The Michigan Daily-Thursday, February 12, 1981-Page 11
Campy 'recognized' in Big
Apple
"Consistency is the key, to
longevity."
--Campy Russell
By BOB WOJNOWSKI
Ah yes, but consistency does not
breed stardom. As Campy Russell has
lived by his maxim, so has he suffered
by it. Through circumstances basically
beyond his control, he has had to for-
sake the glitter of current fanfare for
the security of a long career. And
although that bothered him at one time,
it does no more.
"Not really gaining the recognition
was a disappointment," he says. "I was
hung up on that type of thing two or
three years +ago and it did disturb me,
but I'm over it now."
Russell was originally drafted by
Cleveland in the first round of the 1974
National Basketball Association draft.
He had passed up his senior year at
Michigan where he was a team captain,
All-Big Ten and an All-American, for a
shot at the pros.
In six seasons with the Cavaliers,
Russell averaged better than 16 points a
game, and although his statistics are
far from spectacular, he was the man
that Cleveland went to night in and
night out. For all his toils, he was
named to the NBA All-Star team only
once, in 1979.
Today, Russell is wrapping up his fir-
st year in the Big Apple as a member of
the New York Knicks. He was traded to
the Knicks prior to this season at his
Former 'M' star
consistent in NBA,
own request, and although recognition
wasn't the main reason, it played a big
part.
"My primary concern was winning,"
he says. "This is my seventh year in the
pros and time is running out to be on a
winner.
"It's nothing personal against
Cleveland, but the media there just
isn't that great in exposure. I probably
would have been better recognized if I'd
played somewhere else."
Now, apparently, Russell is happy.
yeah, it is."
Russell is also determined to put to
rest the claim that he can't play defen-
se.
"I haven't heard that rap for about
five years," he laughs. "But anyone
who first comes into the league is going
to have some problems."
And Russell does not deny that the
NBA as a whole is having problems.
With attendance down considerably
and general fan apathy prevailing,
Russell cites a couple of possible
reasons why.
"Maybe it's the negative things
(about the NBA) always being writ-
ten," he offers. "Or it could be the 70 to
80 percent black situation. I don't really
know."
Despite its bad points, Russell feels
that what the NBA offers in the way of
monetary reward is something that
can't be found anywhere else.
"I don't think anything pays this kind
of money for this type of work," he
says. "And I wouldn't want to be doing
anything else."
However, he is looking ahead to the
time when his playing days are over,
and he likes what he sees.
"Oh, I'd like to do some coaching," he
says. "But I've also gotten involved
with a steel company in Michigan that
(former Detroit Piston) Dave Bing
runs, and that looks like a real good op-
portunity."
Although Russell and his family /now
make their home in Shaker Heights,
Ohio, he says he would some day like to
return to Michigan. And his ties with
the University are anything but
severed.
"I keep up with the team, guys like,
(Mike) McGee and (Johnny) Johnson,
and I see them alot," he comments.
"We play some basketball at the IM in
the summer."
He goes on to praise current
Michigan basketball coach Bill Frieder
for his enthusiasm and knowledge of
the game, and when the subject swit-
ches to his own Michigan career,
Russell has few qualms.
"I regret not receiving my 'degree,"
he says. "But everyone goes to school to
better themselves and I think playing
basketball was the best way I could bet-
ter myself.
"We had a great team my sophomore
year and we didn't go as far as we
should have," he adds. "But my junior
year we weren't supposed to be as good
and we won the Big Ten. It was a great,
career."
Indeed it was. Despite playing only
two years at Michigan before declaring
hardship and turning pro, Russell is
Michigan's 13th all-time leading scorer.
But despite his many college ac-
colades, Russell has still been unable to
find pro basketball superstardom. Now,
though, that seems to suit him just fine.
"I've always tried to be consistent,'
he says. "That's all, just consistent."
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He is playing on a contending team and
has been a major cog in the develop-
ment of it. He is averaging 38 minutes
of playing time and nearly 17 points a
game. When asked if this is his finest
season, Russell speaks tentatively.
"It's not really my best season as far
as statistics, but as far as winning..
FORMER MICHIGAN BASKETBALL star Campy Russell shoots over Min-
nesota opponents. The former All-American left Michigan his junior year to
pursue a career in professional basketball.
OSU SOPH SHEDS MAGIC'S SHADOW
Kellogg finds niche with Bucks
By SCOTT M. LEWIS
When Ohio State basketball fans
learned of their team's 1979 prize
freshman recruit, they anticipated the
next Earvin Johnson and everything
that goes with him: number one
rankings, Big Ten championships, and
an NCAA title.
What they got was a kid named Clark
Kellogg.. Last year, despite the much-
ballyhooed arrival of Kellogg, Ohio
State didn't make it past the NCAA
quarterfinals. This year the 11-8
Buckeyes may not even be invited to
the 48-team tournament.
THE YOUNG MAN is not a Magic
Johnson, but then, who is? The 6-7 for-
ward from Cleveland has shown that
there's nothing wrong with being Clark
Kellogg, the third leading scorer in the
Big Ten this season and the number six
rebounder (12.1 per game) in all of
college basketball.
After a year of trying in vain to ignore
the unfair comparisons to Johnson and
athe same time seeking to meet the
lofty expectations of Ohio State fans,
Kellogg has finally become the All-
American candidate nearly everyone
thought he would be. After a season of
uncertainty and disillusionment, he has
found a niche in head coach Eldon
Miller's system.
According to Miller, the emergence
of Kellogg as a top-flight performer is a
major reason why the inconsistent
Buckeyes remain only one game behind
conference tri-leaders Michigan, Iowa
and Indiana.
"HE'S BEEN tremendous for us,"
said Miller. "He's so much improved
over last season. Clark is a good open
court player who has learned to play in
close quarters. I'm really pleased with
his rebounding improvement and the
way he is playing under more control."
When coaches speak about "playing
under control," they are usually
referring to the avoidance of turnovers.
Last season, Kellogg led his team in
giveaways by a large margin. This
how it will affect you," he said of the
huge expectations. "But it has to affect
you just by trying to not let' it affect
you."
THE SOPHOMORE believes it was
inappropriate to draw comparisons
with Johnson, or with DePaul's Mark
Aguirre. "I was in a situation where
there were four starters returning," he
said. "I wasn't expecting to just come
in here and be the man. I had to fit in."
Whereas Michigan State looked to
Johnson for instant leadership and
DePaul turned to Aguirre, the
Buckeyes already had a court leader in
Kelvin Ransey. Kellogg could not step
wizardry.
But as first-year men are wont to do,
he often failed to show patience on of-
fense. Kellogg's shot selection last year
was, to say the least, subject to
question.
When Kellogg reported to practice
last October, Miller defined his new
function. Kellogg was to stay close on
the basket, which is where a rugged 227-
pounder should play. He still won't
hesitate to take the open 18-footer, but
most of his scoring now comes from jn-
side.
"I CONSIDERED playing him at
point guard - for about 30 seconds,"
PREMARITAL WORKSHOP
WHEN: Four consecutive Tuesdays, starting on
March 3, 1981.
TIME: Counseling Services, R. 2100 Union.
WHO: Couples-living together, planning to
live together, getting married in the
near future, or recenly married.
LIMITED ENROLLMENT-Please call Anne at
764-8312 by February 16 for screening Interview.
Test Anxious-
Performance Anxious?
COPING WORKSHOP
4 SESSIONS STARTING:
FEBRUARY 14,
MASON 2402
9-11 A.M.
Under the direction of Dr. James Papsdorf,
Laboratory for Applied Psychology
I wasi ttasituation whe're there were four starters retur
ning. I wasn't expecting to just come in here and be the
man. I had to fit in.' -Clark Kellogg
Kellogg
... finally fitting in
year, although he still tops the turnover
list, Kellogg will likely reduce his
miscues by at least 20 percent.
Kellogg's error-prone play in 1980
was not the result of typical freshman
jitters. He felt the pressure of living up
to his advance billing."You don't know
in and grab the reins from Ransey, nor
could Miller reset the entire offense to
accomodate Kellogg's talents.
"It was a ridiculous buildup for
people to expect him to come in and
control the game," Miller said. "We're
looking for a balanced offense,
anyway."
AT TIMES LAST season Kellogg
looked confused and somewhat unsure
of his role on the team. Miller oc-
casionally stationed his top freshman in
the backcourt, where Kellogg could
display his ballhandling and passing
quipped Miller earlier in the season. "I
assure you he'll never be too far from
the ,basket. We can't afford to play a
half-court game with him."
Kellogg, whose 42-point performance
against Northwestern last month is tops
in the Big Ten this season, is satisfied
with his new role. "I'm more adjusted
to what's expected of me," he said.
"Sometimes, you reach out to play up
to other people's expectations. But I
feel if I set my standards high enough,
I'll satisfy those of others to some ex-
tent."
Students and staff: $25.00
Non U of M: $75.00
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