Monday, April 19, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section B • Page 7 Commentary If NBA comes knocking, athletes should open door This is a no brainer, but I'll tell you anyway. If the NBA is calling, go. Whether you're a graduating senior who finished his college season strong, a sophomore point guard who should have won a national championship but didn't, or just a mean, overgrown shot-blocking 18-year-old who still has to worry about prom, you should go. If the NBA wants you, go. Duke sophomore sensation Elton Brand said he was going. Fans groaned. Duke point guard William Avery announced he was not coming back. Fans complained that he was not ready for the NBA. Missouri enigma Albert White hasn't returned to classes from spring break yet. I'm guessing he's not sick. White, who has dazzled Missouri fans with his moments of brilliance followed immediately with moments of mediocrity, has been blasted by those who think they know better than he does. The NBA, Albert? Are you sure? The NBA, Albert? Are you sure? On a quiet evening in Lawrence, if you listen closely, you can still hear the murmur of Kansas fans grumbling about Paul Pierce's departure. You know the fans just want what is best for their players. They want to see them develop into young men before making all that money. At least, that is what they want you to think. The truth is, the fans are so hungry for a Final Four appearance, they would rather see a player like Paul Pierce play with a broken leg than possibly bail out of the NCAA tournament early. Yes. I'm saving fans can be selfish. They love their teams so much that they want to see victory at all costs. Leaving the team for the next level early draws criticism rather than congratulations. Let's put this in perspective. NBA rockies make no less than $297,500 in a season. If you're age 17 or 22 and have a contract with the worst team in the league, you're making at least that much. Odds are you're making much more than that. If the tables were turned, you'd do the same thing. Say you're a history major, and you're still working on your Seth Jones sports@kansan.com degree to teach. Free State High School calls up one lazy Wednesday afternoon, and says, "Listen, we know you're not finished with your American history up to 1841 class yet, but we really like your lecture methods. Why don't you go ahead and leave school early, and we'll pay you $750,000 a year for your first three years." Like I said, a no brainer. If my hometown newspaper in lowly Mulvane, Kan., called up gave me that type of an offer, you'd never see another Seth Jones column again. I'd call my roommates from home and tell them to mail me my "Superman versus Muhamad Ali" comic book, and hold a garage sale for the rest of my junk to help with rent. But it's even more important for athletes to leave when they can. A broken wrist at the wrong time can mean an end of a career. So we're also dealing with chance. I broke my leg on Jan. 1, but my dismal career as a sports columnist continues. But take former Colorado guard Donnie Boyce for instance. Boyce stayed four years at Colorado, but then suffered a broken leg in the first round of the 1985 Big Eight Tournament. That injury cost him most of his rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks. Prior to that injury, Boyce tore up every team in the Big Eight at one point or another, earning three All-Big Eight Team selections, including two First Team berths. He left Colorado as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,995 points. noyce's story ended as the Hawk's web page says, "Mar 4 1997 - Prior to the game, the Hawks waived little-use guard Donnie Boyce, who had not played in the previous six contests. Boyce, a 1995 draft pick from Colorado, averaged only 2.5 points per game." Meanwhile, another Colorado product by the name of Chauncey Billups scores 13.7 points per game for the Denver Nuggets, starting what may be a very prolific NBA career. Billups left college after his sophomore season. these guys depend on their athletic ability — something an accident can take away. So if the NBA is calling your house, take my advice. Go as soon as possible. Jones is an Mulvane junior in magazine journalism. NHL, fans bid fond farewell to Great One in final game NEW YORK — Wayne Gretzky, as classy as ever in his final game, bid a tearful farewell yesterday to adoring fans and teammates — and took with him forever his famed No. 99. The Associated Press During a rousing celebration filled with chants, ovations and rhythmic clapping. Gretzky was told by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that no one in the league will wear the number again. that was the first of several times Gretzky became teary. It happened again when his father, Walter, was driven to center ice in a new black Mercedes presented to Gretzky as a parting gift. "I feel so lucky to be able to play in the NHL," the sport's greatest Gretzky: Said he made the right decision but will miss the game. player said. "I've been so fortunate to play with some of the greatest players, against guys I admired so much, like the best player I ever played against Mario Lemieux ... my teammates and, of course, the best player I ever played with, Mark Messier. "And it would be nothing without family and the great friendships I have developed over the years. I appreciate all the accolades. I tell everyone the greatest place to play is right here in New York." Gretzky, who announced his retirement Friday, wore a huge grin as friend Bryan Adams sang "O. Canada." "We're going to miss you, Wayne," Adams ad-libbed late in the song. The "Star-Spangled Banner," as sung by John Amirante, was altered to include the words "in the land of Wavne Gretzky." Gretzky, who holds or shares 61 NHL records, set up Brian Leech, John MacLean and Niklas Sundstrom for first-period scoring chances. All failed. Att the first television timeout, Gordie Howe — whose records Gretzky regularly broke — appeared in a video, saluting his prodigy. Another sports king, Michael Jordan, appeared in a second-period video, telling Gretzky, "Your golf game is not going to get better, so don't think that will help. It will probably get worse, because you've got more time." Moments later, Gretzky set up MacLean for a semi-breakaway, but Barrasso stopped a slap shot. Then he broke in on a 2-on-1 with MacLean, who held the puck too long for a shot. Finally, the Rangers were able to convert on his magic. On a power play while trailing 1-0, Gretzky passed from the right wing boards to Mathieu Schneider in the slot. He faked a shot and passed to Leeth for a tap-in open-net goal. That led to a mob scene at the sideboards as his teammates hugged, although Gretzky did not seem very emotional. Of course, he'd done this 2,856 times before in the NHL. But no more. It was the final point. "I'm devastated I will no longer be a hockey player," he said. "I will miss every part of the game, because I loved every part of the game. "But I've made the right decision." But I've made the right choice. Wincing in embarrassment, something he'd rarely done, might have been appropriate midway through the third period. The scoreboard showed a clip from a television special on which Gretzky sang — sort of — "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Everyone on both benches watched the video, but they all had the good sense not to laugh. The first ovation, when Gretzky was introduced by master of ceremonies John Davidson, was accompanied by a three-minute salute that seemed to make the man of the moment most uncomfortable. Then he skated to the Penguins bench and shared hugs and handshakes with several players as the rhythmic applause continued. He even pointed to the crowd at banners that said "Thanks for the Memories," "Always in Our Hearts: No. 99" and "Gretzky the Greatest Forever." LAZARE DIAMONDS® FEATURING A BRILLIANT DEVELOPMENT IN LASER TECHNOLOGY. demonstration. Every Lazare Diamond has a unique laser inscription on its circumference. This inscription is invisible to the naked eye, but when viewed under 10-power magnification, it reveals immediate proof of your ownership. Come in today for an enlightening Lazare Diamonds. Setting the standard for brilliance.[™] PINNACLE WOODS Apartments Now Available Luxury 1,2,3 BR aparts. Full size W/D www.pinnaclewoods.com 865-5454 "Let us be your hometown jew- Tallmon&Tallmon DON'S AUTO CENTER 841-4833 920 E. 11th Street - "For all your repair needs" * Import and Domestic * Repair & Maintenance * Machine Shop Service * Computer Diagnostics Have 60 Lbs. on Your Back. on Your Back. VASQUE* BACKPACKING BOOTS. For times when you feel like a pack mule. Try on a pair today. Vasque Calling All Jayhawks! Sports Page Brewery A Great Place To Eat Daily Drink Specials Saturday - $4.00 Pitchers - $1.00 Pint Draft Beer - $1.50 Wells Sunday - $1.00 Pint Draft Beer - $1.50 Bud, Bud Light & Coors Light - & Coors Light - $2.25 Jumbo Drafts 22 oz. * $2.00 Margaritas Great Food ! - $3.00 Long Islands $2.25 Jumbo Drafts - $2.25 Jumbo Drafts 22 oz. Pool table are free from 11am to 5pm Daily Open Daily at 11:00am · Group Functions Welcome 832-9600 Located at Clinton Parkway & Kasold WORKSTATION OFFICE SPACES in the Kansas Union O&L Office for 1999-2000 are available. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Registered Student Organizations may pick up an application in the Kansas Union at the Organizations and Leadership Office or the SUA Office on Level 4. DEADLINE Return Applications to SUA Office by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 19. Kansan Classified 100s Announcements KANSAN CLASSIFIEDS: 864-4358 105 Personals 110 Business Personals 115 On Campus 120 Encounters 125 Travel 130 Entertainment 140 Lost and Found 200s Employment 205 Help Wanted 225 Professional Services 225 Typing Services 400s Real Estate 300s Merchandise 305 For Sale 310 Computers 315 Home Furnishings 320 Sporting Goods 325 Stero Equipment 330 Tickets 340 Auto Sales 345 Motorcycles for Sale 360 Miscellaneous 370 Wanted to Buy 405 Real Estate 410 Condos for Rent 110 - Business Personals Cellular Nutrition Lose weight! Hair loss! Scalp skin and gain energy. Call 1-813-385-7057 FIRST CALL FOR HELP HEADQUARTERS Counseling Center 24 hours Telephone/in person counseling & information 841-2345 hqcc.lawrence.ks.us Rebekah wants to remind you that you don't have much time left to get your Kansan classified ad for this semester. 415 Homes for Rent 420 Real Estate for Sale 420 Roommate Wanted The Kansas will not knowingly accept any advertisement for housing or employment by a person of any group or person of religion, against any person of religious origin, sensual orientation, nationality or disability. Failure to do so, affirming advertising that in violation of University of Kansas ag All real estate advertising in this newspaper is classified as "advertising in the 1988 which makes it advertise" any preference, limitation or discrimination based on familial status or national origin, or an familial status or national origin, limitation or discrimination. Our readers are hereby informed that all jobs and housing advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. 115 - On Campus CHEERLEADING * Tryout clinic: April 22 5:30 - 9:00 at Anschutz. Cost: $10 * Tryouts: April 24, 25 at Anschutz. KU SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUTS CRIMSON GIRLS • Tryout clinic: April 29 5:30 - 9:00 at Horejsi Gymnasium, Cost; $10 • Tryouts: May 1, 2 at Allen Field House **MASCOT** * Tryout clinic: April 12 6:30 * at Anschutz cost $5 * Tryouts: April 13 * at Horese Gymnasium Please see our website for details: www.jayhawks.org 100s Announcements 120 - Announcements Egg Processors discard 2/4/70 turns 18 individuals into kind, loving caring, superperfect perfectly 2/5/70. U can do billions more annually. It's Humanity's Decision. (913) 845-3498. Internet Radio Free Kansas. Chosen by Rolling Stone Magazine as "one of the coolest stations on the Web" (April 15, 1999) http://www.tafcommedia.net.