DREXLER HAS PERFECT TIMING.Byline: David Moore David Moore is a common English name and may refer to:
Houston's Clyde Drexler Clyde Austin Drexler (born June 22, 1962 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former National Basketball Association shooting guard. A ten-time All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he was named one of basketball's fifty greatest players by the NBA. is one of the sport's most graceful athletes. His departure to coach the University of Houston at the end of this season ensures that image won't be tarnished by a potentially painful split. Drexler has long been one of Houston's favorite sons. He went to the city's Sterling High. He stayed in the area to become the high-flying soul of Phi Slama Jama Phi Slama Jama was the nickname of the University of Houston Cougars men's basketball teams from 1982 to 1984. Coined by former Houston Post sportswriter Thomas Bonk in a January 3,1983 article, the nickname was quickly adopted by the players and even appeared on team . Twelve years later, after an All-Star career in Portland, he was traded to the Rockets and won the championship he and teammate Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). let slip through their fingers with the Cougars. Along the way, Drexler has always handled himself with class. He's a big part of the community. He even owns a barbecue joint. How much more Texas can you get? These roots made what could have happened at the end of the season even more sensitive. There were subtle indications that the Rockets would not have asked Drexler to return. His skills, especially for a 35-year-old guard, are still remarkable. But this wasn't about talent. It was about the salary cap and Drexler's personality. Olajuwon, Kevin Willis Kevin Alvin Willis (born September 6, 1962 in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He is a 7-foot power forward/center. At age 44, he is the oldest active player in the league. , Brent Price Hartley Brent Price (born December 9 1968 in Shawnee, Oklahoma) is an American former professional basketball player in the NBA. He is the younger brother of former Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Mark Price. and Rodrick Rhodes Rodrick Rhodes (born September 24 1973, in Jersey City, New Jersey) is an American professional basketball player who was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1st round (24th overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft. Coaching career In 2005, he was an assistant coach at St. are the only players under contract for the Rockets next season. Drexler ($5.5 million) and Charles Barkley This article is about the basketball player. For the politican, see Charles E. Barkley Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player. ($2.25 million) become free agents. The off-season will be Houston's chance in infuse in·fuse v. 1. To steep or soak without boiling in order to extract soluble elements or active principles. 2. To introduce a solution into the body through a vein for therapeutic purposes. an aging team with youth. If the Rockets fail to mount a serious challenge in the playoffs - and there's nothing to suggest they will - re-signing Drexler and Barkley would not make sense. The club would have to let at least one of them go in order to rebuild. The logical choice was Drexler since his departure would give the Rockets more salary cap flexibility. There also have been rumblings about Drexler behind the scenes. Privately, some in the organization believe there have been times when he has undermined coach Rudy Tomjanovich's authority. They say he has raised questions about his teammates and coaching staff, only to deny those comments when confronted. Similar complaints filtered out in his final days with the Trail Blazers. None of this should imply Drexler alone is at fault. Barkley's presence often seems to bring these situations to a head. There's no denying the two stars are oil and water off the court. Drexler hasn't torn the Rockets apart. He isn't the reason this team has struggled. But what if Drexler wanted to play next season? What if the Rockets didn't re-sign him? The club would have taken the heat for that decision. It's hard to imagine Drexler's squeaky-clean image would have emerged unscathed as the Rockets tried to justify their stance to the fans. Drexler's decision prevents a petty breakup. ``I think it's a storybook sto·ry·book n. A book containing a collection of stories, usually for children. adj. Occurring in or resembling the style or content of a storybook: storybook characters; a storybook romance. situation,'' Tomjanovich told reporters after Drexler said he would coach the Cougars. ``Here's a guy who had a great NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= career, and then late in his career gets traded back to his hometown and helps win a championship. And then he goes to his alma mater in that same town. ``If you wrote a move script about that, you'd say, `Nah, that stuff doesn't happen.' '' In this case, it did happen. And it happened for the best. Drexler's decision should ease the tension in the Rockets' locker room and allow the principles to part on good terms. Once again, Drexler's timing and instinctive flair have allowed him to soar above the fray. Check the books again: After Detroit's Joe Dumars Joe Dumars (born May 24, 1963 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is a former basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations. At 6'3" (190 cm) he could play either shooting guard or point guard on offense and was a highly effective made a free throw in a game against Philadelphia last week, the game was stopped. The crowd at The Palace of Auburn Hills stood and applauded as it was announced Dumars had just scored the 20,000th point of his career. It was a touching tribute to one of the sport's finest players and gentlemen. There was just one small problem. Dumars was still 4,000 points shy of the milestone. ``Must have been a 3,000-point shot,'' Dumars said. Here's what happened: The Pistons botched botch tr.v. botched, botch·ing, botch·es 1. To ruin through clumsiness. 2. To make or perform clumsily; bungle. 3. To repair or mend clumsily. n. 1. a substitution, meaning Dumars had to come off the bench to shoot a technical free throw. Referee Joey Crawford made such a grand production of ushering Dumars back to the bench that Matt Dobek, the Pistons' vice president of public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most , joked he couldn't leave the game because he had just scored 20,000 points. Crawford immediately told the public-address announcer to acknowledge the milestone. He then presented Dumars with the ball. ``Next time he scores,'' Crawford joked later, ``announce that he just broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's (all-time scoring) record.'' TOP 10 AND NO. 29 1. Chicago: Who says you need a bench? Beat Pacers without a point, rebound or assist from a reserve. 2. Seattle: The Glove's 27 and 9 in Monday's win over Lakers puts stranglehold on Pacific. 3. Utah: 11-game win streak stung by the Hornets. 4. Lakers: They like Portland is the only explanation; see you in the first round. 5. Miami: Won 19 of last 23 and Riles demands more. 6. San Antonio San Antonio (săn ăntō`nēō, əntōn`), city (1990 pop. 935,933), seat of Bexar co., S central Tex., at the source of the San Antonio River; inc. 1837. : The Gentle Giants; Robinson and Duncan combine for 42.3 points and 22.6 rebounds per. 7. Indiana: Central title hopes dashed with loss to Bulls. 8. Atlanta: Q: Will anyone step up with Mookie gone? A: Recasner goes for 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists in first start. 9. Charlotte: Shot an amazing 61 percent in 26-point romp of Jazz. 10. Phoenix: How's that for a first-rounder? Ainge's boys against the Gentle Giants. 29. Denver: Won three of last six; Hanzlik for Coach of the Year. TECHNICAL FOUL technical foul n. Sports A foul, especially in basketball, that is called on a player, coach, or team for unsportsmanlike conduct or infringement of a rule and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent during play. Washington Wizards Despite battling for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards lost at home to the Denver Nuggets Nuggets can refer to several branches of interest:
PLAYER WATCH Jason Kidd, Phoenix Suns The 25-year-old point guard posted his third triple-double of the season with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd, who was the second overall selection of the 1994 NBA Draft, has averaged 13.6 points, 11.6 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game over the last six games. The Suns had a 5-1 record in those games. The Co-Rookie of the Year's play has helped the Suns stay within striking distance of the third seed in the Western Conference - currently held by the Lakers. L.A. AT PLAY CLIPPERS Monday at Vancouver, 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , 7:30 p.m. Friday vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. LAKERS Today at Sacramento, 2 p.m. Monday at Denver, 6 p.m. Wednesday vs. Sacramento, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Utah, 6 p.m. --- Anthony Buccino CAPTION(S): Box BOX: TOP 10 AND NO. 29 (see text) |
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