Augusta focus. ([Augusta, Ga.) 198?-current, May 30, 1996, Image 14

Augusta focus., May 30, 1996, Page 14, Image 14

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Newspaper Page Text14 May 30, 1996 AUGUSTA FOCUS Air Jordan: Best baskethall player ever! By Timothy Cox AUGUSTA FOCUS Sports Writer A co-worker, who happens to be about 12 years my junior, asked me point blank: Do you think Michael Jordanis the best basket ball player in history? After about a three-minute rewind of my 30- plus year personal highlight tape (the one in my brain, that is) I slowly nodded my head. For some fclks, perhaps my re sponse was too quick. For some, perhaps not quick enough. In rewinding my tape, I quickly thought about first being im pressed withaleft-handed bigman named Bill Russell. I thought about Wilton Norman Chamber lain, and the history-making 100- point night on March 2, 1962 against the Knicks. I thought about Jerry West, Lew Alcindor, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and everyone in between. I reflected on guys like Elvin Hayes, Curly Neal, Rick Barry, Connie Hawkins, Wes Unseld, Marques Haynes, Michael “Sugar Ray” Richardson, Pistol Pete Maravich, George “Iceman” Gervin, Calvin Murphy, Earl “The Pear]” Monroe, David Thompson, Walt “Clyde” Frazier. I even thought about the game’s newjacks: Hakeem Olajuwan, Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, Tim Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal. Iverson was driving Benz hefore choosing NBA Even before Georgetown guard Allen Iverson had for mally committed toleaving col lege for the NBA, he was al ready cruising in a Mercedes Benz. L L e | }’ o P\ -%’7%@‘/5‘7‘5 7?,4"’3 Weekdays 6 AM-10 AM SPORTS RADIO z;%* 1480 AM SN . ST e \\ X N ‘e ow\ 4 - - ¥ S 44! AT N . .aa B Sniiatelin N\ 8 i | N : '."" e b ; e \.A — , SRR “‘mw o&‘\ ; § A ;"S: ®g B sL e T L. F = 5 RN : E B ‘_:: N ;;‘I e o {fs’*‘“g; RSN e : L < o ‘f ;s‘_"\:_3‘ & i g . % (T . ‘ 6 48 b LAI R SR gy S r 5 3 Rid {;} p 33\\ N 3 e 3 . lms . e I RAN AR L s « g S; - j;:‘,, f S M.‘,\‘\.\ \} (\ “ S SRR *g - &S P~ : Michael Jordan: The best of the best. When it comes right down to it, ain’t nobody ever played the game like the young man from North Carolina. While his basketball wizardry is widely known ... the dunks, the hang time, the drib bling sensibilities, the knack for putting the ball in the hoop ... it’s the intangibles that send Jordan soaring to the top of his class. In the final contest against the Orlando Magic during the Memo According to published reports, Iverson has been driving the $130,000 vehicle since early April. Reportedly, the sopho more star received the car as a loan from a suburban Alexan Sports Focus rial Day holiday (Monday, May 27), even though his team had yet to warm up, Jordan kept the Chi cago Bulls in the hunt by hitting his first seven shots. Not only did he make his shots, it’s the way he made them. When the ball left his hands, it generally snapped the nets and had that “ripping” effect. You see, when the game is on the line, Jordan’s game rises to the highest level I've ever wit dria, Va. dealership. Iverson’s antics are a direct violation of NCAA rules. There fore, even if he were thinking about returning to the Hoyas and coach John Thompson, he would nessed. Of course, Doctor J. is one of the best ever, but the 76ers could never fully depend on Doc like the Bulls do Mike. Bird, Mag icand West probably come closest toJordan in terms of game eleva tion — that’s when the chips are down and your team needs you. However, it’s apparent that Jor dan is No. 1 in that area too. Since coming back from his re tirement during the '94-95 sea son (after his successful try at major-league baseball), Jordan’s intensity level has increased. It may have something to do with his father’s death. At times, when Jordan’s on the sidelines with head coach Phil Jackson, I'm probably not by my selfwhen I start wondering, What on earth can Phil tell Mike Jor dan? Obviously Jackson is a phe nomenal coach. But,l alsowatched Phil in a Knicks uniform back in theearly’7os. Hewas good. But he was nowhere near Mike’s talent base. What can Phil tell Jordan? It’s also very noticeable how much take-charge attitude Jor dan has developed since coming into the league. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, sitback and enjoy yourselves during the upcoming NBA cham pionship series. While watching the games, remember you were born in the right era for witness ing the greatest basketball player ever. And his name is Michael Jordan. already be ineligible for play ing in the collegiate ranks. Iverson averaged over 24 points this season, and should be an early pick in the June 26 draft. ; 2 Don’t Pay Too Much For Car Insurance! Premiums vary greatly between companies, so before you buy or renew your auto insurance, be sure to get prices from at least two other sources. Phone Quotes Are FREE - Call Us Soon! PTI -1 YV “FOR REALLY & TRULY AFFORDABLE INSURANCE” - PHONE QUOTES Weekdays 790-4381 #1 3084 Deans Bridge Rd. Across from Wendy's 736-1006 #4 : 2022 Gordon Hwy. Across from Bob Richards Chevrolet ® ® Lady Wildcats will play - ® 1 college ball in Tennessee o Ll g — ~. b‘g . I;_j’;:_‘ . .“-_‘,s_;: :3 M N @ § T = 2 . @éf MOVIN’ ON: Neichole Wimberly (2nd from left) and Sharon Taylor (right) are all smiles after signing national letters of intent last week at Laney Comprehensive High School. Laney head coach Otis Smart (left) now lets Eddie Bryant (2nd from right) handle future coaching strategies for Laney’s former standouts. Bryant is head coach at Chattanooga State College where th two ladies will soon be majoring in education-related studies. Photo: Timothy Cox 8 Wreck nearly dashed Wimberly and Taylor’s hoop dreams. By Timothy Cox AUGUSTA FOCUS Sports Writer The smiles on a couple of Laney Highbasketball players only told half the story. As Neichole Wimberly and Sharon Taylor signed national letters of intent to play collegiate basketball in Tennessee, a seri ous side of these otherwise fun loving young ladies surfaced. Last January 15, while both girls were riding in a car driven by amutual teen-age friend, they were broad-sided by another ve hicle. : While Sharon was somewhat fortunate and suffered minor injuries, Neichole faced months of physical therapy while nurs ing a broken hip. “It’s a miracle we lived to talk about this,” said Neichole. “I'll never forget it,~because it was CALL TODAY! 722-9444 #2 453 Broad St. Old Town Plaza Across from Days Inn 737-6060 #5 3217 Wrightsboro Rd. Across from Pizza Hut Martin Luther King’s birthday recalled Sharon. Four months down the roa both girls, based primarily o past performances as underclass: men, have earned athletic schol arships to Chattanooga Stat College. ' Though he’s pleased about their futures, Laney head girl:i basketball coach Otis Smart hag mixed emotions about the maj triculation of his star performj ers. ‘ “I'll miss them a lot. They'rd both tremendous players. Afteg the accident, we knew it wag going to be tough without theif leadership,” said coach Smart. § Under Smart’s tutelage, thé Lady Wildcats’ hoop program ig recognized as one of the premier prep programs in the nation. ."g year ago, they were 29-3, whilg this year’s record, due to injut ries, was 19-12. Eddie Bryant, Chattanooga coach, anticipates the Lady Wil See WILDCATS, p. 15 ... OPEN SATURDAYS Representing Companies 560-0350 #3 2603 Tobacco Rd. Windsor Spring Rd. Across from Video Whse. 863-0060 #6 3836 Washington Rd. In front of K-Mart Pharmacy