tidPOatSttlU SPO RTS_____ Page 11 Wednesday., une 8,1994 Q: When was the last time a Western Conference team won the NBA title? -(see-i seia6uy so)l 886L : Women's track 21st at nationals Focus off 'n NBA S HAQUILLE O NEAL: Do you want me to slam it? ALLEGED FANS: Yes -from a recent Reebok ad Actually, Shaq, what we would really like is for you to win a play- off game. a Winning games used to be every- thing in the NBA. In the MICHAEL 1 9 8 0 s, ROSENBERG Magic and Roses are Bird did it anyone else, nd they were lauded. But the NBA's marketing strat- egy has changed in the past few years. They don't market winning anymore. They mostly market dunks these days, although a dunk is noth- ing but a glorified lay-up. But dunks sell T-shirts and sneakers, which is probably why you haven't seen too many pick- d-rolls in commercials recently. Hey, the marketing strategy has worked. The NBA has made tons of money this way and gained immense popularity. A recent poll showed that Michael Jordan was the world's most popular athlete. That's understandable. Jordan was a phenomenal player, so when the casual fans come to admire him, it's justifiable. P The problem is that, while Jordan proved himself on the court, many of today'sso-calledstarshavenotearned their popularity. And once they get thatpopularity,they seemtolosesight of why they play the game. Witness these recent events: 1) With 1.8 secondsleftinGame Three of his team's series against theNew YorkKnicks,ChicagoBull Scottie Pippen removed himself From thegameaftercoachPhilJack- son designed a play in which Toni Kukoc would shoot the final shot. Pippen probably realized that being a decoy would only help his team, not his endorsement deals. 2) When Isaiah Rider was drafted by Minnesota last June, he made a bold guarantee - he would win the slam dunk contest. Hey, Isaiah, are Owesupposedtocare?Congratulations. You won. Your team still stinks. 3) After signing a three-year contract extension, Phoenix Suns See RosEs, Page 12 By Michelle Lee Thompson FOR THE DAILY The Michigan women's track team was getting used to winning its meets. After all, they had won the Big Ten "triple crown" - the conference's cross country, indoor and outdoor championships. After that, all they had left to do was party. That party was in Boise, Idaho, last weekend at the NCAA Championships. A tie for 21st place with 10 points was the season's part- ing gift, as Louisiana State won the nationalchampionship with 86points. "The second-most important thing is the national championship," coach James Henry said."The mostimportant thing is the Big Tens, and we won that. The national meet is the team's party." Two individuals - junior Courtney Babcock in the 3000-meter run and senior Molly McClimon in the 5000-meter run - went the dis- tance. Both ran all the way to the finals, where they took All-American honors by placing in the top eight. McClimon, who claimed her sixth All-American certificate in her last NCAArun,placed fifth(16:42.92)on Saturday. "It's been a long road this season, and Molly ended on the top," Henry said, praising McClimon's efforts. Improving on her 1993 finish, Babcock finished third Friday (9:27.58), after taking the same place in Wednesday's qualifying heat. McClimon andBabcock wereonly twoofnineMichiganrepresentatives. In other finals action, thrower Car- rie Stewart took 13th in the javelin finals (156'0") and Ronda Meyers placed12thinthediscusfinals(155'8"). Senior heptathlete Laura Jerman came in 10th with 5296 points, and Chris Szabo finished 12thinthe 10,000-meter run (35:33.25). Senior sprinter Richelle Webb failed to qualify for the finals, finish- ing eighth in the 100 and 200 semis. Henry said that the team's goal was to finish in the top 15, but that he was not disappointed. "You always want the teamto finish the season at their best, but in my mind+ they left their beston the track at the Big Tens two weeks ago," said Henry. Molly McClimon finished a stellar collegiate career in Idaho last weekend. Sullivan fIIshes third at men's NCAAs By Brent McIntosh DAILY TRACK WRITER Who could ask for anything more? Toyota's former slogan seems to be an apt theme for Michigan track star Kevin Sullivan's freshman year, which ended with a third-place fin- ish in the 1500-meter run at the NCAA National Outdoor Champi- onships held last weekend in Boise, Idaho. "I had a good, solid year," the Ontario native said. "From fourth at cross country nationals, to third in the indoor 1500, to third outdoors, I re- ally couldn't ask for anything more." Sullivan had been seeded first go- ing into the meet, but his time of 3:44.14 was not enough to put him ahead of Arkansas's Graham Hood, who broke the tape in 3:42.10. Hood finished ninth in the 1992 Olympics. Sullivan's teammate, Scott MacDonald, failed to qualify for the finals of the 1500, getting outkicked in the slower of the two semifinal heats. The times were nowhere near Sullivan's season best of 3:39.22, but See NCAAs, Page 12 i I iz " c _.7 dC.41 r , ,. 1 s*' SS .a Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM -- -- -- -- - CHINA GARDEN SZECHUAN, HUNAN & PEKING CUISINE DINE IN " CARRY-OUT " DELIVERY COCKTAILS " SUNDAY BUFFET VEGETARIAN DISHES VEGETABLE OIL USED FOR COOKING ALL DISHES FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 971-0970 3035 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Mon-Thur, 11am-10pm Fri, 11am-11pm Sat, 12pm-11pm Sun, 12pm-10pm Free Parking * Moderate Prices Parties WelcomeL i GOLF TOURNAMENT (Two Person Team Best Ball) Entry Deadline: Wednesday 6/15 2:30 p.m. IMSB Main Office Tourney Date: Friday 6/17 Tee Times: NOON - 2:00 p.m. For Additional Information Contact IMSB 763-3562