had before.
Maurice opened with a 20 foot prayer
that was answered and Portland was off.
Opening tempo was very fast and unsure
officiating led to very brutal play.
NBA officals... 1 believe, after viewing
the incompetency exhibited by the stand
in referees, whose names now escape me.
tand who cares anyway), I will never
criticize NBA officials any more.
The game Tuesday night was brutal to
say the least and got completely out of
control. Both teams finally realized they
could get away with almost anything, so
they did. After the first quarter they
were no longer making steals, they were
just simply strong-arming. Although
Sports Talk
by R * 8 A *
Sporta Editer
■
Well, finally they're here, the NBA
playoffs. We've disposed of the Stick
Watts theory, we’ve won six in a row. and
finally hanging one on LA. although it
was a meaningless game for Jerry West 's
Lakers. Ano they played so lackadaisical
throughout the contest, seemingly want
ing to only finish the season and avoid
injuries to key personnel.
Portland vs. Chicago - Blazers domin
ated the Bulls during the regular season
winning 4 0. But don't let complacency
set in because right now Chicago is the
hottest club in the entire league. Since
losing to Portland in Chicago, in a game
climaxed by Bill Walton’s tossing of the
ball into the far reaches of Chicago
Stadium. Chicago has won 20 of their last
24 games. And believe me down the
stretch, and when it really counted no one
was better. Look for Portland to come
out running and gunning, and if Chicago
allows this to happen then Au Revoir for
the late-charging Bulls.
Chicago, to win. must slow the tempo
and force Portland into turnovers. The
keys defensively will be in stopping
Chicago’s Mickey Johnson and hot shoot
ing Wilbur Holland.
Bill Walton, of
course, must continue his dominance of
Artis Gilmore for the Blazers to be
successful. This, however, could develop
into quite a due! since Gilmore seemingly
has gained praise and confidence. Artis
finished the season fourth in rebounding,
at 13 per game, and sixth in field goal at
.522. My pick Blazers 2-1.
Detroit vs. Golden State
Although
Detroit won 3 out of 4 during the regular
season 1 look for Golden State to take
both games at home and beat the Pistons
in a tough series. A lot depends on the
play or lack of play on the part of Jamaal
Wilkes.
Jamaal will play against Detroit, but it
was rumored earlier that he might not.
Wilkes, the W arrior’s third year forward
sensation, missed the final regular season
games after his first child, born by
Caesarian section iast week, was found to
have a slight heart murmur. Coach Attles
has said Robert Parish, his seven foot
rookie center out of Centenary, would get
the nod at forward if Jamaal is unable to
go. This could be both good and bad for
Golden State. It will definately give them
added rebounding, strength, and they
were soundly out rebounded by Detroit
during the regular season, but it will also
seriously hamper their mobility. And
getting out on the break without Wilkes
could prove to be difficult. My pick -
Golden State.
One local sportswriter, in his column
last week, disagreed with pistol Pete
Maravich's calling of Abdul-Jabbar as the
best center in basketball. That writer
called Jabbar the greatest offensive
center, and isn't it funny how some
people try to minimize Kareem's strength
and scoring and then maximize Walton's
defense?
When analyzing Jabbar’s game this
local writer simply states that Kareem is
supreme “only’' on defense, continually
playing down this very important part of
the game. Now, also, downing Maravich
by saying Pete is only known for playing
one end of the court. Therefore, implying
that Mr. Maravich is unqualified to judge
on any thing but offense. O.K. fine, then
if that were true. How can be believe a
5’3” sportswriter who obviously has
never played either end of an NBA court?
It's my belief that if the question on
evaluating ability was put to one's peers
that sportswriter would certainly win in
journalism and this w riter would have to
go with Maravich in basketball.
Our writer was careful to say that
although he happened to be Caucasian
that that was not the basis of his
evaluation.
Then I wonder why he
bothered to include that? Was he feeling
a little guilty?
For the second time in consecutive
years Jabbar was chosen by his peers,
and that must mean something. I gues if
Mr. Sportswriter would bother to marvel
at the wonders of Jabbar 41 games per
year instead of four, then perhaps he too
would recognize Kareem as being
supreme. Merci beaucoup.
What a difference a year makes. A
year ago Portland travelled to Seattle for
a game that meant nothing, at least
nothing to our Blazers.
Seattle was
playoff bound and happiness filled the air.
Riding high in April, shot down in May,
that's life! For the Sonic fans it wasn't
quite as abrupt as that, however. I t ’s
more like riding high last year...but rock
bottom this year. And the beautiful thing
about the Seattle demise is that it was
Portland's playoff-bound Blazers that
helped supply the coup d'grace on the
Sonics. winning the series 3-1 and keep
ing the Sea-Port Trophy another year.
And speaking of differences, how about
fan appreciation of Lionel Hollins? I ’ve
known from the start that Hollins had all
the tools, but Portland's fans for reasons,
or for reasons previously stated in this
column, refused to recognize, or just
didn’t want to recognize, the young man s
talent. New all of a sudden Hollins has
emerged as one of the NBA s finest, and
now the Portland fans are accepting.
What a pity it took so long..
Who can forget the 1975 Far West
Classic where Lionel Hollins, then from
Arizona State, and U of 0 ’s Ronnie Lee
met head to head in a shoot out that
would have made the now famous shoot
out at O.K. corral envious.
W yatt Earp and Doc Holliday would
have had to take a back seat to these
talented southpaws the way they went at
each other at the MC. Lionel scored 30
points to lead all scorers and Ronnie was
not far behind with 26.
But in this contest it was more than
how many each scored, but the leadership
and over all game made it a classic. One
could just drool at the thought of having
them together in the same back court.
Hollins and Lee are somewhat similar in
their play. Both are exceptional leapers.
handle the ball well, and can score. When
it comes to quickness, the edge goes to
Lionel, in fact, there isn’t another guard
in the NBA quicker with the ball, and
that includes all of the NBA.
WHAT NEXT?
The Denver Nuggets marched serenely
to the Midwest Division Championships,
but New York Post columnist Peter
Vecsey claims all is not well with the
former ABA team.
Vecsey claims several players are
unhappy with coach Larry Brown who.
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The station relies on direct
listener support to pay for its operation.
Listeners subscribe to KBOO's monthly
program guide at the average rate of $25
a year, and become voting membrs of the
KBOO Foundation, which owns KBOO
radio.
KBOO is looking for at least 500 new
subscribers during the Spring Marathon.
The station's operating costs have risen
dramatically this month due to an in
crease in broadcasting power from 1500
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KBOO is appealing for renewed sup
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Tune in KBOO at 90.7 for a refreshing
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Walton was not his usual dominating self,
for on thia eve Mr. Gilmore wouldn't be
dominated or intimidated, as usual Pill's
leade'anip was evident. And passing . . .
no one, but no one can pass like Big Red.
A h an NBA center. Walton has few
equals. In fart, only Jabbar is rated
higher.
Maurice broke his mini-slump at the
right time as evidenced by his strong play
against the Bulls. Lucas hit 14 17 from
the floor and was strong on the boards.
Those of you that might like to
welcome the Blazers home after the
Chicago game should be advised that
they will arrive via Northwest flight 47 at
1:43 p.m. Saturday. April 16th.
•»
■_
t
w
—
;.<■ /ir-WÍF a
Genevas: National champs
TRAIN ARRIVES . . . Hollins drive« pa«t the peoky Norm Van Lier io Blazer win dVer
Bulls.
(Photo: Sue Hamilton|
they say. lacks the know-how to adjust to
play-off pressures. Larry's passing game,
the player’s believe, will not work in the
play-offs. The Denver players seem to
believe that everyone will bottle up the
middle against them in the play-offs. Also
they seem to believe that their fast break
will be non-existant due to teams drop
ping back that third player instead of
sending him to the boards.
Center Dan Issel is the least respected
Nugget, according to the same players.
Writes Vecsey: "They accuse him of
having no heart . . . they point to one
incident that tells it all about Issel.
Kansas City center Sam Lacey was all
over him during their first meeting,
hammering him to death. A fter a while,
Dan couldn't take it any longer. "Hey
Paul," he called over to Silas. “Get this
guy off of me.”
Which brings to mind a similar incident
in Oakland involving superstar and super
hot head. Rick Barry. After engaging in a
slight altercartion with Ricky Sobers of
Phoenix, and coming out on the short
end, it seems Barry became angry with
his team-mates for not helping him with
Sobers. Barry was so enraged at his
fellow players that he refused to take a
shot from the floor during the entire
second half. Subsequently his team was
eliminated by Phoenix in the seventh
game.
The Texas Ranger suspended second
baseman Lenny Randle and penalized
him some 23,000 dollars for his incredible
attack on manager Frank Lucchesi. Ran
die offered to apologize to Lucchesi, but
Luccesi said, “No way, not even if he
crawled on his hands and knees would I
accept his apology.”
said he played for Coach Wooden for two
years and that he loved him as a coach, as
a man and as a human being.
Coach Wooden declared that the feel
ing was mutual.
The Atlanta Braves are still searching
for someone to toss out the first ball for
their home opener Friday night. IJllian
Carter, mother of the President, origin
ally was scheduled to do the honors but
she subsequently was checked in to a
Washington hospital for a brief stay.
The Braves then sent out invitations to
Gerald Ford, Queen Elizabeth, Margaret
Trudeau, Farrah Fawcette-Majors and
Sylester Stallone. As yet. nobody has
accpted and at least one has definitely
been scratched.
Farrah Fawcett's asking price, accord
ing to the Braves, was $50,000. Whow! I
know she's a looker, but does she also
have a golden arm?
12,741 cheer Blazers to victory
Opening night at the MC saw an
unusually early arriving crowd with 17:55
showing on the Coliseum clock, that's
before game-time, the house was 95 per
cent filled.
The Blazers, this Tuesday night, were
launching their maiden voyage through
the NBA play-off stream, and their fans
were early, ready and rowdy.
Jack Ramsey donned his new playoff
outfit, a beautiful brand new, baby blue
blazer and plaid maroon and blue trous
ers. Yes, Jack was ready too.
Two minutes before game time the
playoff crowd was on its feet and giving
the team an ovation like they've never
The Fourth Annual 6 foot and under
National Tourney was held March 25, 26,
and 27th in Tacoma, Washington.
Teams from the United States and
Canada competed for the title which was
won by Geneva's lounge of Portland,
Oregon. Geneva's beat Eagle Paper Box
of Tacoma for the National title 96-96.
Geneva's was coached by James Timms,
former Jefferson player, and moat of the
team was comprised of former P .I.L.
stars. Geneva's placed three men on the
all-tourney team: Howard Avery, former
Benson star, Teddy Beasley, Jeff and
David Littleton, the tourney's M VP, and
formerly of Washington High.
There were five dunks in the entire
tournament and all five came from M VP
Littleton.
Geneva's was down by four points with
thirty seconds to go. Coach Timms called
for a time out and Geneva's came out
smoking forcing two quick turnovers that
led to four Geneva points to tie the game.
Geneva's scored on a break away, led by
two and held off a desperation attempt at
the buzzer for the victory. “Our praise,
experience and patience won for us,’’
explained an elated Timms.
Geneva's marched through the top
bracket on their way to victory beating
University McDonald's of Seattle in the
Opener 115-105, Buffs Tavern of Tacoma
fell 116-97 and then toppling Eagle Paper
Box for the title.
A resting adult breathes from 14 to 20 times a minute!
B. B. KING
Appearing at:
Hayloft Tavern
5411 Mil! Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, Washington
2 SHOWS N IG H T L Y 3:30 A 11:00
A P R IL 28. 29. 30th
T IC K E T S :
»5.50
A V A IL A B L E AT: A L L M E IE R A F R A N K STORED
Hayloft Tavern
Marquee thanks God
A fter being presented the first annual
John R. Wooden Award as the best
collegiate basketball player in America
Sunday night by the Los Angeles Athlet
ic Club, Johnson thanked his entire
family for making it all possible. Johnson
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own family