landed a franchise player in O'Neal; Washington traded for and
signed Rod Strickland and was allowed to keep Howard after thinking it
had lost him to the Heat.?
2. Who lost the free-agent flurry?
Former Kings forward Walt Williams misjudged the market and wound up
signing for the minimum $247,500. He opted out of a contract that
would have paid him $2.8 million this season in Miami.
Speaking of Miami, Heat coach Pat Riley thought he had landed Howard
to play alongside Alonzo Mourning. But the NBA voided the deal, saying
the Heat violated salary-cap rules.
3. Who got the best of the Houston-Phoenix mega-deal?
To quote our good friend Deion Sanders, "Both." The Rockets obtained
Charles Barkley to go with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in their
quest for one more title. Phoenix got two young talents in Sam Cassell
and Robert Horry and solid role players in Chucky Brown and Mark
Bryant.
4. To whom will the Lakers turn for leadership?
Let's see. Shaquille O'Neal showed up after tip-off for one game last
season. Cedric Ceballos skipped out for a mini-vacation at Lake
Havasu, Ariz., and Nick Van Exel gave official Ron Garretson a
friendly little shove.
That leaves Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell, unless Kobe Bryant is
mature beyond his precious few years.
5. What's the most disturbing trend in the league?
Take your pick. If it's not the escalating salaries and ticket prices,
it's the increase in high school players and underclassmen heading to
the NBA.
6. How much impact will all those European draft picks have?
Not much this season. The Kings' Predrag Stojakovic and the Nuggets'
Efthimis Retzias are playing in Greece. Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas
is likely out for the season with a broken right foot. Atlanta's
Priest Lauderdale appears a year away from making a significant
contribution. But Cleveland's Vitaly Potapenko and Miami's Martin
Muursepp should help right away.
7. Which young players will emerge as stars?
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett grew an inch to 7 feet, though the
Timberwolves still list him at 6-11. But it's his skills, not his
size, that soon will make him an All-Star. Phoenix's Michael Finley
showed great ability as a rookie and should flourish with Barkley no
longer hogging the ball. Keep an eye on the Lakers' Jones, too.
8. Who's the Rookie of the Year?
Toronto's Marcus Camby will get the minutes and the shots to put up
good numbers. But don't count out New Jersey's Kerry Kittles or
Milwaukee's Ray Allen, two shooting guards who will have plenty of
scoring opportunities.
9. What about the MVP?
Well, you could make a case for Seattle's Gary Payton, Orlando's
Anfernee Hardaway or Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon. But Jordan remains the
game's dominant player.
10. Can the Bulls approach their record run of last season?
No. It takes too much energy to go all out every night in the NBA. And
Jordan (33), Scottie Pippen (31) and Dennis Rodman (35) are starting
to slow down.
11. Who will replace O'Neal at center with Orlando?
Felton Spencer. But don't worry. Danny Schayes is available as a
backup.
12. What can we expect from Kobe Bryant?
Commercials, videos and maybe even a few on-court appearances.
Actually, despite a broken wrist suffered at the start of training
camp, Bryant has a chance to break into the Lakers' rotation and show
he really didn't need college.
13. Will Magic Johnson try another comeback?
Not a chance. Johnson has bought back his minority 5 percent interest
in the Lakers, which means he can't play. Besides, he realized last
season that the new breed's attitude was not for him.
14. Which team will be the hardest to coach?
Well, Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo managed to get rid of Rod
Strickland. But would you want to run a team with Kenny Anderson,
Isaiah Rider, Clifford Robinson and Rasheed Wallace?
15. If you could start your own team with five guys, who would they
be?
Glad you asked. I'll take Anfernee Hardaway, Michael Jordan, Scottie
Pippen, Shawn Kemp and Hakeem Olajuwon. OK, your turn.
16. How many games will the Kings win?
Forty-two, a three-game improvement over last season. Mahmoud
Abdul-Rauf should supply some much-needed offense, Corliss Williamson
looks ready to contribute and Tyus Edney and Brian Grant should
continue to improve.
17. Which player is in the toughest spot?
Houston point guard Brent Price, once he returns to full strength
after breaking his left arm on Oct. 24. He'll have to get the ball to
Olajuwon, Barkley and Drexler, and there's only one ball available.
18. How did San Jose sneak into the NBA?
It didn't. But the Warriors will play their home games this season at
San Jose Arena while the Oakland Coliseum Arena is being renovated.
19. Which teams will make the playoffs?
Chicago (that was easy), New York, Orlando, Indiana, Washington,
Atlanta, Miami and Cleveland in the East. Out West, let's go with
Seattle, Houston, the Lakers, Utah, San Antonio, Phoenix, Sacramento
and Portland.
20. And the NBA champion?
Seattle. It's hard to imagine the Bulls having enough drive and
motivation to stay on top.
nba.1248vpoznanovic,
Ten things you should know about the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 07:12 EST) - 1. Introductions abound
Shell out a few bucks for a program, you'll need it to keep track of
the changes wrought by the largest free agent movement in league
history. More than 160 players changed teams, including 40 through
trades. Six teams (New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Los
Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Vancouver Grizzlies) replaced nine
members of their rosters. Fourteen teams replaced at least seven
players.
2. Bulls-eye
In an effort to challenge the Chicago Bulls for Eastern Conference
supremacy, the Knicks revamped their roster, trading Anthony Mason and
Brad Lohaus for Larry Johnson, and acquiring Allan Houston and Chris
Childs and Buck Williams through free agency.
3. Eye on Seattle
The Lakers and Houston made big changes in an attempt to challenge the
Sonics in the Western Conference. Los Angeles nearly gave away all of
its reserves to take free agent Shaquille O'Neal away from Orlando.
The Rockets traded four players (Chucky Brown, Mark Bryant, Sam
Cassell, Robert Horry) to see if aging superstar Charles Barkley can
combine with two other aging stars, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler,
to bring Houston another title.
4. Broken-hearted
Orlando, after losing O'Neal to the Lakers. Detroit, after losing
Allan Houston to the Knicks. Miami, after the league invalidated the
Juwan Howard deal and Howard stayed with the Bullets.
5. More youthful than ever
Portland Trail Blazers' 18-year-old Jermaine O'Neal is the youngest
player in NBA history. Lakers rookie Kobe Bryant (18 years, 2 months)
is the second-youngest. After only one year of college, rookies
Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Stephon Marbury are expected to carry part of
the scoring loads in Vancouver and Minnesota. With just two years of
college experience under their belts, lottery picks Allen Iverson
(Philadelphia) and Antoine Walker (Celtics) are expected to make an
impact.
6. Young veterans on the rise
Eddie Jones (Lakers), Bryon Russell (Jazz), Damon Stoudamire
(Raptors), Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves), Brent Barry (Clippers),
Antonio McDyess (Nuggets), Jerry Stackhouse (76ers), Joe Smith
(Warriors) and Michael Finley (Suns).
7. Blazing new trails
Three potentially great youngsters, Isaiah Rider, Kenny Anderson and
Rasheed Wallace, have landed in Portland after inauspicious starts in
the league. Rider, late of the Timberwolves, has been arrested for a
variety of offenses. Anderson, formerly of the New Jersey Nets and
Charlotte Hornets, has yet to live up to the promise that made him a
schoolboy legend in New York City, and Wallace has a temper that has
gotten him into trouble on and off the court. Rider has already missed
a shootaround and the Blazers' exhibition finale Sunday against the
Sonics. Anderson is benefiting from having a more talented cast around
him, and so far, Wallace's temper (21 technical fouls last season)
hasn't flared.
8. Now or never
Doug Christie (Raptors), Brooks Thompson (Jazz), Kendall Gill (Nets).
9. Father time taking its toll?
Michael Jordan (Bulls), Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets),
Patrick Ewing (Knicks), Kevin Johnson (Suns), John Stockton (Jazz).
10. The next most valuable player
Take your pick: Anfernee Hardaway (Orlando), Shawn Kemp (Sonics),
Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers), Gary Payton (Sonics).
nba.1249vpoznanovic,
Ewing, Knicks grinning again
NEW YORK (Nov 1, 1996 - 11:01 EST) -- That little grin has reappeared
on Patrick Ewing's face.
You know, the one he used to flash at Georgetown back in the early
1980s.
That's was the last time Ewing had a decent supporting crew.
Coincidently, that's the last time he captured a title -- albeit a
National Collegiate Athletic Association title.
This season, the New York Knicks' management has put a team around
Ewing for perhaps one last run at Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls
in the Eastern Conference and, quite possibly, another appearance in
the NBA Finals.
"We have a lot of new faces," a beaming Ewing said. "I'm very happy
with them. They are working hard and they are outstanding players and
outstanding individuals. Hopefully, we'll have an outstanding year as
we try to march to the championship."
The day this all came together -- July 14, 1996 -- is a day that could
go down in New York Knicks history.
That's the day that New York general manager Ernie Grunfeld pulled the
trigger on one trade and dropped $80 million on a couple of guards.
The Knicks traded Anthony Mason and Brad Lohaus to the Charlotte
Hornets for forward Larry Johnson.
Then they stole Allan Houston from the Detroit Pistons in a $54
million deal.
To fill the point guard spot, they slipped Chris Childs, a gritty
performer who came up on the hard side of the NBA, a $24 million deal.
And in just one day, the facelift of an aging team was complete.
"We are more talented than we were last year," Knicks coach Jeff Van
Gundy said. "If we are going to be better or not will depend solely on
how hard we are willing to work and how much we are willing to
sacrifice our own individual goals for the good of the team."
It's the consensus that the Knicks have some talent, but the main
question is whether Van Gundy knows what to do with his riches.
Former New York boss Pat Riley is quick to defend Van Gundy, who will
be in his first full season as a NBA head coach.
"Championship caliber coaches always have championship caliber
players," Riley said. "I've been blessed in my career to have been
around those kind of players.
"Jeff impressed me the very first day that I took the job in New York.
He's a coach's coach. He's from a coaching family. He knows the game."
The three new players bring different skills to the Knicks' mix.
Johnson is a proven scorer with defensive shortcomings. Houston and
Childs are either one-season wonders or on the cusp of super-stardom
-- depending on your perspective.
It also didn't take long for Johnson to absorb the Knicks unstated
mission: Catch the Bulls.
"I'm very comfortable with that," Johnson said. "If we beat Chicago,
that doesn't mean we'll win the title. We have a lot of teams to beat,
although Chicago is the reigning champion and has the best player in
the world in Michael. They have one of the best teams -- if not the
best team out there right now."
Houston, 25, had a breakthrough campaign when he averaged 19.7 points
last season for the Pistons. He was supposed to be part of Detroit's
one-two punch with Grant Hill for years to come. The Knicks had other
plans, however.
The Knicks will count on Houston to provide some offensive fireworks
with his deadly perimeter jump shot. He'll also have to step up his
defensive game or catch the wrath of Oakley.
Houston's being counted on heavily and if he doesn't deliver, there's
no room in the Big Apple for a $54 million bust. He'll be booed
unmercifully by the Madison Square Garden crowd if he doesn't deliver.
"The only pressure you feel is from yourself, but there is always that
feeling that you want to do well and prove yourself to everyone,"
Houston said.
To make room for Houston, the Knicks had to put John Starks in a
reserve role.
That figured to pose a potential problem because Starks was one of the
loudest complainers before Don Nelson was fired last season.
So far, Starks appears content at giving Toni Kukoc a run for the
Sixth Man award.
"It's a good role for me at this particular time," Starks said.
Childs, 28, was undrafted and played for six different Continental
Basketball Association teams over five seasons. He was solid last
season for the New Jersey Nets, but his deal caused shudders around
the league.
Is Childs worth $4 million a year?
With all the new talent, the Knicks are bracing for an adjustment
period.
"We know that sooner or later it's going to click the way we want it
to," Oakley said. "We just have to keep working hard. The new guys
have to realize that we are a hard working team. We give a lot of
effort."
In addition to the July 14 moves, the Knicks drafted a talented trio
of forwards in John Wallace, Walter McCarty and Dontae Jones.
"They are outstanding players," Ewing said. "A lot of them have some
negative baggage with them, but they've been nothing but great with
us."
We'll have to wait until June to see if Ewing is still wearing that
grin.
nba.1250vpoznanovic,
Rider cited for marijuana possession
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 1, 1996 - 00:12 EST) -- Isaiah "J.R." Rider, who
has said he looked forward to a fresh start in Portland, has been
cited for possession of marijuana less than two days before he is to
play in his first Trail Blazers game.
Rider, 25, was cited at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when sheriff's deputies
found him sitting in the back seat of a car parked alongside a highway
in Lake Oswego, an affluent suburb south of Portland.
"They observed Mr. Rider holding a pop can and a lighter near his
mouth," Clackamas County sheriff's spokesman Damon Coates said.
"Deputies seized the items and found the can to be converted into a
smoking device, which contained a small amount of marijuana."
Rider, already suspended for Friday night's season opener because he
missed the team's final exhibition game last Sunday, said after
Thursday's practice that he was only sitting in someone else's car.
"The bottom line is I happened to be a back seat passenger in
someone's car," Rider said, "but I'm a big name. The cops didn't find
a damn thing on me. But I'm a big name. I happened to be in someone
else's car, so it's kind of messed up."
Coach P.J. Carlesimo said Rider still would play Saturday night at
Seattle and no decision would be made on any action against the star
guard until the team investigates.
"It would be terribly unfair to jump to a conclusion without knowing
anything," Carlesimo said. "It's unfair to anybody. It wouldn't matter
whether it was J.R. or any of our players. You people are implying
that because there's a past here, we should jump to a conclusion.
That's not fair."
Rider had a history of off-court problems in his three seasons with
the Minnesota Timberwolves and was arrested this summer in his
hometown of Oakland, Calif., on charges of marijuana possession,
illegal gambling and possession of illegal cellular phones.
Blazers management came under considerable criticism when it went
ahead with a trade that brought Rider to Portland.
In Oregon, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is a
non-criminal offense subject to a minimum $500 fine. Rider was cited
to appear in court on the charge Nov. 18.
The sheriff's department said two deputies had parked their car nearby
and were on foot investigating an unrelated matter when they noticed
two cars pull off the highway and turn off their lights. Deputies
thought it was probably some teen-agers drinking, Coates said, but as
they approached they saw someone, later identified as Rider, lift a
soft drink can and a lighter to his mouth.
Rider was the only person cited. Neither the cars nor the others
inside them were searched, Coates said.
In his report, deputy Brian Manion said Rider argued that he did
possess the marijuana and initially refused to accept the citation, at
one point crumpling it and throwing it into the mud.
"I advised Mr. Rider about offensive littering, the possibility of
going to jail and further problems he would cause for himself if he
refused to pick up the citation," Manion wrote.
Rider, Manion said, "finally rolled his long sleeve shirt down over
his hand and picked up the citation as if it were contaminated. He
then got in the car and departed."
Rider said he planned to discuss the situation with Carlesimo and
Blazers president Bob Whitsitt.
"It looks bad now, but it will work out," Rider said.
Whitsitt was traveling and unavailable for comment.
Marijuana is not on the list of banned substances under NBA drug
policy negotiated as part of its agreement with the Players
Association. Smoking marijuana is a violation of Blazers team rules.
"Right now we just have to take this case and deal with it," assistant
general manager Jim Paxson said, "but our message to kids is to say no
to drug abuse and alcohol of any kind."
Blazers players were only vaguely aware of Rider's latest problems.
"When it rains, it pours," Kenny Anderson said. "He's a good guy. I
don't know what's going on."
Mitchell Butler said it's not up to the other players to say anything
to Rider about his behavior.
"He's a grown man," Butler said. "He can make his own decisions. It
doesn't matter what we say, he's going to do what he wants to do. He's
a good guy.
"I don't know the specifics behind this so I can't really comment on
whether it was his or whether it was someone else's. All I can say is
when he came out there today to work out, it didn't seem like there
was anything bothering him or anything bothering the team."
nba.1251vpoznanovic,
Success not always the winning ticket
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:24 EST) -- They failed to sign
draft picks, got into a nasty salary dispute with their best player,
watched their highest-paid man miss camp with a groin injury, fired a
popular TV analyst and scared the wits out of City Hall with whispers
about moving.
It wasn't a great summer for the Kings. Even their one big acquisition
looks unsettled.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is having trouble adjusting to life at point guard.
The man for whom Abdul-Rauf was traded, Lithuanian bulldozer Sarunas
Marciulionis, seems to have taken the Kings' pulmonary artery if not
their entire heart to Denver.
But fans should rejoice. The worst thing that could happen to the
Kings -- outrageous improvement -- seems as unlikely this season as it
was in the fall of 1986.
It's the economy, stupid. By reaching the playoffs last season for the
first time in a decade, the Kings gave themselves the best excuse to
raise ticket prices. And boy, did they raise them. They packed the
invoices with dynamite, lighted the fuse and blasted prices into the
stratosphere.
The ticket hike, which averaged about 20 percent, would have been
impossible without the playoff appearance against the Seattle
SuperSonics. Kings fans can only shudder to think where prices might
have gone had the club won more than just one lousy postseason game.
The economic absurdity of NBA life means Kings fans are pulling
against their personal best interests when they cheer for the team to
get better.
Financially, Sacramento NBA fans would be much better off if the Kings
returned to the time when the club habitually won 20-something games.
In those days, things were so bad at Arco Arena that management was
shamed into freezing ticket prices for three years.
The Kings were a laughingstock, but at least fans could enjoy the NBA
experience while paying among the lowest ticket prices in the league.
It was like driving an old and battered car to a fancy garden party.
The valets weren't impressed, but you still got into the party.
Now the Kings have begun to climb the slippery slope of NBA
respectability. As professional franchises and their fans go, there's
no more frustrating place.
The Kings are miles away from being really good, from challenging the
Chicago Bulls or SuperSonics for NBA supremacy. The Kings are primed
to challenge the Golden State Warriors for Northern California
mediocrity.
The Kings are barely good enough to justify a 20 percent price hike.
Even then, what are customers paying for? Will the Kings be 20 percent
better in 1997? Will they improve by seven or eight games and reach
the second round of playoffs? If something extraordinary happens and
the Kings win 47 games and knock the SuperSonics cold in April, what
will happen to prices next year? Don't ask.
Here's the good news. The Kings don't seem poised to improve. The
acquisition of Abdul-Rauf has been hailed as a triumph, but the
departure of Marciulionis isn't something to dismiss. Marciulionis may
have the knees of a 50-year-old, but his heart carried the Kings to
more than a few victories.
The salary dispute with Richmond may run deep. Richmond's stats likely
won't suffer -- he knows the value of stats -- but defensive
disinterest by Richmond could kill the Kings. Then there's Billy
Owens, the club's highest-paid player. His groin hasn't been healthy
since the first day of camp.
Off the court, the Kings angered fans by firing broadcaster Derrek
Dickey. City Hall was apoplectic when club owner Jim Thomas said he
would need a new arena -- preferably downtown, but maybe in another
town.
It's useful to recall 1986, the last time the Kings were coming off a
playoff season. They rebuilt and flopped, going from 37 to 29
victories. The community survived. Money that would have gone to
higher ticket costs helped other businesses.
This season won't be as bad. The Kings will win 35 games, down from
39. The playoffs will be contested elsewhere. Sadness will prevail.
Then new ticket prices will come, restrained and moderate, and all
will be right with the world.
nba.1252vpoznanovic,
Kings get first test against Houston
HOUSTON (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:01 EST) -- The Kings spent their preseason
floundering in a sea of hesitancy and defensive indifference. If the
exhibition games were quizzes, their 3-5 record represents a failing
grade.
But the real test -- the first of 82 -- begins Friday night at the
Summit against the retooled Houston Rockets as both squads open the
1996-97 regular season.
The Kings can erase any memories of their sometimes dismal preseason
performance with syncopated movement on the back-to-back Texas
two-step beginning in Houston and ending Saturday night in Dallas
against the Mavericks in their home opener.
"I think it was Olden (Polynice) that said it really doesn't make a
difference what we did during the preseason, if we come out and start
the season playing the way we are capable of playing," coach Garry St.
Jean said. "And he's right. But the fact of the matter is we have to
come out playing that way. You can't turn it on and off."
The Kings will go after the Rockets with a starting lineup that has
been together for just a few days. The groin strain that has prevented
forward Billy Owens from practicing or playing with any consistency
has created an opportunity for second-year man Corliss Williamson.
Williamson, who is making the transition from power forward to small
forward, will start alongside Brian Grant and Polynice in the
frontcourt. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf will open the season as the starting
point guard, joining shooting guard Mitch Richmond to give the Kings
potentially one of the deadliest-shooting backcourts in the league.
"With Mahmoud back there with Mitch, that gives them two players you
cannot leave open," Rockets swingman Mario Elie said. "That makes it
very difficult for a team to double-team Brian, Corliss, Billy or
O.P."
That is the type of trick bag into which the Kings hope to put their
opponents. So far, though, the offense has been coming around at a
snail's pace. Furthermore, the Kings' defense has been an equal
concern, mainly because the team has not shown the intensity and
togetherness of a year ago.
Maybe this team needs another brawl to bring it together like the one
that erupted early last season at Indiana. The Kings certainly need
something, everyone around the team acknowledges.
"We haven't had the same kind of tone we had last year at this time,"
vice president Geoff Petrie said. "That's for sure."
St. Jean, however, has seen improvement in one area: the play of
Williamson. The former Arkansas star was one of the team's better
offensive players in the preseason and clearly is more confident and
aggressive than he was last season.
But Williamson is still learning and will have to deal with smaller,
quicker players such as Elie on the defensive end. Elie, 6-foot-5 and
210 pounds, is not a focal point of the Rockets' offense, but he is
cagey and experienced. He can hit clutch shots, as his performance
during the Rockets' title runs in 1994 and 1995 showed.
Williamson will have to roam on the perimeter with Elie, who likes to
shoot the open three-pointer when Hakeem Olajuwon is double-teamed.
The Kings will get at least one break Friday night. The Rockets will
be without Charles Barkley, who will serve a one-game suspension
stemming from a preseason altercation last week.
The Kings had four days of practice this week and Williamson's
presence on the first team was not enough to prevent the second team
from waxing the first team's butts consistently.
That is either a sign that the Kings have a lot of depth or that the
first team does not have its act together.
Petrie said the season may be determined by how mentally prepared the
team is.
"The direction of the whole season hinges on whether we stay together
and develop the chemistry we had last season," he said. "I'm neutral
about how it will turn out.
"The positive is that we have four, five or six people who have been
around here for a couple of years with an elevated sense of success.
(The front office) can only do so much. These guys have to do a lot of
it by themselves."
And they have to do it quickly. The season-opening two-game road trip
begins a stretch of 12 of 18 games away from the friendly confines of
Arco Arena.
nba.1253vpoznanovic,
Sonics know the path to top of the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 08:01 EST) - Having brought in a few complementary
electrons to circle the strong nucleus already on hand, the Seattle
SuperSonics should be even more powerful this season.
But haven't opponents -- particularly Houston and the Lakers --
seriously upped the ante in the Western Conference?
Seattle is a team that may have the NBA's best defense in recent
years, seeing as how the Sonics don't guard people as much as they
engage in 94-feet of athletic terrorism.
But on nights when the calls are close, and zones truly are illegal,
couldn't whistles derail the whole approach?
It's a team that is fueled by attitude -- elevated and energized by
bravado, bluster and back-street gamesmanship.
But if that attitude is redirected only a few degrees, and "punk"
degrades into "thug," couldn't this team explode in our faces?
And power forward Shawn Kemp is back after a holdout, looking every
bit the All-Star once again.
But what if the curious causes for his discontent once again surface
and he seeks renewal during a critical stretch of the season?
Anything's possible, certainly, but there's one valid reason, one
argument for dismissing the downside and believing that this team will
find success to equal or exceed last season's.
Because the Sonics now know the way.
They've been there before.
As Dennis Rodman said after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, when the Sonics
finally stood up to the Chicago Bulls' challenge: "Sleeping Beauty has
woke up."
Yeah, and she was pretty ticked about the tardy wake-up call.
"We didn't really even get into the Finals until after the third
game," Sonics coach George Karl said.
"We didn't know what to expect, we didn't know how to come out, how to
be focused," veteran guard Nate McMillan said. "It was a learning
experience for us."
There's a notion in the league that you have to get there once and
lose before you understand what it takes to win a title.
Detroit lost in 1988 before winning in '89; the Lakers lost in '84
before winning in '85. Philadelphia ('83 champs) and Seattle ('79
title) followed the same pattern.
Phil Jackson, Chicago's cosmic coach, would probably call this
progression of beneficial defeats an understanding of "The Tao." Karl
calls it "The Path."
"We now know the path," Karl said. "We've done it; we know the little
things, the little mistakes we made. So few teams in the West have
that advantage."
Last year's regular season and the team record 64 wins (38 at home) is
hardly mentioned around the Sonics' camp.
As guard Gary Payton repeatedly said last year, "It don't mean
nothin'."
True enough, the Sonics had enjoyed regular-season success the
previous two seasons, only to see it trivialized by early playoff
pratfalls.
Last year, though, the Sonics engaged in 21 playoff games -- an extra
one-fourth of a season.
"All the time, we talked about playoff character and playoff hurdles
you have to get over," Karl said. "You can talk about it all you want,
but it doesn't sink in until you go through it.
"There's a lot of little things, not dynamic psychological issues,
just little things you have to learn how to handle and be able to see
them before they get on top of you."
It is also impossible to overstate the difference of going into a
season after a loss in the NBA Finals instead of going into a season
after embarrassing early playoff ousters.
"A year ago, everybody was talking about the scars of the rope over
our throats," Karl said. "Now, the difference is confidence. And I
think our confidence has some soul to it. It has trust and it has
belief -- things that it didn't have last year."
And that was forged during the Finals, when Kemp grabbed the Sonics,
shook them, chided them publicly, and showed them the level of effort
it would take to compete against the Bulls.
Gary Payton, the league's best defender, caught his drift and the
Sonics won two of the last three games after opening 0-3.
To bolster the Payton-Kemp axis, the Sonics upgraded the center
position with Jim McIlvaine, who can apply a big body (and six fouls)
to opposing posts, and Craig Ehlo, a career 37-percent 3-point shooter
who defends as if his sneakers are on fire.
But Seattle was not the only active team in the off-season, which
makes the Western Conference race a volatile issue.
"Lots of teams have made lots of improvements, like the Lakers and
Houston," Payton said. "On top of that, a lot of people are gunning
for us now. But we've been there now.
"Now we know how to win it and that's what we're going to do. We know
how to get there; now we're going to win it."
nba.1254vpoznanovic,
Will Sonics play for love of money or love of championship?
TACOMA, Wash. (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:36 EST) -- Coach George Karl and his
Seattle SuperSonics overcame the psychological barrier of the first
round of the playoffs last season when they advanced to the NBA
Finals, then lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games.
"The monkey," Karl's frequent reference to the pressure that mounted
from failed expectations in the first round in 1994 and '95, jumped
off the Sonics' back when they rallied from a third-quarter deficit to
beat the Sacramento Kings in Game 3 en route to a 3-1 first-round
series victory.
The Sonics slayed the monkey with unselfish play, veteran leadership
and newly consistent performance levels from young stars Gary Payton
and Shawn Kemp.
Their challenge this time -- while attempting to wrest the NBA title
away from the Bulls -- is an equal intangible.
They must forget their financial bottom line.
In the wake of an unprecedented free-agent signing period that nearly
wiped out the league's middle-class, salary comparisons have never
been more of a recipe for disaster.
In the Sonics' case, has Kemp truly overcome the salary injustice that
prompted his 22-day training camp holdout?
Will Payton, owner of the largest piece of the Sonics' salary pie,
retain the motivation to excel now that he's assured of $87.5 million
for the next seven years?
Can Jim McIlvaine ignore the expectations stemming from his $35
million deal?
Will Craig Ehlo or Eric Snow lose enthusiasm if teammates making 10
times their wages are too frequently watching practice from the
sideline?
Kemp's holdout brought salary issues to the fore from the opening day
of training camp.
Instead of picking up where they left off, the defending Western
Conference champions waited 22 days, including five exhibition games,
for their leading scorer and top rebounder to join them.
Kemp not only missed the opportunity to refine his skills and improve
his conditioning while learning Karl's new offensive sets, he wasn't
able to develop a rapport with newcomers McIlvaine and Ehlo.
Although the league's new collective bargaining agreement barred Kemp
from re-negotiating his contract, he stayed away because he was upset
about the multi-millions awarded to players he deemed unworthy.
"When you play for seven years and you've proven yourself to be an
All-Star and then you see guys who haven't proved themselves sign for
millions of dollars, you have a right to be upset," he said. "After
all those signings that took place last summer I'm not going to sit
here and tell you I wasn't ticked off."
Tri-captain Nate McMillan saw the potential for problems amid the
biggest free-agent spending frenzy in the league's 50-year history.
"You look at these guys and you say, 'They got lucky,"' he said. "And
at the same time, you say, 'How could they get rewarded? You're going
on potential?'
"Large amounts of money have been given out, whether deserved or
lucky, and the fact is management gave it out. You have to live with
it. But I'm not going to sit here and say we're going to be
problem-free. Those with the huge contracts, if production is down,
you'll hear things."
McIlvaine disagrees.
"I don't think guys will sit in the locker room and look at each other
and get all (ticked) off about one guy making so much more than
another," he said. "... I think guys are just happy for each other
when they come into contracts like this."
Tri-captain Sam Perkins isn't so sure.
"This is the time of year when players have to put aside their salary
concerns," he said. "It's kind of hard to do that because you don't
feel appreciated at times. Some managements, they slight a player or
they stick you with an ultimatum. There's not much you can do with
contracts, you just feel unappreciated and you can't do anything about
it.
"But you don't want all that to come into play and affect team
togetherness. Sometimes it does with some teams. The good teams,
management takes care of its players. And if everybody feels they are
accountable and they deserve what they got, there's no problem. But
you have problems when teams start saying, 'You should make this. Why
should you get that?"'
As for the Sonics, Perkins said he can't predict whether salary issues
will affect team togetherness as the season progresses.
In July, when Perkins re-signed with the Sonics for $6 million over
two years, he avoided the media. Recently, he admitted to Karl's
contention that he was disappointed with the Sonics' offer.
"I put it behind me," he said. "What else can I do?"
Hersey Hawkins spoke to one reporter in mid-July when the Sonics
weren't budging on an offer he deemed low. The following day, Sonics
team president Wally Walker increased the offer to approximately $20
million over five years and Hawkins accepted.
Karl's contract negotiations were even more contentious. At one point,
he was willing to go through the entire season without a multi-year
extension rather than submit to the Sonics' offer because he felt
management was reneging on a promise to make him the league's
second-highest paid coach.
In the end, Walker and Karl reached a compromise. Karl signed for the
short-term -- a one-year extension for $3 million, the highest
coaching salary in the league for 1997-98.
For Karl, who claims money "is the dictator of respect," the contract
is a godsend.
Aside from the obvious personal benefits, he claims it will free him
to concentrate on coaching.
As for the potential for lingering salary issues with his players,
Karl said: "It's a different world. We're living in a world of
spiraling salaries, crazy stuff and how that affects each other.
"I just think everybody's gotta realize we're all becoming a very
secure people because of our business. I think it's important that our
players keep money off the basketball court and out of the locker
room. I've always said that, I've said that for years.
"But the business and the sport right now is becoming a little bit
more influential to performance. I'm not gonna sit here and deny that.
"I think last year the chemistry of our team was a big part of why we
were successful. We must regroup that and make it better. With the
addition of Ehlo and McIlvaine, we have two players that fit the
character of a Hersey Hawkins. I think Ehlo coming here and giving up
money, basically giving up a lot of money to win a championship, is a
tremendous commentary for the NBA.
"We just gotta regroup and forget about the business end of it and go
back to playing basketball like we're playing in the gym, not like
we're playing for money."
When Kemp returned, 10 days before Friday night's season opener, he
said he stayed away because he couldn't play if he was thinking about
money. Then, he conveyed an understanding of the importance of
maintaining the Sonics' unselfish blend of play.
"The Lakers went after Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) and the Bulls went
after (Robert) Parrish," he said. "That says a lot.
"I think the best teams have chemistry, regardless of talent. A lot of
teams take chances based on talent. In the long haul, guys have to get
used to each other. It can take time to click. We know that better
than anyone. ... The guys we brought in are not demanding guys. Three
or four years ago, when we had Eddie (Johnson) and Ricky (Pierce),
everybody wanted the ball."
Hawkins senses that Kemp's feelings won't linger.
"Evidently, Shawn's happy with whatever transpired in his talks (with
management)," he said.
In Hawkins' view, neither Kemp nor anyone else begrudges Payton his
windfall.
"He had a great year and when you have everything in your favor,
you're going to get paid a lot," he said. "I think everybody's happy
for him. The good thing about this team is that everybody wants to
win. That's the bottom line.
"Sam could have gone someplace else. I think I could have gone
someplace. Same with Jim McIlvaine and Craig Ehlo. ... Several guys
could easily be somewhere else. But we have an older team, it's more
mature. When you get older, you want to win."
If Kemp needs an example of the way to play while awaiting the next
big contract -- which won't be until 1998 unless the Sonics dump
several salaries next summer to get under the cap -- he need look no
further than his buddy, Payton.
Last season, Payton was the fifth-highest paid player on the team at
$2.7 million.
"My agent told me there was nothing for me to do," he said. "If I
would have bickered about the situation I probably would have played
bad worrying about it. So, I figured if I go out and play great,
what'll happen? And then, things started picking up each month and I
knew being patient would be best."
The way tri-captain Detlef Schrempf sees it, there will always be
complaints about salaries, whether it's the $2.2 million Jon Koncak
was paid in 1990 or the $74.4 million, 15-year deal rookie Chris
Webber signed in 1993, prompting the implementation of the rookie
salary cap two years later.
"Now those figures are nothing," he said. "So it's always going to be
like that. I don't know how much higher it can go."
To Karl, money is the new monkey he's keeping at bay.
"Mentally, our team is stronger than that," he said. "That's the
cancer of a losing team. We're a team on the verge of winning a
championship."
nba.1255vpoznanovic,
Sonics cut Ford
DENVER (Nov 1, 1996 - 06:48 EST) -- Sherell Ford lingered around
KeyArena after the Sonics' final practice of the preseason Thursday,
knowing that what awaited him was a meeting with general manager Wally
Walker.
Once he got to that meeting, Ford heard the news that had been rumored
for the past week -- that he would be cut even though the team owes
him about $1 million over the next two seasons.
The 6-foot-7 Ford, the team's 1995 first-round draft pick, was the
lone player waived Thursday as the Sonics trimmed their active roster
to the NBA minimum 12 in preparation for Friday night's season opener
at Utah. The Sonics also placed center Steve Scheffler (foot) and
guard Greg Graham (thigh) on the injured reserve list, meaning they
must sit out the first five games of the season.
That means free agent forward Larry Stewart and center Elmore Spencer
have made the team, although Spencer's long-term status is still
uncertain.
The 6-foot-8 Stewart, who played four seasons with the Washington
Bullets before spending last year in Spain, was impressive while
playing for the Sonics entry in the Los Angeles Summer Pro League, and
again during the preseason when he shot 50 percent and rebounded well.
"He gives us a good solid rebounder out of the (small forward) spot,
which is something we don't have, other than from Detlef Schrempf,"
Walker said.
The 7-foot, 270-pound Spencer, meanwhile, signed a "make-good"
contract last week, meaning the team has until Nov. 15 to decide to
keep him, or release him without owing him any more money. If he's on
the roster after Nov. 15, he'll make the NBA minimum $247,500.
"He had a good week of practice and he got better every day," Walker
said. Spencer also provides depth early in the season with Shawn Kemp
rounding into shape and Jim McIlvaine adjusting to playing major
minutes on a consistent basis for the first time in his career.
Ford, meanwhile, will be looking for another job after failing to
convince the Sonics that he had improved his defense and shooting.
Ford was the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1995 draft
out of the University of Illinois-Chicago.
He was billed as a shooter after averaging 26 points a game his senior
season, but he played little last season, averaging only 3.2 points in
28 games, and shooting just 37 percent. Ford was on the injured list
during the Sonics' playoff run.
Ford had played well in the LA summer league, but wasn't able to show
the Sonics that he deserved playing time at shooting guard or small
forward, a position that got deeper when the team acquired Craig Ehlo
during the summer.
"There were a lot of things that went into it, but the net of it all
was that it was going to be difficult for him to get any playing
time," Walker said. "From his standpoint, this could help him move to
a better situation. I'm sure he'll catch on somewhere."
Walker said the team tried to trade Ford by Thursday's 3 p.m.
deadline, but couldn't get the right deal done, no doubt in part
because of Ford's guaranteed contract. The Sonics' decision to swallow
Ford's contract could be good long-term news for Graham, who is owed
roughly $1.2 million each of the next three years. The team might be
reluctant to cut two players with guaranteed deals.
nba.1256vpoznanovic,
Jazz ready for redemption
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 1, 1996 - 06:18 EST) -- It's been 152 days since
the Jazz and Sonics last laid eyes on each other.
It's been almost 22 weeks since Seattle edged the Jazz, 90-86, in Game
7 of the Western Conference finals.
It's been five months since the Sonics flew off to Chicago for a date
in the NBA Finals with the Bulls.
The Jazz?
On that breezy early summer night in the Pacific Northwest, they flew
home to recover from as fierce a battle as they'd ever fought.
Utah had rallied from a 3-1 deficit, tied the best-of-seven series
with consecutive wins and entered the final minute of Game 7 on even
terms with the favored Sonics.
But the Jazz's season ended unhappily.
Just as it had in the 1988 conference semifinals, when Magic Johnson
and the eventual world champion Lakers prevailed in a seventh game.
Just as it had in the 1992 conference finals against Portland, and
just as it had in the 1994 conference finals against Houston.
Friday night, the Sonics and Jazz meet again. This time, they play at
the Delta Center at 7 p.m. PST in the regular-season opener for both
teams.
The stakes are hardly as high as they were on June 2. But the memories
-- at least for some -- are vivid.
Bryon Russell remembers only "that we got eliminated. ... If we'd done
a couple of extra things, we would have been in the Finals."
Antoine Carr recalls that "everybody had counted us out. But we kept
fighting and fighting and took them to the final game."
John Stockton remembers one thing:"How it ended."
Only Karl Malone offers an unconventional recollection of the event.
Asked what pops into his mind when he thinks about Game 7, Malone
said, "I don't think about it. Not ever."
Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan nods when asked if he has special memories of
the loss. But he refuses to discuss them, saying, 'I can't tell you
what I remember most."
Perhaps it is the critical play in the final seconds that gnawed at
Greg Foster throughout the summer.
With plenty of residual despair still in his voice, he says, "It could
have gone either way."
"It" was a foul call in the final seconds of a tie game. Seattle's
Shawn Kemp caught the ball on the low block and spun to the baseline.
But Foster blocked his path.
Caught at a nearly impossible angle, Kemp flipped a shot at the basket
that had little chance of going in. For a split second, it seemed as
though the Jazz had possession and a chance at victory that had been a
decade in the making.
Instead, outside official Mike Mathis called a foul.
"You bodied him too much," Mathis told Foster at the time.
Like a man who had replayed the sequence in his mind hundreds of times
since it happened,. Foster said, "I was standing with my arms up.
Nothing more. But that's the way it was called, so what are you going
to do? You just go on."
In preparation for the season -- and for the opener against the Sonics
-- that's what the Jazz keep telling themselves.
Go on.
"You can't cry over spoiled milk," said Russell. "You've just got to
let it stay spoiled and ... give those (Seattle) guys credit for
winning."
"There were some tough battles," said Adam Keefe. "We came very, very
close. But I hope the guys on this team have put it behind them. The
thing is, you can't get down 3-1 in a series and expect to win.
Actually, it was miraculous that we got as close as we did."
Add Stockton: "If you dwell on things like that, it'll drive you
crazy. ... You've got to think forward because you can't do anything
about the past, except learn from it."
From their experience in last year's conference final, the Jazz know
they're opening this season against one of the NBA's best teams. Kemp
and Gary Payton are the leaders. A quality supporting cast includes
Detlef Schrempf and Hersey Hawkins.
Seemingly, the Sonics are much like the Jazz -- a top team trying
desperately to take one more step up the NBA's ladder of success.
The climb starts tonight when this often-headed rivalry resumes.
"It's not a hate-kind rivalry," said Russell. "But we definitely want
to beat those guys and let them know that we're contenders, just like
they are."
"I'd like it to be a rivalry," said Carr. "We're two great teams that
know how to play hard and ... like to really go at it. That sounds
like a rivalry to me."
nba.1257vpoznanovic,
Turner, Atlanta reach agreement on new Hawks stadium
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Nov 2, 1996 - 22:48 EST) -- The Atlanta Hawks
reached agreement Saturday with city officials to build a $215 million
arena in downtown Atlanta to replace their current home, the Omni.
The agreement, announced at the home of a city negotiator, came after
months of on-again, off-again talks. Turner Broadcasting Systems,
which owns the Hawks, last week threatened to move to suburban Cobb
County if a settlement wasn't reached soon.
The new arena, if approved by municipal authorities, would open for
the 1999-2000 season. Demolition of the Omni would start in June.
During construction, the Hawks would play most of their home games at
Georgia Tech and a few at the Georgia Dome.
TBS officials announced plans to build a new arena two years ago,
saying that the Omni, where the team plays its home games, is too
small and would be impractical to modernize. The new arena will have
more than 20,000 seats, including more than 2,500 club-level seats and
as many as 100 skyboxes.
No name for the arena was immediately announced.
The plan involves tearing down the 24-year-old Omni and replacing it
with a $140 million arena. Another $75 million will be spent to make
improvements to public areas surrounding the downtown arena, including
a plaza connecting to the adjacent Georgia Dome and a walkway to the
Underground Atlanta entertainment complex.
A new car rental tax will pay for most of the improvements. Time
Warner, which merged with TBS last month, has committed $10 million.
The rest will be raised by public bonds.
The deal must be approved by the Atlanta City Council, the Fulton
County Commission and the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority,
the owner of the Omni. The authority will own and lease the new arena
to the Hawks.
nba.1258vpoznanovic,
Players get rings but banner hits snag
CHICAGO (Nov 2, 1996 - 22:48 EST) -- The Chicago Bulls can only hope
their season goes more smoothly than the raising of their NBA
championship banner.
After receiving their rings Saturday night, the players helped raise
the banner to the United Center rafters. But just before it got to the
top, one of the ropes came undone and the banner was left dangling by
one corner.
Shortly after the end of the 18-minute ceremony, United Center
employees removed the banner entirely.
Before the celebration, reserve guard Steve Kerr said: "I'm more
excited about the banner than the ring. I've seen those other banners
the last two years. To see this one, with my name on it, and know it's
going to be there as long as I live, that's really neat."
Other players were more thrilled about the rings.
"This is a piece of tangible evidence," Luc Longley said.
The top of each ring features four diamond-studded championship
trophies, one for each of the Bulls' titles this decade. The top is
bordered by 72 diamonds, symbolizing their league-record 72 victories
last season. And on the side are the phrases "GREATEST TEAM EVER,"
"WORLD CHAMPIONS" and "72 WINS."
Bulls general manager Jerry Krause enjoyed the biggest personal
triumph at the ring ceremony. Booed on similar occasions in the past,
he received a warm ovation this time.
On the other hand, NBA commissioner David Stern received as many boos
as cheers when introduced before the ceremony.
While most players walked slowly to get their rings, Dennis Rodman
sprinted onto the court. Rodman, who has been very critical of Stern,
barely acknowledged the commissioner's presence.
Michael Jordan, as always, got the loudest cheers. He then said: "We
plan on being back here."
John Salley and James Edwards, seldom-used members of last year's team
who weren't retained for this season, joined their ex-teammates at the
United Center to get their rings.
nba.1259vpoznanovic,
Shaq electrifies LA crowd
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov 2, 1996 - 00:06 EST) -- Shaquille O'Neal didn't
disappoint his new fans Friday night as the NBA season began for the
Los Angeles Lakers.
In the opening minutes against the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal looked like he
was worth every penny of the $120 million the Lakers lavished on him.
He overpowered Joe Kleine on the opening tip, sending the ball out of
bounds. O'Neal grabbed his first rebound seconds later, then scored
the Lakers' first points with a monster dunk off a feed from Nick Van
Exel.
A sellout crowd of more than 17,000 erupted in cheers and applause,
including courtside fans Jack Nicholson, Dyan Cannon and Norm Nixon.
"It's a wedding of Shaq and a great city," actor Louis Gossett Jr.
said from his seat two rows behind the basket. "It's the beginning of
a love affair."
If so, Susan Tenorio of Los Angeles was head-over-heels for the
7-foot-1, 300-pound center.
"I think it's wonderful. It's like new life," she said.
"We've been season ticket holders for 12 years through Kareem
(Abdul-Jabbar) and Magic (Johnson)," Tenorio said. "I think Shaq will
have the same impact because they have to double-team him."
From the looks of it, many fans arrived at the Forum already equipped
with their Shaq fashions. Youngsters and adults alike sported No. 34
jerseys and T-shirts.
For the unadorned, souvenir stands boasted a variety of Shaq wear,
including a $20 T-shirt with O'Neal dunking against a marque that read
"Opening night. Now appearing Shaq."
The selling of Shaq got going even before the Forum doors opened.
About four miles away, street vendors hawked O'Neal sweatshirts and
T-shirts at a freeway off-ramp.
Everyone wanted an opening night look at O'Neal, who received standing
ovations when the team came out for pre-game warmups and when he was
introduced.
The Lakers issued between 230 and 250 media credentials -- about 140
more than usual, team spokesman John Black said.
Noah Morrill couldn't believe his good fortune. The freckle-faced
8-year-old from Valencia found out he was going to the game -- and
sitting two rows behind the basket -- when he came home from school
Friday.
"I was just stoked," he said, adding that he thinks O'Neal is the best
basketball player. "I think he's pretty cool because he slam dunks."
His father, Steve Angelo, has high hopes for the Lakers.
"It's about time we got a lot of momentum behind us as far as the fans
go," he said. "The whole team together is going to do well."
nba.1260vpoznanovic,
Shaq a success in Laker debut
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov 2, 1996 - 12:48 EST) -- Shaquille O'Neal lived
up to the hype surrounding his regular-season debut with the Los
Angeles Lakers, even though the atmosphere was lacking a bit.
O'Neal dunked, rebounded and, surprisingly, made most of his free
throws in helping the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 92-86 Friday night.
"Of course, Shaq's going to be the top dog most every night," said
Lakers guard Nick Van Exel.
The most anticipated game at the Forum since Magic Johnson and Michael
Jordan faced each other nine months ago for the first time in five
years started out exciting enough.
In the opening minutes, O'Neal looked like he was worth every penny of
the $120 million the Lakers lavished on him as a free agent.
He overpowered Joe Kleine on the opening tip, sending the ball out of
bounds. O'Neal grabbed the game's first rebound seconds later, then
scored the first points with a monster dunk off a feed from Van Exel.
That got the crowd roaring.
"I was just stoked," said 8-year-old Noah Morrill, who got a close
look at O'Neal from his seat two rows behind the basket. "I think he's
pretty cool because he slam dunks."
The man known for his terrible free-throw shooting was actually pretty
good. O'Neal made 7-of-11 foul shots.
He picked up his fifth foul with 9:42 remaining, but stayed in the
game, and had 10 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in the
final period before leaving to an ovation with 46 seconds left.
"Shaq did a great job of keeping himself in the game," coach Del
Harris said. "He was the man in the fourth quarter."
The celebrity quotient was way up, just like in the "Showtime" days of
the 1980s. Jack Nicholson, Sharon Stone, Denzel Washington, Louis
Gossett Jr. and Dyan Cannon checked out the 7-foot-1, 300-pound
center.
"It's a wedding of Shaq and a great city," Gossett said from his seat
two rows behind the basket. "It's the beginning of a love affair."
Perhaps because it was opening night, the caliber of play was down.
The Lakers ran into problems in the final period, thanks at least in
part because four of their five starters were in foul trouble. The
Suns led briefly twice before Los Angeles scored 10 straight points to
go ahead 87-78 with about five minutes to play. Phoenix didn't
threaten thereafter.
"When Shaq wasn't in there, we came back," Suns coach Cotton
Fitzsimmons said. "When he was in, they played well. They better keep
Shaq out of foul trouble."
O'Neal said he thought he did "pretty well."
"It takes a lot out of my game," he said of the foul problems. "But I
have to stay aggressive. I went out and played hard. I would have
liked to have stayed out of foul trouble, but it happens.
"On any team, when four out of five starters are in foul trouble,
things are going to be shaky. We just wanted to start on the right
foot, and we did that. We want to win all our home games."
At times, the Suns had their hands full defending O'Neal.
"It's like fighting Hercules," Phoenix forward Wayman Tisdale said.
"We probably should have fouled him more."
O'Neal appreciated the standing ovations he received from 17,505 at
the Forum. Many of them wore No. 34 jerseys and T-shirts.
"I just want to tell them, 'Yell, yell, yell,"' he said. "And if you
need throat lozenges, I will provide them."
nba.1261vpoznanovic,
Minnesota rookie Marbury hurt five minutes into season
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov 2, 1996 - 01:06 EST) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves
gave away T-shirts Friday night that featured pictures of rookie
Stephon Marbury and the slogan "Breaking ankles."
Marbury thought he did.
The Wolves' highly regarded point guard twisted his right ankle when
he came down awkwardly after missing a shot. He crumpled to the floor
and was helped to the locker room, returning only briefly during the
third quarter of Minnesota's 82-78 victory over San Antonio.
"I did think I broke it, I ain't going to lie," Marbury said after
limping out of the training room. "I couldn't walk after that. ... It
was like when you hit your funny bone."
The ankle was only sprained and was sore but not badly swollen after
the game. Coach Flip Saunders said he hoped Marbury would be available
when the Wolves begin a four-game road trip Sunday against the Lakers.
Marbury missed all three of his shots and finished with three rebounds
and two assists, not the kind of debut the Wolves or their fans had
hoped for after Marbury averaged 17.3 points during the preseason to
lead all rookies.
Marbury's first game had been eagerly anticipated since the Wolves
traded Ray Allen, the fifth overall pick in June's draft, to Milwaukee
for Marbury along with center Andrew Lang. The Bucks picked Marbury
fourth, and Minnesota hopes the 19-year-old will develop into one of
the league's premier point guards.
"It was hard sitting on the bench watching them play," Marbury said.
"I'm just glad we won. If we wouldn't have won, I don't think I would
have been able to go to sleep."
nba.1262vpoznanovic,
Debuts of first-round draft picks
(Nov 2, 1996 - 02:24 EST) -- A list of how the top 30 selections in
the 1996 NBA draft fared on opening night (some players were injured,
some did not play because of coaches decision):
Pts Reb Ast Stl Blk
1, Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 30 2 6 1 0
2, Marcus Camby, Toronto 5 4 0 1 1
3, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancouver 16 5 2 3 1
4, x-Stephon Marbury, Minnesota 0 3 2 0 0
5, y-Ray Allen, Milwaukee 13 2 0 3 0
6, Antoine Walker, Boston 12 3 0 0 0
7, Lorenzen Wright, L.A. Clippers DNP
8, Kerry Kittles, New Jersey 5 1 1 1 0
9, Samaki Walker, Dallas DNP, injured
10, Erick Dampier, Indiana DNP
11, Todd Fuller, Golden State 8 5 2 1 0
12, Vitaly Potapenko, Cleveland 4 2 0 1 0
13, z-Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers DNP
14, Predrag Stojakovic, Sacramento Not on roster
15, Steve Nash, Phoenix 0 0 0 0 0
16, Tony Delk, Charlotte
17, Jermaine O'Neal, Portland DNP, injured
18, John Wallace, New York 10 10 0 2 0
19, Walter McCarty, New York DNP
20, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland DNP, injured
21, Dontae' Jones, New York DNP, injured
22, Roy Rogers, Vancouver 0 3 0 0 1
23, Efthimios Rentzias, Denver DNP
24, Derek Fisher, L.A. Lakers 12 2 5 0 0
25, Martin Murrsepp, Utah Not on roster
26, Jerome Williams, Detroit DNP
27, Brian Evans, Orlando DNP, injured
28, Priest Lauderdale, Atlanta DNP
29, w-Travis Knight, L.A. Lakers 0 2 0 0 0
30, Othella Harrington, Houston 8 6 1 1 0
w-drafted by Chicago, traded.
x-drafted by Milwaukee, traded.
y-drafted by Minnesota, traded.
z-drafted by Charlotte, traded.
nba.1263vpoznanovic,
NBA today
(Nov 2, 1996 - 12:48 EST) - Charlotte at New York (6 p.m. EST). Larry
Johnson faces his former teammates for the first time since joining
the Knicks in an offseason deal that sent Anthony Mason and Brad
Lohaus to the Hornets.
STARS
-- Clyde Drexler, Rockets, had 25 points, nine assists, 10 rebounds
and 10 steals in Houston's 96-85 victory over visiting Sacramento.
-- Michael Jordan, Bulls, scored 30 points in Chicago's 107-98 victory
at Boston.
-- Allen Iverson, 76ers, scored 30 in his first regular-season as
Philadelphia fell to visiting Milwaukee 111-103.
STATS
Houston's Clyde Drexler was one assist short Friday night of joining
Hakeem Olajuwon, Alvin Robertson and Nate Thurmond as the only players
in NBA history to record a quadruple-double. Drexler had 25 points,
nine assists, 10 rebounds and 10 steals in the Rockets' 96-85 victory
over Sacramento.
SHAQ
Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 14 rebounds in his first game with
Los Angeles on Friday night, helping the Lakers beat Phoenix 96-82.
SHOOTING
Atlanta's Christian Laettner was 10-for-15 from the field and
10-for-11 from the line Friday night, scoring 31 points in a 94-81
loss to Miami.
SITES
Philadelphia and Golden State made their home debuts in new arenas
Friday night. The 76ers moved from the Spectrum to the CoreStates
Center, while the Warriors are playing at the San Jose Arena while the
Oakland Coliseum Arena is being renovated.
SOME DEBUT
Minnesota rookie Stephon Marbury sprained his ankle just five minutes
into Friday night's opener against San Antonio. He had an assist and
two rebounds and missed two shots before leaving.
SPEAKING
"I went to see my wife play in the women's league the other night and
there were probably three teams that played better than we did
tonight. That's the truth." -- Vancouver guard Blue Edwards after the
Grizzlies' 114-85 loss to Portland on Friday night.
nba.1264vpoznanovic,
Magic and Warriors exchange centers as part of deal
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Nov 2, 1996 - 17:48 EST) -- Rony Seikaly is heading
back to Florida. Felton Spencer is heading to his third team in four
months.
In a long anticipated move, the Golden State Warriors traded suspended
center Seikaly and his backup, Clifford Rozier, to the Orlando Magic
on Saturday for Spencer, John Koncak and Donald Royal.
The Warriors also sent a future second-round draft pick to Orlando.
Seikaly, who spent the past two years with the Warriors after six
seasons in Miami, was obtained to fill Orlando's hole at center since
Shaquille O'Neal went to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent this
summer.
Spencer, known more for his defense than his offense, said the Magic
apparently wanted a little more scoring punch in the middle.
"I think they were looking for a center who would be a little more
involved offensively for them. I think they felt Rony would fit the
system a little better," Spencer said. "I think they felt Rony would
give them a little more respect."
The 6-foot-11 Seikaly, who has averaged 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds a
game during his NBA career, had demanded a trade and refused to report
to training camp. He had been suspended by Golden State.
The 7-foot Spencer spent the past three seasons at Utah after three
seasons in Minnesota. Spencer, traded to the Magic in August, has
averaged 6.7 points and 6.6 rebounds a game during his career.
"It's going to be a little bit difficult because it's a new situation
and it takes some time to adapt," Spencer said. "It might take us a
little while, but we'll learn the system and learn what the other guys
want out on the floor."
Rozier has averaged 5.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a game during two
mostly unhappy seasons at Golden State.
Seikaly and Rozier are expected to join Orlando on its trip to Tokyo,
where the Magic will face the New Jersey Nets on Thursday and Friday.
Koncak, who is out for the season following September surgery to
remove torn cartilage and bone spurs from his left knee, joins his
third NBA team. He spent last season with Orlando after 10 seasons in
Atlanta.
Royal, who averages 7.0 points a game, will be joining his fourth
team. He spent the last four years with Orlando after one-year stints
in Minnesota and San Antonio.
He can provide some scoring from the small-forward spot, which guard
Latrell Sprewell filled at times for the Warriors in Friday night's
97-85 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Royal had 12 points and Spencer had four as Orlando lost its opener
96-92 to Washington on Friday night. After the game, knowing a trade
was on the verge of being made, they watched the Warriors game on TV.
"It's kind of been a long day for me and Felton, it's been a long 24
hours," Royal said. "I'm real happy that we've gotten into a situation
where we feel a team can use us the way we wanted them to use us in
Orlando."
To make room, the Warriors waived guard Anthony Harris and placed
forwards Lou Roe and Andrew DeClercq on the injured list. Both Roe and
DeClercq played in Friday's loss to the Clippers.
Also, the Warriors moved forward Marcus Mann, a second-round draft
pick this summer, from the injured list to the suspended list. The
Warriors said Mann told them he cannot honor his contract for personal
reasons.
nba.1265vpoznanovic,
Rider: "These things won't happen again"
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 2, 1996 - 12:48 EST) -- Isaiah Rider feels he has
the support of the Portland Trail Blazers, despite his citation for
marijuana possession and a one-game suspension for missing the team's
final exhibition game.
"Everyone is telling me to keep my head up," Rider said Friday night,
as the team boarded a bus in Vancouver, British Columbia, for Seattle.
"I have people against me, but I have people for me, too."
Rider, cited by Clackamas County sheriff's deputies late Wednesday
night, met Friday morning with Blazers president Bob Whitsitt and came
away promising to get in no further trouble.
"I'm going to make sure none of these things happen again," he said on
the Blazers' postgame radio show after the team opened the season with
a 114-85 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
"I wouldn't say he drilled me, but at the same time, he talked to me
man-to-man," Rider said. "But the fact is these things can't happen."
A sheriff's deputy said he saw Rider put a pop can fashioned into a
pipe to his mouth and light a lighter in the back seat of a parked
car. Rider was cited for possession of less than an ounce of
marijuana, a non-criminal offense in Oregon subject to a $500 fine.
Rider declined to talk about the specifics of the case Friday.
"But I do think the outcome will be positive," he said.
Whitsitt said he did not interview any of Rider's four companions of
Wednesday night, but "the kind of conduct we read in the police report
is something we don't condone."
Deputies said Rider refused to take the citation, then crumpled it up
and threw it on the ground.
On Thursday, Rider denied the deputies' version of the incident.
"The bottom line is I happened to be a backseat passenger in someone's
car. But I'm a big name," Rider said. "The cops didn't find a damn
thing on me. But I'm a big name."
While Whitsitt refused to comment on Rider's remarks, Deputy Damon
Coates, spokesman for the Clackamas County sheriff's department, said
he couldn't "imagine a bigger contrast from the truth."
Coates said the reporting officer, Deputy Brian Manion, did not know
that Rider was a Trail Blazer until he confiscated the pipe and
marijuana.
"He doesn't follow basketball, and the name Isaiah Rider meant
absolutely nothing to him," Coates said.
Rider sat out the game against Vancouver because he failed to show up
for the Blazers' final exhibition game last Sunday.
The suspension apparently will cost Rider about $44,000, equal to
1-82nd of his $3.61 million salary this season.
Rider has one month to appeal the penalty to an arbitrator, but he
said he won't.
Whitsitt said the Blazers could have fined Rider up to $2,500 for his
alleged marijuana offense. Whitsitt and Rider refused to say whether
any fine was levied.
Rider said he will play tonight in Seattle.
"I think I'll have a great game," he said.
nba.1266vpoznanovic,
F MARTY CONLON SIGNS WITH CELTICS
The Boston Celtics added another forward to their roster tonight,
signing Marty Conlon, who joins his sixth team in six seasons.
The 28-year-old Conlon was one of the final cuts of the Phoenix Suns
earlier this week, despite being guaranteed $1.2 million this season.
The Celtics will pay him the league minimum of $247,500 and the Suns
will pick up the difference.
Conlon went to Phoenix with a first-round pick on September 25th in
the deal that sent guard Elliot Perry to the Milwaukee Bucks. He
averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 74 games last season.
To make room for Conlon, the Celtics (0-1) waived forward Julius
Nwosu.
nba.1267vpoznanovic,
Karl hopes Sonics can pace themselves
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 2, 1996 - 06:12 EST) -- George Karl has taught the
Seattle SuperSonics to play an oppressive defense.
They reached the NBA Finals by playing with an almost frantic
intensity.
And now, he's trying to teach them something that might be difficult
to learn.
To pace themselves.
"My honest feeling is that we had a fantastic season last year," Karl
said as his team warmed up for its season opener against Utah in the
Delta Center. "But it was a very demanding year. I don't know if we
need to go out and try to win 65 games this year. We have to be
conservative with our intensity.
"We have to be sure we are ready, and I'm sure we are going to play
good basketball. I think right now, my mentality with the team is to
win the Pacific Division."
Having seen his team compete in 21 playoff games, ending in a 4-2
Finals loss to Chicago, Karl knows how draining the playoffs can be.
"Mentally, we were very strong last year, and I think we'll be
mentally strong again this season, but to demand it every game from
November to June two years in a row is difficult," he said. "There's
an edge there you've got to find and be sure you don't lose it in the
playoffs."
BIG MAC: Sonics watchers will keep new center Jim McIlvaine under the
microscope, but the 7-foot-1 McIlvaine said he's not gravely concerned
about his early performances.
"It's just important for us to come out and win games," he said. "If
I'm an important part of that, I'll be the happiest guy on the face of
the Earth."
OK, so he's already ripping off Lou Gehrig quotes. The important thing
is that he's fitting into the Sonics system.
"Everybody from the point guard to the big men have been really
helpful in giving me a player's perspective on what the coaches are
looking for from me," McIlvaine said. "And the coaches have been very
open in getting into the exact details of what they want from me.
They're very open and don't pull any punches."
McIlvaine came out impressively, scoring two baskets and blocking two
shots in the first period Friday.
NOTES: The Sonics play 11 of their first 17 games on the road. "That's
actually good for us," Karl said. "We seem to focus and concentrate
better when we're on the road." ... The Sonics came into the game
Friday with a weak 9-20 record in road openers, including a 112-94
opening-night loss against Utah in the Delta Center a year ago. ...
How could you tell the Sonics had a fairly strong contingent of fans
in the Delta Center on Friday? You could hear them counting when Karl
Malone attempted free throws. ...
The Sonics' special family tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at
KeyArena for all home games in November. Tickets are $7 per person and
fans can purchase up to four a game. Adults must be accompanied by a
child 18 years old or younger. Proof of identification will be
required.
nba.1268vpoznanovic,
Bulls celebrate last year, then look ahead
CHICAGO (Nov 3, 1996 - 16:18 EST) -- They celebrated one more time
their historic season of a year ago by slipping on rings and hoisting
a banner. Now the Chicago Bulls will concentrate on staying on top in
the NBA.
Who can challenge them?
"I can say four or five teams," Michael Jordan said mentioning the
Lakers, Knicks, Magic, Rockets and SuperSonics. "But when we look in
the mirror, I don't see why we should think anybody but us would win."
On their opening weekend, the Bulls rallied to beat the Boston Celtics
before routing the Philadelphia 76ers 115-86 to cap a Saturday night
of celebration when they received their championship rings for last
season.
"We've got to be ready to play solid basketball starting this week.
We've got four games in five nights, a couple on the road, a couple at
home. It's not going to be easy," Jordan said. "We really can't take
anything away from two games. The season's so long."
This first full week gives the Bulls -- the league's oldest team --
the conditioning test they will often face. There are two
back-to-backs with home games against Vancouver and Boston and road
games at Miami and Detroit, two other teams who will challenge team.
"Everybody says we're old and senile, and that we're going to struggle
as the season goes along," said Ron Harper, who surprised everyone by
hitting his first four 3-point attempts Saturday night. "But we've got
a smart coach who knows how to give us the time off when we need it."
Coach Phil Jackson says the Bulls will face challenges.
"I think as you go through the season, it's a purposeful march march
through the schedule," he said when asked the long regular season.
"The purpose right now is to get everybody playing well together."
Scottie Pippen, who didn't play much in the preseason after September
ankle surgery, was very active Saturday night. He had 22 points in 31
minutes.
The play of Pippen as Jordan's sidekick and the behavior of Dennis
Rodman, who got into foul trouble Saturday night and also a brief
shoving match with Doug Overton, will again be strong factors in the
Bulls' ability to be the league's best team.
The only glitch Saturday night came as the team raised its fourth
championship banner to the rafters. It slipped off a rope and for a
time dangled to one side.
The Bulls don't see it as a harbinger. Jordan says the plan is to be
participating in another ceremony at this time next year.
"A couple of guys want to do it back-to-back," said Jordan, who
earlier in this decade helped the Bulls win consecutively. "Chief
(Robert Parish) came here to leave on a good note. So we've got enough
motivation for other players."
nba.1269vpoznanovic,
For now, Bulls seeking a repeat on small scale
CHICAGO (Nov 3, 1996 - 18:30 EST) -- If staying on top is the supreme
challenge in sports, the Chicago Bulls have already succeeded in that
regard, albeit on a small scale.
If nothing else, their 2-0 start this weekend against two of the
league's doormats was a measuring stick of the Bulls' resiliency.
The big question is whether the Bulls can repeat as champions. But a
smaller and more immediate question is how the aging Bulls respond to
back-to-back games.
After opening the season in Boston on Friday night, the Bulls were on
a plane back to Chicago two hours after the game. They arrived home at
2 a.m. and were suiting up for another game little more than 12 hours
later.
The Bulls face 20 more back-to-backs this season, all involving
travel.
The Bulls were 20-2 in the second game of back-to-backs last year. But
the Bulls are considerably banged up this year, meaning recovery time
between games is paramount.
"It won't be as easy this year," said Michael Jordan. "Even though
it's early in the season, it can be a grind."
Especially when confronted by four games in five nights, which is the
Bulls' task at hand this week.
So the season of skepticism and speculation hits full stride this week
for the Bulls. The inevitable comparisons to last year will be
incessant, and curiosity will run high regarding the future of Jordan
and the dynastic Bulls.
They're the traveling rock 'n' roll show, The Rolling Stones in short
pants, with status and fanfare to match.
But the Bulls' biggest concern is finding enough stamina for an
encore.
"We're trying to bring the team along conditioning-wise," said Bulls
coach Phil Jackson. "We've showed the ability to play hard without
having to endure long minutes."
None of the Bulls' starters played more than 31 minutes Saturday
against the 76ers, and Jackson is certain to be more mindful of his
players' minutes this season than any other.
With a higher level of competitiveness in the Eastern Conference this
year, teams will literally try to run the Bulls ragged. And better
teams mean tougher competition for the Bulls.
"We're going to have to find a way to cover the small, quick guards,"
said Jackson. "There are a lot of young guards in the league now with
a lot of energy. I'm sure we'll see a lot of running as teams try to
tire us out early."
It also appears the Bulls are growing tired with Dennis Rodman's
antics. After being whistled for two fouls in the span of seven
seconds against Philadelphia, Rodman threw his hands in the air, then
tucked both hands in his shorts on the next possession as a form of
protest.
Jackson immediately removed Rodman, who glared at Jackson as he walked
grudgingly to the bench. Rodman has drawn technical fouls in each of
the first two games.
Jordan, for one, is already prepared to put out any potential fires.
"This team is accustomed to winning, and when you don't win, a lot of
these separate personalities and emotions run across each other's
paths," said Jordan. "Winning keeps everybody in line."
To that end, the Bulls are in fine shape, having won their first two
by a combined 38 points. But as Jackson warns, nothing is automatic.
"That (kind of thinking) could lead to false optimism," said Jackson.
"It's a purposeful march that you make through the schedule. At this
point, everything in the league is up for grabs."
"No team in this league can beat us when we're clicked in," proclaimed
Rodman. "It will take us 15-20 games to get in sync, into the flow,
vibe, but then it will take care of itself."
So far, so good.
nba.1270vpoznanovic,
Five years after announcement, Magic stays healthy by staying busy
LOS ANGELES (Nov 3, 1996 - 20:24 EST) -- Five years after announcing
he has the virus that causes AIDS, Magic Johnson says the most
difficult times are turning away people who want his time, and seeing
sick children.
"I don't feel sick or tired or anything," Johnson wrote in a column
for Sunday's Los Angeles Times.
"You know what you've got to do. You stay healthy, you work out all
the time, which I love to do anyway, you eat right, you take your
medicine and you just deal," he said.
Johnson disclosed in November 1991 that he was HIV-positive and
retired from the Los Angeles Lakers. He returned twice and retired
twice more.
Now, he's living for his wife and three children, Johnson said.
He stays busy overseeing his business and charitable ventures, and as
a minority owner of the Lakers. He relishes his role as an AIDS
activist, he said.
"I think that's the most difficult thing, that I still have a problem
saying no," he said. "I probably wear myself out sometimes trying to
do everything possible."
The many people he has met who have later died of AIDS have affected
him deeply, Johnson said.
"I think the hardest part, though, is all the beautiful children, who
are innocent and got it because their parents were using drugs or got
it because of a bad needle, or bad blood," Johnson said. "I think that
hurts you the most."
nba.1271vpoznanovic,
Riley gets No. 800 as Heat win by a hair
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 3, 1996 - 16:36 EST) -- Pat Riley recorded his 800th
regular-season NBA victory faster than any coach, and the first thing
his team did was try to mess up his well-plastered hair.
Riley reached the milestone Saturday in his 1,139th game and in his
15th year when Miami defeated Indiana 97-95.
Cotton Fitzsimmons, immediately ahead of him on the victory list with
832, didn't reach the mark until his 19th year. Atlanta's Lenny
Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history with 1,014 triumphs, also
needed 19 seasons to reach the mark.
The Heat put Riley in position for No. 800 by winning their season
opener over Atlanta 94-81 on Friday. But the possibility wasn't
discussed before the game.
"Nobody brought it (the milestone) up. There wasn't a word about it,"
said Tim Hardaway, who had 16 of his 25 points in the second half,
including a 21-foot jumper with 51.6 seconds left that became the
winning basket against Indiana.
"After the game it came up. We tried to mess up his hair. We got some
soap and some water, but it fell right back in place."
"They couldn't get through the concrete. I think Tim broke his hand
trying," Riley said. "It wasn't a pretty win. ... We made the stops we
had to make. It's a good win for us. ... There's nothing like playing
an ugly game on the road and winning."
Riley, 51, made his NBA coaching debut on Nov. 19, 1981 when he
replaced Paul Westhead with the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles went
50-21 that season under Riley and went on to win the league
championship. He took the Lakers to the finals seven times and
captured the league championship four times.
After nine years at Los Angeles, Riley stepped back to be a television
analyst with NBC for one year. He then took over the New York Knicks
for four seasons before moving to Miami last year.
"I feel good. The 15 years have gone by very fast, 800 is a lot of
wins and I had some great players."
He didn't name them, but the list includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic
Johnson and Patrick Ewing.
The Heat had another reason to celebrate. It was the first time Miami
won at Market Square Arena, a streak of frustration that began when
the Heat entered the league in 1988. Riley was the team's fourth head
coach when the Heat extended the losing streak to 15 last season with
two losses.
"Most of the guys on this team don't know anything about that," Riley
said.
"I didn't find that out until we came into the locker room after the
game," said Alonzo Mourning, who kept Miami in the game by scoring 21
of his 27 points in the first half before sitting out much of the
second half because of foul problems.
"Zoe kept us in it in the first half and Tim took over in the second
half," Riley said.
The Pacers had two chances to tie or gain the lead in the final
minute. The last came after a timeout with 12.8 seconds. Haywoode
Workman missed a 3-point attempt from the top of the key and Reggie
Miller failed on a desperation buzzer shot.
"You couldn't ask for a better look than what we got," Miller said.
nba.1272vpoznanovic,
Timberwolves' Marbury sidelined with sprained ankle
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov 3, 1996 - 01:01 EST) -- Rookie point guard Stephon
Marbury won't join the Minnesota Timberwolves on their four-game road
trip that starts Sunday because of a sprained ankle, the team said
Saturday.
Marbury injured his ankle in the season opener Friday after missing a
shot 6:47 into the first quarter against San Antonio.
He returned briefly in the third quarter of Minnesota's 82-78 win. An
MRI and X-rays showed no major damage, the team said.
Marbury averaged 17.3 points per game during the preseason to lead all
rookies.
He will miss games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns,
Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers.
nba.1273vpoznanovic,
Star gives Suns a taste of what they gave up
PHOENIX (Nov 3, 1996 - 16:42 EST) -- Charles Barkley wanted to please
the fans -- as always -- when he returned to Phoenix. He also wanted
to punish the Suns.
He accomplished both goals, and then some.
Barkley's career-high 33 rebounds in a 110-95 Houston victory Saturday
night punctuated the statement he felt he owed the organization that
dealt him to the Rockets on Aug. 19.
"I wish I could have finished my career here, but they made it
personal," said Barkley, who also had 20 points. "They said a lot of
bad things behind my back."
Barkley's first appearance in the America West Arena since May 3, when
the Suns were knocked out the playoffs, was bigger than he hoped. His
11 rebounds in the first quarter, 17 at halftime and 33 for the game
set arena records. He had three more than the Suns, and the
third-highest rebounding total in Houston history.
It was the biggest effort in an NBA game since Rony Seikaly had 34
rebounds on March 3, 1993.
"Rebounding is something I've always taken pride in," said Barkley,
one of 10 players to have 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. With
three more assists, he will join Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
and Elgin Baylor as the only players to have those numbers and 3,500
assists.
"I just want to rebound," Barkley said. "I don't think I'll get 33 a
night, but everybody talks about Dennis Rodman. Dennis is a great
rebounder, but if somebody told me, 'You don't have to score. Just go
out and rebound,' I've always felt like I could get a lot of
rebounds."
Hakeem Olajuwon had 24 points and Clyde Drexler 22, and Matt Maloney
hit four 3-pointers during a 16-0 run in the first quarter. But the
night belonged to Sir Charles from his appearance in the tunnel to a
party he threw at an exclusive nightspot for players from both teams
and invited guests.
Barkley wanted to join Olajuwon and Drexler so much that he lobbied
all summer for a trade from the city where he spent four seasons. His
refusal to return and references to himself as "slave labor" made the
rift between himself and the front office ever wider.
Barkley was the first Rocket introduced, drawing tumultuous applause.
But public address announcer Jeff Munn cut the ovation short by
introducing Barkley's teammates.
"I was thinking it was typical Suns ... They were going to announce
the next guy really quickly, which they did," Barkley said.
Munn denied that he was under orders to downplay Barkley's welcome,
saying he worked the introductions at his usual pace.
Suns fans tried to treat Barkley as a threat during the game, booing
him halfheartedly during free-throw attempts. Laughter rang out when
Barkley slipped running downcourt and missed a layup.
But Olajuwon trailed Barkley and dunked the rebound, and the fans
quickly turned on the home team, which shot 25 percent in the first
quarter.
When he came out of the game with 38 seconds left, after playing 45
minutes, Barkley got more applause and smiled but didn't acknowledge
the crowd with a wave.
"We're friends on and off the court," said the Suns' Michael Finley.
"I think he wanted me to do well. In a way, I wanted him to do well,
but I didn't want him to do what he did."
Sam Cassell, one of four Rockets the Suns obtained in the trade, led
Phoenix with 22 points. He was philosophical about Barkley's tour de
force.
"Without the effort from Charles, I think we win the game, but people
have great nights like that occasionally," Cassell said.
nba.1274vpoznanovic,
NBA coaching victories
(Nov 4, 1996 - 00:12 EST) -- A list of the coaches with 500 or more
NBA victories (x-Active) through Nov. 3:
No.
1. x-Lenny Wilkens, Atl 1,014
2. Red Auerbach 938
3. Dick Motta 918
4. x-Bill Fitch, LAC 892
5. Jack Ramsay 864
6. Don Nelson 851
7. x-Cotton Fitzsimmons, Phoe 832
8. x-Pat Riley, Mia 800
9. Gene Shue 784
10. John MacLeod 707
11. Red Holzman 696
12. Doug Moe 628
13. x-Larry Brown, Ind 585
14. Chuck Daly 564
15. Al Attles 557
16. K.C. Jones 522
17. x-Jerry Sloan, Utah 515
nba.1275slalevic,
-> #1194, juniorOvakvu poruku odavno nisam video. Svaka cast.
nba.1276vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (81) AT MIAMI (94)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 26 2-4 2-2 0 3 3 2 2 1 1 6
LAETTNER F 44 10-15 10-11 0 7 7 2 4 2 3 31
MUTOMBO C 39 3-7 3-4 7 9 16 1 3 0 4 9
SMITH G 38 5-14 7-9 1 0 1 1 4 0 1 17
BLAYLOCK G 41 3-17 2-2 1 4 5 4 2 5 7 10
NORMAN 23 1-6 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 3 3
BARRY 12 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 2 4 2
NEWBILL 12 0-0 2-2 0 4 4 0 1 0 0 2
RECASNER 5 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDERSON DNP - GASTROINTESTINAL FLU
LAUDERDALE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 25-65 27-32 10 30 40 13 20 10 23 81
(.385) (.844) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 24(17 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 42 4-10 2-2 0 2 2 5 0 2 2 14
THOMAS F 23 2-8 0-0 1 5 6 1 4 2 2 4
MOURNING C 37 11-19 4-7 4 8 12 0 4 1 6 26
DANILOVIC G 38 5-12 3-4 2 2 4 6 2 0 2 14
HARDAWAY G 39 6-10 4-4 0 1 1 12 1 3 1 20
BROWN 21 1-5 1-2 3 1 4 0 5 0 0 3
ASKINS 15 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 5
AUSTIN 16 3-7 0-0 3 4 7 2 5 0 4 6
GRANT 9 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 2
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-78 14-19 13 27 40 26 25 8 18 94
(.449) (.737) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 19(13 PTS)
ATLANTA 15 24 27 15 - 81
MIAMI 25 28 23 18 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - LAETTNER 3, MUTOMBO 2, NEWBILL 2. MIAMI -
MOURNING 3, THOMAS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 4-16 (.250), CORBIN 0-2, LAETTNER 1-2, SMITH
0-1, BLAYLOCK 2-7, NORMAN 1-3, BARRY 0-1. MIAMI 10-21 (.476), MAJERLE 4-7,
DANILOVIC 1-5, HARDAWAY 4-7, ASKINS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, JOE DEROSA, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 15,113. T - 2:11.
ATLANTA (81) AT MIAMI (94)
Alonzo Mourning scored 26 points and Tim Hardaway added 20 and
12 assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 94-81 opening-night
victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Mourning, who finished with 12 rebounds, had 15 points as the
Heat opened a 53-39 halftime lead. Dan Majerle tacked on 14
points in his first game in a Miami uniform.
"It's amazing how unselfish we were," said Mourning. "Guys were
giving up the ball without even thinking about it. It shows
what being together and having a good training camp can do. It's
going to make us a better team."
Christian Laettner led the Hawks with 31 points and Steve Smith
added 17. Dikembe Mutombo had nine points, 16 rebounds and two
blocked shots in his Atlanta debut.
Laettner appeared unimpressed by the strong physical play that
usually is a hallmark Miami coach Pat Riley's teams.
"Overall, they're not a devastatingly physical team, they let me
go inside," Laettner said.
Laettner's three-pointer capped a seven-point fourth-quarter run
that cut the deficit to 78-75 with 7:50 remaining.
But Hardaway had five points and Sasha Danilovic four as Miami
came back with a 12-3 spurt that ended with Mourning's jumper
for a 92-79 lead with 48 seconds to go.
"Our bench came through," said Hardaway. "Laettner got our big
guys in trouble. But we sustained our lead and pulled away. We
knew they were a great defensive team, but we took it to them."
Atlanta's shooting percentage of 44.8 was fifth-worst in the
league last year and it continued that trend, shooting only 38.5
percent from the field. The Hawks could only muster a combined
30 points in the first and fourth periods.
Miami led 25-15 after the first quarter.
"We won't find out about this team for a month, maybe longer
because of our schedule," Riley said in reference to his team's
heavy road schedule in November.
nba.1277vpoznanovic,
CHICAGO (107) AT BOSTON (98)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 40 8-17 1-2 1 7 8 6 4 2 5 18
RODMAN F 40 6-8 1-1 2 11 13 3 3 1 1 13
LONGLEY C 11 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 2 5 0 4 4
HARPER G 25 3-4 1-2 1 1 2 5 1 2 0 7
JORDAN G 43 10-22 10-13 1 3 4 3 2 0 1 30
KUKOC 30 6-11 8-10 1 3 4 7 3 1 2 20
KERR 21 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0
WENNINGTON 10 2-3 0-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4
BROWN 5 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 4
BUECHLER 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SIMPKINS 5 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
PARISH 9 3-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 3 6
TOTALS 240 42-74 22-32 8 29 37 28 23 7 19 107
(.568) (.688) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 27 5-12 1-4 1 2 3 0 4 0 1 12
WILLIAMS F 25 6-13 2-3 2 1 3 1 4 0 1 14
ELLISON C 31 2-4 3-5 4 6 10 0 5 3 3 7
WESLEY G 41 8-16 2-2 1 2 3 6 4 2 1 19
FOX G 37 4-14 0-1 3 6 9 3 2 1 3 10
BRICKOWSKI 19 1-3 0-2 1 1 2 4 5 2 5 3
BARROS 38 9-15 4-4 0 1 1 6 2 1 3 24
DAY 20 3-7 2-2 2 2 4 0 5 1 0 9
SZABO 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0
LISTER DNP - ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR
NWOSU DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RADJA DNP - SORE RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 38-84 14-23 14 22 36 20 33 10 18 98
(.452) (.609) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
CHICAGO 27 21 32 27 - 107
BOSTON 28 31 18 21 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - KUKOC 3, RODMAN 2, LONGLEY, HARPER, WENNINGTON.
BOSTON - ELLISON 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 1-13 (.077), PIPPEN 1-3, HARPER 0-1, JORDAN
0-5, KUKOC 0-3, BUECHLER 0-1. BOSTON 8-20 (.400), WALKER 1-3, WESLEY 1-4,
FOX 2-5, BRICKOWSKI 1-2, BARROS 2-4, DAY 1-2.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - RODMAN, BOSTON - ELLISON.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, TOM WASHINGTON, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 18,624. T - 2:16.
CHICAGO (107) AT BOSTON (98)
Michael Jordan scored 30 points and Toni Kukoc added seven of
his 20 during a third-quarter burst as the Chicago Bulls opened
defense of their NBA title with a 107-98 victory over the Boston
Celtics.
Dennis Rodman added 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, who
erased a 16-point second-quarter deficit and beat the Celtics
for the eighth straight time. Chicago won its first five games
last season en route to a league-record 72-10 mark.
The Bulls trailed 59-48 at halftime but used a 17-5 run to open
a five-point lead. Kukoc scored seven points as Chicago scored
11 straight, taking a 70-65 lead on a reverse layup by Rodman
with 4:45 left in the third quarter.
Toni came in in the second half, gave us some really good
offensive output," Jordan said. "Scottie missed some really
easy shots, I missed some easy shots, we had our opportunities,
but Toni started to knock them in for us and that's the makeup
of this team."
Boston's last lead came at 75-74 with 2:30 remaining on a jumper
by Dana Barros, who scored 24 points. But Chicago reclaimed an
80-77 lead after three quarters.
"In the second half our defense started to shut them down a
little bit and get our offense going a little bit," said Jordan,
who scored just two points in the third quarter. "We couldn't
get a handle in terms of what they were running."
A jumper by David Wesley pulled Boston within one point with
7:40 to play but long-time Celtic Robert Parish scored two
straight hoops and Scottie Pippen added a basket to boost the
lead to 94-87 with 4:36 left. Boston got no closer than six
points thereafter.
Parish, the oldest player in the NBA at 43, played the first 14
seasons of his stellar career with the Celtics, winning three
championships. He signed with the Bulls as a free agent and had
all six of his points in a two-minute span of the final period.
Wesley had 19 and Eric Williams added 14 for the Celtics, who
had just 39 second-half points and haven't beaten the Bulls
since April 22nd, 1994.
"They tried to get the crowd involved, jumping up and down and
get them feeling like the game was over and that's something the
old Celtics used to do to the old Bulls," said Bulls forward
Scottie Pippen, who scored 18 points. "They'd get a lead and
you'd think the game was over and that's pretty much what we
were able to do to them in the second half."
Boston played without forward Dino Radja, who was sidelined with
a sore left knee. Rookie forward Antoine Walker started and
scored 12 points.
"I didn't know until the very beginning of the game," Walker
said of his appearance in the starting lineup. "I'm glad to see
the coach had confidence in me, especially the first game
against Scottie Pippen."
The Celts led 28-27 after one quarter and used an 18-2 burst,
capped by Wesley's basket, to build a 51-35 advantage with 5:02
left in the half. Jordan scored 13 of Chicago's 21 points in
the second period.
"Boston came out and played extremely well in the first half,"
Jordan said. "It took us a while to make some adjustments."
nba.1278vpoznanovic,
CLEVELAND (90) AT NEW JERSEY (77)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 37 7-9 5-7 2 6 8 1 4 0 3 19
MILLS F 39 5-12 2-2 2 3 5 0 1 3 1 13
WEST C 12 2-3 2-2 1 0 1 1 3 1 1 6
BRANDON G 37 9-19 5-6 0 6 6 5 4 2 3 25
SURA G 38 4-10 0-0 2 4 6 3 3 1 0 8
FERRY 33 3-9 2-2 2 2 4 2 2 0 2 9
GEARY 12 1-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3
POTAPENKO 11 2-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 1 1 4
MARSHALL 11 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 0 3 3
LANG 9 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
THOMAS 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 34-72 17-20 12 23 35 16 24 10 15 90
(.472) (.850) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 15(14 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OBANNON F 22 3-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 8
WILLIAMS F 33 2-9 4-8 2 10 12 0 2 1 5 8
BRADLEY C 35 2-5 5-8 2 6 8 1 2 0 3 9
PACK G 27 2-6 1-2 0 1 1 6 2 1 2 5
GILL G 41 5-15 12-12 2 3 5 3 4 1 5 22
ASKEW 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
KITTLES 23 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 5
MCDANIEL 19 1-4 0-0 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 3
REEVES 28 6-7 0-1 0 1 1 1 3 1 3 17
MASSENBURG 5 0-1 0-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
CALDWELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 23-58 22-33 11 24 35 13 19 7 21 77
(.397) (.667) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 22(24 PTS)
CLEVELAND 28 25 17 20 - 90
NEW JERSEY 19 20 16 22 - 77
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - FERRY. NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 5, WILLIAMS,
REEVES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 5-10 (.500), MILLS 1-2, BRANDON 2-3, SURA
0-1, FERRY 1-2, MARSHALL 1-1, LANG 0-1. NEW JERSEY 9-18 (.500), OBANNON
2-4, PACK 0-2, GILL 0-1, KITTLES 1-4, MCDANIEL 1-2, REEVES 5-5.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, FERRY, NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, BILL SPOONER, GREG WILLARD.
A - 18,316. T - 2:09.
CLEVELAND (90) AT NEW JERSEY (77)
Terrell Brandon scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter
as the Cleveland Cavaliers spoiled the NBA debut of New Jersey
Nets coach John Calipari with a 90-77 season-opening victory.
Brandon scored seven points and Chris Mills hit two free throws
to close a 9-0 burst that gave the Cavaliers an 82-69 advantage
with 4:10 remaining.
"We played under control in the first half, I was getting the
ball to the right players," Brandon said. "I accept the
challenge to get our team to play well. We executed well down
the stretch. We just have to take it one game at a time, play
hard, don't get caught up in everything."
Calipari signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Nets
after leading the University of Massachusetts to a 35-2 record
and the Final Four last season. The Nets, who were 30-52 last
season, matched a team record with nine three-pointers but set
team record lows with 23 baskets and 58 attempts.
"This game wasn't pleasant to watch or coach," Calipari said.
"We had no motion, no continuity. We just aren't playing well
together. I wish we could have played better. We had good
signs, but we have a long way to get home. Near the end we hung
tough, we have to start playing off one another.
Tyrone Hill had 19 points and eight rebounds and Mills added 13
points for Cleveland, which opened the 1995-96 season with seven
straight losses. The Cavaliers lost two of three to the Nets
last season.
"We were able to hit some key shots down the stretch," Cleveland
coach Mike Fratello said. "I think Tyrone came up with some big
shots for us. This is a new group of guys and it's nice to get
a win on the first day of the season. Up until a certain point,
the flow was cruising along but then it sort of went down.
That's when the Nets started their run."
Kendall Gill scored 22 points and Khalid Reeves added 15 of his
17 on three-pointers for the Nets. Reeves made a trio of
three-pointers and Kerry Kittles hit another as New Jersey
opened the final quarter with a 14-3 burst to close within 73-69
before Cleveland answered with nine straight points.
"The three-point shot got is going and we played off that
emotion," Calipari said. "Khalid played well and therefore,
played a lot of minutes. He was hitting the three and that's
what started us on the run."
"It's good to know that coach doesn't hold grudges," said
Reeves, who was kicked out of practice Wednesday. "I don't know
if more minutes will open up for me, we'll just have to take it
day by day."
Gill made a pair of free throws to start the game but the
Cavaliers answered with 12 straight points and never trailed
thereafter. New Jersey did not make a field goal until Ed
O'Bannon hit a three-pointer with 7:47 left in the first.
nba.1279vpoznanovic,
DALLAS (92) AT DENVER (91)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 33 6-14 3-3 0 3 3 2 5 2 1 16
MEYER F 23 2-7 2-2 1 3 4 0 6 1 3 6
MONTROSS C 24 3-5 0-0 2 5 7 1 3 0 2 6
KIDD G 33 3-11 0-0 1 4 5 9 1 2 3 7
JACKSON G 38 9-20 8-9 7 4 11 3 1 2 3 28
GATLING 22 8-13 1-6 6 4 10 0 5 2 2 17
MILLER 24 2-6 0-0 2 8 10 1 1 2 3 4
HARPER 15 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 0
MASHBURN 14 1-6 2-4 0 1 1 1 4 1 2 4
DUMAS 10 1-4 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 4
ROBERTS 4 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-88 18-26 20 33 53 21 30 13 20 92
(.398) (.692) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 22(22 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L ELLIS F 33 5-16 11-16 3 6 9 1 5 3 6 21
D ELLIS F 31 2-9 2-4 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 6
JOHNSON C 43 3-8 3-4 6 11 17 0 3 1 0 9
JACKSON G 34 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 7 2 0 3 7
STITH G 37 5-15 5-5 3 5 8 2 3 2 2 15
MCDYESS 17 3-9 1-3 3 4 7 0 1 0 2 7
MARCIULIONIS 18 4-9 5-6 1 2 3 1 2 0 2 14
PIERCE 9 1-3 3-3 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 5
MURDOCK 14 3-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 7
THOMPSON 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
HAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HAMMONDS DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 28-78 32-43 18 29 47 13 21 9 20 91
(.359) (.744) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 21(17 PTS)
DALLAS 26 22 20 24 - 92
DENVER 26 22 23 20 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MILLER 2, MCCLOUD, MONTROSS, JACKSON, GATLING,
MASHBURN. DENVER - L ELLIS 3, JOHNSON 3, THOMPSON 2, MCDYESS,
MARCIULIONIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 4-18 (.222), MCCLOUD 1-5, KIDD 1-4, JACKSON 2-5,
MASHBURN 0-2, DUMAS 0-2. DENVER 3-8 (.375), L ELLIS 0-2, D ELLIS 0-1,
JACKSON 1-1, STITH 0-2, MARCIULIONIS 1-1, MURDOCK 1-1.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - GATLING, DENVER - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, JACK NIES, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 16,104. T - 2:15.
DALLAS (92) AT DENVER (91)
Chris Gatling's dunk with seven seconds remaining capped a
last-minute comeback as the Dallas Mavericks scored the final
five points to give rookie coach Jim Cleamons a 92-91 victory
over the Denver Nuggets in the season opener.
"Well, that's one game down and 81 to go," said Cleamons, who
left his position as an assistant with the NBA champion Chicago
Bulls. "If the guys make me work this hard, I'll be an old man
by the end of the season. We had some lapses but we are getting
better. I'm happy with the way our guys performed."
Gatling's game-winning basket was set up by a steal by Oliver
Miller with 13 seconds to go. Gatling was fouled and missed the
free throw, but Gatling corraled the offensive rebound. Denver's
Bryant Stith stole a pass and drove the length of the court for
a basket that came after the buzzer.
"I couldn't hear the buzzer at all," Stith said. "The crowd was
loud. I was just trying to get the ball down the court quickly.
With everyone in disarray, that's the best chance to score."
"I thought Bryant did rught thing by not calling timeout at the
end because we had them scattered around," Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said.
The Mavericks allowed seven straight points and trailed 91-87
before Jimmy Jackson made a free throw with 58 seconds to go and
added a jumper 29 seconds later.
Jackson had 28 points and 11 rebounds and Gatling added 17 and
10 for the Mavericks, who have beaten Denver three consecutive
times. Gatling was signed as a free agent during the off-season.
"One thing is constant with this team," Jackson said. "We're
not going to give up. When we run this offense correctly, we'll
get good shots and we'll make defensive adjustments as we go."
LaPhonso Ellis scored 21 points and Stith added 15 for Denver.
Center Ervin Johnson, signed as a free agent to replace the
departed Dikembe Mutombo, had nine points, a career-high 17
rebounds and three blocks.
A basket by Loren Meyer gave Dallas an 87-84 lead with 3:55 to
play before Denver rallied. Stith scored four points and Ellis
three to give the Nuggets a four-point lead with 1:18 remaining.
Jackson had 17 points in the first half, which ended in a 48-48
tie. The Mavericks built a 62-54 advantage with 5:21 left on a
jumper by Jamal Mashburn, who played for the first time since
last December and scored four points. But the Nuggets closed
the quarter with a 17-6 burst and took a three-point lead into
the final period.
George McCloud had 16 points, Oliver Miller 10 rebounds and
Jason Kidd nine assists for Dallas, which shot under 40 percent
(35-of-88) from the field but held a 53-47 edge in rebounds.
Sarunas Marciulionis scored 14 points in his debut for Denver.
The Nuggets shot under 36 percent (28-of-78) and missed 11 of 43
free throws.
"I thought offensively our flow was bad and in transition we
didn't convert," Bickerstaff said. "We had good ideas but
didn't always get it done. We shot 35 percent and lose by one."
nba.1280vpoznanovic,
INDIANA (89) AT DETROIT (95)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 37 7-12 1-2 4 7 11 0 4 2 2 15
MCKEY F 29 2-6 3-4 0 5 5 2 4 0 1 8
A DAVIS C 29 5-9 4-6 1 4 5 0 3 0 4 14
BEST G 27 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 2 4 4
MILLER G 41 4-15 7-7 1 3 4 6 2 0 3 17
ROSE 23 4-8 1-2 0 0 0 4 4 1 1 10
SCOTT 13 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 2
WORKMAN 13 4-5 0-0 2 0 2 1 3 0 1 8
WILLIAMS 20 2-7 1-2 1 6 7 1 3 0 1 5
ALLEN 8 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 3 2 1 0 6
DAMPIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-74 17-23 10 26 36 19 30 6 18 89
(.446) (.739) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(15 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 41 10-18 5-7 1 7 8 5 3 1 5 25
LONG F 23 1-2 0-0 2 3 5 1 4 0 3 2
THORPE C 27 5-8 1-4 3 2 5 2 5 3 3 11
CURRY G 10 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 2
DUMARS G 39 7-15 10-10 0 3 3 1 1 3 2 27
MAHORN 15 1-2 2-2 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 4
MILLS 15 0-3 2-2 2 4 6 1 1 1 2 2
HUNTER 40 5-13 3-4 0 3 3 1 1 0 1 16
AUGMON 28 2-4 2-6 1 5 6 0 1 1 1 6
RATLIFF 2 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-68 25-35 11 28 39 12 22 10 17 95
(.471) (.714) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 19(21 PTS)
INDIANA 17 28 14 30 - 89
DETROIT 16 25 27 27 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - MILLER 2, D DAVIS, A DAVIS. DETROIT - AUGMON 2,
MILLS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 6-21 (.286), MCKEY 1-3, BEST 0-3, MILLER 2-8,
ROSE 1-1, WORKMAN 0-1, WILLIAMS 0-1, ALLEN 2-4. DETROIT 6-20 (.300), HILL
0-1, CURRY 0-2, DUMARS 3-6, MILLS 0-1, HUNTER 3-10.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, KEN MAUER, WOODY MAYFIELD.
A - 21,450. T - 2:20.
INDIANA (89) AT DETROIT (95)
Joe Dumars scored 27 points, including four free throws in the
final 26 seconds, and shut down Reggie Miller defensively as the
Detroit Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers, 95-89.
Dumars, who made all 10 of his free throw attempts, hit a pair
of free throws with 25.8 seconds left to give Detroit a 93-88
advantage. He added another pair from the line with 2.3 seconds
remaining as Detroit won its season opener for the first time
since 1990.
"It felt really good to be called on to do a lot," Dumars said.
"That's the role I'm used to and the one I like. I've guarded
all the guys like that: Michael, Magic, everybody. You are not
going to stop them completely, but you have to clamp down on
them at key stages of the game. That's what I did in the third
quarter."
Grant Hill added 25 points and a team-high eight rebounds and
five assists for the Pistons. Detroit also received a pair of
clutch layups from Otis Thorpe down the stretch.
"This was a nice win to start because we didn't want to start
the season in a hole again, especially since we're still trying
to get comfortable with each other," Hill said.
"That was great opener for us," Pistons coach Doug Collins said.
"We were really tight and got into some foul trouble, but we
guarded people and kept ourselves in the game. That's what we
have to do all season. New logo, new unis and a new floor but
the same old Joe. He won it for us with his shooting and
especially with his defense on Reggie."
Miller was guarded by Dumars and held to 17 points on 4-of-15
shooting. Dale Davis added 16 points and 11 rebounds for
Indiana.
"We had our shots," said Miller. "In today's game you just want
to give yourself a shot. We made some big stops, but then
didn't hit our shots. When they had to, they hit theirs. We
have to play better defense. I'm not worried about my shot, I'm
worried about the team defense."
"Dumars was great, he made the shots when he needed to," Indiana
coach Larry Brown said.
Indiana started its season without starting center Rik Smits,
who is still recovering from off-season surgery on both feet.
Tied at 83, Hill hit a jump shot to give the Pistons the lead
with just over three minutes left. Dumars then hit a jumper,
but Indiana's Jalen Rose sank a free throw to draw Indiana
within 87-84.
Thorpe hit a layup with 2:08 to go but again Indiana answered on
a basket by Haywoode Workman and a layup by Rose. Thorpe hit a
layup to push the advantage to 91-88 and Dumars added the two
free throws.
Derrick McKey made a free throw with 17 seconds left to draw the
Pacers within 93-89, but Dumars sealed the victory with two more
free throws.
Antonio Davis started in Smits' place and scored 14 points,
including six in the first quarter. The Pacers extended their
advantage to 45-41 at the half as Miller scored five points.
Dumars had 12 points in the third quarter as the Pistons used a
17-7 run to turn the halftime deficit into a 68-59 advantage.
nba.1281vpoznanovic,
LA CLIPPERS (97) AT GOLDEN STATE (85)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 15 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 2
VAUGHT F 39 9-19 1-2 3 11 14 2 3 0 4 19
DUCKWORTH C 24 4-8 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 4 8
RICHARDSON G 30 7-9 0-2 1 3 4 9 3 3 1 16
SEALY G 39 7-15 1-2 3 5 8 1 1 1 2 15
D MARTIN 19 3-7 6-6 1 0 1 5 3 0 2 13
MURRAY 32 5-11 2-2 1 6 7 1 6 2 3 13
ROBERTS 9 1-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 2
DEHERE 9 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
OUTLAW 24 4-9 1-1 4 4 8 1 1 1 0 9
PIATKOWSKI DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-86 11-15 16 33 49 21 27 7 20 97
(.477) (.733) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(14 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 32 4-10 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 2 1 8
SMITH F 38 2-9 4-5 0 5 5 3 3 3 3 8
FULLER C 28 4-11 0-0 4 1 5 2 2 1 2 8
PRICE G 31 4-9 9-10 1 4 5 2 3 1 2 19
SPREWELL G 44 8-18 9-11 3 10 13 6 1 0 5 29
ARMSTRONG 16 1-5 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 2
ROZIER 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
COLES 24 3-8 1-1 2 2 4 1 3 1 2 8
DECLERCQ 7 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 3 0
OWES 15 1-2 1-2 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 3
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-75 24-29 12 27 39 20 17 8 20 85
(.360) (.828) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(21 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 27 18 30 22 - 97
GOLDEN STATE 29 13 23 20 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - SEALY, OUTLAW. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 2,
SPREWELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 4-8 (.500), ROGERS 0-2, RICHARDSON 2-2, D
MARTIN 1-2, MURRAY 1-1, DEHERE 0-1. GOLDEN STATE 7-18 (.389), MULLIN 0-1,
PRICE 2-5, SPREWELL 4-7, ARMSTRONG 0-2, COLES 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON OLESIAK, JOE FORTE, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 15,593. T - 1:57.
LA CLIPPERS (97) AT GOLDEN STATE (85)
Loy Vaught scored 19 points and sparked a third-quarter run as
the Los Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 97-85, in
the first game at San Jose Arena.
Vaught also grabbed 14 rebounds. Pooh Richardson had 16 points
and nine assists and Malik Sealy added 15 points for Los
Angeles, which used an 11-2 run in the third quarter to expand a
one-point advantage into a 70-60 lead with 1:57 left.
Vaught ignited the run with a layup and capped it with a free
throw. Kevin Duckworth had four points during the stretch.
"We've played well like that for spurts of quarters, but you
never know during the exhibition season whether it's because of
the different combinations or what," admitted Clippers coach
Bill Fitch, who remains five losses away from 1,000.
Latrell Sprewell scored 29 points and newcomer Mark Price added
19 for Golden State, which will be playing at San Jose Arena
this season while the Oakland Coliseum Arena is being renovated
for next season.
"I think, deep inside, we wanted to win the first couple of
games to start the season off right," Sprewell said. "On the
other side of it, the next five or six games are going to be
pretty hard. I don't think too many people are giving us a
chance, but that's why you have to go out and play the games."
With the Clippers leading 32-31, newcomer Darrick Martin made a
layup to ignite a 13-3 run. Lamond Murray scored seven points
during the stretch, including a three-pointer that capped the
burst for a 45-34 advantage.
But Golden State bounced back by scoring the last eight points
of the half as Sprewell contributed four to close the deficit to
45-42.
Martin and Murray each finished with 13 points and Sealy grabbed
eight rebounds for Los Angeles, which outrebounded Golden State
49-39 and scored 21 points off 20 forced turnovers.
"It was a total team effort tonight at both ends of the floor,"
Martin said. "I think if we come and play team defense like
that, we are a hard team to stop. This is what we can do when we
are focused and we come out and play together as a team."
Sprewell tied his career high with 13 rebounds and added six
assists for Golden State, which shot 36 percent (27-of-75) from
the field. The Warriors could have used suspended center Rony
Seikaly, who is holding out in search of a trade. Golden State
was outscored 40-30 in the paint.
nba.1282vpoznanovic,
MILWAUKEE (111) AT PHILADELPHIA (103)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 38 8-14 2-2 0 5 5 3 3 2 3 19
BAKER F 39 7-18 11-12 6 7 13 2 5 1 5 25
LANG C 27 5-9 2-4 5 2 7 1 4 0 0 12
DOUGLAS G 31 8-13 6-8 3 3 6 8 5 0 1 22
ALLEN G 28 3-10 5-7 0 2 2 0 4 3 1 13
NEWMAN 23 2-5 2-6 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 6
GILLIAM 24 3-8 1-2 4 10 14 1 5 1 2 7
PERRY 17 2-6 2-3 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 7
WOLF 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HANCOCK 7 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0
WOOD 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-84 31-44 19 31 50 21 30 9 14 111
(.452) (.705) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 15(28 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 31 1-5 1-4 2 3 5 2 1 0 0 3
COLEMAN F 40 7-17 11-12 3 10 13 7 5 1 2 25
CAGE C 22 3-4 0-0 4 3 7 2 2 0 0 6
IVERSON G 37 12-19 4-6 2 0 2 6 5 1 3 30
STACKHOUSE G 35 6-15 2-4 0 0 0 3 2 0 4 14
MACLEAN 16 2-8 1-2 1 5 6 0 2 1 2 5
WILLIAMS 17 1-4 2-2 1 2 3 1 4 1 0 4
HARRIS 14 1-5 4-4 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 6
OVERTON 11 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 4
DAVIS 17 3-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 6 1 1 6
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
WALTERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-83 27-36 14 26 40 25 29 6 13 103
(.446) (.750) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 14(11 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 31 27 29 24 - 111
PHILADELPHIA 28 23 29 23 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER 3, ROBINSON 2, LANG 2. PHILADELPHIA -
WEATHERSPOON, COLEMAN, CAGE, WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 4-9 (.444), ROBINSON 1-3, ALLEN 2-3, NEWMAN
0-2, PERRY 1-1. PHILADELPHIA 2-10 (.200), COLEMAN 0-2, IVERSON 2-4,
STACKHOUSE 0-3, HARRIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - MACLEAN, IVERSON.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, PAUL MIHALAK, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 20,444. T - 2:26.
MILWAUKEE (111) AT PHILADELPHIA (103)
Ray Allen scored six of his 13 points down the stretch to
upstage 30 points by opposing rookie Allen Iverson as the
Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 111-103, in the
first NBA game in the CoreStates Center.
"It's nice to get on the winning side of Allen, even though he
wasn't guarding me," said Allen, who shot 3-of-10 and added
three steals. "I knew he was a competitor and is going to bring
it to the floor game in and game out."
Vin Baker scored 25 points and Sherman Douglas added 19 for the
Bucks, who blew a 14-point third-quarter lead but recovered and
gave coach Chris Ford a win in his Milwaukee debut.
"It was a very pivotal game for us because of the new staff and
all the changes that we made," Baker said. "This was a game
that tested our character. Hopefully with games like this, we
can turn Chris' hair white by the end of the season."
"We got a very good defensive effort from everyone tonight,"
said Ford, who coached the Boston Celtics for five seasons.
"Some of the things we worked on during camp paid off big-time
tonight. Our goals are to hold an opponent to a low field-goal
percentage and to outrebound them and we did that tonight."
Philadelphia shot 45 percent from the field and was beaten on
the boards, 50-40.
The 76ers took their first lead since the second quarter at
98-96 on a three-point play by Derrick Coleman with 3:39 to go.
But Milwaukee's Douglas tied it and Allen scored six points in
the next 94 seconds.
Iverson, the top overall pick in the 1996 draft, was called for
a technical foul and Allen, chosen four picks later, made the
free throw. He added a three-pointer for a 102-98 lead. After
Philadelphia's Clarence Weatherspoon and Allen each missed two
foul shots, Allen made two free throws for a 104-98 bulge with
1:57 to go.
"Everybody was into it -- my teammates, the coaches, the crowd
was into it, it was a great experience," Iverson said. "We took
a loss, but I think we learned a lot from it. It will only help
us down the road."
Coleman and Vin Baker traded a pair of free throws and Jerry
Stackhouse made one foul shot before Andrew Lang sealed it with
a dunk for a 108-101 advantage with a minute left.
Using his tremendous quickness, Iverson shot 12-of-19 from the
field and added six assists. Coleman chipped in 25 points and
13 rebounds for the 76ers, who lost their first game under new
coach Johnny Davis.
It was a learning experience for us," Davis said. "It's going to
be a step-by-step process. We're going to be scratching and
clawing for everything. We cannot afford to make mistakes down
the stretch. We cannot afford to give up second shots. We have
to execute and play good defense. All in all, it was a game that
I thought we could have won. This is a young team and we will
only get better each time out."
Douglas and Baker scored 13 points apiece as Milwaukee opened a
58-51 halftime lead. The Bucks built the advantage to 85-71 on
a 13-footer by former 76er Armon Gilliam with 3:06 left in the
third quarter.
Iverson scored 12 points in the third period as the Sixers cut
the deficit to 87-80 entering the fourth quarter.
The start of the game was delayed by an indoor fireworks display
that had to be cleaned up. Iverson had a pair of early airballs
as he showed the nerves of a rookie, but finished the opening
quarter with six points.
"I'm not making any excuses," he said. "Those were airballs,
they were baskets I should make, I wasn't nervous at all. I was
real excited about playing, I wanted to get the game on the
road. We had a little bit of a delay. I was a little upset
about that."
nba.1283vpoznanovic,
NEW YORK (107) AT TORONTO (99)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 29 4-5 4-6 1 2 3 3 6 1 4 12
B WILLIAMS F 35 4-6 4-4 2 4 6 1 4 1 1 12
EWING C 23 7-12 4-9 0 6 6 0 5 2 4 18
HOUSTON G 39 7-16 11-12 0 5 5 4 2 3 6 28
WARD G 29 1-3 2-2 1 4 5 8 3 1 2 4
STARKS 35 7-13 7-8 1 4 5 5 2 2 1 22
H WILLIAMS 20 0-4 1-2 2 1 3 0 2 1 2 1
WALLACE 24 3-9 4-8 4 6 10 0 3 2 2 10
BROOKS 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 0
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OAKLEY DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 33-68 37-51 11 33 44 23 29 15 24 107
(.485) (.725) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 24(13 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 21 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 6 0 3 6
JONES F 28 2-5 3-3 2 7 9 1 3 2 2 7
TABAK C 22 0-1 3-8 3 4 7 2 4 0 4 3
CHRISTIE G 36 8-16 4-6 0 3 3 7 0 4 5 24
STOUDAMIRE G 38 9-17 6-7 0 2 2 10 6 2 7 28
ROGERS 30 5-10 1-2 5 3 8 2 6 1 2 12
DAVIS 30 2-7 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 6
CAMBY 15 2-5 1-2 0 4 4 0 6 1 0 5
WRIGHT 19 4-9 0-2 1 1 2 0 5 0 0 8
WHITESIDE 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BENJAMIN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-78 19-32 11 26 37 24 38 11 24 99
(.436) (.594) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 24(23 PTS)
NEW YORK 26 23 25 33 - 107
TORONTO 28 17 30 24 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - B WILLIAMS, EWING, HOUSTON, STARKS, H WILLIAMS.
TORONTO - TABAK 2, CAMBY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 4-11 (.364), HOUSTON 3-5, WARD 0-2, STARKS
1-4. TORONTO 12-25 (.480), WILLIAMS 2-5, CHRISTIE 4-7, STOUDAMIRE 4-7,
ROGERS 1-2, DAVIS 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - EWING.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, PAT ADAMS.
A - 28,457. T - 2:43.
NEW YORK (107) AT TORONTO (99)
Buck Williams and Allan Houston made successful Knicks debuts by
keying a 13-4 run midway through the fourth quarter that gave
New York a 107-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors and spoiled
the coaching debut of Darrell Walker.
The Knicks, who shuffled their roster by acquiring Houston,
Larry Johnson and Chris Childs in the off-season, gave Jeff Van
Gundy a win in his first game as full-time coach.
"For some odd reason, we were stuck in mud for the first three
quarters," said Van Gundy, who replaced Don Nelson during last
season's campaign. "We became energized in the fourth. We need
to be more fundamental with the basketball."
Childs is on the injured list with a broken leg and did not
play.
It was exactly 50 years to the day that the Knicks beat the
Toronto Huskies 68-66 in the first NBA game. To honor the
event, the teams wore uniforms similar to those the clubs wore
in 1946. Toronto's uniforms featured "Huskies" across the
front.
"I'm happy about the team's effort," said Walker, who started
his playing career with the Knicks. "We didn't make any free
throws, turned the ball over 24 times, but I'm happy. The
Knicks are a team that's been picked to go to the finals. My
team was right there for the win, I'm happy."
The Raptors held a 78-76 lead when Houston, who had 28 points,
hit a jumper with 9:48 left for the game's final tie. Williams
made a jumper to give the Knicks the lead for good 48 seconds
later.
"The names on the backs of the jerseys are not going to win it
for us," Houston said. "We're really going to have to work for
it. I had a lot of adrenaline my first game as a knick. It was
nice to be part of the first win."
After Toronto's Zan Tabak made one of two free throws, Williams
made two free throws and another jumper to increase New York's
lead to five points at the 6:12 mark.
Damon Stoudamire, who led Toronto with 28 points and 10 assists,
hit a three-pointer to close the gap to 84-82 with 5:52 to play,
but New York rookie John Wallace hit a jumper, and Toronto's
Doug Christie missed a pair of free throws. Patrick Ewing made
one from the foul line and Houston closed the run with a jumper
as New York opened an 89-82 cushion with 4:04 left.
John Starks added 22 points and Ewing had 18 for the Knicks, who
were 37-of-51 from the foul line, taking advantage of 38 Toronto
fouls as four Raptors fouled out. New York committed 29 fouls,
but Toronto was just 19-of-32 from the line.
Charlie Ward, who replaced Childs as the starting point guard,
dished out eight assists and Wallace, the rookie who carried
Syracuse to the brink of a national championship last season,
had 10 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA debut.
Wallace and Williams picked up the slack for forward Charles
Oakley, who is suspended for the first two games of the season
after body-slamming Houston's Charles Barkley in the preseason.
Christie, a former Knick, had 24 points and Carlos Rogers added
12 points and eight rebounds for Toronto. Popeye Jones grabbed
nine rebounds in his Raptors debut. Marcus Camby, the second
player picked in the draft, had five points and four rebounds in
15 minutes.
Stoudamire talked about the adjustment to Walker's running
style.
"It was kind of tiring, but it was fun, the 1995 Rookie of the
year said. "Once we master this style of play, it's going to be
even better. We played well enough tonight to win, the foul
shots killed us. We didn't win, but we've got a good base to
work from."
Johnson talked about his first game as a Knick.
"We got stiff and lost a little adrenaline because of the
ceremonies, but it was for the 50th anniversary," said Johnson,
who fouled out with 12 points and three rebounds in 29 minutes.
"They played us tough, but you expect that from these guys in
their building. They were pumped and they ran well. We turned
the ball over too many times (24), but we picked it up in the
fourth quarter. ... It's good to get the first win out of the
way."
nba.1284vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX (82) AT LA LAKERS (96)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 27 0-3 0-0 0 4 4 6 3 4 2 0
GREEN F 11 0-4 2-4 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 2
KLEINE C 16 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 2
PERSON G 40 7-18 3-3 5 4 9 1 1 2 2 17
CASSELL G 38 7-18 4-4 1 2 3 6 3 1 5 20
FINLEY 37 4-8 2-2 2 4 6 2 2 1 0 11
MANNING 32 5-16 2-5 3 3 6 1 4 1 1 12
TISDALE 25 7-15 2-3 2 2 4 1 5 0 0 16
NASH 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHAPMAN 9 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-91 15-21 15 21 36 21 25 11 12 82
(.352) (.714) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 12(8 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 37 3-7 10-12 1 6 7 4 3 0 3 16
CEBALLOS F 41 5-14 4-4 2 9 11 1 3 1 8 15
ONEAL C 35 8-10 7-11 4 10 14 3 5 0 5 23
JONES G 25 4-8 0-0 1 4 5 2 5 0 1 11
VAN EXEL G 28 1-5 0-0 0 4 4 8 3 2 2 2
FISHER 20 4-5 3-6 0 2 2 5 2 0 0 12
SCOTT 25 2-7 3-5 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 8
ROOKS 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
BLOUNT 19 3-4 1-2 3 3 6 0 3 0 1 7
ROBINSON 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2
KNIGHT 1 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
BRYANT DNP - STRAINED HIP FLEXOR
TOTALS 240 31-63 28-40 11 40 51 26 26 6 23 96
(.492) (.700) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 23(30 PTS)
PHOENIX 20 20 29 13 - 82
LA LAKERS 26 31 15 24 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - HORRY 2, GREEN, MANNING. LA LAKERS - CAMPBELL
3, CEBALLOS 2, ONEAL 2, SCOTT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 3-13 (.231), HORRY 0-1, PERSON 0-3, CASSELL
2-5, FINLEY 1-1, NASH 0-1, CHAPMAN 0-2. LA LAKERS 6-18 (.333), CEBALLOS
1-5, JONES 3-6, VAN EXEL 0-2, FISHER 1-1, SCOTT 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE CALLAHAN, TOMMY NUNEZ, DICK BAVETTA.
A - 17,505. T - 2:22.
PHOENIX (82) AT LA LAKERS (96)
Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 14 rebounds in his Lakers
debut and Eddie Jones scored eight of his 11 points in 15-4 run
to close the game as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the
new-look Phoenix Suns, 96-82, to win their fifth straight home
opener.
O'Neal, who signed a seven-year, $121 million free agent deal in
the off-season, scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. Elden
Campbell scored 16 points for the Lakers, who won their season
opener for the eighth time in 10 years.
"It's all about winning," O'Neal said. "It's always good to
start on the right foot. But keep in mind, it's 80 games. We're
1-0, (playing) 1.000. We just have to come out and play."
"Basically we had to come in and do it defensively with
rebounding and stealing the ball," Jones said. "I was on the
bench for three quarters with foul trouble. Once I got into the
fourth quarter, I had two fouls to give. I just took my shots
when I had them."
Cedric Ceballos, who grabbed 11 rebounds, scored all 15 of his
points in the first half as Los Angeles took a 57-40 lead at the
half.
"I have mixed feelings," began Lakers coach Del Harris. "I
don't look at victories as the gift horse in the mouth. A
victory is a victory and sometimes you play better than others.
Tonight wasn't any game that you would save the footage from and
put in Cooperstown. It was kind of a typical first encounter, a
lot of sloppy play.
"Nonetheless, the good news is we displayed not only the will to
win but the know-how to win in the fourth quarter. We were in
some dire circumstances with Shaq having five fouls and Phoenix
having the momentum."
Newcomer Sam Cassell scored 20 points and Wesley Person added 17
for the Suns, who dropped their fourth consecutive road opener.
Cassell came over in the blockbuster off-season trade, along
with forwards Robert Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown, that
sent All-Star forward Charles Barkley to Houston.
"We were at a disadvantage from the start by giving them the big
lead," Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "But I thought we
would come out of it. They kept battling and battling, but they
couldn't finsish. Some baskets just wouldn't fall for us. When
Shaq was not in there, we came back. When he was in, they
played well."
Cassell and Person each scored six points in the third quarter
as the Suns closed within 72-69 entering the final period.
"They played well," Cassell said. "They won the game. They have
a good team. We ran out of gas and they went on and did what
they had to."
Phoenix took a 78-77 lead on basket by Wayman Tisdale with about
eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Jones triggered a
10-0 run with a basket and capped it with a three-pointer for an
87-78 lead with 5:18 left.
Tisdale finished with 16 points for Phoenix, which has lost four
consecutive meetings to Los Angeles by a combined 51 points. The
Suns shot 35 percent (32-of-91) from the field and were
outrebounded 51-36.
About guarding O'Neal, Tisdale said, "It's like guarding
Hercules."
nba.1285vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (114) AT VANCOUVER (85)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 29 8-15 4-6 0 2 2 1 2 0 2 22
WALLACE F 26 5-7 0-2 2 2 4 1 2 0 1 10
SABONIS C 23 3-5 3-7 3 7 10 2 3 1 7 9
MCKIE G 24 2-5 4-5 0 1 1 4 0 3 0 8
ANDERSON G 29 8-13 1-2 3 4 7 8 2 3 4 20
TRENT 22 6-7 3-3 3 4 7 1 0 0 1 15
DUDLEY 25 4-10 0-0 4 6 10 0 3 0 1 8
JORDAN 15 3-6 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 1 1 6
BUTLER 24 4-9 0-0 0 1 1 6 0 1 0 10
WINGFIELD 19 2-9 0-0 5 4 9 4 6 3 0 4
CHILDRESS 4 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
RIDER DNP - SUSPENDED BY TEAM
TOTALS 240 45-86 17-27 22 32 54 30 20 12 17 114
(.523) (.630) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(20 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 35 6-14 4-6 2 3 5 2 1 3 2 16
MOBLEY F 20 4-5 3-4 2 0 2 3 3 0 2 11
REEVES C 26 4-15 0-0 1 3 4 3 3 0 1 8
PEELER G 25 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 4
ANTHONY G 24 2-3 1-2 0 2 2 3 1 1 3 6
CHILCUTT 25 3-6 1-2 2 3 5 0 5 0 0 8
B EDWARDS 28 7-13 0-1 0 3 3 3 3 0 3 16
MAYBERRY 24 4-6 3-4 0 1 1 4 1 2 0 12
LYNCH 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
ROGERS 13 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 0
MOTEN 7 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0
MANNING 5 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
TOTALS 240 34-77 12-19 9 18 27 23 21 7 15 85
(.442) (.632) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(26 PTS)
PORTLAND 29 27 30 28 - 114
VANCOUVER 26 27 16 16 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - SABONIS 3, WALLACE 2, C ROBINSON, MCKIE.
VANCOUVER - CHILCUTT 2, ABDUR-RAHIM, LYNCH, ROGERS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 7-17 (.412), C ROBINSON 2-5, SABONIS 0-1,
ANDERSON 3-5, BUTLER 2-4, WINGFIELD 0-2. VANCOUVER 5-14 (.357),
ABDUR-RAHIM 0-1, PEELER 0-1, ANTHONY 1-1, CHILCUTT 1-2, B EDWARDS 2-5,
MAYBERRY 1-3, LYNCH 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - WALLACE.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 19,193. T - 2:05.
PORTLAND (114) AT VANCOUVER (85)
Clifford Robinson scored seven of his 22 points in a 16-0 burst
in the third quarter as the Portland Trail Blazers breezed to a
season-opening 114-85 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Kenny Anderson had 20 points in his debut for the Trail Blazers,
who allowed 32 second-half points and avenged an embarrassing
home loss to expansion Vancouver in their season opener last
year.
Portland led 56-53 at halftime and scored eight of the first 10
points of the third quarter. Vancouver cut the deficit to 66-61
before Robinson triggered the 16-point explosion, boosting the
lead to 21 points with 3:35 to go.
"I really liked the way we ran the floor in the third," Blazers
coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "Kenny and Cliff made some great
decisions. I thought we played well in the first two (quarters),
but the way we played in the second half, we would've beaten
anyone tonight. We were flying."
The Blazers shot 65 percent (13-of-20) in the third period and
led 86-69 entering the fourth quarter, where it was more of the
same. Gary Trent scored eight of his 15 points in the period as
Portland opened a 35-point lead in the closing minutes.
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 16 points in his NBA debut for
the Grizzlies. Center Bryant Reeves started despite an injured
hip and scored just eight points on 4-of-15 shooting.
"So many things to learn, especially in a loss," the 19-year-old
Abdur-Rahim said. "They had more to do with me not getting in
there for rebounds. I wasn't doing it from the start, but
especially in the third. We were just running up and down and
watching them score. I know I've got a whole bunch of studying
to do out there."
Portland won despite the absence of guard Isaiah Rider, who sat
out a one-game suspension for missing a team bus earlier this
week. Rider also was arrested Wednesday on marijuana possession
charges.
Chris Dudley and Arvydas Sabonis had 10 rebounds each for the
Blazers, who held a 54-27 advantage on the boards and shot 52
percent (45-of-86) from the field. Anderson, who signed as a
free agent during the off-season, added eight assists.
"I think Kenny was the key," Carlesimo said. "He made so many
good decisions on the floor. He made some great assists, moves
and shots."
"We stacked it up defensively," Anderson said. "There was hands
and arms and backs in their faces. We really turned it up in
the third. Some nights, with our size, we can kill them on the
boards."
Blue Edwards scored 11 of his 16 points in the first half to
keep the Grizzlies close.
"We've got to look around the room and see that we're not going
to score a lot of points," Edwards said. "It's pretty clear
we've got to play defensive basketball to have any chance of
hanging in there."
nba.1286vpoznanovic,
SACRAMENTO (85) AT HOUSTON (96)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 37 7-11 0-0 1 3 4 4 5 1 4 14
GRANT F 25 3-11 2-2 1 5 6 0 2 0 1 8
POLYNICE C 32 0-4 1-4 2 5 7 3 3 1 4 1
RICHMOND G 32 6-12 1-1 0 5 5 3 1 1 3 14
ABDUL-RAUF G 29 7-13 2-2 0 2 2 5 2 1 2 17
SMITH 25 2-3 4-4 2 8 10 1 4 2 4 8
SIMMONS 18 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 1 4 6
EDNEY 26 4-11 6-8 0 1 1 0 1 4 4 14
CAUSWELL 16 1-1 1-2 1 2 3 1 4 0 1 3
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OWENS DNP - STRAINED LEFT GROIN
TOTALS 240 32-72 17-23 8 32 40 18 24 11 27 85
(.444) (.739) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 27(40 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 32 7-12 3-4 4 0 4 3 4 2 0 20
WILLIS F 39 3-12 2-2 1 4 5 0 3 0 2 8
OLAJUWON C 39 5-13 7-10 3 10 13 6 2 3 4 17
DREXLER G 42 8-21 7-10 4 6 10 9 2 10 7 25
MALONEY G 32 3-8 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 8
HARRINGTON 18 4-6 0-0 3 3 6 1 2 1 2 8
LIVINGSTON 14 1-2 0-3 0 1 1 1 4 1 2 2
BULLARD 14 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 2 1 8
MACK 5 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0
MOORE 3 0-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
DAVIS 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
BARKLEY DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 34-87 20-31 17 28 45 25 19 20 21 96
(.391) (.645) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 23(21 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 24 11 19 31 - 85
HOUSTON 31 21 24 20 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - GRANT 2, RICHMOND 2, CAUSWELL 2, C
WILLIAMSON, ABDUL-RAUF. HOUSTON - OLAJUWON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 4-12 (.333), RICHMOND 1-4, ABDUL-RAUF 1-2,
SIMMONS 2-4, EDNEY 0-2. HOUSTON 8-25 (.320), ELIE 3-6, WILLIS 0-1, DREXLER
2-5, MALONEY 1-5, BULLARD 2-3, MACK 0-1, MOORE 0-3, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, ED F RUSH, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 16,285. T - 2:07.
SACRAMENTO (85) AT HOUSTON (96)
Clyde Drexler nearly recorded a rare quadruple-double with 25
points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals and nine assists as the Houston
Rockets rolled to a 96-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings in
the season opener for both teams.
Only four players in NBA history -- Nate Thurmond, Alvin
Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson -- have recorded
quadruple-doubles. Robinson was the last player to accomplish
the feat with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks
for San Antonio against Detroit on February 17, 1994.
It was the 22nd career triple-double for Drexler, who was
recently named among the NBA's top 50 players of all-time.
The Rockets played without Charles Barkley, who served a
one-game suspension for throwing punches in a preseason game.
Barkley was acquired by Houston from Phoenix in exchange for
four players in the off-season.
Mario Elie had 20 points and Hakeem Olajuwon added 17 points and
13 rebounds for Houston.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, acquired from Denver in the off-season, led
Sacramento with 17 points. Mitch Richmond, Corliss Williamson
and Tyus Edney added 14 points apiece for the Kings.
Elie hit a pair of three-pointers in a 13-2 run which opened a
43-26 lead for the Rockets. Houston led by as many as 25
points, 67-42, in the third quarter.
The Kings opened the fourth quarter with a 15-5 run to cut
Houston's lead to 12, 81-69. Williamson scored three baskets in
the spurt.
But the Rockets upped their lead to 15, 90-75, with
three-and-a-half minutes left.
nba.1287vpoznanovic,
SAN ANTONIO (78) AT MINNESOTA (82)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HERRERA F 12 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 1 0 0
ELLIOTT F 41 5-11 3-6 1 7 8 3 3 1 2 14
ANDERSON C 20 1-3 0-0 2 5 7 0 2 0 1 2
DEL NEGRO G 18 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2
JOHNSON G 25 6-11 1-2 0 1 1 5 5 0 3 14
MAXWELL 31 3-7 3-4 0 1 1 1 1 2 4 9
D WILKINS 36 7-21 2-2 3 5 8 2 2 1 2 18
SMITH 28 5-6 2-2 0 5 5 3 5 1 2 12
ALEXANDER 22 1-3 1-2 0 6 6 5 2 3 3 3
M WILLIAMS 7 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 4
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
W PERDUE DNP - FRACTURED LEFT THUMB
TOTALS 240 31-72 12-18 9 31 40 21 23 10 17 78
(.431) (.667) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 42 8-18 1-2 3 6 9 6 1 3 2 17
GUGLIOTTA F 43 9-20 6-7 3 7 10 1 2 1 4 24
VRANKOVIC C 27 3-4 0-0 0 4 4 1 2 0 1 6
WEST G 31 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 3 4
MARBURY G 8 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 2 0 0 1 0
PORTER 16 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 7
ROBINSON 30 4-10 5-8 0 1 1 5 2 0 3 15
MITCHELL 27 2-6 5-6 3 2 5 1 2 0 0 9
PARKS 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
CARR 10 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
HEAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-74 17-23 9 27 36 18 13 6 17 82
(.419) (.739) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 15 25 11 27 - 78
MINNESOTA 24 15 15 28 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - SMITH 3, D WILKINS. MINNESOTA - VRANKOVIC
5, K GARNETT 4, GUGLIOTTA 2, CARR.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 4-13 (.308), ELLIOTT 1-2, DEL NEGRO 0-1,
JOHNSON 1-1, MAXWELL 0-2, D WILKINS 2-5, ALEXANDER 0-2. MINNESOTA 3-8
(.375), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, MARBURY 0-1, PORTER 1-1, ROBINSON 2-4, CARR 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SAN ANTONIO - HEAD COACH B HILL.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TED BERNHARDT, JIM KINSEY.
A - 18,109. T - 2:07.
SAN ANTONIO (78) AT MINNESOTA (82)
James Robinson scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter
and Tom Gugliotta scored 24 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves
took advantage of the absence of injured David Robinson and
edged the San Antonio Spurs, 82-78, in the season opener for
both teams.
After San Antonio's Dominique Wilkins made a three-pointer to
tie the game 56-56 early in the third quarter, Robinson sank a
three-pointer on the next possession to give Minnesota the lead
for good.
Minnesota took a 67-59 lead with 6:51 to go on a pair of free
throws by Sam Mitchell, but San Antonio chipped away and cut the
deficit to 73-72 on Charles Smith's 15-footer with 2:04 left.
But Robinson answered with a three-pointer and the Timberwolves
built the lead to six on a jumper by Kevin Garnett, who finished
with 17 points.
After Wilkins hit a three-pointer with 62 seconds left,
Gugliotta nailed a 14-footer and Robinson hit two free throws to
ice the game.
"I have been to the Target Center a lot of times and this, by
far, was great atmosphere," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders.
"When the game started, the fans were into the game. And down
the stretch, they gave us a lift defensively."
Minnesota played most of the game without 19-year-old rookie
guard Stephon Marbury. The former Georgia Tech star twisted his
right ankle early in the game. He returned with 9:14 to go in
the third quarter, but left under three minutes later after
aggravating the injury. He did not score in eight minutes.
"Young kids like that usually haven't sprained their ankles that
much," said Saunders. "Usually they bounce back pretty quick.
With a day's rest and going out to Los Angeles and a chance to
play at the Forum, I think he'll be ready to play on Sunday."
The Timberwolves, who sported new uniforms and a new logo at
center court of the Target Center, won for just the fifth time
in 35 career meetings against the the Spurs.
Wilkins, signed as a free agent during the off-season, scored 18
points in his Spurs debut. He is the eighth-leading scorer in
NBA history but played last season in Greece.
"Putting in the new offense has been tough," said Smith. "During
the game, you had to react, you don't have time to think. I
don't want to make excuses. We had our chances to win."
Robinson, who recently was voted as one of the top 50 players of
all-time, will miss at least the first five games of the season
with a lower back injury. Will Perdue was expected to take
Robinson's place, but he has a broken thumb. The tandem of Greg
Anderson and Charles Smith played center and combined for 14
points.
Gugliotta was 9-for-20 from the field and added 10 rebounds.
Center Stojko Vrankovic set a career high with five blocked
shots.
Minnesota was outscored on the fast break 15-0, but had 11
second-chance points while holding San Antonio to just two. The
Timberwolves connected on just 42 percent (31-of-74) from the
field.
nba.1288vpoznanovic,
SEATTLE (91) AT UTAH (99)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 40 8-16 7-8 0 8 8 4 5 1 2 24
KEMP F 35 7-15 11-14 4 8 12 1 6 0 5 26
MCILVAINE C 23 2-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 4 0 0 4
HAWKINS G 32 1-3 3-4 1 4 5 1 1 0 0 5
PAYTON G 39 9-15 4-6 2 4 6 6 1 3 4 24
PERKINS 33 3-11 1-2 0 5 5 0 3 0 0 8
EHLO 21 0-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 2 0 0
MCMILLAN 16 0-4 0-0 2 1 3 3 5 0 1 0
STEWART 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SNOW DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-75 26-34 12 34 46 16 26 6 12 91
(.400) (.765) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 12(23 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 34 3-8 3-4 0 2 2 2 4 0 1 12
MALONE F 40 11-20 5-8 4 9 13 5 5 1 3 27
OSTERTAG C 17 0-4 2-4 1 3 4 0 4 0 1 2
HORNACEK G 37 2-8 4-5 1 3 4 8 3 2 0 9
STOCKTON G 38 8-14 6-7 1 4 5 8 2 3 1 24
EISLEY 8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 3
CARR 31 6-11 3-4 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 15
FOSTER 8 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 2
MORRIS 8 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 0
KEEFE 14 1-2 0-1 3 2 5 0 0 0 0 2
ANDERSON 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
THOMPSON 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 34-78 23-33 11 32 43 26 27 7 9 99
(.436) (.697) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 9(16 PTS)
SEATTLE 23 23 25 20 - 91
UTAH 28 25 22 24 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 4, KEMP, PAYTON. UTAH - CARR 3,
RUSSELL, MALONE, OSTERTAG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 5-18 (.278), D SCHREMPF 1-3, KEMP 1-1, HAWKINS
0-2, PAYTON 2-2, PERKINS 1-5, EHLO 0-2, MCMILLAN 0-3. UTAH 8-18 (.444),
RUSSELL 3-4, HORNACEK 1-2, STOCKTON 2-5, EISLEY 1-2, MORRIS 0-3, ANDERSON
1-2.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, MCMILLAN, UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE
2, FOSTER.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, DAVID JONES, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 19,911. T - 20:56.
SEATTLE (91) AT UTAH (99)
Karl Malone scored 27 points, including six in a decisive
fourth-quarter run, and John Stockton added 24 and eight assists
as the Utah Jazz opened the season with a 99-91 victory over the
Seattle SuperSonics in a rematch of last year's Western
Conference final.
Trailing 81-80 with 6:45 remaining, the Jazz used a 19-10 run to
close out the game. Malone and Antoine Carr had six points
apiece during the spurt and Stockton added five.
Malone made 11-of-20 from the field and led Utah with 13
rebounds.
"We are going to saddle up and ride Karl forever," Stockton
said. "He is our go-to guy and the best power forward in the
game and people just keep thinking he's getting old and he just
gets better and better."
Shawn Kemp led Seattle with 26 points and Detlef Schrempf and
Gary Payton added 24 apiece. But Kemp and Schrempf were held to
four points each in the final period as the Utah defense kept
Seattle in check for the first nine minutes of the fourth
quarter.
The Sonics shot just 40 percent (30-of-75) from the floor and
5-of-18 from beyond the arc. After Kemp, Schrempf and Payton
the rest of the team combined to shoot 6-of-29 and scored 17
points.
"We've got to get a better feel for each other," Kemp said. "The
same thing happened last year. Any time you make new changes
your going to have a little different identity."
Trailing by a point with 6:45 to play, the Jazz took an 82-81
lead on a jumper by Carr. Stockton hit a jumper and Jeff
Hornacek and Malone capped the 8-0 run with layups. Hornacek,
who made just 2-of-8 from the floor, had eight assists for Utah.
"I was really pleased with the way the team played down the
stretch," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I didn't like the way
some of the younger guys played. If they're going to turn the
ball over the way we were during pre-season, then I just can't
play them."
Malone and Bryon Russell had eight points apiece during the
first quarter as Utah built a 28-23 advantage. Stockton had a
big second period as the Jazz extended the advantage to seven
points at halftime.
Kemp had eight points and Schrempf added six as Seattle drew
within 75-71 after three quarters. The lead switched back and
forth until Carr's basket sparked the key run.
Jim McIlvaine made his Seattle debut and played just 23 minutes,
battling foul trouble he scored only four points and grabbed
four rebounds.
Russell made 3-of-4 three-point attempts for the Jazz, who were
8-of-18 from beyond the arc.
"I set goals for myself to be a better player than I was last
year, and I think I have," Russell said. "I mean, it's only one
game, so we'll see as we go along."
nba.1289vpoznanovic,
WASHINGTON (96) AT ORLANDO (92)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 34 3-4 4-4 1 6 7 2 3 0 2 11
HOWARD F 40 6-12 4-4 5 5 10 6 4 0 8 16
WEBBER C 37 7-16 5-10 0 1 1 2 5 3 3 19
CHEANEY G 32 4-12 1-1 1 3 4 1 0 0 1 9
STRICKLAND G 36 7-10 6-9 0 3 3 9 2 2 0 20
JACKSON 14 4-6 2-2 0 1 1 2 4 0 0 12
MURRAY 16 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 1 5
WALLACE 19 0-3 0-0 4 6 10 0 1 3 1 0
WHITNEY 12 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 4
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 35-74 22-30 11 26 37 25 24 10 16 96
(.473) (.733) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROYAL F 29 4-10 4-4 1 0 1 1 3 0 3 12
GRANT F 38 5-13 4-4 6 11 17 2 2 3 2 14
SPENCER C 19 2-2 0-0 5 1 6 1 2 0 1 4
ANDERSON G 38 6-19 0-0 0 5 5 2 3 2 0 15
HARDAWAY G 38 6-22 7-9 1 2 3 6 3 1 1 19
VAUGHN 21 3-4 1-1 4 3 7 0 2 0 3 7
WILKINS 23 4-8 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 0 3 9
SHAW 12 1-6 1-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 2 4
STRONG 17 4-6 0-0 4 1 5 1 3 0 1 8
ARMSTRONG 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - STRAINED LEFT HAMSTRING
TOTALS 240 35-91 17-20 22 26 48 17 22 7 16 92
(.385) (.850) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 17(21 PTS)
WASHINGTON 18 27 24 27 - 96
ORLANDO 26 26 19 21 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - GRANT 3, WEBBER 3, CHEANEY 2, HOWARD, MURRAY.
ORLANDO - GRANT, ANDERSON, STRONG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 4-13 (.308), GRANT 1-2, WEBBER 0-2, CHEANEY
0-1, STRICKLAND 0-1, JACKSON 2-3, MURRAY 1-4. ORLANDO 5-23 (.217),
ANDERSON 3-12, HARDAWAY 0-6, WILKINS 1-3, SHAW 1-2.
TECHNICALS: ORLANDO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, GEORGE TOLIVER, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 17,248. T - 2:22.
WASHINGTON (96) AT ORLANDO (92)
Rod Strickland had 20 points and nine assists in his Washington
debut as the Bullets handed the Orlando Magic an immediate home
loss, 96-92, in the first game of the post-Shaq era.
The Magic won their first 33 games at Orlando Arena last season
before suffering their first loss. But Orlando is a different
team this year without All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal, who
signed a seven-year, $123 million free agent contract with the
Los Angeles Lakers in the off-season.
But the loss was not without controversy. Gerald Wilkins hit
what appeared to be a game-tying three-point jumper from the
left corner with 7.4 seconds left for Orlando. But officials
ruled Wilkins' right foot was on the three-point line and called
it a two-point basket, leaving the Magic one point behind at
93-92.
"I thought it was a three," said Magic coach Brian Hill. "My
assistant said watching the replay inside it showed floor
between his foot and the line. But the official called a two
and it changes the whole outcome of the game."
"They said his foot was on the line, but that was a clutch
shot," said Strickland. "I was over there and I knew it was
good. I wasn't looking at his feet."
Juwan Howard then hit a pair of free throws with 6.5 seconds
left and Chris Webber added a free throw in the final seconds to
seal the win for Washington.
Orlando led by as many as 18 points, 48-30, in the second
quarter, but was unable to knock out the Bullets. Washington
closed the half with a 15-4 run to pull within 52-45.
"We showed mental toughness despite an 18-point deficit," said
Howard. "We came back and hung in there. This team has a lot
of heart and won't die. Tonight was a prime example of that."
The Magic opened the lead to 11, 68-57, in the third quarter but
the Bullets again battled back. Washington closed the quarter
with a 12-3 spurt to pull within 71-69.
The Bullets then took control with a 9-0 fourth quarter run. A
layup by Strickland capped the run and gave the Bullets an 80-75
lead with 7:40 left.
"He (Strickland) gives us a big boost, because he is one of the
premier point guards in the league," said Bullets coach Jim
Lynam. "He also gives us that floor leadership that may have
been lacking in the past. Brent Price did a great job last
year, but Rod is in a class of his own. We are happy to have
him aboard."
Webber, who missed 54 games last season with a separated
shoulder, had 19 points and Howard added 16 points and 10
rebounds for the Bullets.
"I was like a baby in Toys-R-Us, a kid in the candy store," said
Howard. "I was so excited to get this started."
Penny Hardaway played with a sore hamstring and led Orlando with
19 points, but hit just 6-of-22 shots from the field.
"They're going to miss Shaquille," said Webber. "A football
team would miss him. Penny's gonna have to put everybody on his
shoulders."
Nick Anderson had 15 points, but converted only 6-of-19 shots
from the field, and Horace Grant collected 14 points and 17
rebounds for the Magic.
Orlando played without starting forward Dennis Scott, who was
sidelined with a strained left hamstring. He started all 82
games last season and appeared in 129 consecutive games.
The Bullets received valuable contributions from their bench.
Jaren Jackson scored 12 points in 14 minutes and rookie Ben
Wallace grabbed 10 rebounds in 19 minutes of play for
Washington.
"I really think our bench is going to be our strong point this
year," said Webber. "They did a great job for us. They give us
a hard time in practice every day."
nba.1290vpoznanovic,
BOSTON (102) AT MILWAUKEE (124)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RADJA F 30 5-7 0-0 1 7 8 1 2 0 4 10
FOX F 29 5-13 1-2 4 2 6 1 5 0 1 11
ELLISON C 16 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 6 0 1 0
BARROS G 41 4-14 0-0 0 6 6 4 3 1 0 8
WALKER G 30 5-14 12-12 2 1 3 3 3 2 7 23
DAY 33 5-9 11-13 4 2 6 2 3 3 2 21
BRICKOWSKI 16 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 6 1 1 4
WILLIAMS 21 5-9 6-7 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 16
CONLON 16 2-5 4-4 3 2 5 1 1 0 1 8
SZABO 8 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 1
LISTER DNP - INJURED RIGHT SHOULDER
WESLEY DNP - SORE FOOT
TOTALS 240 33-80 35-40 16 25 41 16 30 7 17 102
(.413) (.875) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 17(30 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 22 7-10 4-5 1 4 5 0 5 1 2 18
ROBINSON F 28 8-16 4-6 1 3 4 5 3 0 0 21
LANG C 24 2-4 0-0 2 4 6 0 2 1 0 4
ALLEN G 21 7-10 2-3 1 2 3 2 1 3 1 18
DOUGLAS G 27 3-4 1-2 0 1 1 6 1 1 4 7
GILLIAM 29 4-9 9-12 4 8 12 2 3 1 1 17
NEWMAN 22 9-13 2-2 1 1 2 2 5 0 0 21
PERRY 21 0-4 2-2 1 2 3 5 2 0 1 2
HANCOCK 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
WOLF 18 2-3 2-2 1 3 4 1 3 0 1 6
RESPERT 15 1-5 4-4 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 7
WOOD 6 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3
TOTALS 240 44-81 30-38 13 31 44 25 30 7 10 124
(.543) (.789) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(14 PTS)
BOSTON 21 15 33 33 - 102
MILWAUKEE 35 29 32 28 - 124
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA 2, ELLISON, DAY. MILWAUKEE - ROBINSON 2,
LANG 2, GILLIAM.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 1-12 (.083), FOX 0-2, BARROS 0-5, WALKER 1-2,
DAY 0-1, BRICKOWSKI 0-2. MILWAUKEE 6-10 (.600), ROBINSON 1-1, ALLEN 2-4,
NEWMAN 1-1, RESPERT 1-3, WOOD 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: TED BERNHARDT, RON GARRETSON, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 17,275. T - 2:17.
BOSTON (102) AT MILWAUKEE (124)
Ray Allen, Vin Baker and Johnny Newman helped spark a pair of
first-quarter runs as the Milwaukee Bucks broke on top early and
never looked back in 124-102 rout of the Boston Celtics.
Allen, the fifth player selected in the 1996 draft, scored 10
points in the opening quarter and keyed an 9-0 burst that turned
a one-point Milwaukee lead into a 25-15 advantage.
"It was very exciting playing at the Bradley Center," Allen
said. "I just tried to have a good time because that's when I
play my best. Johnny Newman shows me so much by just being on
the court. I'm watching him constantly and always learning from
him."
After the Celtics pulled within four, Baker and Newman combined
on an 8-0 run that pushed the lead to 33-19. The Celtics never
recovered, failing to cut the lead to single digits thereafter.
Newman and Glenn Robinson led the Bucks with 21 points apiece
and Armon Gilliam added 17 and 12 rebounds. Newman, who had 19
of his 21 points in the first half, shot 9-of-13 from the field.
Baker and Allen each made 7-of-10 shots as the Bucks shot 54
percent (44-of-81) from the floor and 6-of-10 from three-point
range.
"We had a great team effort," said Bucks coach Chris Ford, who
was facing the team he coached for five seasons. "A lot of guys
made a contribution. We owe it to the fans of Milwaukee to give
a maximum effort at home. Ray Allen is a steady, consistent
player; he doesn't make waves and just plays his game."
Rookie Antoine Walker led the Celtics with 23 and Todd Day added
21. Boston, which trailed by as many as 36 points, scored just
15 points in the second quarter.
"Tonight we came out as passive as we were strong in Chicago,"
Celtics coach M.L. Carr said. "That's not the team we are going
to have. The effort was unacceptable and will be corrected. The
margin of victory explains what happens when you don't get it
done."
Former Buck Marty Conlon was signed by the Celtics prior to the
game. Conlon wore the uniform of Julius Nwosu, who was waived.
In a jersey a few sizes too big with the number 0 and no name on
the back, Conlon was greeted with cheers from the crowd.
nba.1291vpoznanovic,
CLEVELAND (98) AT WASHINGTON (96) - FINAL IN OT
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 36 5-11 0-0 3 7 10 0 5 1 5 10
HILL F 28 5-8 2-5 5 10 15 0 6 0 3 12
WEST C 16 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 1 0
SURA G 38 4-6 0-0 1 3 4 5 3 1 4 9
BRANDON G 40 12-28 6-6 0 2 2 7 2 2 2 31
FERRY 30 3-6 6-6 3 3 6 0 3 2 1 12
POTAPENKO 34 7-14 8-9 2 3 5 0 6 0 0 22
GEARY 13 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 1 0 0
THOMAS 15 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 2
MARSHALL 15 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0
LANG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 265 37-85 22-26 17 35 52 13 33 7 17 98
(.435) (.846) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 45 8-17 5-10 4 5 9 5 4 1 4 21
GRANT F 39 2-6 2-2 2 6 8 1 3 1 0 7
WEBBER C 42 7-17 1-4 3 6 9 5 6 0 5 15
CHEANEY G 37 6-11 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 1 1 12
STRICKLAND G 40 5-13 6-14 1 5 6 6 2 1 3 16
WALLACE 13 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 2
JACKSON 16 2-5 2-4 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 6
MURRAY 19 1-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 2
WHITNEY 13 3-4 5-5 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 13
FISH 1 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - LEFT KNEE TENDINITIS
TOTALS 265 36-82 21-39 13 31 44 19 24 4 15 96
(.439) (.538) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(16 PTS)
CLEVELAND 22 20 24 24 8 - 98
WASHINGTON 18 24 31 17 6 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - BRANDON, POTAPENKO. WASHINGTON - GRANT 5,
WEBBER 3.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 2-14 (.143), MILLS 0-2, SURA 1-1, BRANDON
1-7, FERRY 0-1, THOMAS 0-2, MARSHALL 0-1. WASHINGTON 3-8 (.375), GRANT
1-1, STRICKLAND 0-1, JACKSON 0-1, MURRAY 0-2, WHITNEY 2-3.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - HEAD COACH FRATELLO.
OFFICIALS: HANK ARMSTRONG, MIKE MATHIS, PAUL MIHALAK.
A - 18,756. T - 2:49.
CLEVELAND (98) AT WASHINGTON (96) - FINAL IN OT
Terrell Brandon scored 31 points, including two free throws with
1.8 seconds left in overtime, to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to
a 98-96 victory that spoiled the home opener of the Washington
Bullets.
With the score tied 96-96, Brandon took a pass on the left wing
and drew a foul from Chris Webber. He sank both free throws and
a final-second attempt by the Bullets was errant.
"This is a confidence builder for us, being able to bounce
back," Brandon said. "They knew I was getting the ball. I
always try to get my shot. I want to be the man to win the
game."
"The read came quick and he's such a great shooter, you have to
respect him," Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello said. "It's nice to
know we're not going to hang our heads in a close game. They
maintained their confidence throughout all of it."
Washington's Rod Strickland converted a three-point play with
8.7 seconds left, tying the game at 96-96. A pair of free throws
by Brandon had given the Cavaliers a 96-93 advantage.
Washington's Chris Whitney sent the game into overtime with a
leaning three-pointer from the top of the key with two seconds
left in regulation. Danny Ferry had sank a pair of free throws
to put Cleveland ahead, 90-87.
Rookie Vitaly Potapenko scored 22 points and Ferry added 12 for
Cleveland (2-0), which has won twice on the road.
"It's nice to have two on the road," Fratello said. "We're very
fortunate winning this one, though. Remember, they're missing
three big pieces (Gheorghe Muresan, Tim Legler and Lorenzo
Williams)."
Juwan Howard scored 21 points, Strickland added 16 and Webber
had 15 for Washington (1-1), which won at Orlando in its opener.
But Howard, Strickland and Webber combined to make just 12-of-28
from the line.
"Sometimes it's a mental thing, sometimes that just happens late
in the game," Washington coach Jim Lynam said.
"We're not going to dwell on this," Howard said. "This is only
our second game. We have to work on our free throws right now
and go on from here."
The Bullets took a 73-66 after three quarters as Howard had 16
and Strickland had 13.
Tyrone Hill added 12 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out
and Brandon handed out seven assists for Cleveland, which shot
44 percent (37-of-85) from the field and making 18 turnovers
that led to 23 points for Washington.
Whitney finished with 13 points and Calbert Cheaney added 12 for
Washington, which shot 44 percent (36-of-82) from the field and
was outrebounded, 52-44.
"Our defense has been pretty good and the chemistry will get
better," Lynam said. "Obviously, I would like to see us be a
little more proficient offensively."
nba.1292vpoznanovic,
DETROIT (90) AT ATLANTA (78)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LONG F 31 1-6 0-0 5 2 7 2 2 2 0 2
HILL F 38 7-14 8-8 4 11 15 9 4 3 4 22
THORPE C 44 3-13 6-8 3 3 6 2 3 2 1 12
DUMARS G 41 5-12 2-2 0 2 2 3 1 2 1 14
AUGMON G 22 5-9 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 1 3 10
HUNTER 26 5-9 2-2 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 15
MILLS 20 5-10 2-2 0 4 4 0 5 0 0 15
CURRY 16 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 1 0 0
WILLIAMS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RATLIFF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-75 20-22 14 25 39 20 22 11 12 90
(.413) (.909) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(11 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 25 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 1 2 4
LAETTNER F 41 9-16 2-2 1 4 5 1 5 0 2 20
MUTOMBO C 37 1-6 6-7 6 5 11 2 3 0 3 8
BLAYLOCK G 39 3-11 1-2 2 3 5 3 1 0 6 9
SMITH G 41 9-19 2-2 1 3 4 3 4 0 3 23
NORMAN 16 1-9 0-0 0 5 5 1 2 2 2 3
BARRY 20 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 6
NEWBILL 15 1-1 0-2 0 3 3 0 2 0 1 2
RECASNER 3 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
LAUDERDALE 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDERSON DNP - GASTROINTESTINAL FLU
TOTALS 240 29-72 12-17 12 29 41 11 20 3 19 78
(.403) (.706) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(31 PTS)
DETROIT 23 17 24 26 - 90
ATLANTA 20 24 15 19 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - HILL, THORPE. ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 2, SMITH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 8-20 (.400), LONG 0-1, HILL 0-1, DUMARS 2-5,
HUNTER 3-5, MILLS 3-7, CURRY 0-1. ATLANTA 8-24 (.333), CORBIN 0-1,
LAETTNER 0-1, BLAYLOCK 2-5, SMITH 3-7, NORMAN 1-7, BARRY 2-3.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, LUIS GRILLO, GARY BENSON.
A - 16,378. T - 2:08.
DETROIT (90) AT ATLANTA (78)
Grant Hill nearly recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 15
rebounds and nine assists as the Detroit Pistons defeated the
Atlanta Hawks, 90-78, to spoil the Hawks' home opener.
It was the lowest point total for the Hawks in a home opener.
The previous low was 87 points against Detroit in 1991.
Hill had 25 points and eight rebounds in Detroit's 95-89 win
over Indiana Friday.
The Pistons opened the third quarter with a 21-9 run to take a
61-53 lead. Lindsey Hunter scored eight of his 15 points in the
run.
"We came out in the third quarter and put it on them," said
Hill. "It was an overall team effort. Different guys are
stepping up to make big plays. We played good defense and I
think we can be a pretty good team, we are still feeling each
other out. I like what we have."
"We came out in the second half and we executed," said Pistons
coach Doug Collins. "It was a good, good win for us."
Steve Smith scored 23 points and Christian Laettner added 20 for
the Hawks, who suffered their second loss in as many nights.
Atlanta was beaten by Miami, 94-81, in its season opener Friday.
Smith scored 14 of his points in the first half to help the
Hawks build a 44-40 lead.
Hunter hit a three-pointer with 5:32 left in the third quarter
to give Detroit the lead for good at 54-51. He capped off the
21-9 third quarter run with a 17-foot jumper with 3:46 left.
"I got some pretty good looks, we tried to jump right on them,"
said Hunter. "We did pretty much what we wanted to, we just have
to take it one game at a time."
Detroit led by as many as 18 points, 90-72, after Terry Mills
converted a pair of free throws with 3:12 left in the fourth
quarter. Mills finished with 15 points in 20 minutes off the
bench.
"The real key was the turnovers, we forced 19 turnovers," said
Collins. "I said all along you can talk about Steve Smith and
his scoring and (Dikembe) Mutombo but the key to this team is
Mookie Blaylock. I'm not letting him get off."
Blaylock scored only nine points on 3-of-11 shooting from the
field.
"Right now you have to come out and play basketball instead of
watching it," said Blaylock. "We are not playing like we are
capable of, we are timid and not aggressive enough. We have to
jell together."
Stacey Augmon faced his former Hawk teammates for the first time
and scored 10 points for Detroit.
"I felt good to beat them somewhere where you played for a
while," said Augmon. "I had mixed feelings, it's good to beat
them. Defensively, we really tightened down, guys shot the ball
well inside out."
Dikembe Mutombo had eight points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta.
"We need to come together, it is a question of us staying
focused," said Mutombo. "Right now, I'm not worried that much.
We are still trying to learn each other and it will take a while
to adjust, maybe even half a season."
Atlanta played without flu-ridden forward Alan Henderson.
nba.1293vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (110) AT PHOENIX (95)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 35 4-9 1-1 2 3 5 5 3 0 2 11
BARKLEY F 45 5-8 10-14 8 25 33 2 4 0 3 20
OLAJUWON C 35 12-19 0-0 5 3 8 3 2 0 4 24
DREXLER G 40 8-18 3-4 3 4 7 10 3 2 2 22
MALONEY G 26 5-14 2-2 0 1 1 4 5 1 2 17
WILLIS 14 0-3 1-2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1
LIVINGSTON 10 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2
MOORE 7 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 1
BULLARD 15 3-8 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 9
DAVIS 12 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 3 3
HARRINGTON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MACK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-84 19-27 19 39 58 30 24 3 17 110
(.464) (.704) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 17(17 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 34 6-14 3-3 3 2 5 3 0 2 1 16
HORRY F 27 3-10 0-0 2 3 5 0 3 0 1 6
GREEN C 29 3-6 2-4 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 8
PERSON G 43 6-13 1-3 2 9 11 3 1 2 1 13
CASSELL G 33 8-18 4-5 0 3 3 5 1 1 0 22
CHAPMAN 22 4-9 2-3 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 12
BROWN 14 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
TISDALE 13 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
MANNING 13 3-5 1-1 0 0 0 0 6 1 1 7
NASH 12 1-3 6-7 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 9
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
KLEINE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-87 19-26 8 22 30 18 18 8 5 95
(.402) (.731) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 5(4 PTS)
HOUSTON 31 18 28 33 - 110
PHOENIX 13 27 25 30 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY 2, DREXLER, BULLARD. PHOENIX - HORRY,
CASSELL, CHAPMAN, MANNING.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 13-32 (.406), ELIE 2-5, BARKLEY 0-1, DREXLER
3-7, MALONEY 5-10, MOORE 0-2, BULLARD 2-6, DAVIS 1-1. PHOENIX 6-20 (.300),
FINLEY 1-2, HORRY 0-3, GREEN 0-1, PERSON 0-3, CASSELL 2-5, CHAPMAN 2-4,
NASH 1-2.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, DELAY, WILLIS, PHOENIX - ILLEGAL
DEFENSE 2, MANNING.
OFFICIALS: RON OLESIAK, JOE FORTE, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 19,023. T - 2:06.
HOUSTON (110) AT PHOENIX (95)
Charles Barkley had a career-high 33 rebounds and 20 points in
his return to Phoenix as he powered the Houston Rockets to a
110-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Barkley played four seasons for Phoenix before being dealt to
Houston for four players this summer. He got a mixed greeting
from the crowd at America West Arena but it changed to mostly
boos by the fourth quarter. He outrebounded his former team,
which managed just 30 rebounds.
"When you get it going, it snowballs," Barkley said. "I wanted
to get 20, but they were bouncing to me, then I figured I might
as well get all of them."
"He was a man possessed," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"He's been talking about being a rebounder like this since his
first day in Houston. With a team like Phoenix that rotates and
gets out of position sometimes, he will clean up like a vacuum
cleaner."
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 24 points, Clyde Drexler added 22, 10
assists and seven rebounds and rookie Matt Maloney scored 12 of
his 17 in the first quarter, when the Rockets (2-0) opened an
18-point lead.
"It is really tough to struggle together with someone as we have
in the past and then face them on the other side," Drexler said
of his former teammates now on the Suns. "They're such nice
guys I was just hoping I didn't pass the ball to them."
Barkley shattered his career high of 26 set with Phoenix against
Houston on March 24th, 1995. It was the first 30-rebound game
since March 26th, 1996, when Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 31 for the
Denver Nuggets in a double-overtime affair against the Charlotte
Hornets.
Olajuwon was 12-of-19 from the field and added eight rebounds
for Houston, which grabbed 58 rebounds and was 13-of-32 from
three-point range. The Suns made just 6-of-20 three-pointers.
"Hakeem and Charles just killed us on the boards tonight," Suns
coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "We were forced to play outside
the paint and just couldn't get any shots to fall. It's one
thing to not have your inside people not be able to score, but
it's another to not be able to have them rebound, either."
Phoenix (0-2) closed to 12-10 with 7:50 remaining in the first
period on a basket by former Rocket Sam Cassell before Houston
scored the next 16 points. Maloney had three three-pointers and
Drexler added five points during the burst.
Barkley -- who sat out Houston's opener for fighting during the
pre-season -- went scoreless with 11 rebounds in the quarter,
which ended with the Rockets holding a 31-13 lead.
"He said, 'You take care of the first game and I'll take care of
the second game,' so he fulfilled it for me," Olajuwon said. "I
don't think he can be any better. He brought a lot of attention
to our team, so he's making this season fun, competitive and
something to look forward to."
Barkley had six more rebounds in the second quarter, when the
Rockets built their largest lead at 40-17 on a free throw by
Tracy Moore with 9:05 remaining. But Cassell scored 14 points
to help the Suns close the deficit to 49-40 at halftime.
But Phoenix got no closer. Barkley had nine points and nine
rebounds in the third quarter, helping the Rockets widen their
advantage to 77-65 entering the final period. The Suns got no
closer than 10 points thereafter.
Cassell scored 22 points and Michael Finley added 16 for the
Suns, who have lost four of five to the Rockets.
"They didn't do anything spectacular, but Charles Barkley, he's
a workhorse, he's the man," Cassell said. "Without the effort
from Charles Barkley, I think we win the game."
nba.1294vpoznanovic,
MIAMI (97) AT INDIANA (95)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 36 6-15 0-1 0 2 2 1 5 2 1 14
THOMAS F 34 3-11 1-1 1 8 9 1 5 1 3 7
MOURNING C 36 8-10 11-14 3 5 8 2 6 1 3 27
DANILOVIC G 34 5-9 2-3 0 1 1 1 2 0 4 15
HARDAWAY G 38 8-20 7-10 0 3 3 9 2 6 2 25
AUSTIN 21 0-2 1-3 0 4 4 0 6 1 2 1
BROWN 13 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 5 0 2 0
GRANT 16 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 2 6
ASKINS 12 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 2
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-72 22-32 6 26 32 20 34 12 19 97
(.472) (.688) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 32 3-8 1-2 6 6 12 1 5 0 0 7
MCKEY F 42 4-13 6-8 2 10 12 2 4 0 2 15
A DAVIS C 33 2-8 5-5 1 7 8 1 4 1 2 9
BEST G 25 5-9 1-2 0 2 2 5 0 2 4 11
MILLER G 39 11-22 9-11 0 4 4 3 2 1 4 34
SCOTT 12 2-4 2-2 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 6
WORKMAN 16 1-3 0-1 0 0 0 3 2 2 1 2
ROSE 20 2-3 4-5 0 1 1 0 2 1 4 8
WILLIAMS 13 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0
ALLEN 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 3
DAMPIER DNP - HERNIA SURGERY
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-73 28-36 10 31 41 17 25 8 19 95
(.425) (.778) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 19(21 PTS)
MIAMI 22 25 28 22 - 97
INDIANA 29 19 18 29 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - THOMAS 2, MAJERLE, MOURNING, AUSTIN, BROWN.
INDIANA - A DAVIS 2, D DAVIS, MILLER, ROSE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 7-26 (.269), MAJERLE 2-10, DANILOVIC 3-5,
HARDAWAY 2-10, ASKINS 0-1. INDIANA 5-11 (.455), MCKEY 1-2, BEST 0-1,
MILLER 3-6, WORKMAN 0-1, ALLEN 1-1.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - MILLER, HEAD COACH L BROWN, ASSISTANT COACH KING.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, JIM CLARK, JIM CAPERS.
A - 15,948. T - 2:24.
MIAMI (97) AT INDIANA (95)
Alonzo Mourning had 27 points and eight rebounds to lead the
Miami Heat to a 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers for their
first win ever at Market Square Arena.
Tim Hardaway added 25 points and Kurt Thomas grabbed eight
rebounds for the Heat (2-0), who had lost their first 14 games
at Indiana.
"We needed a spark from somewhere," Mourning said. "It's
unfortunate that we had to play catch up. I think that the
major part of it is that we kept our composure. When you have a
team down like this at home, you don't want to give them that
light."
Reggie Miller scored 34 points and Derrick McKey added 15 and 12
rebounds for the Pacers, who had won the last three meetings
against the Heat. Miller had a chance to win the game, but
missed a three-pointer from the top of the arc at the buzzer.
Mourning fouled out with 1:09 left and McKey sank a pair of free
throws, tying the score 95-95. Hardaway hit a 21-footer with
57.6 seconds left for the final margin.
"I just wanted to get a good shot for the team," Hardaway said.
"I just let the offense run through me, because last year he
(Miller) beat us. It's great to get the monkey off your back."
Haywoode Workman missed a three-pointer but Dale Davis grabbed
the rebound and passed to Miller at the top of the key for the
final shot.
"You couldn't ask for a better look than what we got," Miller
said. "I was open off the double screen, but Tim Hardway
pinched in to double team me and Haywoode (Workman) was open. It
was a great look, it just didn't go down. We've had our chances
the last two nights."
McKey also made two free throws to cap a 16-4 run and tie the
score 82-82 with 7:02 left in the fourth. Hardway answered with
a nine-foot hook shot to ignite a 7-0 spurt that ended with Dan
Majerle's dunk with 5:25 remaining. Sasha Danilovic scored 15
points and Majerle had 14.
Miller made a field goal and a three-pointer as the Pacers
scored the first 10 points of the game and led throughout the
entire period.
Hardway's jumper from the left baseline closed a 17-6 burst and
gave the Heat their first lead, 47-46, with 9.6 seconds left in
the second. Brent Scott coverted a layup with 1.4 seconds to go
and the Pacers took a 48-47 edge to halftime.
"We got off to just a horrible start," said Miami coach Pat
Riley, who won his 800th carer game. "Zo (Mourning) kept us in
it in the first half and Timmy took over in the second half. We
made the stops we had to make. It's a good win for us. We
could have put this game away many times."
Indiana held a 52-50 advantage with 9:50 left in the third but
Antonio Davis picked up his fourth foul and the Pacers were
forced to use a smaller lineup. The Pacers are without starting
center Rik Smits and rookie power forward Erick Dampier. Smits
had surgery on both feet and Dampier is recovering from hernia
surgery.
Miami took advantage of Indiana's substitutions and when
Hardaway made one of two free throws with 25 seconds left in the
third had a 75-64 lead. Hardaway's 24-footer gave the Heat
their biggest lead of the game, 78-66, with 11:13 to go in the
fourth.
nba.1295vpoznanovic,
PHILADELPHIA (86) AT CHICAGO (115)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
DAVIS F 34 3-8 1-4 3 6 9 4 4 3 2 8
WEATHERSPOON F 28 7-7 0-0 2 5 7 2 2 1 3 14
COLEMAN C 27 2-9 0-1 1 5 6 1 4 0 3 4
STACKHOUSE G 23 4-13 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 2 9
IVERSON G 26 4-13 5-8 1 3 4 2 0 2 5 15
MACLEAN 25 8-17 0-1 3 2 5 1 4 0 3 16
HARRIS 25 4-7 1-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 11
OVERTON 14 0-6 0-0 0 2 2 5 0 1 0 0
WILLIAMS 20 1-6 1-2 3 2 5 0 2 2 1 3
CAGE 10 1-2 0-0 2 2 4 2 0 0 1 2
WALTERS 8 0-1 4-4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 34-89 12-22 16 31 47 18 20 9 22 86
(.382) (.545) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 23(32 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 31 9-19 3-5 3 2 5 9 1 2 3 22
RODMAN F 24 1-5 0-0 3 9 12 3 3 0 2 2
LONGLEY C 23 3-4 5-6 2 3 5 0 2 1 2 11
JORDAN G 30 11-20 2-2 1 1 2 5 2 4 2 27
HARPER G 26 7-12 1-1 2 2 4 2 2 3 0 19
KUKOC 19 4-7 4-4 2 5 7 1 0 1 1 12
BROWN 22 2-7 0-0 0 7 7 1 3 0 3 5
KERR 22 3-9 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 6
WENNINGTON 16 2-5 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 6
SIMPKINS 15 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 2
BUECHLER 12 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 3
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 44-93 17-20 14 34 48 29 20 13 16 115
(.473) (.850) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(15 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 17 21 26 22 - 86
CHICAGO 27 35 33 20 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - WILLIAMS 3, COLEMAN, IVERSON. CHICAGO -
HARPER 2, KUKOC.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 6-13 (.462), DAVIS 1-1, COLEMAN 0-1,
STACKHOUSE 1-3, IVERSON 2-3, HARRIS 2-3, OVERTON 0-1, WALTERS 0-1. CHICAGO
10-24 (.417), PIPPEN 1-4, JORDAN 3-7, HARPER 4-5, KUKOC 0-1, BROWN 1-1,
KERR 0-3, BUECHLER 1-3.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - WILLIAMS, OVERTON, CHICAGO - RODMAN.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, PAT ADAMS.
A - 24,040. T - 2:00.
PHILADELPHIA (86) AT CHICAGO (115)
Ron Harper scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half as the
Chicago Bulls celebrated their 1996 NBA championship by racing
to a 24-point halftime lead and routing the Philadelphia 76ers,
115-86.
Michael Jordan scored 27 points and Scottie Pippen added 22 for
the Bulls (2-0), who received their championship rings from NBA
Commissioner David Stern and hoisted their fourth title banner
to the rafters of The United Center.
"Chicago is going to be considered one of the top teams ever in
our existence," Stern said during the ceremony, which lasted 20
minutes.
"It was nice to see some of the guys who hadn't won before go
through this experience," Jordan said.
One of the ropes snapped and left the banner dangling, but that
was about all that went wrong for Chicago, which has won 12 in a
row from Philadelphia since December 8th, 1993.
The Bulls held a 47-36 lead before exploding for 15 points in
the final 93 seconds of the first half, opening a 62-38 bulge at
intermission. Jordan started the burst with a 10-footer, Harper
added three points and Pippen six, including a three-pointer at
the buzzer.
"Tonight we played a very good first half, basically put the
game away," Jordan said. "But we need to get better than we
played during the whole game. We're going to play better teams
than Philadelphia."
"It was certainly a tough game for us, having to play after
their ring ceremony, but that's really no excuse," said Sixers
rookie Allen Iverson, who scored 15 points. "They just beat us
up, especially at the end of the first half. We kind of lost it
there in the last two minutes of the first half."
It was more of the same in the third quarter, when Jordan scored
12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including two three-pointers. The
Bulls held a 95-64 lead entering the fourth quarter and played
their bench thereafter.
Chicago opened its largest lead of 34 points three times, the
last at 115-81 on a basket by Bill Wennington with 1:57 to go.
Don MacLean scored 16 points and Clarence Weatherspoon added 14
for the Sixers (0-2), who shot just 38 percent from the field.
Iverson scored 30 points in his NBA debut on Friday night.
The 76ers scored seven of the first nine points, but the Bulls
quickly regrouped and opened a 27-17 advantage after one quarter
behind Harper's 12 points and Jordan's nine.
nba.1296vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (93) AT SEATTLE (104)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 36 6-14 4-4 1 2 3 1 2 0 5 17
WALLACE F 19 2-5 0-2 0 4 4 1 5 0 3 4
SABONIS C 24 3-5 2-3 2 7 9 1 1 1 0 8
ANDERSON G 26 4-11 5-6 1 2 3 4 4 1 2 13
MCKIE G 30 2-5 3-4 0 1 1 5 0 2 4 8
TRENT 25 6-8 3-4 2 3 5 0 5 0 1 15
RIDER 26 7-10 4-4 0 3 3 0 2 1 3 21
DUDLEY 18 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 1 3 0
JORDAN 7 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0
WINGFIELD 22 2-5 0-0 0 5 5 5 4 1 2 5
BUTLER 4 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 33-65 21-29 6 32 38 19 26 7 23 93
(.508) (.724) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 26(29 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 30 5-11 14-14 2 7 9 2 4 1 4 24
D SCHREMPF F 32 8-10 6-6 0 2 2 6 2 1 2 23
MCILVAINE C 22 1-2 0-1 0 4 4 1 4 0 1 2
HAWKINS G 33 6-11 2-2 2 4 6 2 1 1 1 15
PAYTON G 26 8-19 2-6 1 0 1 5 4 1 1 18
PERKINS 23 2-6 5-6 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 10
EHLO 19 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 7
MCMILLAN 20 1-1 2-2 0 3 3 4 1 2 0 5
STEWART 11 0-5 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 0
WINGATE 11 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
SNOW 8 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 0
SPENCER 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
TOTALS 240 34-77 31-37 8 22 30 26 25 11 16 104
(.442) (.838) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
PORTLAND 26 11 27 29 - 93
SEATTLE 27 27 28 22 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - WALLACE, TRENT, DUDLEY. SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 5,
KEMP.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 6-16 (.375), C ROBINSON 1-4, SABONIS 0-1,
ANDERSON 0-1, MCKIE 1-2, RIDER 3-5, WINGFIELD 1-3. SEATTLE 5-15 (.333),
KEMP 0-1, D SCHREMPF 1-2, HAWKINS 1-4, PAYTON 0-2, PERKINS 1-2, EHLO 1-2,
MCMILLAN 1-1, STEWART 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 17,072. T - 2:14.
PORTLAND (93) AT SEATTLE (104)
Shawn Kemp scored 16 of his 24 points in the first half as the
Seattle SuperSonics raced to a 17-point halftime advantage and a
104-93 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers to win their fifth
consecutive home opener.
Detlef Schrempf scored 10 of his 23 points in a second-quarter
run and Gary Payton added 18 for Seattle (1-1), which held the
Trail Blazers to 11 points in the second quarter in defeating
them for the seventh time in eight home games. The SuperSonics
went 38-3 at home last season.
"In the first half we played real well and were up 19," Schrempf
said. "We wanted to come out in the third quarter and establish
ourselves again and did that. We kept that 19-point lead, but
we wanted to get it bigger than that."
Kemp is showing no ill effects from missing training camp and
most of the exhibition season, grabbing nine rebounds and
sinking all 14 of his free throws for Seattle.
Isaiah Rider returned from a one-game suspension to score 21
points and Clifford Robinson added 17 for Portland (1-1), which
lost to Seattle for the 11th time in the last 14 meetings. The
Trail Blazers committed 26 turnovers that led to 29 points for
Seattle.
"We tried to get the ball inside, but they defended very well,"
Blazers coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "They basically took us out
of our offense all night. We were a step slow in our excecution.
Offensive execution is where we are lacking right now."
Rider was suspended for missing a team bus last week and was
cited two days later on a marijuana charge, his second in the
last four months. He was playing his first game for the
Blazers, who defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies by 29 points on
Friday and face the SuperSonics in their home opener Monday.
After Rider made a 14-foot jumper to give Portland a 28-27 lead
30 seconds into the second quarter, Nate McMillan nailed a
three-pointer -- his only basket of the game -- to ignite a 25-3
run. Schrempf's nine-foot hook capped the burst, giving Seattle
a 50-33 advantage with 1:56 left in the half. Payton had three
fouls and did not play in the second quarter.
Robinson made a layup to close Portland within 61-50 less than
four minutes into the third quarter before Jim McIlvaine hit a
layup to ignite a 14-6 spurt. Schrempf's layup gave the Sonics a
75-56 bulge with 3:14 remaining in the period.
Hersey Hawkins scored 15 points, Sam Perkins added 10 and
McIlvaine blocked five shots for the Seattle, which won despite
shooting 44 percent (34-of-77) from the field and getting
outrebounded, 38-30. The Sonics led by as many as 26 points.
"We got into a lot of pressure situations," Seattle coach George
Karl said. "We were switching well and it was an offense that we
feel comfortable defending. Our pressure really bothered them.
It was good to see. Last night (against Utah) we played more of
a controlled mode. We need to get back to playing basketball
the way we know best and that's with our defensive presence
always on the court."
Gary Trent scored 15 points, Kenny Anderson added 13 and Arvydas
Sabonis grabbed nine rebounds for Portland, which lost despite
shooting 51 percent (33-of-65).
nba.1297vpoznanovic,
SACRAMENTO (107) AT DALLAS (94)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 23 3-7 1-3 2 1 3 1 4 1 3 7
GRANT F 34 8-14 4-6 8 7 15 2 2 2 2 20
POLYNICE C 22 3-6 0-0 1 6 7 2 3 0 1 6
RICHMOND G 44 8-16 7-9 0 6 6 2 5 1 1 24
ABDUL-RAUF G 25 1-7 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 2
EDNEY 24 6-10 10-12 2 2 4 3 1 3 5 23
SIMMONS 27 1-4 3-4 0 3 3 3 5 0 1 5
SMITH 21 5-7 4-5 3 4 7 3 1 0 1 14
CAUSWELL 16 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 4
GAMBLE 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
HURLEY 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
OWENS DNP - STRAINED LEFT GROIN
TOTALS 240 37-76 31-41 17 30 47 18 25 9 16 107
(.487) (.756) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 32 4-11 7-7 0 2 2 2 2 4 0 17
MEYER F 16 3-5 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 0 3 6
MONTROSS C 19 2-3 0-3 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 4
KIDD G 30 2-8 0-0 0 0 0 9 3 1 4 4
JACKSON G 40 8-16 9-10 4 6 10 5 4 1 3 26
GATLING 21 2-8 0-0 2 2 4 0 3 0 4 4
HARPER 18 4-6 1-4 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 10
MILLER 22 0-0 2-6 6 5 11 3 4 1 1 2
MASHBURN 20 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 4
DUMAS 19 6-10 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 0 13
STRICKLAND 3 1-2 2-2 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 4
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-76 21-32 14 22 36 23 32 11 19 94
(.447) (.656) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(18 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 25 31 28 23 - 107
DALLAS 24 13 22 35 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - GRANT, POLYNICE, RICHMOND, SMITH. DALLAS -
MILLER 2, GATLING, KIDD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 2-4 (.500), RICHMOND 1-1, EDNEY 1-2, SIMMONS
0-1. DALLAS 5-19 (.263), MCCLOUD 2-5, KIDD 0-3, JACKSON 1-3, HARPER 1-3,
MASHBURN 0-3, DUMAS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, JOE DEROSA, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 28,042. T - 2:15.
SACRAMENTO (107) AT DALLAS (94)
Mitch Richmond scored 24 points and Tyus Edney added a
career-high 23 to lift the Sacramento Kings to a 107-94 romp
over the Dallas Mavericks.
Edney scored 15 points and Brian Grant had 12 of his 20 in the
first half to stake the Kings (1-1) to a 56-37 halftime lead.
Edney sparked an 20-5 run with just over 10 minutes to go in the
second period, scoring 13 points.
"I just wanted to come in and make things happen," said Edney.
"I started off last year coming off the bench. I want to do
whatever helps the team."
Jimmy Jackson had 26 points and 10 rebounds George McCloud added
17 to lead the Mavericks (1-1) as rookie coach Jim Cleamons took
his first loss in the team's home opener.
"I thought we were a little out of sync tonight," said Cleamons.
"Our guys played hard tonight but we did not play with the
rhythm and tempo that we have the last four or five games. I
think they they were too anxious, which will happen to you
sometimes on opening night."
Dallas, which staged a comeback with seven seconds remaining to
win Friday's opener at Denver, was never really able to overcome
the Kings' spurt late in the first half. The Mavericks trailed
by as much as 29 in the third quarter when Edney's free throw
made it 78-49 with 2:58 remaining.
"Tyus really went out there and did some great things
offensively and defensively," said Kings' forward Corliss
Williamson. "He was a big boost for us tonight. Anytime you
come home from a road trip with a split, it's something good."
Dallas staged a brief run in the final period and twice got as
close as 13, the second time on rookie Erick Strickland's layup
with 22 seconds remaining.
"After a sub-par performance last night, it speaks well for the
confidence of this team that we came out and played well on both
ends of the floor," said Kings coach Garry St. Jean. "Tyus was
a major catalyst in the second quarter and through the game."
Sacramento forward Billy Owens missed the game due a strained
left groin. Dallas forward Chris Gatling came out of the game
briefly in the second quarter after suffering a sprained thumb.
nba.1298vpoznanovic,
TORONTO (98) AT CHARLOTTE (109)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 34 4-10 5-6 1 2 3 1 4 0 1 14
JONES F 21 3-4 0-0 3 4 7 0 3 0 0 6
TABAK C 32 5-14 4-4 3 2 5 1 3 0 2 14
CHRISTIE G 20 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 3 5 1 1 7
STOUDAMIRE G 36 8-16 0-3 0 4 4 5 2 1 4 19
DAVIS 32 2-13 4-6 1 2 3 2 3 0 0 8
CAMBY 13 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 4
ROGERS 29 6-7 0-0 2 6 8 2 4 1 1 13
WHITESIDE 12 3-3 1-2 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 9
BENJAMIN 7 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 2
WRIGHT 4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-83 14-21 10 24 34 17 29 5 11 98
(.458) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 45 7-10 4-4 4 11 15 3 1 1 2 18
GEIGER F 35 5-15 6-9 6 5 11 3 4 0 3 16
DIVAC C 32 4-14 1-2 6 5 11 4 5 0 3 9
CURRY G 43 15-23 2-2 0 4 4 3 4 1 1 38
BOGUES G 36 4-5 0-0 1 0 1 10 2 1 3 8
SMITH 7 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 4
ZIDEK 5 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
BURRELL 30 2-11 7-10 1 6 7 5 2 0 3 12
GOLDWIRE 6 0-1 0-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0
ROSE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RICE DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 39-81 24-33 18 33 51 29 24 3 17 109
(.481) (.727) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(14 PTS)
TORONTO 27 23 29 19 - 98
CHARLOTTE 30 22 33 24 - 109
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - ROGERS 2, TABAK, CAMBY, WILLIAMS. CHARLOTTE -
DIVAC 3, GEIGER, BURRELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 8-22 (.364), WILLIAMS 1-4, CHRISTIE 1-2,
STOUDAMIRE 3-7, DAVIS 0-6, ROGERS 1-1, WHITESIDE 2-2. CHARLOTTE 7-17
(.412), CURRY 6-11, BURRELL 1-5, GOLDWIRE 0-1.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - ROGERS, CHARLOTTE - HEAD COACH COWENS, GEIGER.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, DON VADEN, MIKE SMITH.
A - 24,042. T - 2:11.
TORONTO (98) AT CHARLOTTE (109)
Dell Curry scored 20 of his career-high 38 points in the third
quarter and newcomer Anthony Mason had 18 points and 15 rebounds
as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Toronto Raptors, 109-98,
in their season opener.
Matt Geiger had 16 points and 11 rebounds, newcomer Vlade Divac
also grabbed 11 boards and Mugsy Bogues handed out 10 assists
for the Hornets, who were the only team not play on Friday's
opening night.
Curry, whose previous career high was 33, started in place of
swingman Glen Rice, who missed the game because of a sprained
left ankle. Charlotte has won four of its five all-time
meetings with Toronto.
Damon Stoudamire scored 19 points and Walt Williams and Zan
Tabak each added 14 for the Raptors, who dropped to 0-2. As an
expansion team last season, Toronto won its opener but finished
21-61.
After Stoudamire made a layup to close Toronto within 69-65
midway through the third quarter, Mason hit a layup to ignite a
10-2 run. Curry scored five points during the stretch and Scott
Burrell made two free throws to give Charlotte a 79-67 lead with
3:26 left in the period.
Toronto scored the final seven points in the quarter to pull to
85-79. But Charlotte scored 13 of the final period's first 18
points. Mason scored five points during the burst, including a
three-point play for a 98-84 advantage with 4:38 remaining.
nba.1299vpoznanovic,
UTAH (95) AT LA CLIPPERS (90)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 36 4-7 8-10 1 3 4 2 3 2 1 16
MALONE F 35 8-17 5-11 4 8 12 6 2 0 4 21
OSTERTAG C 19 1-3 2-3 2 4 6 0 4 0 0 4
STOCKTON G 37 3-7 3-5 2 3 5 7 3 1 3 9
HORNACEK G 32 6-12 2-4 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 15
EISLEY 11 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 7
CARR 19 2-6 6-6 1 1 2 1 4 0 0 10
FOSTER 15 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
KEEFE 23 4-6 0-0 2 4 6 0 1 1 1 8
MORRIS 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
ANDERSON 5 1-3 1-1 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 3
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-71 27-40 14 28 42 18 25 7 13 95
(.465) (.675) 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
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 36 4-11 3-4 4 9 13 3 4 2 0 11
ROGERS F 25 2-5 0-2 3 1 4 3 5 1 4 4
DUCKWORTH C 20 2-7 2-2 0 3 3 1 3 0 0 7
RICHARDSON G 32 4-10 2-4 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 13
SEALY G 36 6-17 7-8 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 19
MURRAY 23 3-5 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 9
ROBERTS 21 2-7 4-6 1 3 4 0 4 0 0 8
OUTLAW 19 1-2 0-3 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 2
PIATKOWSKI 6 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4
D MARTIN 9 1-2 0-1 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 2
DEHERE 13 5-7 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 2 11
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-75 22-34 9 26 35 19 30 8 11 90
(.413) (.647) TEAM REBS: 16 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
UTAH 26 20 32 17 - 95
LA CLIPPERS 21 20 22 27 - 90
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - OSTERTAG 3, MALONE, KEEFE. LA CLIPPERS - OUTLAW 2,
SEALY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 2-9 (.222), RUSSELL 0-3, STOCKTON 0-2, HORNACEK
1-3, EISLEY 1-1. LA CLIPPERS 6-17 (.353), VAUGHT 0-2, ROGERS 0-1,
DUCKWORTH 1-2, RICHARDSON 3-6, SEALY 0-3, MURRAY 1-1, DEHERE 1-2.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - HORNACEK, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, LA CLIPPERS - .
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DERRICK STAFFORD, SCOTT WALL.
A - 13,041. T - 2:19.
UTAH (95) AT LA CLIPPERS (90)
Karl Malone had 21 points and 12 rebounds and John Stockton made
a driving layup with 30 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz held
off a furious rally to spoil the Los Angeles Clippers' home
opener with a 95-90 victory.
Bryon Russell added 16 points and Jeff Hornacek had 15 for Utah
(2-0), which was coming off an impressive season-opening victory
over Seattle on Friday.
Malik Sealy scored 19 points and Pooh Richardson had nine of his
13 on three-pointers for Los Angeles (1-1). The Clippers have
lost to the Jazz in 10 of the last 13 meetings.
"If we play hard every game and don't give up, we'll be
successful," Sealy said. "They guys are trying to make changes
so we can have a better future around here."
Malone scored 10 points and Russell seven in the third quarter
as the Jazz took a 78-63 lead into the final 12 minutes. The
lead grew to 83-67 on two free throws by Antoine Carr, but the
Clippers pulled within 91-88 on Loy Vaught's 15-footer with 2:07
remaining. Terry Dehere had five points and Sealy added three
in the 21-8 run.
"It was a nice win for us," Malone said. "We had a big game
for us. We could have easily let down tonight. But I think for
the most part, we played hard and did what we needed to do. We
shouldn't have to go down to the wire to win. It's still early.
We have some things to improve on but it's nice to be 2-0."
"Every team is going to make a run," Stockton said. "I was
disappointed in how we played during their run. When it comes
down to it, we made nice plays and hung in there."
After Charles Outlaw missed two free throws for Los Angeles,
Stockton darted past Dehere for a three-point play and a
six-point cushion. Sealy followed with a layup, but Hornacek
sank a free throw to seal the win.
"Antoine set a screen," said Stockton. "They were very concerned
about Antoine on top and Karl down low. They left an open lane
to the basket and I was fortunate to get to the hole."
Clippers coach Bill Fitch absorbed his all-time leading 996th
loss and was not pleased.
"When you're playing catch-up, you've got to play perfect
basketball," he said. "They were the winning team, but they
didn't play perfect basketball down the stretch.
"We had a couple of chances at the end. We had it down to three,
but we missed a couple of free throws. We were hoping to get
them in the last lap of the race."
Carr ended with 10 points and Stockton handed out seven assists
for Utah, which won despite missing 13 free throws. The Jazz did
outrebound Los Angeles, 42-35.
Vaught had 11 points and 13 rebounds and Dehere finished with 11
for Los Angeles, which shot 41 percent (31-of-75) from the field
and made just 22-of-34 free throws.
nba.1300vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (94) AT PORTLAND (76)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LAETTNER F 18 2-8 1-1 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 5
CORBIN F 31 5-15 2-2 1 3 4 0 3 3 1 14
MUTOMBO C 41 5-13 3-4 3 4 7 0 3 2 0 13
SMITH G 38 7-15 2-4 0 2 2 5 2 0 5 19
BLAYLOCK G 38 8-13 2-2 0 3 3 5 2 2 2 22
NEWBILL 31 0-3 0-0 4 4 8 2 2 1 2 0
BARRY 18 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 2 3 5
BURTON 19 2-3 7-8 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 12
RECASNER 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LAUDERDALE 2 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
BOYCE 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
HENDERSON DNP - FLU
TOTALS 240 32-74 19-23 10 24 34 15 20 10 16 94
(.432) (.826) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(16 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 33 1-8 6-10 2 3 5 2 6 0 5 9
WALLACE F 28 4-7 0-0 1 5 6 1 1 0 2 8
SABONIS C 22 4-8 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 1 5 8
ANDERSON G 35 4-12 4-6 2 4 6 3 1 2 0 14
RIDER G 37 5-14 0-0 1 3 4 6 4 2 4 12
MCKIE 17 2-4 4-4 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 9
DUDLEY 26 2-3 1-2 4 5 9 0 2 2 2 5
JORDAN 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
TRENT 27 3-6 2-2 0 2 2 1 6 0 4 8
WINGFIELD 8 1-4 0-0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 3
BUTLER 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 26-68 17-24 14 30 44 15 24 8 26 76
(.382) (.708) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 28(29 PTS)
ATLANTA 32 28 17 17 - 94
PORTLAND 13 27 19 17 - 76
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 5, BLAYLOCK 2, BURTON. PORTLAND -
WALLACE 2, SABONIS 2, DUDLEY 2, C ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 11-17 (.647), CORBIN 2-3, SMITH 3-5, BLAYLOCK
4-7, BARRY 1-1, BURTON 1-1. PORTLAND 7-19 (.368), C ROBINSON 1-4, SABONIS
0-1, ANDERSON 2-4, RIDER 2-7, MCKIE 1-1, WINGFIELD 1-2.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - SMITH.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, RON OLESIAK, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 21,567. T - 1:59.
ATLANTA (94) AT PORTLAND (76)
Tyrone Corbin scored 10 points in the first quarter as the
Atlanta Hawks raced to a 19-point lead and cruised to their
first win of the season, a 94-76 victory over the Portland Trail
Blazers.
Mookie Blaylock scored 22 points, Steve Smith added 19 and
Corbin finished with 14 for Atlanta, which beat Portland for the
fourth straight time dating back to the 1994-95 season.
Kenny Anderson scored 14 points and Isaiah Rider added 12 for
Portland (2-1), which dropped its home opener for the second
straight season.
The Hawks had a 15-0 run as they scored 20 of the game's first
26 points. Corbin ignited the burst with consecutive
three-pointers. Blaylock followed with back-to-back layups to
help the Hawks gain a 14-point cushion with 4:07 left in the
first quarter.
Mutombo and Blaylock scored seven points apiece to help Atlanta
build a 32-13 bulge entering the second quarter.
The Hawks led 60-40 at halftime behind 14 points from Smith, 12
from Corbin and 11 from Mutombo. Atlanta led by as many as 25
points at 87-72 with two minutes left in the game.
Mutombo finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and five blocked
shots and newly signed Willie Burton added 12 points for
Atlanta, which won despite shooting 43 percent (32-of-74) from
the field and being outrebounded by a 44-34 margin.
The Hawks played without forward Alan Henderson, who is
suffering from the flu, for the second straight game.
Clifford Robinson was held to nine points on 1-of-8 shooting for
the Blazers, who shot 38 percent (26-of-68) from the field and
committed 28 turnovers that led to 29 points for Atlanta.
nba.1301vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (75) AT UTAH (72)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 44 2-8 5-6 3 17 20 4 2 4 5 9
ELIE F 34 4-6 7-8 0 1 1 2 3 2 4 16
OLAJUWON C 36 8-19 7-11 3 5 8 3 3 1 2 23
MALONEY G 32 1-8 0-2 1 3 4 5 0 1 2 3
DREXLER G 32 3-10 3-4 1 2 3 0 4 2 1 10
BULLARD 23 1-5 0-1 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 3
WILLIS 16 2-3 0-0 1 5 6 1 1 1 1 4
LIVINGSTON 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0
MOORE 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DAVIS 8 3-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 7
MACK 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 24-62 22-32 9 37 46 15 18 12 22 75
(.387) (.688) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 22(16 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 38 7-13 2-2 0 14 14 4 3 1 1 16
RUSSELL F 32 3-9 2-4 0 3 3 1 4 0 1 8
OSTERTAG C 18 0-2 0-0 0 5 5 0 3 0 3 0
STOCKTON G 34 6-11 0-0 2 0 2 4 0 2 7 14
HORNACEK G 33 3-11 3-3 0 3 3 5 4 2 1 9
EISLEY 14 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 8
CARR 21 1-7 1-2 2 1 3 0 2 1 1 3
MORRIS 16 4-9 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 2 1 8
KEEFE 15 0-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 0
FOSTER 19 3-9 0-0 3 0 3 0 4 0 0 6
ANDERSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-79 8-11 11 29 40 16 24 8 16 72
(.392) (.727) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
HOUSTON 19 11 26 19 - 75
UTAH 19 18 26 9 - 72
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY 2, OLAJUWON 2, DREXLER. UTAH - OSTERTAG
2, RUSSELL, HORNACEK, MORRIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 5-17 (.294), BARKLEY 0-3, ELIE 1-1, MALONEY
1-4, DREXLER 1-3, BULLARD 1-5, DAVIS 1-1. UTAH 2-12 (.167), RUSSELL 0-1,
STOCKTON 2-5, HORNACEK 0-2, EISLEY 0-1, MORRIS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 19,911. T - 2:08.
HOUSTON (75) AT UTAH (72)
Hakeem Olajuwon and rookie Emanual Davis scored five points
apiece during the fourth quarter, when the Houston Rockets held
the Utah Jazz to nine points and rallied for their third
straight win, 75-72.
Houston's Charles Barkley grabbed 20 rebounds for a total of 53
in his last two games. Olajuwon scored 23 points, Mario Elie
added 16 and Clyde Drexler had 10 for Houston, which overcame a
10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to remain unbeaten.
"I tell you it was fun out there," Barkley said. "Not just fun
because we won. I would have been happy because it was good for
us to let them know that we can come into a good team's building
and play well. I would have been disappointed if we would have
lost but we proved something to ourselves. We know we're going
to see these guys again many times, but it's important for us to
know we can play with them and come into a place like this and
win the game."
Karl Malone had 16 points and 14 rebounds and John Stockton
added 14 points for Utah, which lost for the first time in three
games. Stockton had just four assists and turned the ball over
seven times.
The 72 points by the Jazz was the lowest in franchise history.
The previous game low was 74 in 1974, when the Jazz still played
in New Orleans.
After Stockton opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer,
giving the Jazz a 66-56 lead, Barkley hit a pair of free throws
to ignite a 7-0 run. Davis followed with a layup and a
three-pointer to close within 66-63 four minutes into the
quarter.
Utah's Greg Foster hit a basket to regain a five-point lead, but
Olajuwon nailed a jumper and sank two free throws to pull Hoston
within 68-67. Malone followed with a pair of free throws to give
the Jazz a three-point advantage. But Elie made a basket and
Drexler and Olajuwon each added a free throw to give the Rockets
a 71-70 edge with 1:50 remaining.
"It was a real boring game...especially for me in the first
half," Foster said. "You know, missing shots I normally make
but you just got to keep your head in the game and remember
there are two halves to the game of basketball...but you just
have to keep having some fun out there."
After Foster's layup vaulted the Jazz up one, Barkley dunked to
put Houston ahead for good, 73-72. Elie followed with two free
throws for a 75-72 lead with three seconds left.
Utah's Jeff Hornacek had a chance to tie the score, but missed a
three-pointer.
Olajuwon added eight rebounds for Houston, which won despite
shooting just 39 percent (24-of-62) from the field and
committing 22 turnovers.
"Defense was the theme," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"You've got two very good teams that have won a lot of games in
the last several years and the foundation of their teams is
defense. I expected a game like this, I told some of the new
guys that this was just typical.
"At halftime, I was pretty happy, we played horrible and were
only down by seven (37-30). So I said, just hang in there and
keep believing in our system and we might have a chance to get
back into it, especially when we did so many things wrong. It's
amazing we could win a game like this on the road against a very
good team."
The Jazz shot 39 percent (31-of-79) from the field and were
outrebounded 46-40.
"We really had a tough time," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "We
just started hanging out against them and when you start doing
that against a team like that, (a team) that can block shots and
you know that you don't get much. We had some pretty decent
looks at the basket. I don't have a problem with some of the
shots we had, we just weren't able to make them. The other thing
is we gave up the easy basket."
nba.1302vpoznanovic,
Mason gets slap on the wrist in court
Charlotte Hornets forward Anthony Mason was fined 250- dollars and
sentenced to 120 hours of community service after pleading guilty
to a disorderly conduct charge. He was arrested July 24th in New
York after a scuffle with about 10 police officers over a parking
ticket dispute in Times Square.
The former New York Knick was charged with three counts of
second-degree assault, a felony which is punishable by up to seven
years in prison, and misdemeanor charges of menacing, disorderly
conduct and resisting arrest. Judge Dora Irizzary followed the
recommendation of prosecutors to dismiss all charges except for the
disorderly conduct violation.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Mason has picked up 28 points and 17
rebounds in two games this season.
nba.1303vpoznanovic,
Hawks place F Norman on injured list, sign G Burton
The winless Atlanta Hawks placed forward Ken Norman on the injured
list today and signed guard Willie Burton, one of their final training
camp cuts, the team announced.
Norman was to start at small forward for the Hawks, but sat out the
first two games with a lower back strain. He will miss a minimum of
five games.
Burton was signed as a free agent in the off-season and joins his
third NBA team. He is expected to be in uniform tonight when the Hawks
open a four-game road trip in Portland.
Last season, the 32-year-old Norman averaged 8.9 points per game, his
lowest total since his rookie campaign. He fell out of favor with
coach Lenny Wilkens and missed 48 games due to injuries and benchings.
The 28-year-old Burton played in Europe last season. He spent his
first four seasons with Miami before averaging a career-high 15.3
points per game for Philadelphia in the 1994-95 season.
nba.1304vpoznanovic,
Pacers trade Williams to Nets for Askew
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 4, 1996 - 21:36 EST) -- Vincent Askew was traded by
the New Jersey Nets to the Indiana Pacers for Reggie Williams on
Monday night in an exchange of veteran forwards.
Neither Askew nor Williams spent much time with the teams that traded
them.
New Jersey acquired Askew from Seattle in an offseason trade for guard
Greg Graham. Indiana got Williams and Jalen Rose in the offseason in
the deal that sent Mark Jackson to Denver.
Askew did not score in his one regular-season appearance with the Nets
on Friday night. The eight-year veteran from Memphis State played
seven minutes in the first quarter and then saw New Jersey drop a
90-77 decision to Cleveland in John Calipari's debut as Nets' coach.
"It was a change to try to see if we could add some more scoring to
our team," Calipari said Monday night. He said while watching the
Cleveland game he realized that the Nets need to get more scoring.
"We may have to bring in guys that can score the ball. I think that's
vital to enjoying the game," he said.
Williams, a Georgetown product, averaged 2.5 points in two games with
Indiana.
Taken by the Los Angeles Clippers as the fourth pick overall in the
1987 NBA Draft, Williams also played with San Antonio and Denver. His
best season was in 1991-92 when he averaged 18.2 points with the
Nuggets.
The 6-foot-6 Askew had been with Seattle for the past three seasons
before being traded to the Nets.
Askew, who also had brief NBA stints with Philadelphia and Golden
State, is expected to join the Pacers for Wednesday night's game in
Boston. He must first pass a physical.
"The way our team was shaping up, we felt we needed another player who
could defend, take the ball to the basket and play and defend multiple
positions," said Pacers president Donnie Walsh. "Vincent Askew can do
that for us."
nba.1305vpoznanovic,
Bucks have a legacy if nothing else
(Nov 4, 1996 - 09:54 EST) - Rookie guard Ray Allen peered into the
rafters of the Bradley Center before a Milwaukee Bucks practice,
digesting a morsel of local hoops history.
The banners that are draped in the upper reaches of the arena are a
not-so-subtle reminder of days past, of better times for the
franchise, of another gone-but-not-forgotten era.
They hang there for all to see:
"World Champions, 1971, Milwaukee Bucks."
"Western Conference Champions, 1974, Milwaukee Bucks."
Sandwiched between the championship flags are the banners displaying
seven retired uniform numbers worn proudly by some of the best players
ever to don the Bucks' colors. There's Oscar Robertson's No. 1; Jon
McGlocklin's No. 14; Bob Lanier's No. 16; Brian Winters' No. 32;
Junior Bridgeman's No. 2; Sidney Moncrief's No. 4; and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar's No. 33.
They are names that may or may not be familiar to the current crop of
Bucks. But they are names that are definitely not foreign to the
legion of local fans that has followed the franchise through its
trials, tribulations and successes in its 28 years in the National
Basketball Association.
The banners represent a tradition of past excellence that the current
corps of players, along with new coach Chris Ford and his staff, would
like to duplicate in the present.
"We want to start that tradition again," said Allen, the first-year
guard from Connecticut. "Because without tradition, you've got
nothing. You just got a lot of guys getting paid to play basketball.
"Everything has fallen off as a whole, including the fans. Tradition
is tradition because of the fans. The people. We want to establish
that tradition again, get back into it."
Two-time all-star forward Vin Baker, entering his fourth season, has
played for the Bucks longer than anyone on the current roster. He's
played many games under the memory-filled banners.
He, too, would like to restore the tradition -- for himself, for his
teammates, for the fans and for the city of Milwaukee. Baker sobbed in
the locker room in Cleveland when the Boston Celtics edged the Bucks
out of the final playoff spot by one game two years ago. It eats away
at him that he has never experienced the playoffs. He knows of the
fans' heartache and frustration, too.
The time has come, Baker feels, to relive all that was once pro
basketball in this city.
Now. This season. Without delay.
"You can get a feel for the tradition the Bucks have," said Baker,
who, once again, will be the heart and soul of the team. "Not just the
Bucks, but for the fans, too. They are basketball knowledgeable. They
know the history this team has. That's why they've been so
disappointed. They want to return to that. It's our turn to do it.
It's the city's turn to do it.
"In all sincerity, this is the best team we've had in Milwaukee (in
the Baker years). This is the most confident I've felt going into a
season. That's why I say we can win 45 or 46 games. I sincerely feel
this is a really good team."
The Bucks have not won that many games since 1990-'91, when coach Del
Harris' team was victorious 48 times. That was also the last time the
team appeared in the playoffs.
The Bucks have not won 50 games since Don Nelson's squad went 50-32 in
1986-'87. They have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs
since 1988-'89. And the Bucks have not played for a conference
championship since 1986.
That's a lot of have nots.
Over the past five seasons, the Bucks have averaged 28 victories and
have not won more than 34 games. Clearly, there is much room for
improvement.
This season, the Bucks have put themselves into a position where they
have the potential to make positive strides. Is it then realistic to
mention the playoffs and the Bucks in the same breath?
"Yes, absolutely," Dunleavy said. "If you look at our team, one thing
you see is we're deep in every position. Over the long haul, that will
be a positive. You look at other teams, and you may like their
starting five better. But if you take it all the way down the line, we
probably have a better chance of withstanding an injury or if a guy is
not playing well."
Talk of the playoffs may be a bit heady for the Bucks at this point.
You've got to walk before you can run. Just getting the franchise
turned back in the right direction would be a reasonable goal for now.
The restoration of the once-proud Bucks tradition was one of the first
things Ford touched on last June when he was hired as the sixth head
coach in the team's history.
Ford has spent the greater part of his NBA playing and coaching career
with the Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in the
history of sport. He understands tradition. He has lived it.
It's a new generation of players who inhabit the league now, with a
different set a values. Even so, the concept of winning spans
generations and is the mission of Ford and his team, which is seeking
to link the Bucks' proud past with the present.
Or better yet, to start a tradition of their own.
"It's all about winning," Ford said. "What it takes to win. We want to
be part of the playoff picture. We haven't been there for a while."
nba.1306vpoznanovic,
Russell reveals secret dream: To be a Laker
(Nov 4, 1996 - 10:06 EST) -- The most successful Celtic of them all
secretly wished to be a Laker.
Bill Russell in purple and gold? Yup.
"One of the things I wish I could have done was play for the Lakers,"
Russell said at a rare public speaking appearance to announce the 50
greatest players in NBA history.
It was quite a revelation from the former center who led Boston to an
incredible eight consecutive championships from 1959-1966.
The streak ended in 1967 when Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia
76ers beat Boston 4-1 in the Eastern Conference finals. Russell and
the Celtics beat the Lakers for the championship in 1968 and 1969.
The 1969 Finals were the only time Russell and Chamberlain competed
against each other. Chamberlain took himself out of Game 7 with a knee
injury.
In all, Russell spent 13 years in the NBA, won 11 championships and
played in the NBA Finals 12 times.
"We won those championships one at a time," Russell said. "We never
discussed dynasties or anything like that, and we never looked past
the next game."
In Russell's mind, however, there was always one unfulfilled wish --
to be a Laker. The reason: He idolized the Lakers' center.
"George Mikan was my high school hero. I was a third-string, junior
varsity center, 6-foot-7 and 160 pounds, and I went to see the Lakers
play," Russell said.
"George Mikan came out of the locker room and saw me, and he walked
over and said, 'How ya doin,' big fella?' He stayed and talked to me
for 15 minutes and said one day I should be a Laker. And that's one of
the things I wish I could have done."
* * *
WILT'S TURN: Chamberlain also has an unfulfilled wish -- to play with
a 3-point line on the floor.
"If I played in the NBA today, I would want to be a guard," said
Chamberlain, who was a decent outside shooter in his day but rarely
ventured 22 feet from the basket.
"I was a tremendous 3-point shooter. Maybe my 100-point game would
have been 150 points," he joked.
"I wish you would have shot those 3s when you played us," retorted
Russell, who was 3 inches shorter than Chamberlain and was frequently
outplayed in the paint by his rival.
* * *
THE OLD NBA: Chamberlain, Russell, Mikan, Oscar Robertson and Julius
Erving were on hand as the league announced its 50 greatest players.
The discussion eventually turned to the different eras the NBA has
gone through, and Russell was asked if players are better today than
they were in the 1950s and '60s.
Russell told the story of Maurice King, who came out of Kansas in 1959
and was drafted by the Celtics.
"Maurice King was as good of a guard as you could find, but we had a
backcourt of Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy -- and
there was just no room for him," he said.
"All the teams were that deep, and there were only 10 players on the
rosters and only eight or nine teams. All the guys that could play
could really play. Now, the good teams have seven or eight players,
and after that they have practice players."
Erving had a different perspective.
"Today, talent-wise, the average player is more talented than he was
in my particular era," he said. "The difference probably lies in the
fact that today, he might not be as mentally and emotionally prepared
to get into the playoffs and win as we were in our era."
* * *
FASHION SHOW: When the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks tipped off
the season Friday night at the SkyDome, they wore replicas of uniforms
from 1946, when the first game of the Basketball Association of
America, the NBA's precursor, was played.
The Raptors played in uniforms that bore the name "Huskies" -- the
name of the original Toronto franchise that played there for only one
year.
There will be another 21 games featuring teams wearing retro uniforms.
The replica uniforms are made of nylon mesh, just like the normal
uniforms, and have a modern fit. At least one executive in the NBA
offices unsuccessfully lobbied to have the players wear satin uniforms
with baggy shorts -- just like the originals.
* * *
GRIST ON LIST: The debate began immediately after the NBA unveiled its
list of the 50 greatest players.
Much of it centered on the inclusion of Shaquille O'Neal, who has been
in the league only four years and whose teams have been swept in a
playoff round the past three seasons.
"He basically hasn't won anything significant, and even his individual
numbers haven't been that extraordinary. I think, frankly, they did
Shaq a disservice," said former Boston Celtics guard Bob Cousy, who
also made the list.
Cousy added, though, that O'Neal will "certainly deserve" to make the
list in two or three years.
The 50 players were selected by a panel of current and former players,
coaches, general managers, team executives and media members. Notable
by their absence were David Thompson, Alex English, Dominique Wilkins,
Bob Lanier, Connie Hawkins, Bob McAdoo and Joe Fulks.
* * *
MONEY MATTERS: The NBA's average ticket price for the 1996-97 season
is $34.08, an increase of 8 percent from last year, according to Team
Marketing Report, a Chicago-based newsletter.
The eight teams that have played in the NBA Finals since 1991 --
Chicago, Portland, New York, Houston, Orlando, Seattle, Phoenix and
the Los Angeles Lakers -- are among the nine teams with the highest
prices. The exception is the Boston Celtics, whose average price is
$39.25.
The Trail Blazers, who moved into a new arena last season, have the
highest average price at $47.49 -- a 12 percent increase from 1995-96.
The Los Angeles Clippers have the lowest average price at $24.81. The
Clippers are one of three teams lowering ticket prices this season.
The Celtics and Golden State Warriors, who are playing in San Jose
this season while their arena in Oakland is refurbished, are the
others.
Team Marketing Report said the NBA's average ticket price ranks third
among major professional sports behind the NHL ($38.34) and NFL
($35.74) and ahead of Major League Baseball ($11.20).
It costs a league-high $268.45 for a family of four to attend a Knicks
game -- with average-price tickets, concessions, souvenirs and
parking. The same family can attend a Hornets game for $152.28,
cheapest in the league.
nba.1307vpoznanovic,
NBA 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 3,500 assists club
(Nov 5, 1996 - 00:42 EST) -- A list of the National Basketball
Association players who have at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds
and 3,500 assists (x-Active) through Nov. 4:
Points Rebounds Assists
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387 17,440 5,660
2. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419 23,924 4,643
3. Elgin Baylor 23,149 11,463 3,650
4. x-Charles Barkley 20,769 10,364 3,501
nba.1308vpoznanovic,
Sonics already thinking about championships
SEATTLE (Nov 4, 1996 - 11:48 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics have more
on their minds than regular-season victories.
They'd like to replace the Chicago Bulls as NBA champions.
"We sat in here and watched Chicago get their rings and that's what we
want," Nate McMillan said. "Being the Western Conference champions is
great, but we want to be world champions."
After losing their opener in Utah, the Sonics were at their defensive
best in the second quarter in beating the revamped Portland Trail
Blazers 104-93 Saturday night.
With 7:07 remaining, coach George Karl's Sonics led 100-74.
The Sonics have three games this week. They play Atlanta in the Key
Arena on Tuesday night and are at Phoenix on Thursday night and San
Antonio on Friday.
The Sonics were surprise first-round playoff losers in the 1993-94 and
'94-95 seasons. By reaching the NBA Finals against the Bulls last
season, they lifted the pressure of the previous two seasons.
"I think the last couple of seasons we went into the season with a
noose around our necks," Karl said. "Well, that noose isn't there
anymore. This season we're going to have to motivate ourselves in
different ways."
The Sonics have a new player in their starting line-up this season for
defensive purposes. Against the Blazers, 7-foot-1 Jim McIlvaine had
five blocked shots, giving him nine in two games.
In 22 minutes, McIlvaine scored only two points, but the Sonics don't
care. They'll judge him on his blocks.
"I really enjoy playing this style of defense," McIlvaine said. "It's
demanding, but I'm in the best shape of my life."
The Sonics aren't concerned about McIlvaine's offense because because
they have All-Stars Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton and former All-Stars
Detlef Schrempf and Hersey Hawkins to do the bulk of their scoring.
Playing 30 minutes, Kemp led the way against Portland with 24 points,
making all 14 of his free-throw attempts. Payton sat out the second
quarter after getting three fouls in the opening period and wound up
with 18 points in 26 minutes.
Schrempf added 23 points and Hawkins 15. Off the bench, Sam Perkins
had 10 and new reserve Craig Ehlo scored seven.
The strength of the Sonics is still defense. In the second quarter,
the Blazers scored only 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
"We were a lot more aggressive than we were in the Utah game,"
McIlvaine said.
Before the game, the Sonics raised their Western Conference
championship banner that they won in seven games against Utah last
season. Then they went out and dismantled Portland.
Kemp, who blocked one shot against the Blazers, smiled when asked if
he intended to let McIlvaine do most of the shot blocking for the
Sonics this season.
"I'll still be blocking them when I can," he said. "I just won't have
to block as many this year."
nba.1309vpoznanovic,
Robertson gets jail time
SAN ANTONIO (Nov 4, 1996 - 19:24 EST) -- Former NBA All-Star Alvin
Robertson was ordered Monday to serve six months in jail for a
burglary conviction.
Robertson was convicted in October of burglarizing the apartment of
ex-girlfriend Sharon Raeford. Jurors decided he should be placed on 10
years' probation and fined $10,000.
On Monday, during a court appearance to set terms of probation, state
District Judge Raymond Angelini ordered the 34-year-old player to
serve six months in the Bexar County Jail.
The judge also ordered Robertson to do 500 hours of community service
and to pay $27,000 in restitution.
Eddie Garcia, Robertson's attorney, filed notice that he would appeal
the ruling, which could get Robertson released on bond. Robertson has
said he hoped to be back with an NBA team this season. Robertson
played five seasons with the Spurs and played last season with the
Toronto Raptors.
During the punishment phase of his trial, Robertson asked the jury to
give him another chance.
"I hope I get the opportunity to resume my place in society," said
Robertson, describing himself as a "decent, honest, hard-working guy."
The state court jury found him guilty of burglary with intent to
commit theft in connection with a rampage in June 1995 at Raeford's
apartment. He could have faced up to 20 years in prison for the felony
conviction.
Raeford did not testify against Robertson and reportedly left town
before the trial began. Robertson's wife, Jackie, testified on his
behalf, saying her husband was sorry for what he had done.
Robertson was jailed from Aug. 21 until Oct. 10 after his arrest in a
separate criminal mischief case in which he is accused of vandalizing
Raeford's 1994 BMW.
He already was serving a year's probation after pleading no contest in
April to misdemeanor assault charges involving two women.
nba.1310lexus,
-> #1195, vpoznanovic=> Nope. :) Podaci su komercijalni, odnosno, mogu se dobiti samo
=> plaćanjem pretplate.
Kako si platio pretplatu?
nba.1311vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (117) AT SEATTLE (95)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 37 6-9 0-0 3 6 9 2 0 2 0 13
LAETTNER F 41 6-13 1-2 1 6 7 4 2 0 3 14
MUTOMBO C 26 5-8 0-0 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 10
SMITH G 38 8-19 6-6 3 6 9 7 2 2 4 27
BLAYLOCK G 34 8-16 0-0 0 4 4 7 5 4 1 21
BURTON 22 6-8 6-7 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 20
RECASNER 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
BARRY 17 4-7 1-1 1 2 3 2 0 1 1 11
NEWBILL 15 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 0
BOYCE 1 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
LAUDERDALE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
HENDERSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 43-81 15-18 10 28 38 23 20 9 15 117
(.531) (.833) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 32 10-12 3-3 3 6 9 2 6 1 3 23
D SCHREMPF F 37 5-10 2-3 2 6 8 8 2 0 4 12
MCILVAINE C 16 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 4
HAWKINS G 29 0-4 0-0 3 1 4 3 2 1 3 0
PAYTON G 40 8-17 4-4 0 0 0 8 2 3 2 24
PERKINS 32 5-11 2-2 2 6 8 0 0 3 2 14
EHLO 19 5-10 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 4 12
MCMILLAN 17 2-5 0-0 1 3 4 2 4 0 3 6
WINGATE 11 0-8 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 0 0 0
STEWART 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SNOW 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-81 11-12 13 25 38 25 23 10 21 95
(.457) (.917) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 21(31 PTS)
ATLANTA 34 21 36 26 - 117
SEATTLE 29 29 18 19 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 3, LAUDERDALE. SEATTLE - PERKINS, EHLO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 16-29 (.552), CORBIN 1-2, LAETTNER 1-1, SMITH
5-11, BLAYLOCK 5-7, BURTON 2-3, BARRY 2-4, BOYCE 0-1. SEATTLE 10-33
(.303), D SCHREMPF 0-3, HAWKINS 0-2, PAYTON 4-9, PERKINS 2-8, EHLO 2-6,
MCMILLAN 2-2, WINGATE 0-3.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - DELAY.
OFFICIALS: DERRICK STAFFORD, BILL OAKES, SCOTT WALL.
A - 17,072. T - 2:00.
ATLANTA (117) AT SEATTLE (95)
Steve Smith scored 16 of his 27 points in the third quarter as
the Atlanta Hawks made 16 three-pointers to rout the Seattle
SuperSonics, 117-95, for their second straight win.
Mookie Blaylock added 21 points and Willie Burton had 20 for
Atlanta (2-2), which snapped a four-game losing streak against
Seattle. Smith contributed nine rebounds and seven assists for
the Hawks, who were playing for the fourth time in five days.
"What we tried to do is have a good spacing, especially when we
know they're going to double-team," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens
said. "If we can stretch the floor out, then it's a long way to
have to run. We've got some guys that can make three-pointers
so we've got to take advantage of it."
"The win means a lot to us," Blaylock said. "We really did not
play well the first two ball games. This win says a lot about
our team."
Atlanta last beat Seattle by this big a margin on October 24th,
1973, winning 131-106 in Seattle.
Gary Payton scored 24 points, Shawn Kemp added 23 and Sam
Perkins had 14 for Seattle (1-2), which lost for just the second
time in nine home games with the Hawks. The SuperSonics also
had their 13-game home winning streak snapped.
"This does not happen very often in our building," Sonics coach
George Karl said. "It's a rare showing when a team comes in
here and takes the energy away from us."
The teams tied an NBA record with 62 three-point attempts in a
48-minute game, set last February 27th by Dallas and
Philadelphia.
After Jim McIlvaine made a layup to give Seattle a 65-60 lead
four minutes into the third quarter, Smith nailed a
three-pointer to ignite a 22-4 run and added eight points during
the spurt. Corbin made a three-pointer to cap the burst, giving
the Hawks an 82-69 lead with 3:11 to go in the third.
Smith scored five more points to extend the Hawks' lead to 91-76
entering the fourth quarter. The Sonics closed within 93-81
three minutes into the period, but never got closer as the Hawks
scored 22 of the next 30 points to build a 26-point bulge.
Christian Laettner scored 14 points and Corbin finished with 13
points and nine rebounds for Atlanta, which shot 53 percent
(43-of-81) from the field -- including a team-record 16
three-pointers.
"We didn't turn the ball over," Corbin said. "They made a lot
of mistakes as far as turning the ball over. We did a good job
of turning the ball and getting the ball to guys in their spots.
We penetrated to the basket and made the extra pass. We played
a great overall team tonight, offensively and defensively."
Former Hawk Craig Ehlo and Detlef Schrempf added 12 apiece for
Seattle, which shot 46 percent (37-of-81) and committed 21
turnovers that led to 31 points for Atlanta.
"We didn't show up tonight," Schrempf said. "They played
extremely well. We figured just by being on the court, we could
win the game and that's not the case."
"I'm sure they could look in our eyes and see the confusion,"
said Nate McMillan, who was held to six points. "It's the same
read that we pick up on teams when we're aggressive."
nba.1312vpoznanovic,
DALLAS (96) AT TORONTO (100)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 21 8-16 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 2 1 20
MEYER F 14 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 1 4
MONTROSS C 18 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 3 3 0 0 2
JACKSON G 35 5-18 9-12 1 5 6 2 4 0 1 20
KIDD G 37 3-8 0-2 2 4 6 5 2 2 3 8
MASHBURN 24 5-9 1-2 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 11
GATLING 32 6-14 10-14 6 5 11 2 1 1 1 22
MILLER 30 2-4 0-0 5 2 7 3 3 0 2 4
HARPER 13 1-2 2-2 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 4
DUMAS 11 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 2 0
ROBERTS 5 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-82 23-34 16 27 43 22 28 9 14 96
(.402) (.676) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(21 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 34 13-21 5-5 4 5 9 2 6 3 1 34
TABAK F 22 2-6 2-2 1 7 8 0 4 1 2 6
BENJAMIN C 9 0-1 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 1
CHRISTIE G 20 1-5 2-2 1 2 3 3 6 0 2 4
STOUDAMIRE G 43 10-22 5-6 1 1 2 8 3 0 2 28
ROGERS 31 1-7 0-0 4 8 12 1 2 1 3 3
CAMBY 28 2-6 3-4 1 2 3 0 4 0 2 7
DAVIS 33 7-11 1-1 0 2 2 0 3 3 3 15
JONES 12 1-2 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 2
WRIGHT 5 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0
WHITESIDE 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-85 19-22 15 32 47 17 32 8 18 100
(.435) (.864) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
DALLAS 26 27 28 15 - 96
TORONTO 20 20 34 26 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MILLER 2, KIDD. TORONTO - CAMBY 5, ROGERS,
WRIGHT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 7-19 (.368), MCCLOUD 4-7, JACKSON 1-5, KIDD 2-5,
MASHBURN 0-1, DUMAS 0-1. TORONTO 7-20 (.350), WILLIAMS 3-6, CHRISTIE 0-3,
STOUDAMIRE 3-7, ROGERS 1-2, DAVIS 0-1, WHITESIDE 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, BRUCE ALEXANDER, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 17,065. T - 2:27.
DALLAS (96) AT TORONTO (100)
Walt Williams poured in 34 points and Damon Stoudamire scored
three of his 28 points in the final 44 seconds as the Toronto
Raptors posted their first win of the year, 100-96 over the
Dallas Mavericks.
Toronto, which trailed by as many as 18 points, used a 21-3 run
to take an 89-84 lead with 6:45 remaining. Williams scored 11
points during the spurt and Hubert Davis' jumper gave the
Raptors the five-point advantage.
Jim Jackson hit four consecutive free throws to put Dallas back
in front, 96-95, with 56.4 seconds to play. But Stoudamire
nailed a jumper with 44 seconds left and, after Chris Gatling
was called for traveling, Stoudamire added a foul shot to make
it 98-96 with 20.6 seconds to go.
Jackson and Jason Kidd missed three-point attempts and rookie
Marcus Camby converted two free throws to seal the win.
Chris Gatling led Dallas with 22 points and 11 rebounds off the
bench, while Jackson and George McCloud each scored 20 points.
The Mavs shot 40 percent (33-of-82) from the field and 68
percent (23-of-34) from the free-throw line.
"We started to celebrate during the game and we didn't take care
of business," said Mavericks coach Jim Cleamons. "Give the
Raptors credit. Don't take anything away from them, they
deserve the victory. They did what they were supposed to and
we're walking out of here with our tails between our legs."
Davis tallied 15 points and Carlos Rogers grabbed 12 rebounds
for Toronto, which shot just 43.5 percent (37-of-85) from the
floor, but 86 percent (19-of-22) from the foul line. Williams
added nine boards, while Zan Tabak had eight.
"It was a good victory," Stoudamire said. "We hung in. We
needed to play some good defense and had some crucial stops. We
made some big defensive plays. Camby made some big blocks and
hit two clutch free throws. I'm happy for Walt (Williams). It
is something to build on."
Williams came close to his career high of 40 points, set while
with Sacramento on January 2nd, 1993 against Philadelphia. He
played for the Kings and Miami Heat last year before signing for
the league minimum with Toronto in August.
"The win feels good," he said. "I think me and Damon took
control of the game. Our intensity on defense was great and we
hit our shots. It was a lot of fun, but we have to make sure
this continues into Friday."
nba.1313vpoznanovic,
DETROIT (83) AT PHILADELPHIA (81)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 41 9-22 4-8 3 11 14 9 3 3 5 22
LONG F 31 3-8 2-2 3 3 6 2 2 0 0 8
THORPE C 26 2-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 5 0 4 4
DUMARS G 41 6-12 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 2 4 15
HUNTER G 37 6-15 1-1 1 1 2 1 5 0 1 17
CURRY 15 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
MILLS 18 4-9 0-0 2 5 7 1 1 0 3 10
RATLIFF 9 0-0 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 1
AUGMON 17 1-5 2-4 1 2 3 2 2 1 1 4
MAHORN 4 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
SMITH 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-79 10-17 15 32 47 16 21 6 19 83
(.405) (.588) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(18 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
DAVIS F 45 3-11 3-4 4 8 12 7 4 6 0 9
WEATHERSPOON F 40 3-11 2-3 10 5 15 0 4 0 0 8
COLEMAN C 39 9-18 4-4 1 7 8 5 1 3 6 22
STACKHOUSE G 41 5-19 1-2 0 1 1 6 3 0 4 11
IVERSON G 38 9-18 3-7 2 5 7 2 4 3 3 24
HARRIS 11 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 4
OVERTON 10 1-2 1-1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 3
MACLEAN 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
CAGE 8 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 0
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
WALTERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-85 14-21 18 30 48 23 18 13 14 81
(.376) (.667) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 16(22 PTS)
DETROIT 20 19 22 22 - 83
PHILADELPHIA 27 17 23 14 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - RATLIFF 2, HILL. PHILADELPHIA - DAVIS 2,
STACKHOUSE, IVERSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 9-19 (.474), HILL 0-1, LONG 0-1, DUMARS 3-7,
HUNTER 4-7, MILLS 2-2, SMITH 0-1. PHILADELPHIA 3-13 (.231), COLEMAN 0-2,
STACKHOUSE 0-3, IVERSON 3-6, HARRIS 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BILL SPOONER, HUE HOLLINS, JOE BORGIA.
A - 12,713. T - 2:12.
DETROIT (83) AT PHILADELPHIA (81)
Grant Hill scored eight points in a game-ending 14-2 run,
including two free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining that gave
the Detroit Pistons an 83-81 victory over the winless
Philadelphia 76ers.
Allen Iverson's three-pointer with 4:29 to play gave the 76ers
as 79-69 lead, but the Pistons scored 14 of the final 16 points.
Lindsey Hunter and Terry Mills each hit three-pointers in the
run and Hill's 17-foot jumper with 1:37 to go made it 79-79.
Mark Davis made two foul shots with 80 seconds left, but Hill
dunked 23 seconds later to tie.
Davis' layup bounced off the rim and the Pistons called a
timeout. Hill drove the lane, was fouled with 2.8 seconds left
and sank both foul shots. Philadelphia's Lucious Harris missed a
19-foot baseline jumper as time expired.
Hill had 14 rebounds and fell one assist shy of a triple-double.
"We played as bad as you can play for 45 minutes," Hill said.
"We were down by 10, Mills hit a three, we got some shots and
played good defense down the stretch. I feel good that Doug
(Collins) has the confidence to go to me. I struggled as much
as you can struggle, missed free throws, layups and dunks. We
just have to think about what's going good today and try to take
over."
Hunter had 17 points and Joe Dumars added 15 for the Pistons,
who have won their first three games. Detroit, which has won
nine straight meetings with the 76ers, has held each of its
first three opponents to under 90 points.
"The defense helped turn it around late in the game," Detroit
coach Doug Collins said. "We also saw a different Grant Hill at
the end of this game. Last year he would not have made those
plays. Even though he was struggling in this game, he still put
the ball on the line to make those plays, that's what he has to
do. If you're coaching a guy who has the chance to be the best
player in the game, you have to give him the opportunity. Grant
is expected to do a lot for us. It reminds me of my early days
with Michael (Jordan) ... when he had to win games until other
guys grew up. That's what's gonna happen with Grant."
Iverson led Philadelphia with 24 points, Derrick Coleman had 22
points and eight rebounds and Clarence Weatherspoon added eight
and 15 as the 76ers fell to 0-3. Philadelphia shot a dismal 38
percent (32-of-85) from the field and was 3-for-13 from
three-point range.
"It was a tough loss, we played hard, we played well enough to
deserve a better ending than this," Philadelphia coach Johnny
Davis said. "It didn't happen that way, we'll just have to
regroup and get ready for the next game. Grant Hill came up
big for the Pistons down the stretch and we didn't get it done.
Still, it was a good effort, we executed better overall, the
effort I was pleased with, we came out with tremendous effort. "
Davis gave his early-season assessment of rookie guard Iverson.
"Iverson is a very good offensive player and a tenacious player
defensively. Each game is a learning experience for him. When
you look at how he's playing and where he should be in terms of
still in college, he's actually doing pretty well. Clearly
there are some things he still needs to learn, but those are
things you can only learn through practical experience."
Detroit led 58-57 with 3:35 left in the third quarter before
Philadelphia went on a 10-3 run for a 67-61 advantage entering
the final period.
Coleman scored 14 points and Iverson had nine to help the 76ers
to a 44-39 halftime lead.
nba.1314vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (102) AT SACRAMENTO (80)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 34 5-11 5-8 3 9 12 3 4 3 3 16
ELIE F 24 3-6 1-2 0 2 2 2 2 1 2 7
OLAJUWON C 33 12-23 10-13 2 5 7 3 2 4 4 34
MALONEY G 30 5-5 0-0 0 1 1 5 1 1 1 12
DREXLER G 25 2-8 0-1 1 1 2 4 5 1 5 6
WILLIS 23 4-8 3-3 5 3 8 2 3 3 2 11
DAVIS 13 1-3 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 2 2 4
BULLARD 27 2-4 1-2 2 1 3 1 1 0 1 6
MACK 16 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 3
HARRINGTON 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2
LIVINGSTON 5 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1
MOORE 5 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 240 36-79 23-33 13 25 38 23 23 19 21 102
(.456) (.697) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 22(17 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 26 6-12 2-3 2 4 6 1 4 1 6 14
GRANT F 37 5-10 4-5 3 3 6 1 4 2 1 14
POLYNICE C 34 3-5 0-3 5 6 11 2 5 1 3 6
RICHMOND G 33 4-14 2-6 1 3 4 4 3 1 4 11
ABDUL-RAUF G 30 8-13 0-1 0 2 2 3 2 0 3 16
OWENS 22 2-10 0-2 2 4 6 2 1 1 2 4
SMITH 19 2-2 0-2 2 4 6 1 5 1 4 4
EDNEY 15 2-7 3-4 1 2 3 1 1 0 3 7
SIMMONS 15 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 2 0
CAUSWELL 6 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 6 0 1 2
HURLEY 3 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-78 13-28 18 30 48 16 32 8 29 80
(.423) (.464) TEAM REBS: 16 TOTAL TO: 29(31 PTS)
HOUSTON 25 24 22 31 - 102
SACRAMENTO 20 15 20 25 - 80
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - OLAJUWON 3, WILLIS. SACRAMENTO - GRANT 2,
POLYNICE, SIMMONS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 7-18 (.389), BARKLEY 1-3, ELIE 0-1, MALONEY
2-2, DREXLER 2-5, BULLARD 1-2, MACK 1-4, MOORE 0-1. SACRAMENTO 1-4 (.250),
RICHMOND 1-2, OWENS 0-2.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ELIE, BARKLEY, DREXLER, SACRAMENTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE
3.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 17,317. T - 2:11.
HOUSTON (102) AT SACRAMENTO (80)
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 34 points and Charles Barkley added 16
points and 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets won their fourth
straight game with a 102-80 pasting of the Sacramento Kings.
Houston, the only 4-0 team in the league, defeated the Kings for
the second time in five days.
"I like the way our effort is going defensively," Rockets coach
Rudy Tomjanovich said. "The only way to win a championship is
to live and believe defense. Charles was something else
tonight, he always keeps you up and always has an angle. In an
82-game season, a guy like that is invaluable."
Olajuwon was 12-of-23 from the field, 10-of-13 from the foul
line, grabbed seven rebounds and added four steals and three
blocks. Matt Maloney had 12 points and Kevin Willis contributed
11 and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who have won their first
four games by a combined 51 points.
"Our defensive effort tonight, helping each other on defense,
putting pressure on the ball, made a lot of difference tonight,"
Olajuwon said. "I really played physical and caused the other
team to foul me."
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf led the Kings with 16 points and Brian Grant
and Corliss Williamson each added 14. Sacramento (1-2) lost in
its home opener.
Houston, which has won eight of its last nine games at
Sacramento, led 28-24 with 6:30 left in the second quarter
before embarking on a 21-11 run to take a 49-35 advantage at
halftime.
"We're playing well right now, we have some great guys like
Hakeem, who have already accomplished a lot in their careers,"
Barkley said. "Hopefully, we can keep getting better."
The Kings got as close as 62-53 with 3:28 to go in the third
quarter, but the Rockets scored nine of the final 11 points in
the period for a 71-55 cushion.
"We had some great looks at the basket and we just couldn't
finish them," Sacramento's Mitch Richmond said. "We couldn't
play any worse."
Sacramento commited 29 turnovers and shot a woeful 46 percent
(13-of-28) from the foul line. Richmond was held to just 11
points on 4-of-14 from the field.
"We've got no one to blame but ourselves, there is no excuse for
turning the ball over at that ratio," Kings coach Garry St. Jean
said. "Our execution on the offensive end left a lot to be
desired."
Sacramento's Billy Owens, who missed the first two games with a
groin injury, scored four points in 22 minutes off the bench.
nba.1315vpoznanovic,
LA CLIPPERS (82) AT DENVER (78)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 28 5-16 0-0 7 6 13 0 1 2 1 10
ROGERS F 23 5-10 4-5 1 3 4 2 3 0 1 15
DUCKWORTH C 15 0-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 1 3 1
RICHARDSON G 36 5-12 1-2 1 1 2 6 3 1 3 12
SEALY G 27 1-7 4-4 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 6
MURRAY 25 4-7 0-1 2 2 4 0 0 1 1 8
ROBERTS 29 8-12 5-6 3 4 7 2 1 0 1 21
OUTLAW 21 1-3 0-0 1 3 4 1 5 2 1 2
DEHERE 19 1-6 3-4 0 3 3 0 2 1 0 5
D MARTIN 12 0-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 0
WRIGHT 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
PIATKOWSKI 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 31-83 18-24 15 26 41 15 21 9 14 82
(.373) (.750) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(10 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L ELLIS F 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MCDYESS F 34 5-8 0-0 2 3 5 0 5 1 5 10
JOHNSON C 32 1-5 0-2 3 6 9 0 5 1 0 2
STITH G 30 7-12 3-6 1 5 6 3 4 2 4 17
JACKSON G 40 3-6 3-5 0 7 7 16 4 1 6 9
D ELLIS 33 10-21 2-3 1 6 7 1 1 0 1 25
HAMMONDS 15 0-2 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 0 0 0
PIERCE 16 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 4
THOMPSON 12 0-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 0 2 0
HAM 3 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MURDOCK 8 0-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2
MARCIULIONIS 15 4-6 1-2 2 1 3 0 3 1 3 9
TOTALS 240 32-72 11-20 12 31 43 21 32 6 22 78
(.444) (.550) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 23(17 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 18 19 23 22 - 82
DENVER 30 17 19 12 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - ROBERTS 3, ROGERS, RICHARDSON, DEHERE.
DENVER - MCDYESS 3, HAMMONDS, THOMPSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 2-11 (.182), ROGERS 1-3, RICHARDSON 1-3,
MURRAY 0-1, DEHERE 0-1, D MARTIN 0-3. DENVER 3-14 (.214), L ELLIS 0-1,
STITH 0-2, D ELLIS 3-9, PIERCE 0-1, MARCIULIONIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: TOMMY NUNEZ, DICK BAVETTA, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 10,190. T - 2:10.
LA CLIPPERS (82) AT DENVER (78)
Stanley Roberts scored nine of his 21 points in the fourth
quarter and Terry Dehere sank two key free throws with 15
seconds left as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied for an 82-78
victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets led 72-64 with 8:26 remaining, but the Clippers
reeled off the next 11 points for a 75-72 advantage with 3:57 to
play. Roberts had six points during the run.
"Welcome back Mr. Roberts, he did a great job filling the middle
and taking rebounds," Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "He's
getting there and I'm happy for him. The best substitution of
the night was Dale Ellis for LaPhonso Ellis, he just killed us."
Dale Ellis hit a three-pointer and the ensuing foul shot for a
rare four-point play as Denver took its final lead of the game,
78-77, with 1:57 to go.
Roberts made one of two free throws to tie it seven seconds
later. After Denver failed to convert, former Nugget Rodney
Rogers made one of two foul shots, giving the Clippers a 79-78
edge. Dehere stole Ricky Pierce's pass and was fouled. He
converted both free throws to make it 81-78 with 15 seconds left
and Pooh Richardson added a final foul shot to seal the victory.
Rogers had 15 points and Richardson added 12 for the Clippers,
who have won two straight following a season-opening loss.
Ellis led the Nuggets with 25 points, Bryant Stith added 17 and
Mark Jackson contributed nine points and 16 assists as Denver
fell to 1-2.
After a 6-4 lead early in the first quarter, the Clippers didn't
lead again until Richardson hit a three-pointer to cap the 11-0
run and make it 75-72.
Ellis had nine points and Jackson eight as the Nuggets raced to
a 30-18 lead after one quarter. Denver carried a 47-37 lead
into halftime and had a 66-60 advantage entering the final
quarter.
Roberts was 8-for-12 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and
blocked three shots in 29 minutes off the bench. Loy Vaught had
10 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who shot 37 percent
(31-of-83) from the floor.
"With my asthma, it was kind of hard to breathe," Roberts said.
"The oxygen bottle helped me. I'm not where I want to be but
it's the best game I've played so far."
After Ellis and Stith, Antonio McDyess with 10, was the only
other Nugget in double figures.
LaPhonso Ellis left in the first quarter with irritation of his
left knee and did not return. Ellis, who has a history of knee
trouble, will have an MRI on Wednesday.
"When LaPhonso went down, we had guys who got pretty down,"
Nuggets coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "But we can't get down
on ourselves. We haven't made the plays to give us a 14 or
16-point lead. You have to put teams away when you can. When a
guy is going to have an MRI, you have to be concerned with the
results."
"My left knee was bothering me a bit in pregame warmups but it
was something I felt I could play through once I warmed up,"
Ellis said. "On the first play of the game, I forced Rodney
(Rogers) to the middle and tried to block his shot. When I went
up, I felt a sharp pain in my lower kneecap area. The pain is
not the same pain I had when I hurt my left knee in the summer
of '94. It only hurts when I jump, not when I walk or run."
nba.1316vpoznanovic,
LA LAKERS (98) AT NEW YORK (92)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 42 5-10 6-7 1 4 5 4 0 2 2 18
CAMPBELL F 27 6-7 1-1 0 4 4 0 5 0 1 13
ONEAL C 41 12-23 2-5 3 10 13 1 5 2 2 26
JONES G 41 5-7 2-2 1 7 8 2 4 1 5 15
VAN EXEL G 32 3-11 6-7 0 2 2 8 0 0 1 13
BLOUNT 21 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 3 0
SCOTT 10 0-0 3-4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3
ROOKS 7 0-2 1-2 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 1
BRYANT 3 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
FISHER 16 1-3 6-6 1 0 1 5 1 0 2 8
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-64 28-36 10 29 39 21 20 6 17 98
(.500) (.778) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 35 2-7 3-8 5 2 7 6 1 0 3 7
OAKLEY F 36 8-11 0-0 4 7 11 1 5 2 4 17
EWING C 40 8-22 5-6 2 4 6 0 4 3 3 21
WARD G 38 3-9 0-0 0 4 4 9 5 0 0 9
HOUSTON G 35 8-17 0-1 1 1 2 0 1 3 2 19
B WILLIAMS 17 0-1 0-0 1 4 5 0 5 0 1 0
STARKS 23 2-9 1-2 0 1 1 4 3 1 0 7
H WILLIAMS 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
WALLACE 14 5-7 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 12
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-83 11-19 14 24 38 20 27 10 14 92
(.434) (.579) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
LA LAKERS 25 24 24 25 - 98
NEW YORK 22 23 23 24 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL 5, JONES 2. NEW YORK - WARD, B WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 6-13 (.462), CEBALLOS 2-4, JONES 3-4, VAN
EXEL 1-5. NEW YORK 9-21 (.429), OAKLEY 1-1, EWING 0-1, WARD 3-8, HOUSTON
3-5, STARKS 2-6.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - B WILLIAMS, JOHNSON.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, ED F RUSH, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 19,763. T - 2:17.
LA LAKERS (98) AT NEW YORK (92)
Nick Van Exel's three-pointer with 39 seconds remaining capped a
decisive fourth-quarter run and lifted the Los Angeles Lakers to
their third straight victory, a 98-92 defeat of the New York
Knicks.
The Lakers used a 13-4 run in the final four minutes to break
open an 82-82 game. Van Exel had seven points in the spurt,
including a three-pointer from the left wing as the shot clock
expired. Van Exel, who hit four free throws to seal the
victory, was 2-for-10 from the field prior to the last-second
three-pointer.
"It felt perfect when it left my hand and most of them don't
feel that way, but this one did," Van Exel said. "It was a
simple clear-out with Shaq and I just left it go."
Shaquille O'Neal hit a key fallaway jumper with 95 seconds left
and finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks for the
Lakers, who also got 18 points from Cedric Ceballos.
"It was a big win for us and was good for our confidence at this
point in the season," Van Exel added. "We came away from here
with a good road win and proved something to the people that
were expecting us to get a win against one of the top teams."
"We want to establish home dominance and we want to be over .500
on the road. This is a good start for us," O'Neal said.
Patrick Ewing had 21 points for New York, which lost for the
first time in three games. Allan Houston added 19 points and
Charles Oakley had 17 and 11 rebounds in his first appearance of
the season.
"We have a long way to go to develop the mental disposition down
the stretch that it takes to win games," Knicks coach Jeff Van
Gundy. "It is not going to be technical. It is going to be
toughness and we have to develop that."
"I don't think this is typical of this team and what you'll see
in the future," Houston said. "It was a good test for us. This
was like a playoff game, now we have to learn to get control of
the game in the fourth quarter."
The Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak in New York,
winning at Madison Square Garden for the first time since March
10th, 1992. The Knicks lost to Los Angeles for just the second
time in their last nine meetings.
With the score tied, 82-82, Van Exel hit two free throws with
3:57 to play. Elden Campbell added a scoop layup for an 86-82
advantage, but Oakley's putback brought the Knicks within two
with 3:05 to go.
Ceballos was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound and made
both free throws for an 88-84 lead with 1:53 left. Oakley hit a
jumper with 95 seconds left to bring new York within a bucket,
but O'Neal answered by hitting his short jumper with 1:14 to go.
Larry Johnson, who was just 3-for-8 from the foul line, missed a
pair of free throws and Van Exel made Johnson by draining the
three-pointer. Van Exel added four free throws around a Charlie
Ward three-pointer before Houston capped the scoring with a
three-pointer in the final seconds.
"We let them get some offensive rebounds, but definitely the
missed free-throws by me shouldn't have happened," Johnson said.
"I'll learn from it."
Knicks rookie John Wallace continued his strong play with
12 points in 14 minutes off the bench.
nba.1317vpoznanovic,
MINNESOTA (98) AT PHOENIX (95)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 36 4-9 6-8 1 8 9 3 2 3 5 14
GUGLIOTTA F 37 6-12 7-10 2 3 5 3 4 1 1 19
VRANKOVIC C 31 3-6 2-2 1 6 7 1 4 0 4 8
WEST G 31 7-9 1-2 1 2 3 2 2 1 2 16
PORTER G 18 0-4 1-2 0 0 0 5 1 1 0 1
MITCHELL 30 7-10 2-2 1 2 3 2 3 0 3 16
PARKS 10 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1
ROBINSON 30 4-10 3-4 0 1 1 4 3 0 1 12
CARR 17 4-5 1-2 1 4 5 2 2 0 0 11
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HEAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MARBURY DNP - DID NOT TRAVEL
TOTALS 240 35-65 24-34 7 26 33 22 23 6 16 98
(.538) (.706) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(20 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 28 2-7 1-2 1 0 1 3 2 2 2 5
GREEN F 18 2-5 3-4 2 3 5 0 1 0 1 7
MANNING C 36 10-19 4-6 4 4 8 2 6 1 2 24
PERSON G 23 2-3 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 5
CASSELL G 37 7-14 9-10 2 2 4 12 6 3 2 23
BROWN 5 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
CHAPMAN 25 4-12 0-0 3 0 3 3 3 1 2 10
FINLEY 22 2-6 0-2 4 4 8 2 0 0 1 4
KLEINE 20 0-3 1-2 1 5 6 2 3 0 1 1
NASH 11 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 4
TISDALE 15 5-9 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 10
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-81 18-26 19 23 42 26 28 7 14 95
(.457) (.692) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(22 PTS)
MINNESOTA 24 30 25 19 - 98
PHOENIX 28 19 20 28 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - K GARNETT 4, VRANKOVIC 2. PHOENIX - MANNING
2, FINLEY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 4-8 (.500), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, WEST 1-1, PORTER
0-2, ROBINSON 1-2, CARR 2-2. PHOENIX 3-10 (.300), HORRY 0-2, PERSON 1-2,
CASSELL 0-1, CHAPMAN 2-4, FINLEY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DON VADEN, JESS KERSEY, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 19,023. T - 2:14.
MINNESOTA (98) AT PHOENIX (95)
Tom Gugliotta scored 19 points and James Robinson's
three-pointer with 79 seconds remaining put the Minnesota
Timberwolves ahead for good in a 98-95 victory over the Phoenix
Suns.
After Danny Manning gave Phoenix a 93-87 lead on a goaltending
call with 2:58 to play, Minnesota scored the next nine points,
including Robinson's three-pointer and two foul shots by
Gugliotta that made it 96-93 with 46.9 seconds left.
Sam Cassell converted a running jumper 11.8 seconds later to cut
the gap to one point before Gugliotta missed a shot, but got his
own rebound and kicked it out to Robinson, who got fouled.
Robinson made the first free throw, Doug West got the rebound on
the second and split his foul shots for a 98-95 advantage.
Phoenix failed to get off a three-pointer at the end.
"It says a lot about the character of this team," said
Gugliotta. "In the past we played good teams and once they came
back on us we would die and have a hard time coming back. Today
we gathered ourselves and made some defensive plays down the
stretch."
West and Sam Mitchell each added 16 points, while Kevin Garnett
had 14 points, nine boards and four blocks for Minnesota, which
is off to the first 2-1 start in franchise history. The
Timberwolves improved to 2-27 all-time against the Suns, with
the wins coming in their last two trips to Phoenix.
"This year we are coming out with a lot more intensity and
everybody is close and together," said Garnett. "We are a real
good team this year...and we can't sit back and let a team dog
us no more. They used to look at us as an easy "W", that's not
the case now."
Manning had 24 points and eight rebounds, while Cassell added 23
points and 12 assists for Phoenix, which is off to its first 0-3
start since 1985-86 when it began with nine straight losses. Rex
Chapman and Wayman Tisdale each had 10 points off the bench.
"We just missed our open shots period," Suns coach Cotton
Fitsimmons said. "We had the opportunites down the stretch but
just didn't follow through. We came back strong in the end, but
we let it slip away. Nothing is going to be easy for this team.
We just have to buckle down, go back to work and get the job
done."
Minnesota extended a 65-63 third-quarter lead when West scored
seven points in an 11-2 run that made it 76-65 with 1:13 left in
the period.
Phoenix got back in the game with a 17-4 burst, including 10
straight points to move ahead, 84-83. Cassell and Tisdale each
netted four, including a jumper by Tisdale with 6:35 left that
capped the run and put the Suns up by a point.
After a West jumper, the Suns went on a 9-2 spurt before the
Timberwolves started their decisive 9-0 run.
"I am very disappointed, losing to a team that we are supposed
to beat," Cassell said. "I still have confidence in my team and
the system, but some things just aren't clicking for us right
now. Down the stretch we were trying to protect our lead, not
build on it."
Robinson finished with 12 points and ex-Sun Chris Carr had 11
for Minnesota, which shot 54 percent (35-of-65) from the floor,
but got outrebounded, 42-33.
nba.1318vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (111) AT GOLDEN STATE (93)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 42 5-11 2-3 0 1 1 4 2 1 0 13
WALLACE F 40 15-20 2-2 7 2 9 3 1 1 3 32
SABONIS C 14 3-5 3-4 0 3 3 1 5 1 1 9
ANDERSON G 35 8-16 4-5 0 3 3 9 1 5 2 23
RIDER G 33 5-13 3-4 1 8 9 4 3 1 4 14
DUDLEY 28 1-5 0-3 5 4 9 3 4 1 1 2
TRENT 14 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 1 2 8
MCKIE 22 4-7 0-0 1 4 5 3 3 0 3 10
WINGFIELD 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
BUTLER 8 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 45-86 14-21 15 26 41 28 27 12 18 111
(.523) (.667) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 18(18 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 33 6-9 3-4 0 4 4 4 2 0 1 16
SMITH F 33 7-15 4-4 2 4 6 1 1 0 2 18
FULLER C 29 5-11 4-6 3 3 6 1 3 0 3 14
PRICE G 25 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 8 1 0 4 4
SPREWELL G 36 4-13 4-5 1 3 4 5 1 2 3 12
ARMSTRONG 11 0-3 2-2 0 1 1 3 2 0 2 2
SPENCER 8 0-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 1
OWES 24 6-9 3-6 7 5 12 2 6 1 2 15
MARSHALL 18 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 1 1 7
COLES 19 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 4
ROYAL 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
KONCAK DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 35-78 21-29 13 28 41 26 25 4 20 93
(.449) (.724) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 21(27 PTS)
PORTLAND 31 28 23 29 - 111
GOLDEN STATE 27 29 14 23 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - DUDLEY 2, SABONIS. GOLDEN STATE - FULLER,
OWES, MARSHALL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 7-17 (.412), C ROBINSON 1-3, WALLACE 0-1,
SABONIS 0-1, ANDERSON 3-5, RIDER 1-4, MCKIE 2-2, BUTLER 0-1. GOLDEN STATE
2-13 (.154), MULLIN 1-1, SMITH 0-1, PRICE 0-2, SPREWELL 0-5, MARSHALL 1-1,
COLES 0-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, TOMMIE WOOD, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 13,458. T - 2:02.
PORTLAND (111) AT GOLDEN STATE (93)
Rasheed Wallace scored 10 of his 32 points in a key 17-4
third-quarter run as the Portland Trail Blazers routed the
Golden State Warriors, 111-93.
Wallace made a career-high 15 field goals en route to his 32
points, shooting 15-of-20 from the field.
"I just took the open shots off the plays we ran," Wallace
said. "I just got the pass from Kenny (Anderson) or Aaron
(McKie) up top and I just took what they gave me. We were just
standing around last night in the loss. So, we came back in
here tonight and said as a team that we have to move with and
without the ball, and that's what we did out there tonight."
Portland's Anderson added 23 points and nine assists, including
12 points and six assists in the opening quarter. Isaiah Rider
had 14 for the Trail Blazers (2-2), who led 59-56 at halftime.
"The 10-0 start really helped us out because pretty much the
rest of the game they had to play the catch up game," said
Anderson. "We were able to set the pace."
Portland scored 17 of the first 21 points in the second half and
led, 76-60, with 5:30 left in the third quarter. The Blazers
outscored the Warriors in the period, 23-14.
"Offensively we played well in both halves," said Portland coach
P.J. Carlesimo. "The difference was that in the second half we
did a much better job on the defensive end. In the first half,
we couldn't stop them at all. It looked like the final score
was going to be 120-118. We got a little bit of a handle on it
in the second half."
"I think our key for the game was defense," said Rider. "I
think we held them to 37 points in the second half and more
times than not when you hold a team to 37 points in one half and
keep it up offensively, you are going to win the game."
Joe Smith scored 18 points and Chris Mullin added 16 for the
Warriors (1-2), who fell to 0-2 at home. Golden State has lost
its last three home games, dating back to last season.
Golden State trailed by 12 after the third quarter. The
Warriors could get no closer than 95-82 midway through the final
period on a pair of Joe Smith free-throws.
Rookie forward Ray Owes had 15 points and 12 rebounds in 24
minutes for the Warriors.
nba.1319vpoznanovic,
SAN ANTONIO (74) AT CLEVELAND (68)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 42 5-9 6-9 2 5 7 2 2 0 1 17
SMITH F 12 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 5 0 3 2
ANDERSON C 44 2-4 0-0 1 12 13 2 2 1 0 4
JOHNSON G 42 3-9 3-4 0 3 3 6 0 1 2 9
DEL NEGRO G 22 5-9 4-4 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 14
HERRERA 17 4-7 2-4 0 0 0 0 2 1 4 10
MAXWELL 26 3-10 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 1 3 8
KEMPTON 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
D WILKINS 26 3-9 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 0 3 8
ALEXANDER 6 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
M WILLIAMS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
W PERDUE DNP - FRACTURED LEFT THUMB
TOTALS 240 27-61 16-23 4 24 28 17 16 4 16 74
(.443) (.696) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 16(17 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 42 6-17 0-0 2 9 11 1 4 1 2 12
HILL F 30 4-9 3-8 6 4 10 0 3 0 4 11
WEST C 11 2-3 0-0 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 4
BRANDON G 41 8-18 3-4 0 2 2 4 1 3 2 21
SURA G 38 3-12 0-0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 7
FERRY 18 0-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 4 0 0 0
POTAPENKO 26 4-6 0-0 3 2 5 4 1 2 5 8
THOMAS 10 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 0 0 0
LANG 11 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
GEARY 7 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2
MARSHALL 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 29-78 7-14 15 25 40 20 22 6 15 68
(.372) (.500) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 17(16 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 15 16 19 24 - 74
CLEVELAND 13 21 21 13 - 68
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - ANDERSON 5, JOHNSON 3, ELLIOTT. CLEVELAND -
MILLS 2, SURA, THOMAS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 4-13 (.308), ELLIOTT 1-2, DEL NEGRO 0-2,
MAXWELL 1-5, D WILKINS 2-4. CLEVELAND 3-14 (.214), MILLS 0-3, BRANDON 2-5,
SURA 1-3, FERRY 0-2, THOMAS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SAN ANTONIO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: DAVID JONES, DAN CRAWFORD, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 15,587. T - 2:17.
SAN ANTONIO (74) AT CLEVELAND (68)
Sean Elliott scored five of his 17 points in the final 48
seconds and Vinny Del Negro added 14 points to lead the San
Antonio Spurs to a 74-68 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland led 55-50 after three quarters and had a 60-52 cushion
with 8:49 left before the Spurs went on an 16-3 run to take the
lead for good. Vernon Maxwell scored seven straight points to
tie the game, Avery Johnson hit a jumper with 3:03 to play for a
65-63 lead and Elliott made a free throw and basket for a
five-point advantage with 47.6 seconds remaining.
San Antonio has won seven straight games over the Cavs,
including the last three at Cleveland. The Spurs tied a
franchise low with 31 first-half points and came within three
points of their record low for a game.
The Cavs, who have lost their last five home openers, haven't
beaten the Spurs since a 127-90 rout on March 23rd, 1993. The
team had won its first two games on the road in New Jersey and
Washington.
Terrell Brandon netted 21 points for Cleveland, Chris Mills
chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds and Tyrone Hill had 11 and
10. The Cavs shot a measly 37 percent (29-of-78) from the floor
and 50 percent (7-of-14) from the foul line, but outrebounded
the Spurs, 40-28.
"The Spurs did the things they had to do to win and it's to
their credit," Cavs coach Mike Fratello said. "What they did
was regroup, collect themselves and they played terrific down
the stretch. We were bad defensively and we were worse
offensively. That kind of sums up the whole thing."
Greg Anderson pulled down 13 rebounds and blocked five shots for
San Antonio, which is playing without star center David
Robinson. The Spurs have yet to score as many as 80 points this
season.
Cleveland used a 16-2 surge to open a 50-33 lead with 6:29 left
in the third quarter. But Dominique Wilkins came off the bench
to score eight points in a 17-5 spurt to close out the period
and cut the gap to five points.
"I think maybe they relaxed a bit," said Spurs coach Bob Hill.
"I kind of got that sense when they got control of the game and
perhaps they relaxed and we came out of a timeout, got a bucket,
got some momentum and got right back into the game. We ran a
lot of offense through Sean Elliott in the post and he did a
good job of getting out of double teams."
"We had two guys (Wilkins, Maxwell) come off the bench who
provided a big spark for us," Elliott added. "Those guys can
score in a hurry and tonight they did it for us by hitting some
big, big shots."
Cleveland came a point away from its record low of 67 points,
set against Portland in 1977 and equaled at Boston in 1995. The
team had surprisingly scored in the 90s in both of its previous
outings this season.
"It was kind of discouraging because we felt we had the Spurs
buried, but they hit some key shots," Brandon said. "We just
didn't execute down the stretch, which is something we had been
doing."
nba.1320vpoznanovic,
VANCOUVER (73) AT CHICAGO (96)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 31 5-11 1-2 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 11
MOBLEY F 19 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 2
REEVES C 33 4-14 3-3 2 3 5 2 1 1 1 11
ANTHONY G 30 4-11 1-2 0 3 3 5 1 3 3 13
PEELER G 28 3-11 0-0 2 3 5 2 3 0 4 8
ROGERS 23 4-8 0-2 4 1 5 1 5 0 2 8
B EDWARDS 20 2-6 0-0 0 5 5 2 2 0 0 5
LYNCH 19 2-6 2-6 1 3 4 1 2 0 1 7
MAYBERRY 18 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 2 2 4
MOTEN 14 1-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2
CHILCUTT 5 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-81 7-15 15 22 37 16 19 7 20 73
(.358) (.467) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 20(29 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RODMAN F 36 6-11 1-2 8 11 19 3 1 0 2 13
PIPPEN F 33 5-12 4-5 3 4 7 8 1 1 4 14
LONGLEY C 28 2-7 4-4 2 3 5 3 5 0 3 8
JORDAN G 31 9-18 1-1 2 5 7 3 2 4 4 22
HARPER G 23 2-5 4-5 2 2 4 0 1 2 1 8
BROWN 20 3-8 0-2 2 2 4 3 2 1 0 7
KUKOC 25 6-15 1-1 2 4 6 5 2 1 3 14
KERR 20 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 8
WENNINGTON 10 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
BUECHLER 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0
SIMPKINS 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-86 15-20 21 35 56 26 18 10 19 96
(.430) (.750) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 19(17 PTS)
VANCOUVER 27 16 13 17 - 73
CHICAGO 25 32 19 20 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 2, REEVES, B EDWARDS. CHICAGO -
LONGLEY 5, PIPPEN, HARPER, KUKOC.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 8-18 (.444), ABDUR-RAHIM 0-1, ANTHONY 4-5,
PEELER 2-5, B EDWARDS 1-2, LYNCH 1-2, MAYBERRY 0-2, MOTEN 0-1. CHICAGO
7-20 (.350), RODMAN 0-1, PIPPEN 0-4, JORDAN 3-5, HARPER 0-1, BROWN 1-1,
KUKOC 1-2, KERR 2-5, BUECHLER 0-1.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - B EDWARDS.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, HANK ARMSTRONG, GREG WILLARD.
A - 23,726. T - 1:59.
VANCOUVER (73) AT CHICAGO (96)
Michael Jordan scored 22 points and Toni Kukoc and Scottie
Pippen added 14 apiece as the Chicago Bulls used a pair of
second-quarter runs to pull away from the Vancouver Grizzlies
and coast to a 96-73 victory.
The Grizzlies led 27-25 after the first quarter, but the Bulls
oustcored them in the decisive period, 32-16. With the game
tied at 29, Pippen tipped in a shot with 8:24 to go in the half,
sparking a 13-4 burst that culminated in a three-pointer by
Steve Kerr with 5:02 to play.
Dennis Rodman, who had 13 points and 19 rebounds, sparked a 7-1
run in the quarter's final minutes by hitting a driving layup
for a 57-40 advantage. Pippen had 10 points in the quarter and
Rodman added eight rebounds.
Pippen, Ron Harper and Luc Longley sat out the fourth quarter,
while Jordan and Rodman were removed with 8:23 to play and the
Bulls ahead, 83-56. Jordan hit 9-of-18 shots, added seven
rebounds and had four steals for Chicago, which led by as many
as 32.
"It took us a quarter to get used to them," Jordan said. "But it
showed the character of this team. In the second quarter, we
were able to use our defensive game. And tonight Dennis decided
to get in the game offensively. Up until tonight, he had been
one-dimensional. Tomorrow will be a good battle for us against
Miami. We're traveling all night and they'll be waiting for us."
"They are world champions because of the way they played
tonight," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters said. "They're good
offensively and terriffic defensively. They went up about 10
points and then they put the defensive pressure on us. We
couldn't find a way to make a basket. We're a young team, but we
have to play better than the way we played tonight."
Greg Anthony had 12 of his 13 points in the first quarter for
the Grizzlies, who have dropped their first three games. Bryant
Reeves added 11 and rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 10.
"My job on this team is to make sure that the young guys don't
take losses like tonight too hard," Anthony said. "I'm here to
remind them this is only one loss no matter how devastating the
night was. It's still only one game. The Bulls are the best
basketball team in the league no question. They are simply where
all other teams would like to be."
The Grizzlies shot just 35 percent (29-of-81) from the floor and
missed 8-of-15 free throws. Chicago also outrebounded
Vancouver, 56-37.
The Bulls, who won five straight to start last year's
record-breaking season, have opened with three straight wins for
just the sixth time in franchise history.
nba.1321vpoznanovic,
Fifteen nominees for hoops Hall of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Seven players, seven coaches and one contributor
were nominated Tuesday for election to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Players Alex English, Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson, Bobby Jones, Sidney
Moncrief, Jo Jo White and Jamaal Wilkes and coaches Pete Carril, Alex
Hannum, Don Haskins, Jim Phelan, Jerry Tarkanian, John Thompson and
Tex Winter were nominated along with contributor Lee Williams.
Nominees from the Women's, Veteran's and International Screening
Committee's will be released later this week.
English, Hannum, Jones and Moncrief are new nominees. The other
candidates have been nominated previously. An individual needs 18 of
24 votes from the Honors Committee for induction. The new inductees
will be named on Feb. 3, 1997.
Alex English -- The first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points
in eight straight seasons. An eight-time NBA All-Star, English ranks
seventh all-time in NBA scoring with 21,645 career points. He led the
Denver Nuggets to nine straight playoff appearances.
Dennis Johnson -- One of only 16 NBA players to score 15,000 points
and dish out 5,000 assists. A tremendous defensive specialist, Johnson
won NBA championships with the Seattle SuperSonics and Boston Celtics.
Gus Johnson -- The prototype power forward in the 1960s and early
1970s, was a four-time NBA All-Star with the Baltimore Bullets. A
defensive force, Johnson was twice voted to the NBA's All-Defensive
First Team. He averaged 17.1 ppg and 12.7 rpg during his nine-year NBA
career.
Bobby Jones -- A four-time NBA All-Star with Denver and Philadelphia,
was a fixture in the NBA playoffs 12 straight seasons. He helped
Philadelphia win the 1983 NBA title and was voted to the NBA's
All-Defensive First Team eight consecutive years.
Sidney Moncrief -- A five-time NBA All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks
and a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Led the Bucks to
seven consecutive Central Division titles and three Eastern Conference
Finals.
Jo Jo White -- Played in seven NBA All-Star Games and led the Boston
Celtics to NBA titles in 1974 and 1976. Named MVP of the 1976 Finals
and earned a Gold Medal playing for the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team.
Jamaal Wilkes -- Won NCAA titles at UCLA in 1972 and 1973 and captured
NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and the Los
Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982 and 1985. NBA Rookie of the Year in 1975,
Wilkes was a three-time NBA All-Star.
Pete Carril -- Led Princeton to 514 wins in 29 seasons, including 13
Ivy League championships, ten 20 plus-win seasons, 13 postseason
appearances and the 1975 NIT championship.
Alex Hannum -- The only coach in professional basketball history to
win an NBA (1967 with the Philadelphia Warriors) and an ABA (1969
Oakland Oaks) championship. Coached nine Hall of Famers and coached 16
professional seasons.
Don Haskins -- Has led the University of Texas-El Paso to 17 20-plus
win seasons, a 678-313 record, a mark that includes the 1966 NCAA
title with the first all-black starting lineup. Tied for fifth place
on the NCAA's all-time victory list, Haskins' record includes seven
WAC titles, 14 NCAA tournament berths and seven NIT's.
Jim Phelan -- Has coached Mt. St. Mary's for 42 seasons and his 758
wins ranks sixth on the all-time win list and second among active
coaches. Has led 15 teams to the NCAA tournament, including five trips
to the NCAA Division II Final Four and a College Division championship
in 1962.
Jerry Tarkanian -- Is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach by
percentage (.826). Has never suffered a losing season in 25 years. His
teams have won 20 or more games 30 times and his 647 victories ranks
11th among active coaches. Led UNLV to the 1990 NCAA title. Currently
coaching Fresno State.
John Thompson -- Led Georgetown to the 1984 NCAA title, three NCAA
Final Fours in 1982, 1984 and 1985 and 14 consecutive NCAA tournament
appearances. Under Thompson, Georgetown has made 22 consecutive
postseason appearances (19 NCAA, three NIT). He owns a 553-208 career
record.
Tex Winter -- An assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls has won NBA
titles in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996. A veteran of 49 coaching seasons,
Winter was head coach in college or the NBA for 32 seasons and guided
Kansas State to eight Big Eight Conference championships and four
Final Fours.
Lee Williams -- Former Executive Director of the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame, was instrumental in creating the first Hall
of Fame on the Springfield College campus in 1968 and then moving it
to an $11.5 million state-of-the-art museum in 1985.
nba.1322vpoznanovic,
NBA list of 50 greatest misses mark often: other notes
(Nov 5, 1996 - 10:30 EST) -- The National Basketball Association has
long been known as a league built on marketing. Commissioner David
Stern has managed to package the game and ship it off to just about
every corner of the world, finding most audiences can't get enough of
it.
By naming the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History," Stern and his
marketers have scored another coup, perhaps without even trying.
The reaction to the list has been swift and strong, with several
omitted players complaining and wondering about the relative merits of
the chosen ones. Fans, media members and observers also have been
evaluating the selections and ruminating over their worthiness.
Should Shaquille O'Neal have made it after just four seasons in the
league (and no rings on any of his fingers)? Does Jerry Lucas really
belong? How could they exclude Chet Walker or Gail Goodrich? Is it
true Bob Cousy was left out of the original list?
It all makes for great debate over a couple of beverages and keeps the
league's name at the forefront even before the season starts.
Bob McAdoo, now an assistant with the Miami Heat, was among those
upset at being left off. Of the 19 players to win the MVP award in the
league's 50-year history, he's the only one not on the list.
"I look at some of the people on that list and I should be on there,"
McAdoo said. "The biggest glare is Bill Walton. He only played two
full seasons. He had one good year."
When asked about O'Neal, McAdoo said: "What's with that? That's
ridiculous too. (He) hasn't done anything but make a lot of money."
The injury-plagued Walton averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds while
playing in just 468 games in 10 seasons, winning an NBA title in 1977
and the MVP award the next year.
McAdoo averaged 22.1 points and 9.4 rebounds in 14 seasons, winning
titles with the Lakers in 1982 and '85.
Does he have a case? How about rebounder extraordinaire Dennis Rodman?
His coach thinks he belongs.
"Dennis wasn't on the list?" Phil Jackson said. "That's surprising.
Dennis has done something that people just don't know about. He has
led the NBA in five consecutive years in rebounding. That is an
extremely impressive stat."
As always, Rodman had a say on the matter.
"It doesn't really faze me," he said. "All the NBA wants is choirboys.
The NBA is so messed up."
Maybe, but it knows how to get people to pay attention.
* * *
NOT SO EASY RIDER: It didn't take Isaiah Rider long to create his own
mess in Portland, just like he had in Minnesota and previously at
Nevada-Las Vegas. The Oakland native just has a knack for those
things.
First Rider missed an exhibition game at Corvallis, Ore., and was
suspended for the season opener. Then late Wednesday night he was
cited for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana.
Not content with the infraction, which is deemed non-criminal in
Clackamas County, Ore., Rider became defiant toward deputies, refusing
to accept the citation, then crumbling it and throwing it on the
ground.
He didn't sound too repentant when talking to reporters covering the
Trail Blazers, saying, "The cops didn't find a damn thing on me, but
I'm a big name. I happened to be in someone else's car, so it's kind
of messed up."
Coming on the heels of Rider's failure to show up for last Sunday's
exhibition, the episode must have sent a chill down the spine of the
Blazers' brass.
His former teammates, meanwhile, are struggling to keep from wagging a
finger and saying, "I told you so."
Said a Timberwolves player who did not want to be identified: "First
of all, I wouldn't have missed the bus. If I did, I would have found a
way to get to the game. Some spots on a leopard just don't change."
And that was before the drug citation.
* * *
THORPE ROLLS ON: The Pistons' Otis Thorpe is closing in on some
impressive milestones in a career remarkable as much for its
achievements as for the understated manner in which he's accomplished
them.
Starting his 13th season this weekend, Thorpe is looking to play in
his 1,000th game (he's at 955), score his 15,000th point (14,841) and
grab his 9,000th rebound (8,566).
Thorpe is perhaps most proud of having missed just 25 regular-season
games in his career, playing all 82 in nine seasons.
"When I came in, the life expectancy in the NBA was three or four
years," he said. "I said, 'Just let me get through my first contract.'
Then, 'Let me make it to 10 years.' Now I look at every day as a
bonus."
Pistons point guard Kenny Smith played with Thorpe in Sacramento and
Houston and appreciates his value.
"I've watched the strongest guys in the NBA play against him every
night," Smith said, "and it seems like those guys always go to finesse
games. Nobody tries to outpower Otis Thorpe. You look up the term
power forward and you will find the name Otis Thorpe."
* * *
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE: Mavericks management has sent a strong message of
its commitment to winning by eating more than $2.5 million in
guaranteed money owed forward-center Terry Davis and guard Jimmy King.
Both were beaten out of jobs in the preseason and were waived.
King, a former member of Michigan's Fab Five, cost the Mavs more than
money ($330,000). He was acquired along with a second-round draft pick
in a trade with the Toronto Raptors for strong rebounding forward
Popeye Jones and a first-round pick.
* * *
Philadelphia's Stan Brown -- who was 18 years and 4 months old when
he debuted in 1947 -- was the youngest player in league history until
this year. On opening night the Lakers' Kobe Bryant was 18 years, 2
months and 8 days, while the Blazers' Jermaine O'Neal (starting the
season on the injured list) was 18 years and 3 weeks old. ... Pistons
veteran Rick Mahorn on the new Grant Hill Bar: "I've been around for
all these candy bars. I was around when Reggie Jackson had his, when
Isiah (Thomas) had his. Hell, I was around when Babe Ruth had his, and
that's the only one that's still around." ... The Magic say they have
a fair amount of circumstantial evidence to show the Lakers tampered
with Shaq, but "no smoking gun," in the words of team president Bob
Vander Weide, so they won't be filing tampering charges. ... In the
absence of injured point guard Brent Price, Matt Maloney has won the
starting job for the Rockets, with fellow rookies Emanual Davis and
Randy Livingston as his backups. ... Bucks veteran Joe Wolf, who
played against Kevin Garnett twice in the preseason, believes the
Timberwolves' sensation is now a 7-footer. "He's got to be over 7 foot
now," said Wolf. "He's got to be still growing. He was towering over
me." They're both listed as 6-11.
* * *
THE LAST WORD: "It's an honor. But David Stern didn't send a check
with it, so it's not that great of an honor."-- Hornets coach and
former Celtic Dave Cowens, on being named to the list of 50 greatest
players in NBA history.
nba.1323vpoznanovic,
Japanese stare at Nets' 'Mr. Big'
TOKYO (Nov 5, 1996 - 13:30 EST) -- Shawn Bradley of the New Jersey
Nets is getting a lot of attention in Tokyo, and he hasn't even played
a game yet.
"I'm getting a lot of looks," said the 7-foot-6 center, who is in
Japan for games against the Orlando Magic on Thursday and Saturday.
Bradley was mobbed by Japanese reporters Tuesday after the Nets held
their first practice at the Tokyo Dome. The big question -- how does
it feel to be so tall?
"I guess it happens no matter where I am," he said. "But I love being
7-6."
The NBA has held regular season games in Japan every other year since
1990, when it became the first professional U.S. league to play
regular games outside North America.
The games have generally played to standing-room-only crowds, and have
helped feed a boom in the popularity of the game -- or at least of NBA
and basketball-related products -- in Japan.
The league's growing popularity prompted sponsors to move this year's
games to the Tokyo Dome, the largest stadium in Tokyo. It can hold
about 60,000 fans when set up for baseball, its usual configuration.
Orlando coach Brian Hill said he was concerned that the long trip to
Japan might affect his team, but, overall, thinks it could be a plus.
"We have three practices here, and three more once we get back to get
our act together before we have to play again," he said.
Rony Seikaly, acquired in a trade last week, will be making his debut
with the Magic.
"I might not be in great shape, I don't know," he said. "I haven't
played."
And though Hill said he is confident Seikaly will strengthen the team,
he said it might take a little time.
"We have seven players that weren't on our roster last year," he said.
"We'll just see how everybody fits in as we move through the next
couple of weeks."
nba.1324vpoznanovic,
Wilkens a father figure and coach to Ehlo
SEATTLE (Nov 5, 1996 - 07:48 EST) -- Craig Ehlo of the Seattle
SuperSonics says it's not going too far to claim that he and Lenny
Wilkens had something of a father-son relationship the last 10 years.
"It wasn't like I went to his house for barbecues or he came to my
house for barbecues," Ehlo said. "But as far as knowing how I felt, he
could always read how I was feeling and he knew the right thing to
say."
It was Wilkens, then the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who plucked
Ehlo from the Continental Basketball Association in January of 1987
and found him a valuable role on an up-and-coming team.
Ehlo had landed in the CBA after playing sparingly in three seasons at
Houston, but Wilkens loved Ehlo's tenacious style and willingness to
do whatever was asked, traits that soon made the former Washington
State star a fan favorite in Cleveland.
And when it was time for both men to move on after the 1993 season, it
was Wilkens who brought Ehlo with him to Atlanta, where Ehlo again
became such a fan favorite that he was one of only five NBA players
selected to help carry the Olympic torch to Atlanta for the 1996
Games.
But like all such relationships, inevitably the son becomes a man and
leaves home, to prove himself on his own.
"It's not that I was becoming stagnant or what he was saying was
becoming redundant," Ehlo said. "But basketball was becoming old to
me."
Ehlo didn't leave the Hawks by choice, being cut when the team needed
the salary cap room to sign free agent center Dikembe Mutombo. Ehlo
then signed with Seattle as a free agent, and Tuesday night faces
Wilkens for the first time since then when Atlanta comes to KeyArena
for a 7 p.m. game.
"He's the only coach I've ever really had in the NBA and it will be
really awkward to see him on the other side," Ehlo said.
But Ehlo says leaving Atlanta for Seattle has given him a new
basketball life.
"Coming into a new situation, a different philosophy, has given me a
rekindled spirit," Ehlo said. "I'm feeling a little bit reborn. It's
an opportunity to learn something different. I had done what he had
taught me for 10 years. Basketball can become dull sometimes."
In fact, Ehlo said he was considering retiring to his home in the
Spokane area when he was cut by Atlanta, unless a team such as the
Bulls or the Sonics called.
"I was thinking if something didn't make me jump at it right away, the
NBA was finished for me," Ehlo said. "I'd had my hey day, I'd made my
money and had the fun of playing against the Michael Jordans."
But Seattle did call, the day after the team signed Jim McIlvaine, who
like Ehlo is represented by Ron Grinker. Ehlo signed a guaranteed
three-year deal worth a reported $357,500 this year, down considerably
from the $1.8 million he earned last season and probably less than he
could have gotten from some other teams.
But Ehlo wants the chance to win a title, having never gotten further
than the Eastern Conference Finals with Cleveland in 1992. "If it was
the chance to compete for a title, I knew I couldn't turn down
something like that," Ehlo said.
Ehlo won't really be renewing too many old acquaintances as the Hawks
have only six players returning from the team from last year. Along
with getting rid of Ehlo, the Hawks cut several other veterans and
also traded Stacy Augmon and Grant Long to Detroit to free up the
money to sign Mutombo.
"I don't fault them at all," Ehlo said. "That was their plan, their
business decision."
But Ehlo said he doesn't think it made Atlanta a better team in the
short term, particularly because the team now has virtually no
experienced depth.
"The nucleus of that team now is fairly young so it should take a
couple of years," Ehlo said. "The one thing I've learned in this
league is that the bench wins you a lot of games. I wouldn't question
their depth, but I would say it's not real deep."
Experienced depth is exactly why Seattle got Ehlo, who is used to
coming off the bench. The 6-foot-7 Ehlo can play at either small
forward or big guard, defends well and is a career 37 percent 3-point
shooter.
So far, he's displayed mostly the defense in two games with Seattle,
helping spark a 21-7 second-quarter run that blew open the victory
Saturday over Portland. But through two games, Ehlo has made only
three of 11 field goals (27 percent) and one of four 3-pointers while
averaging 3.5 points.
"Craig has played very well for us, but he hasn't shot the ball well,"
said Sonics coach George Karl. "But I thought in the second quarter
(against Portland) he and (Hersey Hawkins) were great defensively."
Ehlo said he expects the transition to be gradual.
"I feel real comfortable in practice because there is no real
pressure," Ehlo said. "In the game itself, I feel a little
uncomfortable sometimes on where I should throw the ball and where I
should be. The other night, I made a baseline cut and threw it back to
Sam (Perkins) and he wasn't ready for my pass. He thought I was going
to shoot.
"It's just a matter of playing together. You can't do it over night.
By the end of December, the beginning of January, I should be
comfortable with everything."
But Ehlo wouldn't mind if the coming-out party started tonight so he
could show he has heeded the final advice he received from Wilkens
after being cut by the Hawks.
"He just said 'Here you go, you are out on your own now, I can't take
care of you anymore,"' Ehlo said.
Words any father eventually has to say.
nba.1325vpoznanovic,
-> #1310, lexus>> Kako si platio pretplatu?
Kad su ~uli odakle sam, dali su mi je besplatno.
Zezam se :), preko prijatelja koji tamo živi.