Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 7, 1993 TAG: 9305070022
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ORLANDO, FLA. LENGTH: Short
"I hope I can get an NBA championship trophy to go along with it," O'Neal said, "so that when I retire and have children, I can tell my son, `I was bad.' "
He received 96 of a possible 98 votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who regularly cover the NBA - three from each league city and 17 representing the national media. Center Alonzo Mourning of the Charlotte Hornets received the other two votes.
O'Neal, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft out of LSU, was the only player in the NBA's top 10 in four statistical categories.
He averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.53 blocks per game and shot .562 from the field, leading all rookies in each of those categories. He was second in the league in rebounding and shot blocking, fourth in shooting percentage and eighth in scoring.
"I was just doing what I was supposed to do," O'Neal said. "At 7-1, 303, you're supposed to go out there, dunk, rebound and battle."
O'Neal was the first rookie since Buck Williams in 1981-82 to grab more than 1,000 rebounds.
"There hasn't been anybody coming into the league who has caused this kind of stir in a long time, maybe since [Kareem] Abdul-Jabbar," said Jerry Reynolds, player personnel director of the Sacramento Kings.
The Magic posted its best record (41-41), 20 games better than a year earlier. It was the biggest improvement in the NBA this season.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.