SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, March 2, 1995
3B
NBA bad boy shapes up on and off court
Player of the Week Strickland starts to get positive recognition
Rod Strickland, once an NBA bad boy, has been one of the league's most effective point guards over the past two seasons. Now that his role is even bigger, maybe he'll get the kind of recognition he feels he deserves.
PORTLAND, Ore. — With Clyde Drexler gone, there's no doubt who's running the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Associated Press
When Strickland was signed by Portland as a free agent three years ago, he brought a lot of old baggage with him. He complained about playing time in New York. He'd broken his hand in a fight outside a night club in San Antonio, hadn't gotten along with his coach Larry Brown and seemed to consistently be in the news for his off-court problems.
That changed when he got to Portland. There was a minor altercation at a McDonald's in Chicago last year, but Strickland was cleared of any wrongdoing. Other than that, he's had no problems off the court since joining the Blazers.
He makes regular appearances on behalf of the team in schools and around the community. And he seems to have made a smooth adjustment from the laid-back style of ex-coach Rick Adelman to the intensity of current coach P.J. Carlesimo.
On the court, he keeps improving. He worked extensively on his outside shooting the past two summers. He's always had an uncanny ability to score against much taller opponents close to the basket. Now he can hit from 15 to 20 feet, and even beyond. In February, he was 11-for-22 from 3-point range.
Strickland's statistics this season compare favorably to anyone at his position. He's averaging 20 points, 8.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Playing in a small market for a team that has struggled much of the season, his performance largely has been overlooked.
"It's funny because when there were negative things, I was in the paper every day," he said, "but now that I'm playing well on the court, I can't seem to get any recognition."
That appears to be changing. He was named NBA Player of the Week this week after averaging 29.3 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and two steals as the Blazers went 3-0.
Strickland bruised his right shoulder last Friday night against Utah when he crashed into a pick set by John Stockton. He returned to the game and finished with 30 points and 11 assists.
The sore shoulder forced Strickland to sit on Monday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and he's unsure whether he'll play tonight against Charlotte, when Portland will go after its fifth straight win.
When he does come back, he's confident he can pick up where he left off.
Magic and Shaq ready for top teams
O'Neal starts three-game stint with big game against Knicks
ORLANDO, Fla. — Shaquille O'Neal relishes the challenge of playing against the best, so his return from a one-game suspension couldn't have come at a better time for him or the Orlando Magic.
The Associated Press
The NBA's leading scorer began a stretch of head-to-head battles against the league's other top centers Tuesday night, scoring 41 points on Patrick Ewing in a 118-106 victory over the New York Knicks.
He will face Houston's Hakeem Olaijuwon tonight and renew his rivalry with San Antonio's David Robinson the tomorrow night. O'Neal is averaging 29.4 points per game, while Olaijuwon (28.3) and Robinson (27.5) are No. 2 and No. 3 in the scoring race.
"It certainly is a test for us," Orlando coach Brian Hill said after the Magic clinched the season series against New York and hiked their advantage over the defending Eastern Conference champions to seven games in the Atlantic Division.
"Not only is it Shaq going up against three of the best centers ever in a row, but it is us going up against three very good basketball teams," Hill said. "It's a tough week, but if I had to circle one that we really needed, this was it."
Orlando improved its NBA-best record to 43-13 and is gaining more confidence with each victory. The Magic beat Boston last week after O'Neal's first-quarter ejection for shoving Eric Montross. The team won again Sunday against Chicago while O'Neal was serving the suspension for the altercation the All-Star center wants to leave behind.
"I wasn't trying to send any message. I just reacted," O'Neal told the Orlando Sentinel. "The NBA did what it had to do. The rules aren't going to change, and I'm not going to change either. I'll be all right. I hit him with an open hand, but I'm so strong and powerful it was deemed too severe."
O'Neal made seven of his first eight shots and finished 16-for-28 against the Knicks. Ewing scored 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
In four games against the Knicks, O'Neal has averaged 40.2 points and 13 rebounds to Ewing's 27 points and nine rebounds. After losing at New York in November, the magic has beaten the Knicks three times in Orlando.
"Shaq is just too powerful for them," said Dennis Scott, who had 26 points Tuesday night. "They try to cover him with one guy and he scores. They double-or triple-team him, and I'm hitting my shot or Nick (Anderson) or Penny (Anfernee Hardaway) are hitting theirs."
O'Neal has scored at least 40 seven times this season, including a trio of 41-point performances against the Knicks. He had 38 the other time.
"We got great contributions from everybody ... Dennis, Nick, Penny, Horace (Grant)," Hill said. "And, of course, Shaq was Shaq."
Royals field replacement team
New players wary of potential problems
The Associated Press
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Eight minor-leaguers — some bitter, some still unsure they'll play
worked out yesterday with what apparently is the replacement team the Kansas City Royals will field for spring games.
"Our position is to defray the pressure the best we can. As time marches on, the pressure will probably increase. We're trying to keep it off."
"They're not added, they're brought over," manager Bob Boone said of the minor-leaguers. "I don't know how many we'll take. The squeeze has started.
minor-leaguer had refused a request to play. It did not appear that anyone had been sent out of camp.
The minor-leaguers find themselves in a tough spot. The player's union will regard them as strikebreakers if they play in games in which admission is charged. Major-league teams, including the Royals, have reserved the right to send home any minor-leaguer who refuses to play.
The minor-leaguers who worked out with the replacement team were mostly those who were at the end of careers spent in the minors.
Working out were pitchers Jerry Kutzler and Don Strange; catcher
Mitch Lyden;
infielders Jeff
Garber, Steve
Hecht and Brady
Stewart; and out-
fielders Keith
Hughes and
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Hecht said he was misunderstood by management and did not plan to play in games.
"I think there is a misunderstanding," he said. "I think they thought I would play because I said I'm undecided."
Kevin Long.
The others, however, felt that they did not have a choice when they were asked if they would play. It was play or see the end of their careers.
"I'm at the point where I'm not a top prospect," Stewart said. "I'd like to stay in the game a couple more years. I'm not in a position where I can get somebody mad at me. They asked guys that they will know work hard for them no matter what goes on. I'm in a position to keep management happy. It's mutually
beneficial."
Stewart has been in the Royals system since 1900. But he was living on the edge after batting just .174 at Class AA Memphis last year.
"If I had any bargaining power, I wouldn't be over here," he said.
"I feel this is my only opportunity to play in the big leagues," he said. "Being a new guy in the organization, I don't know how they feel about me. If they feel I'm not a major-league prospect, then maybe it would be best to play in these games."
Long said he resented being put in that position and had no qualms about playing in the games. He expected to make about $2,100 a month at Class AAA Omaha this year, and playing in replacement games would earn him a year's salary in about three weeks.
Pitcher Steve Adkins, who has pitched in five big-league games, was signed by the Royals after he was released by the Baltimore Orioles last March.
"I've got three kids and a wife," he said. "I'm 28 years old. (The union) hasn't said nothing to a guy like me."
"The worst thing that can happen is I won't have a job, but I've already made my 10 grand for the year. They're getting me involved in a situation that I shouldn't be in."
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Recently, we talked with Commerce Board Members about the changes at Commerce Bank, their president, Jerry Samp and their vision for the future of Lawrence.
Martin Dickinson Gives A Lesson On Lawrence
However, Martin doesn't feel the city should only attract highpaying jobs. "We need jobs for every level of education and income. What do you say to someone who has a high school degree? Sorry, we only have jobs for college-educated people? Besides, you don't improve anybody's salary structure by discouraging new employers. Get businesses competing and salaries go up."
"Lawrence has its share of antigrowthers. They'd like to see Lawrence stay small by putting restrictions on roads and land. But if you look at the numbers, you know that we can't pay for all our public services simply by taxing residential property. We need new industry to support us."
Martin Dickinson has always maintained ties to Lawrence. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1960. He's a chaired professor at the Law School, former dean and former Chamber of Commerce president.
Martin believes growth will come from many areas, such as service and communications-based businesses. Another source
His strong ties also mean strong opinions. Especially about the future of Lawrence.
He also sees the many retirees coming to Lawrence as a promising asset. "They're able, interested people. They're involved in the community. I think they're an incredible asset. In fact, if you look where resources are in our society, the big increase financially is going to come from those people who are 55, 60 and older."
As a Commerce Board member, Martin believes the bank has a role in the growth and preservation of Lawrence. "I think Commerce Bank can give Lawrence the best of two worlds. They can help residential
growth and new retail business in the outlying areas. And they can help preserve the downtown area by supporting small enterprises and businesses that give important character to the town."
"I think there is a perception that Commerce Bank is a Kansas City bank. But Jerry Samp, the President, has experience in a University town. That's important, because he recognizes the unique values of a University community. So yes, we're supported by the strength of a big bank. But Jerry Samp and the Commerce Board plan to call the shots locally. From right here in Lawrence."
And that's a lesson we're all glad to hear.
"We can't pay for all our public services simply by taxing residential property. We need new industry to support us."