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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2000)
Riley and the Heat await that finishing touch By Steven Wine The Associated Press MIAMI — The play is a geomet ric marvel, with a series of quick moves and crisp passes at sharp angles leading to an easy layup that, alas, falls meekly off the rim. “Finish!” Pat Riley hollers from the perimeter of the Miami Heat’s practice court. “Finish strong!” Riley is shouting at the shooter, but all of his players hear the ad monition, as well they should. In five seasons the Heat have yet to muster a finish worthy of their es teemed coach. Miami was swept by the Chica go Bulls in the first round of the 1996 playoffs, and rputed again by Chicago the following year in the Eastern Conference finals. Then came even more dismal defeats — opening-round meltdowns against Riley’s former team, the New York Knicks, in 1998 and 1999. No wonder Riley’s coiffed hair is turning gray. He spent four sea sons trying unsuccessfully to win a title in New York, then fled to Miami amid much acrimony. Now, as he braces for another clash with the Knicks beginning Sunday, Riley is reluctant to ac knowledge the toll the bitter rival ry has taken. “Do we have to beat them to get over a mental hump?” Riley asks. “Or to make my life better? Or to ensure my peace of mind so when I’m 65, I won’t have any night mares? “No. I’m past that now.” Yes, Riley has already accom plished enough for a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He won four NBA titles in his first seven seasons with Magic Johnson, Ka reem Abdul-Jabbar and the Los Angeles Lakers. But it has been a long time since Showtime, and Ri ley won his most recent ring in 1988. “He wants to get back to that level, and we want to get him back,” Heat forward RJ. Brown says. “He talks about it a lot. He shows us old films with him and Magic and those guys.” Riley, 55, hasn’t forgotten how to win since leaving Los Angeles. His 999 regular-season victories rank second only to Lenny Wilkens, and his 152 playoff victo ries rank first. He has won 16 divi sion titles in 18 years, including four in a row in Miami. But he knows that winning the final game is what matters most. And since Riley arrived in Miami, touting his dream of a champi onship parade down Biscayne Boulevard, each season has ended painfully shy of the last round. Forgive Riley for declining to reminisce. “We all know the history,” he says. “Let’s get ourselves ready to play. All the other stuff just drains everybody.... . “We’re in the second round, and we’re interested in advancing. I know all the stuff that’s going to be written and brought up from the past. While you have to look back to get a bead on the future, the im portant thing is to look at the pres ent.” The present looks daunting. The Knicks are cocky as ever, and the Heat may be without their best clutch player, hobbled point guard Tim Hardaway. When asked if the Heat are de termined, Riley looks at the floor. ' “They’re highly determined,” he says. “But my wife is highly de termined when she goes to Saks Fifth Avenue, too. Determination is one thing. Doing it is another thing. You’ve got to do it. I think there was a commercial about do ing it.” Everyone acknowledges this is probably the last chance for this group of Heat players. After last year’s stunning loss to the Knicks, Riley decided against shaking up the roster, which prompted critics to label him stand-pat Riley. Detractors say the Heat are mired among the second tier of NBA teams because their coach has been too reluctant to part with Hardaway, Brown or Jamal Mash burn. Miami’s last major trade was more than three years ago. “We’re all very thankful that coach kept the team together,” Brown says. “I’ve always thought, we had enough here to get the job done.” Beginning Sunday, they get one more chance to show it. With meticulous preparation and psy chological ploys, Riley will do what he can to help. But Hard away is not healthy, Mashburn is not Magic Johnson, and Alonzo Mourning is not Abdul-Jabbar. The decline of the Miami Dol phins makes Riley the most cele brated sports figure in South Flori da. Recently, he said he’s at the beginning of the end of his career, and an agreement last year on a contract extension means he’ll probably finish with the Heat. But finish strong? First Riley has to figure out how to beat the Knicks. Call (541) 346-4343 or stop by Room 300, Erb Memorial Union to place your ad today. P.O. Box 3159, Eugene, OR 97403 E-mail: classads@oregon. uoregon.edu On-line edition: www.dailyemerald.com 095 PERSONALS If Jesus was a love child, Joseph was the best of stepfathers. Put law school on T.V.! Tax churches! 100 LOST & FOUND FOUND: Black Hills Gold pendant, outside Klamath Hall. 344-2355 105 TYPING/RESUME SERVICES At 344-0759, ROBIN is GRAD SCHOOL APPROVED. 20-year thesis/dissertation background. Term papers. Full resume service. Editing. Laser pr. ON CAMPUS! 115 GARAGE/MOVING SALES MOVING 2 SMALLER APT: ent cntr, $160; XL sectional sofa, $130; Coffee tbl, $20; brfkfst set, $80; pan try, $40; microwave cart, $15; high chair, $30; chifferobe, $45; toddler bed frame, $25. OBO. Call Jennifer @ 915-6509. 120 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE PHONE CARDS Call anywhere in the USA 2.5 Cents per minute Great International rates! CALL NOW! 342-6400 Horoscope by Linda C. Black TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 4). You're coming into your own this year. You're increas ingly sure of yourself, and it shows. Stand up to authority figures in May, and they'll treat you with greater respect Spend money on yourself in June and tune up your image. Leam what you need to do next and how to do it in July. Tilings should go your way through the sum mer and fall. Around mid-December you could have a setback, but you're strong and smart enough to handle it .Accept new responsibili ties around February 1 To get the advantage; check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21 -April 19)—Today isaS — By now you should know how to be thrifty. Don't take risks. Tell people who want your money that you're still thinking about it Read the fine print and do the homework. Don't be ashamed to make a deal that works for you. It's OK to do that. TAURUS (April 20-May 20)—Today is a 10 — Move quickly. That's not easy for you, but it's time. Take action on something you've thought about for a long time. You have an in credible advantage now, but conditions are changing. Grab this chance and make a differ GEMINI(May21-June21)—Today is a4 — Youll come out of hiding by tomorrow. You're almost finished with whatever you've been working on. You're about to have a break through, and then you'll want to take action. Don't rush things; trust your instincts. CANCER (June 22-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Groups and organizations are important in your life now. You're coming out of your shy ness, and sometimes that's difficult. You may have to deal with some things you've been avoiding! Don't worry; you're strong enough now. Get tough! LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 5 — A lid has been kept on your enthusiasm. You've been playing to a critical audience. That's about to change. By tomorrow you'll be the star of the show. And, you'll be better for the lesson you've recently learned. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — You've had some lucky breaks over the past few days. Don’t get overconfident, though. Ex pect a quiz tomorrow. You may be asked to prove you know what you're talking about. Go over your notes one more time. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Ocl 23) — Today is a 6 — You may have recently discovered that you en joy budgeting! Putting those numbers into rows is kind of fun. A task that was once drudgery could become a fun game. If this is happening, you're teaming how to win! Keep at it. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)—Today is an 8 — You and your partner need to get together to talk about money. How much do you have and how are you going to spend it? This could be a delicate subject, but don't put it off. Concede a point or two and get the agreement so you can go shopping. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)—Today is a 5 — If you can’t help everyone who wants what you have, you could hire somebody to help. Think about it tonight and call a few peo ple tomorrow. An argumentative person could be perfect. So, don't take the first 'no' for an an CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) —Today is a 10 — You're still lucky, but don’t procrasti nate. Make the decision you've contemplated for the past few days. You'll have to get back to work tomorrow so you can't afford to wait any longer. Don't spend too much, either. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 6 — A lot of activity is going on at home. If you recently moved, you almost should be settled by now. You'll have more time for romance and games tomorrow and the next day. Meanwhile, do whatever needs to be done to get things right. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 10 — Focus on the subject you're learning. This is the way to make your dreams come true. Your fnends may want you to come out and play, but turn them down. Right now the most important thing for you to do is practice, practice, prac tice! 120 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE Japanese Animation: Largest rental selection in town at Emerald City Comics. 770 E. 13th. 345-2568. “Give Me Five!” Run your “FOR SALE” ad (items under $1,000) for 5 days. If the item(s) doesn’t sell, call us at 346-4343 and we’ll run your ad again for another 5 days FREE! Student/Private Party Ads Only • No Refunds 130 CARS/TRUCKS JUST REDUCED 1994 Acura Integra. 36,700 miles. Fully loaded with phone and sunroof. Nearly new tires. One owner, excellent condition. $11,995. Call 484-0944 evenings 130 CARSATRUCKS Maserati BiTurbo, peppy 5-spd, & fast. AC/CD. Rare gold/tan leather. Much new. $4449 obo. Serious in quires only. 302-5811. 1989 Ford Bronco II Excellent condition. 106 K mi. Call 685-0584. 1991 Ford Escort GT, 99K miles, CD, spoiler, black. $3500. Call 485-5174. 150 TV & SOUND SYSTEMS CASH! We Buy, Sell & Service VHS VCR's & Stereos. Thompson Electronics, 1122 Oak, 343-9273 165 SPORTS EQUIPMENT Tunturi Stair Climber ONLY $35\ Call 607-0674 leave message. Personals O'Niy si.oo •One ad per coupon •5 line maximum •Student ID required •Personals only please •Expires 6/05/00 Effiefald Suite 300 EMU • 346-4343 Celebration 1/2 off Pool 'til 2am Live Music with Brian Garcia at 8:00pm Free Food at 7:00pm Piriata at 9:30 At HUBS!! Sponsored by New View 2000 Located on (ho Ground Floor of (ho EMU 185 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WORK FROM HOME on your computer. Internet marketing opp. $500-$6000/mo. www.pathtochange.com DO YOU LIKE TO SING? MOUTH Men's A Capella now au ditioning. Ballsy, contemporary covers & originals. Curt 465-9759 http://muse.clipper.net/mouth 200 WORK STUDY POSITIONS Jobs in Campus Recycling! Campus Recycling Now hiring work study/ tech fee funded students for positions beginning now. Contact Campus Recycling at 346 1529. Leave message with a mail ing address and phone number to obtain application. 205 HELP WANTED Social Science Instructional Lab GTF Position - Computer Lab Assistant: Assist lab director to manage a 60 station networked Windows computer lab. Knowledge of Windows 95, NT a must. Experi ence in GIS or Statistical applica tions preferred. .4 FTE starting in Fall 2000 for 2000-2001 academic year. For more information call Cathleen Leue, 346-4642, 9 PLC. Submit letter, resume, and referenc es by May 12,5 pm to 9 PLC. Student Employment Opportunity Are you organized, self-directed and have the ability to work well with others? « r . Do you have the ability to follow directions and adapt to an P everwchanging work environment? Have you lived in the residence halls for one year? (required) This could be the job you're searching for! University Housing is currently hiring Desk Assistants for Fall 2000. Desk Assistants will provide instruction and guidance to our residents throughout the academic year. Completed applications must be received by 4:00 pm on May 15, 2000. Application packets can be picked up at University Housing located in the Walton Complex at the corner of 15th and Agate. For further information, please Call 346-4281. An M/EEQ/AQA institution committed to cultural diversity. Morning Person? Make some extra cash! Apply to deliver the Oregon Daily Emerald, 6:00-8:00am. newspaper delivery. 6:00-8:00 am every day the Emerald is published. Requires your own RELIABLE vehicle. Work study ok. Apply in person, Mon-Fri. 8-5. 300 EMU. The Oregon Daily Emerald is an equal opponunny employer eomniillcd hi a culturally diverse workplace.
