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- ing, Michigan, during summer, 1980? Come find out 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 with GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION The Data Stystems and Services Group of General Instru- ment Corporation will be conducting on-campus interviews on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24. The Data Systems and Service Group specializes in the development of real-time, on-line transaction processing systems within a network environment of minicomputers, microprocessors and intelligent terminals. We are an international leader in the field of wagering, point-of-. sale and retail systems. Recent growth has created a * * * * SENIORS: j Today s The Day Have Your number of positions in systems and applications pro- gramming. To arrange an interview and obtain company literature, contact the Placement Office. GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION I! DATA SYSTEMS AND SERVICES GROUP