ISSEL TO LEAD WAY:
Denver favored i
By PE TE BARBOUR
"Thompson gets the ball inside to
Issel. Five seconds to go. Back to
Thompson at the top of the key. He puts
up a 20-footer. Good! And the Denver
Nuggets win a thriller from Milwaukee,
115-114."
That's right people. As if hockey,
baseball and football weren't enough,
the National Basketball Association
embarks on a new season this week.
WHILE THE Eastern, Central and
Pacific division races shouldn't put
anyone to sleep, the Midwest Division
battle may be the most interesting in
the league.
Last year the Kansas City Kings,
coached by Cotton Fitzsimmons edged
out Donny Walsh's Denver Nuggets by
one game. This year's race will also be
tight, but there will be a difference:
Denver will win the division.
The Kings will have a difficult task
staying ahead of Milwaukee and this
year's darkhorse, Chicago. Utah, a
young team with a weak front line, will
occupy last place.
DENVER MADE virtually no
changes in last year's squad, which was
quickly bounced out of the playoffs.
Offensively, Denver has limitless
potential. Three reasons for this
probably potency are David Thompson,
Dan Issel and Bobby Wilkerson.
With reserves like forwards Anthony
Roberts, Bo Ellis and DePaul rookie
guard Gary Garland, Denver won't lose
much when making player changes.
EXCEPT FOR the small forward
position and lack of scoring strength at
center, Kansas City is as strong as any
team in the NBA. At guard, KC may be
better than anyone.
Guards Phil Ford and Otis Birdsong
are the perfect pair. Ford is the
Pete's Picks
1. Denver
2. Kansas City
3. Milwaukee
4. Chicago
5. Utah
playmaker who sets up other Kings for
easy shots. Birdsong, one recipient of
Ford's passes, gave other teams fits
last year with his outside shooting. This
year won't be different.
If Ford gets tired, speedy Billy
McKinney will perform ably in his
place. McKinney's presence gives the
Kings something most teams don't.
have: a second playmaker.
SCOTT WEDMAN'S shooting and Bill
Robinzine's inside game give the Kings
a good combination at forward.
The biggest question mark for Kan-
sas City is at center. Sam Lacey and
r
The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, October 10, 1979-Page 1 1:
x4
~n NBA Midwest
Mike Green are the two pivotmen while job over Harvey Catchings.
Tom Burleson comes off the injured list The playoff hopes for the Chicag
in December., Bulls and first-year Coach Jerry Sloan
Through strong defensively, starter largely depend on 7-2 center Artis
Lacey has never been much of a scorer. Gilmore.
IN ADDITION, the Kings don't have David Greenwood signed a five-year,,
much depth. After McKinney and $1.5 million contract and proved in pre-
rookie forward Reggie King, the talent season he could handle power forward. R
disappears. Rickey Sobers, who came from Indiana>
It's this lack of bench strength, along as compensation for Mickey Johnson,,.
with scoring deficiencies at center, joined Reggie Theus at guard.
which will keep Kansas City from win- LANDING COBY Dietrick from San
ning the division this year. Antonio to back up Gilmore and swing x
Marques Johnson, the former UCLA to forward will help the Bulls' inside'
All-American, returned to the Bucks game. Veteran forward Ollie Johnson.
yesterday after a contract dispute and and former-Piston John "Crash"-
probably gave Coach Don Nelson cause Mengelt gives Chicago some reserve-
to smile. Even without the talented muscle.
Johnson, Milwaukee doesn't look bad The big dilemma for the Bulls is that.
up front. they don't have a small forward. Scott'-
ROOKIE PAT Cummings already is May hasn't made much progress in"-
known as a banger and David Meyers is, regaining full mobility after surgery on,,
steadily recovering from a ruptured both knees.
spinal disc that almost ended his Tom Nissalke specializes in
career. renovating lazy basketball teams.
Sharpshooter Brian Winters and Nissalke will have that job with the,
Quinn Buckner (who lost weight and Utah Jazz. To be sure the Jazz are;-
found his shooting eye over the sum- young; with guard Pete Maravich, 31,.-.
mer) provide the Bucks with a good recently acquired John Gianelli, 30, and::
twosome at guard. If Winters or Alan Bristow, 28, the old folks.
Buckner gets into foul trouble, Arkan- THE JAZZ are looking for two star-
sas rookie Sidney Moncrief and Lloyd ters to compliment Maravich, Adrian
Walton will capably fill in. Dantley and Bernard King, who came
HOWEVER, THE Bucks are weak at from New Jersey with Gianelli for cen
reserve forward and center, where ter Rich Kelley.
Kent Benson appears to have won the
4r
i
red otsRestauran
Wteringhle
Butch makes the cut
A nimble-footed Butch Woolfolk scrambles upfield for a carry during Mich-
igan's 28-7 thrashing of the KansasJayhawks on September 22. Woolfolk
carried the ball nine times, but his exertions were to no avail as he gained
a total of only 20 yards.
SPOR TS OF THE DAILY
Did Kush deliv
By The Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. - An Arizona State
University football player says he saw
Coach Frank Kush deliver an uppercut
to a former punter who has sued Kush
and others for $1.1 million, the campus
newspaper said yesterday.
The State Press quoted the uniden-
tified player after a bad kick during the
Arizona State-Washington game last
Oct. 28.
Kush has, denied striking Kevin
Rutledge but currently declines com-
ment on anything connected with the
suit, on advice of his attorney.
The campus daily also said
Rutledge's attorney, Robert 0. Hing,
has filed a motion in U.S. District Court
in Phoenix asking for five years of per-
sonal and other financial records from
Kush and other defendants in the
Rutledge suit.
Rutledge alleges mental and physical
Gr0idde.
P*icks,
If any of those folks diligently waiting
for Grateful Dead tickets at Crisler
Arena are overcome by an irresistible
attack for a one-item pizza from Pizza
Bob's, then send a messenger with your
Gridde picks to the Daily offices at 420
Maynard by midnight Friday. Keep on
truckin' and you may shakedown the
most accurate picks to win the prize.
1. Minnesota at MICHIGAN
(pick score)
2. Michigan St. at Wisconsin
3. Indiana at Ohio State
4. Illinois at Purdue
5. Iowa at Northwestern
"6. Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas)
7. Arkansas at Texas Tech
8. Tennessee at Georgia Tech
9. Baylor at SMU
10. Houston at Texas A&M
11. Washington at Arizona St.
12. UCLA at Washington St.
i3. Oregon at Arizona
14. Clemson at Virginia Tech
15. Maryland at N. Carolina St. I
16. W. Michigan at Toledo
17. Syracuse at Temple
18. LSU at Georgia
19. Mississippi Valley at Grambling
20. DAILY LIBELS at College of Car-
dinals
harassment and abuse by the Arizona
State coaching staff which forced him
to quit the team after the 1978 season.
He now attends the University of
Nevada-Las Vegas.
Besides Kush, his suit named Arizona
State Athletic Director Fred Miller and
BALTIMORE - Last night's opening
game of the 1979 World Series between
the Pittsburgh Pirates and the
Baltimore Orioles was cancelled due to
a torrential rain storm. It was the first
time the Series opener was cancelled
because of rain. The game has been
rescheduled for tonight at 8:30 EDT.',
assistant coaches William Maskill and
Gary Horton among the defendants.
The eyewitness, who asked that he
remain unidentified out of fear of
repercussions, said he and other
players were watching Kush as he ap-
proached Rutledge after the punter had
left the field.
"At first, Kush just yelled at him and
shook his mask," the eyewitness said.
Then "Kush took his palm to Kevin's
mask and shoved it up as high as he
could," the player went on. "Then he
er uppercut?
gave him an uppercut under the mask professional Wome
with his opposite hand." League.
Rutledge "just stood there," doing ,owbovs get Dj
nothing to defend himself, the eyewit-
ness said. DALLAS - The Dal]
Other end for Meyers haven't parted with aI
INDIANAPOLIS - Three weeks af- in 12 years, did so wi
ter handling an unending barrage of in- day, acquiring holdo
terviews during her brief tryout with John Dutton of the Ba
the Indiana Pacers, Ann Meyers is on No. 1 and No. 2 draft ci
the other end of the microphone these
days as color commentator with the Dutton, an All-Proi
Pacers' broadcast network. times a member of th
"I really respect the interviewers flying to Dallas to s
now. It's tough on the other side. It's a contract and hold a pre
lot easier answering questions than
asking them," said Meyers, a former Gil Brandt, Cowboy
All-American at UCLA and the first president and personn
woman ever to sign a contract with a "We're hoping Dutton
National Basketball Association team. 1976 form when he was
Meyers is working with veteran play- the National Football:
by-play announcer Bob Lamey, who he probably played un
says she is "learning, but needs to of duress the past
relax.' - because of contract pr
In addition to working the Pacer
radio and television games, Meyers
said she expects to make personal ap-
pearances and speaking engagements
to earn her $50,000 salary guaranteed
by Pacer owner Sam Nassi. She also
said she would still like to play in the
n's B
utton
asketball
las Cowboys, who
No. 1 draft choice
th delight yester-
ut defensive end
altimore Colts for
:hoices in 1980.
in 1976 and three
he Pro Bowl, was
ign a multi-year
ess conference.
y executive vice
nel director, said,
will resort to his
as good as any.in
League. We think
nder a great deal
several years
oblems."
U-M Howling Team Tyout s
Sunday, October 14-10 am
Women and Men Sign-up at Union Lanes for:
Michigan Intercollegiate League, Association of College
and University Tournament
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
This is Big Time! Don't Miss It!
-1
,I
INTERNSHIPS In
WASHINGTON
D. Cs
LANSING
MI.
Sponsored byCareer Planning & Placement
Interested in working in Washington, D.C., or Lans-
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how at the University of Michigan's Public Service
Intern Program Mass Meeting..Summer internships
are available in legislative offices, executive offices
and agencies, the judiciary, lobbying organizations,
and the media. Financial assistance available.
MASS MEETING
Tuesday
October 9th Undergraduates
Rackham Aud. Only
7:30 p.m. Pub is.*. ktn Prong
w he'" y " M i-
wasninlo'' o.lam'g'" m
INTERVIEW- ON CAMPUS
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