Thursday, February 4, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Commentary
Favored Wildcats help Kansas end pesky losing streak
submitted for the approval of the readers of the Kansan sports section: a plethora of opinions from the sports world.
1. Yes, friends, winning is fun.
But it is OH SO MUCH SWEETER when it comes as a result of defeating Kansas State.
You've gotta love it, people. First of all, it is K-State. "Nuff said. Second, they were favored for godness' sake! When was the last time the 'Hawks were insulted like that? Yes, we were still trying to right ourselves after ending our longest conference losing streak in the history of the Big 12 Conference (it lasted two games) but come out! This is a
team who's best player is Manny Dies, a guy who's name has been in the papers more for marjuana and attacking reporters than for his on-the-court exploits.
Kansas played well against the 'Cats, but like I said, it was K-State. The Jayhawks have to keep improving, and with the Big 12 being unquestionably one of the weakest conferences in America,
Kansas will get the opportunity.
Randy
Withers
sports@kansan.com
Kansas will get the opportunity. 2. We will soon know what kind of a player Scottie Pippen truly is. When the Houston Rockets acquired Pippen via a trade from the Chicago Bulls, the Rockets vaulted themselves into the upper echelon of the NBA. During Michael Jordan's baseball-induced absence, Pippen shined on a team that was suddenly somewhat average.
Pippen is a tremendous scorer, one of the most tenacious defenders in the league and an impact player of the highest order.
On a front line that already boasted Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon, Pippen will have an MVP-caliber season, albeit an abbreviated one. That is, provided that he can recover fully from off-season back surgery.
3. Paul Pierce has shown flashes of brilliance so far his preseason for the Boston Celtics. Pierce, a lottery pick that would have been an All-American at forward for the Jayhawks this year, is looking to make each of the nine teams that passed on him pay for their mistake.
Pierce, forward Ron Mercer and point guard Kenny Andersson give
Boston a solid nucleus of young players with which to build around. I still can't help but shed a few tears every time I see Pierce on SportsCenter and think of what might have been. I can hear Max now..."Boschepe passes ahead to Pierce in the open court. Paul takes it all the way to the rim...monster dunk by Pierce!" Oh, well.
4. Walter Payton's press conference Tuesday was one of the most sobering things I have ever witnessed. Payton announced that he has primary sclerosing cholangitis and needs a liver transplant to survive.
"Sweetness" dramatic weight
dramatic weight loss as a result of his affliction has left him a shadow of his former self. Payton was the first great running back that I had the privilege to watch, and he played with a rare blend of grit and determination — the likes of which I have rarely seen since. Looking at what he accomplished in his career, after having played at tiny Jackson State in college, and hearing him speak on TV earlier this
week, I truly believe Payton will win in the greatest battle of his life.
5. The Super Bowl was a sorry excuse for a championship game, I'm just glad it's finished. Finally. Here are my final words on the war that, well, wasn't.
I've seen Elway play far better on at least 10 occasions. I've got a bad feeling he isn't done yet.
- The Eugene Robinson debacle-I don't care. I'm not condoning it, I'm ignoring it.
Neil Smith is done. I loved him as a Chief, but he can't get off the ball to rush the passer anymore.
Tim Dwight was the only player on that field that was fun to watch. That guy plays with more reckless abandon than anyone I have seen in years. Next to Deion Sanders, he has to be the best return man in the NFL. He will be even faster next year, considering he is spending his off-season running track for the University of Iowa
You've gotta love that WWF commercial!
THIS JUST IN-The Broncos just scored again.
Withers is a Shawnee sophomore in broadcast news
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