DRAFT PREVIEW:
Celts ponder on
use of top pck
BOSTON (AP)-For the Boston
Celtics there was one certainty in the
National Basketball Association
draft-they wanted Ralph Sampson.
But when the 7-foot-4 center from
Virginia told them he wanted to make
college more than just a one-year
a tuneup for pro basketball, the Celtics
were incredulous and in a quandary.
TODAY, TWO months later and two
days before the draft,the dilemma per-
sists. What will the Celtics do with the
first pick of the entire crop of college
seniors?
They could trade it, or they could
choose a center, forward or guard.
Because of the uncertainty of their
current roster and the lack of an undis-
uted top college senior, there are many
possibilities.
Assuming the Celtics hang on to the
pick, obtained from Detroit as compen-
sation for the signing of Bob McAdoo,
most reports have indicated that Pur-
due center Joe Barry Carroll would be
their first choice.
BUT WITH two starters becoming
free agents, guard Nate Archibald and
forward Cedric Maxwell, the Celtics
may seek security by choosing guard
Darrell Griffith of Louisville or Kevin
McHale, a center at Minnesota who is
projected as an NBA forward.
Celtics' vice president Jeff Cohen
said several meetings with Ron
Grinker, Maxwell's agent, have not
made much progress.
"The Maxwell thing has been going
nn for snme time and that indicates tn
me that there are some problems,"
Cohen said. "I think that throws
McHale very much into the mix of
things."
THE DEADLINE for pre-draft trades
is 6 p.m. Monday, and Cohen said, "I
think it's going to be the last phone call
that will make the decision on whether
we trade the top pick or keep it."
General Manager Red Auerbach said
he would spend the weekend in
meetings and filmwatching sessions.
He said a decision on what to do with
the choice probably will be made Mon-
day.
Still, the Celtics, who had the best
regular-season record in the NBA, are
in the best position in the draft, which
begins at noon Tuesday in New York.
They also have the 13th pick as part of
the McAdoo compensation.
DEALING BOTH first-round choices
could bring an outstanding big man and
an established guard. Or the Celtics
could keep the choices and draft both
Carroll and a guard.
Boston is anxious to get a center who
would step in for 31-year-old Dave
Cowens when he retires. Aside from
Sampson; no dominating centers seem
likely to come out of college in the next
couple of years.
The thinking of Auerbach and Coach
Bill Fitch also may involve the com-
pensation they would get for Maxwell if
he should sign elsewhere. That undoub-
tedly would involve a high draft choice
or a top veteran and could fill a hole by
left by this year's draft.
The Michigan Daily-Saturday, June 7, 1980-Page 15
lr':<: ' . Sports aE.nl .
at Large
By Scott Lewis
Bamberger will be back ..
"*. Rozema could be gone
DIAMOND DOINGS ...
BAMBI'S BACK - Fans watching the Tigers-Brewers game on televi-
sion last night might have been surprised to find Milwaukee manager
George Bamberger calling the shots for the first time this season. Only three
months ago, the popular field chief was felled by a heart attack at the
Brewers' Sun City, Ariz. training site, and a short time later underwent
major heart surgery.
Doctors then expected Bamberger to return to managing no earlier than
August, and most baseball observers figured he would miss the entire
season. But Bamberger surprised them all - all, that is, except his players,
who received an April promise from their skipper that he'd be back in the
dugout by June.
The 55-year-old ex-Baltimore pitching coach says he hasn't felt better in
years, and insisted he would have returned even earlier had his physicians
not objected. He certainly looked more fit last night than in recent seasons,
having shed 30 pounds from his previous weight of 210.
Bamberger takes over the reins from third base coach Buck Rodgers,
who has guided the Brewers to a 26-21 record in Bamberger's absence, three
and one-half games behind division-leading New York.
. Another member of the Milwaukee braintrust, batting instructor Har-
vey Kuenn, is convalescing after a blood clot nearly cost him his right leg in
March. The one-time American League batting champ, who played with the
Tigers a long while back, isn't expected to resume coaching, however, until
1981.
UPROOTING THE ROSE - Pitcher Dave Rozema need not worry
about spending the rest of the season in the Tiger bullpen. The hunch here is
that he'll be traded before the June 15 deadline, probably in exchange for a
lefthanded starter.
Rozema, as everyone must know, is not among Sparky Anderson's
favorites. That has been obvious since spring training, when the 24-year-old
hurler spent an entire evening in a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. night club, then
went out and got bombed - on the mound against Kansas City.
A starter in each of his three previous seasons in Detroit, Rozema could
not accept what he viewed as a demotion. His pitching has not improved
noticeably during the relieving stints, and a fresh start with a new club may
be the tonic for his stagnant career.
CAMPBELL'S HEIST - Richie Hebner, who has found a niche in the
Tigers' offensive scheme, is making General Manager Jim Campbell look
like a genius for the first time in a long time. The slugging infielder, as you
may recall, was obtained from the Mets last December in exchange for
Jerry Morales and Phil Mankowski. While Hebner has collected 34 RBI and
five home runs, Morales is straining to lift his average over .180 and
Mankowski has made a mere 20 plate appearances.
THE ANCIENT MARINER - Former major league pitcher Diego
Segui; who closed his career in 1978 with Seattle at age 39, was nicknamed
"The Ancient Mariner" by Seattle area sportswriters. That title now goes to
longtime Detroit favorite Willie Horton, who is the only active player left
from the 1968 World Series team.
Horton, now 38, was hitting only .212 with one home run through Wed-
nesday's 8-2 loss to the Tigers. However, he has raised his average over 30
points in the last two weeks, helping keep the surprising Mariners around the
.500 mark.
The Mariners' roster, by the way, has a distinct Detroit flavor. In ad-
dition to Horton, Seattle's lineup features former Tigers Dan Meyer (.325)
and Leon Roberts (.275, 7 HR), plus Detroit area native Tom Paciorek,
brother of Michigan's Jim.
CATCHING UP - The remarks made by Johnny Bench before the Los
Angeles-Cincinnati game Monday night didn't come as surprising to those
who have followed Bench's career over the past few seasons. The shoo-in
Hall of Fame catcher has complained that working behind theplate 130
games per season for 12 years has affected his hitting. He feels that moving
to a less exerting position (first base or outfield, for instance) would prolong
his career and aid the Reds.
Cincinnati manager John McNamara would like to oblige Bench, but
with first baseman Dan Driessen and rightfielder Ken Griffey hitting well,
there's no chance for the catcher to supplant either of them. A further strike
against Bench is his current .210 batting average.
REDIUCED COVER
Use Daily PICHER-CHARGES
C .as.fdSUND H
Tae that!
High-kicking New York Mets pitcher Craig Swan shows his moves while
flying off the mound after throwing a pitch in a game against St. Louis T
day.