SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, September 30, 1994
3B
New Kidd in town excites Dallas
By Jaime Aron The Associated Press
DALLAS — Despite the hype, Jason Kidd looked like any other rookie during his first few workouts with the Dallas Mavericks.
He hung on every word from coach Dick Motta, then repeatedly double-checked his duties with the assistant coaches to make sure he got everything right.
When he ran the offense, Kidd appeared hesitant. It was as if he were waiting for his mind to tell his body where to look, what to do and when to do it.
For 90 minutes, he went through those motions. Not once did he look one way and pass the ball the other direction.
He hardly even did anything as fancy as dribble the basketball between his legs.
This is the Jason Kidd that has been making highlight films since high school? The same one who turned the University of California back into a basketball force?
Without a doubt.
It's just that, for now, he's putting aside some of the flash to make sure he gets down all the fundamentals he needs to one day become a great pro, maybe even as good as or better than his idol Evin "Magic" Johnson.
"I've worked very hard to get to this point," said Kidd, who officially debuts when training camp opens Oct. 7.
"The time has come. A lot of people have been talking about it for a long time, and now they can stop talking and see what I'm capable of doing at this level.
"Right now, I'm just trying to learn the different plays. It's more of a decision, where I have to be, and who I pass to. In time, that will all disappear. I'll know exactly where to go with the ball."
The Mavericks knew exactly where they wanted to go when they got the second pick in this summer's draft.
They practically salivated at the chance to take Kidd, then made him the first of the top eight picks under contract when he signed a $54 million, nine-year contract on Sept. 3.
While his basketball ability never was in doubt, Kidd's character became the big issue between the lottery and draft.
Over those five weeks, Kidd was involved in a hit-and-run accident that he fled on foot and was accused of slapping a woman. The mother of Kidd's child also sued for increased child support.
His summer got worse when he was caught in a controversy over his desire to be a Maverick. Motta said
Kidd promised to have been at the first minicamp, yet Kidd skipped it because he wasn't under contract.
I thought I withstood the storm," Kidd said. "It goes along with the territory of being a person who's looked upon not just in your community but across the nation."
The nation has been looking upon the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Kidd since his high school days at St. Joseph in Alameda, Calif., and especially when he kick-started the Cal program and led it to the last two NCAA tournaments.
nests.
At the same time, the Mavericks were becoming the worst team in the NBA.
Dallas wants to have the last laugh now by turning their failure into a nucleus of Kidd, Janal Mashburn and Jim Jackson. Team officials have made no secret that they expect Kidd to pull it all together.
He's already played with or against Johnson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and other NBA superstars, making him one of the least-awed rookies around.
"I don't think I'm intimidated, but I still have butterflies going out there because it's a new situation," Kidd said. "I think a lot of people will definitely come at me hard because of all the attention I've received."
Kidd isn't burdening himself with
pressure. Although he knows a lot of people are counting on him, and he wants to deliver, he also wants to have fun while learning the league and his teammates.
"I think a lot of people expect me to pick up where I left off in college," said Kidd, who led the nation last season with 9.1 assists per game. "The people who know the game know it's a learning experience, especially your first time around."
Motta said he figures it would take Kidd at least two years and maybe even three before he was really comfortable in the NBA. Motta used the development of New Jersey's Kenny Anderson and Seattle's Gary Payton as examples.
Still, the Mavers don't want to wait. They've already put up billboards advertising "The New Kid in Town," and he's signed a lucrative deal with Nike, although he's not sure how they plan to market him.
Kidd says he hasn't spent much of his newfound riches. He did donate $46,000 to a Dallas church to install a basketball court for a midnight league. He plans to build houses in Dallas and Oakland.
"I'm excited." Kidd said. "I'm glad to be here, and I'm happy to be in the city of Dallas. They've welcomed me with open arms, and I want to show that this team is ready to play."
KANSAS BRIEFS
Softball team changes plans
Kansan staff report
The Kansas softball team knows how it feels to be dumped.
The team was scheduled to play in the Creighton Invitational, which begins today. But it was dropped from the competition.
Instead of taking the weekend off, the Jayhawks will compete in a tournament on Saturday and sponsor a doubleheader on Sunday, said Gayle Luedke, Kansas softball assistant coach.
Saturday, Kansas will play in a
round-robin tournament sponsored by Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College and Missouri Valley Community College also will compete.
The Jayhawks will return to Lawrence Sunday for two games with Pittsburg State. The double-header will start at 2 p.m. at Jayhawk Field.
Kansas started the fall season last weekend with the Jayhawk Invitational. The team had a 5-0 record in the tournament.
Tennis team begins tournament
Kansan staff report
The Kansas men's and women's tennis teams opened competition in the ITA National Clay Court Championships yesterday in Jackson, Miss.
Senior Nora Koves, who is seeded third in the tournament and eighth nationally, won her opening-round match 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. She defeated Erica O'Neill of Syracuse. O'Neil is ranked 19th nationally.
Reid Slattery was defeated in an opening-round match. Arizona's Jan Anderson defeated Slattery 6-2, 6-2. Slattery entered the consolation round after his loss.
The women's doubles team of Koves and sophomore Amy Trytek and the men's doubles team of senior Manny Ortiz and junior Victor Fimbrez also competed yesterday, but their results were unavailable at press time.
Koves and Trytek are ranked 14th nationally.
On the men's side, Kansas junior
- Compiled by Kansan staff writer Jenni Carlson
The University of Kansas
School of Fine Arts
Music and Dance
Department of
"Your Book Professionals"
"At the top of Naismith Hill"
Hmw: 8-7 M-Th., 8-5 Fri., 8-14 Sat. 12-4un.
843-3826
University Symphony Orchestra Brian Priestman, conductor
with Linda Maxey, marimba soloist
7:30 p.m. Friday, September 30,1994 Lied Center
Layhawk
Bookstore
General admission tickets are available through the KU box offices (Murphy Hall, 864-3982. Lied Center, 864-ARTS, SUA Office, 864-3477); public $6, students and senior citizens $3; VISA/Mastercard accepted for phone orders.
Our lunch menu will allow you to come back for dinner.
Cajun Reuben w/ french fries and salad ... $5.50
Chicken Szechuanese w/ rice pilaf and salad ... $5.50
Blackened Red Snapper w/ rice pilaf and salad ... $5.50
Pesto Chicken Pasta ... $5.95
Fifi's affordable lunches prices as fine as the dining.
Jayhawk
Bookstore
1st Time
Customer $3.99
2323 Bridge Ct.
First Mid Building
812-3699
Esquire Barber Service
Saturday $1.00 Peppermint Schnapps Shots $2.50 22 oz.Bud Light Bottles
BULLWINKLE'S
1344 Tennessee
843-9726
Monday-Sunday 3pm-2am
Come Down To The Bull Friday After Class
Friday $1.25 Cans $1.00 Burgers
Specials
Woolrich.
SINCE 1863
NATURALWAY
SUNFLOWER
804 Massachusetts
843-5000
Juicers Showgirls
Featuring
Totally N*de Dancers
18 + Welcome
913 N. Second
(Next to Riverfront Square)
841-4122
Watch Out For Student Specials and New Afternoon Specials
For the Power user!
The Power Macintosh 6100/60 8/250/CD
The Power Mac 6100 60 8250 CD with Apple Color Plus 14" Display, Supra 14.4 Lc fax/data Modem and Design Keyboard now only
$2335^{95}