SPORTS
Page 12 Friday, July 15,1988 The Michigan Daily
Grant waits for contract
BY ADAM BENSON ing with the draft's first choice. But ing, the Clippers acquired Charles "What I remember about Seattle Detroit Tigers Lou Whitaker and
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY instead of picking Grant with the Smith, the No. 3 player selected in is that's where we (Michigan) lost in Alan Trammell. It is Brode's hope
LOS ANGELES - It was the sixth pick, the Clippers chose Her- the draft, from the Philadelphia the (NCAA) tournament," Grant that the Clippers will remember
fifteenth pick in the first round, and sey Hawkins, the high-scoring guard 76ers. said. "I didn't want to get back there. Grant's outstanding career and not
the Seattle Supersonics were pre- from Bradley. "In the history of the draft I think Getting traded to the Clippers means harp on his NCAA tournament
paring to select. Former Michigan Unexpected names like Chris this is the best one ever for any that I've been blessed." troubles.
star guard Gary Grant was still Morris, Willie Anderson, and Dan team," said Clippers executive vice On a day when Grant should have "Gary Grant's role and function is
available. Majerle had all been drafted before president-general manager Elgin Bay- been pleased, it seemed that he was just as vital as that of a Manning
This was a surprise to most Grant and fans were beginning to lor. "We got three bona fide All- brought down, both literally and 'and a Smith," said Brode. "What
experts because Grant seemed to be wonder who would pick up this Americans. That's probably never figuratively speaking. Almost as separates Gary is his defensive abi-
perfect for the Los Angeles Clippers, play-making, slick-handed guard. happened before. We got what we soon as he was picked, Grant had to lity; he is a two-way guard. Most
who had the sixth pick. The Clip- It was the Supersonics who took wanted; athletes who can run, play answer the same questions of his guards specialize in just one area.
pers, a team looking to install a new Grant, but then in a spectacular up-tempo, hit the open shot and who play that he was faced with at And Big Ten players are usually very
run-and-gun offense similar to their trade, sent his rights to the Clippers can play basketball." Michigan. successful in the NBA."
cross-town rivals, the world in a complicated three-team deal. It Grant himself was not pleased "I am not unhappy at all with my The Clippers have to sign three
champion Lakers, had already sel- was a big day for Los Angeles' other about going fifteenth, but he was career," Grant said tactfully and high-priced draft picks, while staying
ected Kansas superstar Danny Mann- team. Along with Grant and Mann- happy to be headed for Tinseltown. honestly. "We won 100 games at under the NBA's $7 million salary
Michigan and I felt that I improved cap. It has been estimated that the
there. I know that I enjoyed it. I got Clippers payroll is at $3.8 million,
the brunt of the criticism for the leaving little to be split for their
tournament games. I wish I'd done new players.
?.?.??....?.?. ?.?..?.?..?.?? .?.?? ?.??.? .?.? . ?.?better."
b ntter"Manning's agent, Ron Grinker,
Grant did help establish a has publicly stated that he wants a
? Still for a Place to Live ? winning program at Michigan. Now, $35 million, 10-year deal for his
" S ilLookingfo aPlc toLv " the Clippers hope that he can do the cinaraycmlctn eo
? ?P 0 client, already complicating nego-
SThis Fall same for them. Grant remained cau- tiatiuns for Grant. That, plus the fact
tious though about the Clippers' that L.A. is a historically thrifty
? ature. club, means that Grant and Brode
??9 9?9919?99?99?????? ????????99 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??? "We're going to get beat up quite may have troubles even before the
a bit," Grant said. "But after 30 or so season begins.
games, we won't really be rookies
any more. We're really looking at "He (Grant) is not going to be
Look No Further being together for ten years or so, dribbling a basketball until he gets a
and building something for the contract," said Brode.
future." The Clippers have yet to schedule
Now that Grant knows where he a meeting with Brode to discuss
is going, the next question is how Grant's future with the team. The
A lbert Terrace much he will play for? Grant's agent Clippers, with a 17-65 record, were
is Rick Brode, a Detroit-based the worst team in the NBA last
1700 Geddes attorney, who also handles the season.
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SCOTT IITUCHY /Daily
Former Michigan guard Gary Grant, shown here against Ohio
State, is the Wolverines' all-time assist leader and second all-
time scorer. He is now property of the Los Angeles Clippers.