Section A · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, April 27, 2000
BOXING
Tyson-Savarese battle rescheduled for June 24
NEW YORK — The Mike Tyson-Lou Savarese fight will be held June 24, more than a month later than originally scheduled.
A site for the bout is still to be determined, Tyson representative Peter Seligman said yesterday
Tyson was initially to have fought
Savarese on May 20 in Milan, Italy.
A source close to the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the fight still could be held in Milan. Glasgow, Scotland, also is being considered.
No official reason was given for the May 20 postponement, but Tyson reportedly needed more time to prepare. The former heavyweight champion last fought Jan. 29 when he stopped Julius Francis in the second round at Manchester, England.
NBA
Orlando Magic's Rivers named coach of the year
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando's Doc Rivers received the Red Auerbach Trophy as the NBA's coach of the year yesterday, becoming the first recipient who did not lead his team to the playoffs.
The Magic finished with a 41-41 record despite launching a massive rebuilding project that began with the trading of four of five starters from last year's team, including All-Star Penny Hardway.
Rivers received 60 votes from a 121-member panel to edge
Phil Jackson (53), who led the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the league. Charlotte's Paul Silas (3). Utah's Jerry Sloan (2) and Miami's Pat Riley, Phoenix's Scott Skiles and Toronto's Butch Carter (1 each) also received votes.
Starting four players who were not drafted by any NBA team, Rivers kept the Magic in playoff contention until the final week of the season with an up-tempo style of play that relied on relentless defensive pressure to create scoring opportunities.
"I said all year that I felt like I was the luckiest coach in the world because of the guys that I had on the team," Rivers said. "Guys that committed to me, to this
organization. If I'm coach of the year, then I had players of the year and team of the year."
Fractured ankle sidelines Pistons' Hill for season
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The season is finished for Grant Hill. The rest of the Detroit Pistons might not be far behind
Doctors said yesterday that Hill had a fractured left ankle that would need eight weeks to heal. That means the Pistons' leading scorer will have to sit out the rest of the NBA playoffs.
The announcement came less than a day after the Pistons lost 84-82 to Miami, falling behind 0-2 in the best-of-five first-round series. Game 3 is Saturday at The Palace.
"I felt it at some point in the first half," Hill said during a news conference at The Palace. "I tried to go back out, but it hurt. All I can do now is try to get healthy and see what happens."
Hill had his head bowed as he hobbled into the news conference on a pair of crutches. Team physician Ber Paolucci said Hill wouldn't need to.
wear a cast while the break healed. Robert Teitge, the team's orthopedic specialist, said playing on the already sore foot probably didn't cause this injury.
Hill picked up the bone bruise late in the regular season, missing the team's final three games. He played Saturday in the first playoff game at Miami, scoring 13 points, but was clearly in pain
However, treatment and anti-inflammatory medication had Hill feeling better by Monday. He had a good practice and said he was ready to go.
And the second game started reasonably well. Hill sank his first three shots in the opening five minutes. Sometimes after that, however. Hill said he felt something go pop.
Nets fire coach,other jobs may be in jeopardy
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New Jersey Nets began what is expected to be major housecleaning by firing coach Don Casey yesterday.
Katz said no decision had been reac
General manager, John Nash, and president, Michael Rowe, also are in danger of losing their jobs after the Nets (31-51) missed the playoffs for the second straight year, but principal owner Lewis
By making the move a week after the end of the regular season, the team will save $1.3 million, because the second year of the contract Casey signed on June 25 was not guaranteed.
Kaz said no decision had been reached Casey, who never got the Nets turned around after replacing John Calipari on March 15, 1999, went 44-68 in 11/2 years.
"It was a very difficult decision to make," Katz said. "He had been a friend of mine for three decades." The Nets tried unsuccessfully to hire Phil Jackson after Casey finished out.
Calipari's season in 1999 with a 1.31-1 record, but the former Chicago Bulls coach took a job with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Casey will stay with the Nets doing charitable and community-related work.
There was no immediate word on the status of assistant coaches Jim Lyman, Eddie Jordan and Mike O'Koren.
New York Islanders sell to computer executive
NHL
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — Computer executive Thomas Wang took control of the New York Islanders yesterday, pledging to restore glory to the hockey team that won four Stanley Cups nearly two decades ago.
Wang acquired the club for a reported $175 million from Howard and Edward Milstein and Steven Gluckstern. He will be the fourth owner of the Islanders since 1997, pending league approval.
"The wait is over now," said Wang, who grew up in China. "Where I was raised an ice cube, not an ice rink, was a luxury.
"Long Island is a great place to live, work and raise a family. But certain areas have to improve for us to keep our economic stability, and sports is a common bond for the community. We want to give this franchise back to the community."
The Islanders won Stanley Cups from 1980-83, but they haven't made the playoffs the last six years and haven't had a winning season since 1992-93. They were 24-49-9-1 this season for 58 points, third worst in the league.
had discussed plans for a new arena to replace Nassau Coliseum, but no agreement has been reached.
Wang intends to keep the Islanders in Nassau County. Nassau County executive Thomas Gulotta said he and Wang
Russia scores another victory against U.S men
SOCCER
MOSCOW — The U.S. men's soccer team can't beat Russia, no matter where they play.
Russia extended its unbeaten streak against the United States to four games yesterday with a 2-0 victory in the teams' first meeting in Russia.
Igor Titov broke a scoreless tie with 18 minutes left on a pass from his Moscow Spartak club teammate Andrei Tikhonov, and Valery Karpin added an insurance goal two minutes into injury time at Dynamo Stadium.
Russia improved to 3-0.1 against the United States, which wasted several first-half scoring opportunities in falling to 3-2 overall this year.
In the 24th minute, midfielder Claudio Reyna found himself one on one with Russian goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin, who came out of his net to clear the threat. Midfielders Eddie Lewis and Cobi Jones both missed chances in the 33rd minute after a goal-smouth scramble.
Seconds later, Russian striker Vladimir Beschastnyk's header hit the right post of the U.S. goal.
Royals maneuver to make team's bullpen stronger
MLB
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals optioned right-hander Chris Fussell to the team's Triple-A club yesterday to make room for right-handed reliever
Miguel Batista.
Miguel bahta.
Batista, 29, was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Expos on Tuesday and will be used in long relief for the Royals. He is 0-1 with a 14.04 ERA this season, giving up 19 hits in eight innings.
Fussell, 23, was 1-1 with a 6.19 ERA in six games for Kansas City. He made his first start of the season Tuesday against Tampa Bay, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks during 2 1/3 innings.
- The Associated Press
Sports Calendar
Women's and Men's
Tennis Big 12
Championships in
Kansas City, Mo.
Track at Drake Relays
In Des Moines, Iowa,
all day and at the UM-
KC Open in Kansas
City, Mo.
Baseball vs. Baylor at 7 p.m.在 Waco, Texas Women's and Men's Tennis Big 12 Championships in Kansas City, Mo. Track at Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa all day and at the UM-KC Open in Kansas City, Mo.
Baseball vs. Baylor at 7 p.m. in Waco, Texas Softball vs. Oklahoma at 2 p.m. in Norman, Okla.
Rowing vs. USC and Stanford in Redwood, Calif.
Women's and Men's Tennis in Big 12 championships
Track at Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, and at UM-KC Open all day in Kansas City, Mo.
Baseball vs. Baylor at 1 p.m. in Waco, Texas Softball vs. Oklahoma at 2 p.m. in Norman, Okla.