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August 22, 1990 The Portland O bserver Page 5
i
Portland Observer
THE LOCKER ROOM
Steve Adams: Letting Go Of
The N 3A Dream
By Ullysses Tucker, Jr.
All summer long, Steve Adams
has seen preaching to youngsters that
life if full of options and opportunities.
Now, Adams has to start practicing what
he preaches. A counseling Supervisor
for Self-Enhancement Inc., the North
east Portland youth advo
cacy group, Adams is wait
ing for a telephone call that
might land him a tryout for
some NBA team. He was a
member of the Portland
Trailblazers summer bas
ketball team and accord
ing to enlightened sources,
Adams played well.
Like many young
sters growing up in Amer
ica, Adams fantasized about
playing against the likes
of Charles Barkley, Magic
Johnson, Air Jordan, Clyde
Drexler, and a host of other
superstars representing the
league. Adams laid down
a solid foundation at Ben
son Technical High School,
where he was an All-State
and All-City performer under Dick Gray,
and later at the University of Idaho for
three years before finishing his last sea
son at Western Baptist. Adams also played
in Frankfurt, Germany, but decided to
come back to the states because the
competition was weak. He averaged over
50 points per contest and ultimately
ended up in the Blazer camp.
Adams knows that he is sitting
on the edge of a dream, a dream that has
allowed him the chance to secure a B. A.
degree in Psychology and see the world.
Adams is very thankful for all of the
experiences basketball has provided him,
but he knows that it is time to start
considering other options outside of the
professional arena. Chances are, Shawn
McDaniels, a free-agenl point guard out
of tiny Shaw University, will be the only
player invited back to fall camp with the
Blazers. Adams does not want to go
back to Europe for less than he is mak
ing now.
“ If nothing happens within the
next couple of weeks, I can pretty much
hang it up,” he said. As far as the dream
is concerned, I don’t think that it (play
ing in the NBA) will ever stop-but chas
ing it is another story.”
Adams believes that the big
gest mistakes he made were not on the
basketball court. He did not have an
agent to market his skills or graduate
from a large institution with great media
exposure. Adams made contact with teams
himself. “ I think not having an agent
was probably one of my biggest misfor
tunes,’ ’ he said. You get a better chance
when your name is on the market and
someone is pushing for you. It’s tough
N.F.L. preview
Continuation from front page
appeared, carried on the shoulders of
priests dressed in great robes of starched
linen.” ARE YOU GETTING THE PIC
TURE? This was the seminal model for
the world.You see it when you watch the
weddings of the British royal family,
when you are fascinated by the rituals of
the Catholic Church, and when you
participate in the ceremonies of the Ma
sons and Shrincrs, and at ‘graduation
ceremonies’; POMP AND CIRCUM-
STANCE-FROM AFRICA!
N.F.C.
49ers three-peat possible but not probable
without an agent. Brad Greenberg, Di
rector of Player Personnel for the Blaz
ers has been real helpful.”
WEST
According to Adams, an ath
lete out of UCLA or Notre Dame has a The G old R ush: The 49ers have
better chance at getting a “ good look”
done everything any other team in NFL
by scouts because the ones from smaller history has done. Now they want to do
colleges like Western
something no team has ever done,
Baptist go unnoticed. He three-peat. If any team could do it it's
said that it is not about this one. Unlike the Packers of the
talent.
sixties and the Steelers of the seventies
“ Talent has nothing to
the 49ers have remained young and
do with it," he said. “ It’s have every reason to believe they can
all about politics and
win again. Joe Montana is undoubt
numbers. I’ve talked to edly the best quarterback in the league.
players who are already
Jerry Rice is undoubtedly the best
in the NBA and to those
receiver in the league, Rathman and
who have tried out, tal Craig are undoubtedly the best run
ent has very little to do
ning back tandom in the league. And
with making it in the
led by Ronnie Lott the defense can be
NBA. Teams have a good
as good as any other in the league. If
idea about who they want
all holds up in San Francisco the 49ers
long before they invite
could be dancing in the streets again.
you to camp. I’m just
13-3.
glad that I had a chance
Restless R am s: If any team could
to try out and participate
unseat the 49ers it's the Rams and they
in the summer league.”
will have two chances during the regu
At 25, Adams is wise
lar seasson to prove it. Quarterback
beyond his years and lives his life based
Jim Everett emerged last season as one
on reality. Determination, poise, confi of the best in the NFL. In Anderson
dence are natural elements in this young
and Ellard, he possess the best pair of
man. He knows what he wants out of life
receivers his side of Rice and Taylor of
and goes after it. Adams has a great job
San Francisco. The running game has
with Self-Enhancement, a very suppor
always been there and secod year tail
tive wife(Judy,a U of Washington gradu
back Gaston Green should pull out a
ate working at a downtown law firm)
1,000 yard season. The Rams only real
and family. What can people expect
suspect is the defense which finished
from Steve Adams in the future?
8th in the NFC last year. If the defense
“ I would like to open up an
improves the Rams and 49ers will go
athlete store,” he said. I also have an
down to the wire and the victor could
associates degree in fashion and I would
wind up Super Bowl Champs. 13-3
like to make use of it. I’ll continue to
Slum ping Saints: In 1987 the
I iy basketball to stay in shape and keep
Saints finished with their first winning
preaching to the kids to get good grades
season in franchise history at 12-3.
and plan for life outside of athletics, op
They ended the season being upset by
tions.”
Minnesota in the NFC Wild Card game
and have failed to make the playoffs
since. Quarterback has become a con
troversy and the Saints face the Rams
and 49ers twice a year. 7-9.
C onsistant Falcons: Consistantly
Lam y’s description goes on to
bad.Atlanta has not had a winning
detail the 37 mile trip down the Nile to
season since 1980, and it looks like
Edfu! Hundreds of barges, a half-mil
they won't have one again anytime
lion people in joyful procession along
soon. New coach Jerry Glanville will
the banks, dignitaries from kings to gov
try to introduce the run and shoot of
ernors of the provinces to mayors of the
fense in Atlanta but the Falcons don't
cities-soldiers and pilgrims following in
have
the talent to make it work, yet.
smaller boats. A yearly spectacle that
Glanville
built a winner in Houston
Hollywood is yet to duplicate. Who is so
and
could
do it in Atlanta. 5-11
wizened-soulcd and racist that they would
not let children know their fathers or
mothers? WHO INDEED?
"It is Not the Persian Gulf, Folks..."
The gates opened. ..and the four
doorkeepers emerged. Then came the
steward and the bearers of the fire altars,
followed by the three treasurers..Next
came the priests of Horns, the Pure Priests,
the Prophets and the Priests of the Sacred
Writings.
“ Next came the bearers of the
Sacred Emblems and, then walking back
wards, came several priests burning
incense...the small golden bareque con
taining the divine naos, the ’tabernacle’
By A aron Fentress
CENTRAL
EAST
M o rtg ag ed M innesota: The
G u tty G iants: The Giants were
Vikings have put it all on the line. Win
now, or forever hold your peace. In
order to acquire Herschel Walker the
Vikings game up six high draft picks.
They may not feel it now but look for
the Vikings to descend to the cellar in
a few years. For now the Vikings are
a force who's worse enemy is them
selves. They have the talent to go to the
Super Bowl it's just a matter of putting
it together. The defense is the best in
the league
led by Millard(DT),
Doleman(LB)andBrowner(DB). The
Offense features Walker and receiver
Anthony Carter, who is as deadly as
the Jerry Rice. Wade Wilson was in
consistant at quarterback last year but
should bounce back and regain his 88'
pro-bowl form. 11-5.
Big Bad Bears ?: The Bears may
have been 6-10 last year but they have
better than 6-10 talent. In fact the
Bears have Super Bowl talent every
where except quarterback. Jim Har
baugh should get the call at QB this
season and Tomczak will be the relief
pitcher so to speak. The défense will
be back to it's old havoc causing self
with the return of Dan Hampton .whom
the Bears lost all 10 games without.
10-6
Lions ready to ro a r: The Lions
came form no-mans-land to win their
last five games and make a season
ending statement. Running back Barry
Sanders became the rookie of the year
by gaining over 1,400 yds in what was
supposed to be a passing offense. Add
1989 Heisman trophy winner, quarter
back, Andre Ware, into the picture and
you have an offense ready to score.
Still the Lions need more defense and
offensive line help to become serious
contenders. 7-9
Backing Packers: Don't let their
89 record (10-6) fool you. The Pack is
not back. They were the luckiest team
in history last season winningsix games
by three points or less. It won't happen
supposed to fold last season but found
a way to win the East. Now they are
better and should win the east again.
The drafting of running back, Rodney
Hampton, in the first round will pro
vide the Giants with a steady running
game that was barely kept alive by 34
year-old, Otis Anderson in 89'. Phil
Simms proves time and time again that
he is a consistendy good, if not a great
quarterback. On defense no one does
it better than linebacker Lawrence Tay
lor, who added 15 more sacks to his'
career totals in 89'. The Giants don't
quite have what it takes to win a Super
Bowl right now but they have what it
takes to make the race to the Super
Bowl interesting. 11-5.
C unningham s Eagles: There's
no doubt that when quarterback Ran
dall Cunningham is on the Eagles of
fense is unstoppable. The only prob
lem is that Cunningham wasn't on much
last season. The Eagles will need
Cunningham to reach his full potential
in order for them to win. On defense
Reggie White fought off double teams
and triple teams to finish with 11 sacks.
The Eagles biggest concern is with
their running game. Cunningham has
been the teams leading rusher for three
straight years. Until they find a consis
tent back the Eagles won't go very far.
10-6
U n p red ictab le R edskins: This
team could do anything from, play
.500 ball, to win the division. They
have good talent but are about as con
sistent as snow in Miami. Although
the finished 8 9 'with a 10-6 record they
were the only team to loose to Dallas,
and won their last four against San
Diego, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Seattle.
Not exactly power house competition.
9-7.
Calmly com ing Cowboys: One
day Dallas will be there. They traded
Herschel Walker to Minnesota and
received enough draft picks to build a
super bowl team. But it will take time.
4-12
P lanning Phoenix: Like Dallas
Phoenix is starting over. The only
problem is that they don’t have much to
work with. 4-12
again. 6-10
Bad Bucs: The Buccaneers do have
one thing going for them. There’s no
place to go but up. Someday maybe
they will head in that direction. Until
then.... 4-12
Letter to the Editor
In order for children to learn they
nust be confident and comfortable with
hemselves. Children need an under-
tanding shoulder to lean o n . I know the
eachers are not being paid to become
nama, daddy, psychologist and coun
selor but some students won’t get it at
tome, so they must get it somewhere,
teachers need to become more under
standing and compassionate with their
students. There is no one at home some-
imes for the children to go and talk
vith, so they come to school and act out.
f attention is not paid to these kids now,
guarantee it WILL be paid to them
ater. This atmosphere of compassion
ind true caring is not what our children
ire receiving in the school buildings of
oday. Children are being pressed to
cam under duress, cold climates, too
lot classrooms with sometimes hostile
ind incompetent teachers. I have a child
an the honor roll who can’t write a
:omplete and correct sentence, this is
lot always the case but it is often enough
that I have to question the motives of
this school system. Another child is in
enriched math, in the eight grade but,
doesn’t know algebra. So, what is this
enrichment? And don’t try to ask the
teacher for extra help they don’t have
lime. Then when you go to conference
the teacher wants to tell you your child
can’t keep up, I wonder why?
Children are not given the chance to
defend themselves from the teachers
and administration. They are automati
cally tired and judged w ithout benefit of
trial or defense. Sometimes the students
do deserve to be punished and this is
only right. When a teacher docsn t take
the time to find out the facts because
.
they are too tired, how can the innocent
child respect them. Some time fellow
students will come to the aid of each
other but, to no avail. Sometime other
students have vendettas against each
other but the teachers are not aware of
this. And talk about peer pressure, what
about teachers using other students to
make others feel bad. Certain children
are gathered together to pressure each
other when the parents have gone to
confront teachers and administration
about conditions and curriculum at these
schools and the children are made to feel
as if their parents are wrong. How can
we as parents teach our children to stand
up for their beliefs in this kind of atmos
phere. If we don’t stand up for our chil
dren, who will?
It is difficult for children to learn
without encouragement from teachers
and staff. I mean individual encourage
ment not only when the T.V. cameras
arc rolling and visitors arc present. Teach
ers need to be willing to help students
outside of school hours. Students who
seek extra help as well as those who
need it should be able to receive it. We
are raising a generation of illiterates and
this trend will continue until the Amer
ica job market is saturated with unem
ployable prospective employees who need
training for even the simplest tasks. Stu
dents need to be tested and evaluated in
fair and honest testing procedures and
given the help they need to be produc
tive members of society. The children
should not be tested just to determine if
they arc M.R. and dropped with no help
or consideration if they arc found to
psychologically sound. PPS need test
ing systems as well as support for learn-
ing disabled students. These children
are tested and found lacking in skills
recommended for lEP’s but there is no
one to implement the plan. We are pay
ing our tax dollars and not getting our
monies worth out of PPS systems. The
share is equal for those who have stu
dents as well as those who don’t. Amer
ica is slowly becoming a nation of illit
erates. Not just by not being able to read
and write but, computing, judgement
usage, imagination, calculation and
thought processing. Not to mention
unilanguage. What happened to Latin,
Greek, Spanish, French and German being
REQUIRED classes, now they arc brought
to the level of arts and crafts. These
shortcomings are affecting ALL Ameri
cans not just the innercities Africans,
poor whites, Hispanics and Asians but
the majority population iu • • V ll»
Also, African children need to know
their history and heritage in ord
know where they’ve been .where i ,
are going and why. The majority popu
lation in America needs to know the
truth as well so that they can understand
themselves that theirs is not the only his
tory. Everyone has a history that needs
to be told, not only the majority popula
tion in America or European history but
all the world history. This should be
done truthfully and coircctly. Here in
Portland we have the African baseline
essays to assist our students but, it is not
being implemented 95% of the time, so
I’ve sent my children to Atlanta where it
is being used and they can get what they
can’t get here.
Parents we must continue the struggle,
even though mine arc gone I still must
fight for the ones left behind, this gen
eration and the next. AMANDLA!!!!
»* **
In the Sunday, August 19th Oregonian, Nike, Inc. purchased an advertising to
promote its factory outlet store. The address given in the ad for the store was 3044
NE Union. Is Nike so out of touch with the African American community or for that
matter with front page news stories that it would be so insensitive as to not acknowl
edge the successful efforts of many to rename Union Avenue to V 5 PTTN LUTHER
KING BOULEVARD? Here is one local example of Nike’s a
mt attitude of
“ Just NOT Doing It” when it comes to the African American community in the
State of Oregon. One more reason why I support the boycott of Nike products, and
appreciate Operation PUSH for bringing a national perspective to Nike’s business
You are
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■ The
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Theresa Stoudamire
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Los Angeles Lakers star guard E arvin Johnson accepts a contribu
tion from officials at Anheuser-Busch Companies in support o f the
fifth annual benefit for the United Negro College Fund. C eleb ri
ties, corporate supporters and individual contributors helped
raise more than $1 m illion for U N C F « - black-tie d inner and an
N B A all-star basketball game as part of the weekend activities.
M agic is shown here with Anheuser-Busch corporate affairs o ffi
cials (from left) M ick Lewis, V ictor Julien, and Ronald Smiley.