The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, March 01, 1989, Page 10, Image 10
Pep Talk
By Jeff Nichols
i
Michael Jordai
because of all->
With Larry Bird and Magic
Johnson both sidelined with injuries,
it's the perfect time in this year's
NBA season to talk about the man
who's dethroned these two perennial
All-Stars as the greatest in the game.
This way, I don't have to worry
about Bird scoring 100 points tomorrow
or Magic dishing off 50 assists.
And who is the greatest? Do you
know, do you know, do you know?
It's like that universally known
Nike spokesman Mars Blackmon
says . . . Air Jordan, Air Jordan,
Air Jordan.
It's been a hot topic of discussion
among pro basketball followers for
years. And this year, Street and
Smith formally asked the question on
the cover of their inaugural NBA
preview issue - "Who's the
Greatest?" The three consensus candidates
were the Celtics' Larry Bird,
the Lakers' Magic Johnson and the
Bulls' Michael Jordan.
It's the junior member of this
dazzling trio that can lay claim to this
title, at least in my estimation.
Keep in mind, I'm saying only that
Jordan is today's most individually
talented player.
Granted, basketball is a team
game, and Bird and Magic have a
better understanding of what teamwork
is about than anyone in the
history of the game.
But I don't take a lot of stock in
arguments like "Jordan is just a oneman
team" or "he doesn't have the'
ability to increase his teammates'
level of play," along with the
favorite "where are his championship
rings?"
I've heard them all. And I remain
unconvinced that pondering over
whether Bird or Magic would do
more for the Bulls or whether the
Celtics or Lakers would be as good
with Jordan is really meaningful, yet
(three i
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around play
hypothetical situations like these
always surface when this topic is
discussed ? and around me, it often
is.
In backing Jordan, I've always
tried to keep the discussion in line
with reality and look at what he does
as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
In the end, it's not his soaring
moves to the basket or his electrifying,
high-flying slams that put him
on top. It's these things that pack
NBA arenas, and along with a
marketable personality, bring him
lucrative endorsements.
But what makes Jordan "the
greatest" involves something more
than his much-heralded scoring prowess.
It's called defense. While
shouldering incredible scoring
responsibilities night in and night
out, Jordan also plays defense better
tnan anyone in tne league. Me s tne
complete package.
Bird, in a nutshell, is the consumate
team player. He definitely
has the ability to increase the level of
play from his teammates. For a
decade, he has out-hustled and outthought
everybody en route to three
Most Valuable Player awards and
three World Championships.
Simply put, Magic Johnson is a
winner. From baseline to baseline,
nobody does it better. Because he
combines incredible size with
brilliant passing ability, Magic is unquestionably
the best point guard
ever.
Both superstars have felt Michael
Jordan's presence ever since he was
voted Rookie of the Year in 1985.
Johnson was runner-up to Bird that
year for the league MVP award.
Jordan missed 64 games his second
year with a foot injury, yet he came
See JORDAN page 11
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USC guard Brent Price looks for help in a g:
earlier this season at Carolina Coliseum. Price scoi
m _ I/- * _ i irrr* i- - O/: in
in oiacKSDurg, ?a., to leau ust 10 a ov-i?
Gamecocks' second win against Virginia Tech thi
Tribute to P
From staff reports
Tonight at Carolina Coliseum, USC will pay
tribute to a deserving member of the Lady
Gamecock basketball team.
Senior Martha Parker will be playing her last
regular-season game in a Lady Ganfecock uniform,
and tonight's 7:00 contest with DePaul could be
the team captain's last home appearance in
Carolina Coliseum, even though 17th ranked USC
is expected to be a host to at least one NCAA
i playoff game.
To honor Parker, tonight has been declared
< "Pack It For Parker Night," and anyone bringing
a sign saying "We love you, Martha," or
something similar will be admitted free of charge.
v Atlunteers nri/j fa
Help us help you.
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Reservi
over V
By KEVIN ADAMS
Sports editor
The USC men's baske
clinched its first-ever winn
in the Metro Conferenct
night with a convincing 86
over Virginia Tech in B
Va.
The win over the Hokii
fmirth itriinhl X/lptrn v
S points of the second half I
k . k Hokies a 51-47 lead. Afte
| m shot by guard Brent Prf
\ 'yanked his starting five an
V them with reserves Jo J(
^ % Troy McKoy, Joe Rh
P Roulston and Bill Vernau.
| ? The reserves stayed in
Mmm * than seven minutes, and
shooting of Rhett and Mc
' the lead at 59-56. When tl
five came back in with jus
minutes remaining, USC
After trading baskets for tf
minutes, the Gamecock sts
ac/v / DKuuMtL/ i nf uunmucK __ ? n n _ . _ . ?i _ _ -70 n
on a 7-0 run to take a 78-7
ame against Virginia Tech seal the victory,
red 21 points Monday night Price led the Gamecocl<
win over the Hokies, the points, hitting five of six s
s year- 3-point range. John Huds
arker tonight
Parker is averaging 13.7 points a game this
season and is currently in third place on the all-time
USC scoring list with 1,667 points. She has a career
average of 13.9 points a game and will finish in the
top 10 in every career statistical category in Lady
Gamecock history. Parker was last year's Metro
Conference Player of the Year and also the Metro
Conference Tournament's Most Valuable Player,
in addition to being two-time GTE Academic AilAmerican.
During her four-year career, USC has a
record?!" 80^i, including a 20-6 mark this season.
*'Sh<rs been cfufsfanding both on and off the
court daring tier four years here and has really
meant a lot to to our program," USC coach Nancy
Wilson said of Parker. "Not only has she been the
1 Cot a new
^ Ca// The G
office of SENIORS,
Volunteers 256-2301
The application dea<
(standing Senior and
tu ...:n i
i iiubt; bcmumu win i
Ceremony, to be he!
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es spark win
irginia Tech
18 points, Terry Dozier had 16, and
Barry Manning added 10. Dozier led
tball team USC with seven rebounds, while
ing record Hudson and Manning grabbed six
; Monday each.
-79 victory Guards Wally Lancaster and Bimlacksburg,
bo Coles scored 23 and 21 points,
respectively, to lead Virginia Tech.
;s was the USC is now 17-9 overall and 7-4 in
ictory for the Metro, while the Hokies fell to
ocks and 10-16 and 1-9.
C has had The Gamecocks play their final
jtive con- game of the regular season Saturday
)ining the afternoon at Cincinnati, before
season. It returning home to play host to the
win at Metro Conference Tournament
le Metro. March 10-12 at Carolina Coliseum.
: been acwasn't
for USC (86)
0 the USC Hudson 7-11 4-7 18, Dozier 5-13 6-8 16,
1 half. Breckenridge 0-0 0-0 0, Manning 4-12 2-3
fame, the 10, Price 7-13 2-2 21, Rhett 3-4 2-2 8,
first six Roulston 0-1 1-2 1, English 0-3 0-0, Verto
give the nau 2-3 0-0 6, Glover 0-0 0-0 0, McKoy
r a rushed 3-4 0-2 6. Totals 31-64 17-26 86.
ce, Felton VIRGINIA TECH (79)
d replaced Moses 2-7 2-2 6, Rivers 0-0 4-4 4, Herb3
English, ster 1-1 0-1 2, Lancaster 8-17 5-6 23, Coles
lett, Jeff 8-21 0-1 18, Nottingham 5-9 0-0 12,
Sanders 3-6 1-3 7, Caesar 1-4 2-2 5, Canfor
more non 1-3 0-0 2, Holland 0-1 0-0 0. Totals
led by the 29-69 14-19 79.
Koy, took Halftime ? USC 47, Virginia Tech 45.
-ip startino 1-nnint eoals ? IJSC 7-10 (Price 5-6.
t under 11 Manning 0-1, English 0-1, Vernau 2-2),
led 61-60. Virginia Tech 7-23 (Lancaster 2-5, Coles
ie next few 2-8, Nottingham 2-6, Caesar 1-4). Reirters
went bounds ? USC 40 (Dozier 7), Virginia
0 lead and Tech 41 (Moses, Rivers, Lancaster, Nottingham,
Sanders 6). Assists ? USC 19
;s with 21 (Manning 7), Virginia Tech 14 (Coles 7).
hots from Total fouls ? USC 19, Virginia Tech 21.
on scored Attendance ? 4,911.
at Coliseum
perfect role model for fans and the other players,
she's just been great on the public relations side ?
she's helped put South Carolina women's basketball
on the map.
"All of the other players on the team like Martha,"
Wilson added. "She goes out of her way to
help other people and has been a great example for
the younger players by offering them help and
encouragement."
Wilson said Parker would be missed, but that
Parker's presence has laid the groundwork for
future Lady Gamecock squads to be successful.
"You don't replace a Martha Parker, but she
has helped to build the base for an excellent program
here," Wilson said.
s tip?
iamecock at 777-7726
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!
jline is fast approaching for the OutAlgernon
Sydney Sullivan Awards,
be honored at the Honors and Awards
d April 20BE
AN OUTSTANDING SENIOR?
nted to those members of the graduating
Je a significant contribution to the UniverN
SYDNEY SULLIVAN AWARD
ost outstanding male and female memss
in terms of their academic achieveand
contributions to the University.
CANT BE CONSIDERED
IT FILL OUT AN APPLICATION!!
i up TODAY from the Office of Student
Jniieo ChiHont nrt\/ommftnt Ar fhn
ivuoc, uiuuciu uv;v^i 11111^1 u, \ji ui^
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E for all applications is
march 3,1989 at 5:00 p.m.,
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109 russell housell J
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