Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 21, 1993 TAG: 9305210083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Of the top six picks in last summer's draft, five made the first team announced Thursday, including unanimous choices Shaquille O'Neal of Orlando and Alonzo Mourning of Charlotte - the top two draft picks.
Also picked were Minnesota's Christian Laettner, the third pick in the draft, Washington's Tom Gugliotta, who was No. 5, and LaPhonso Ellis of Denver, chosen sixth.
The missing man was Jimmy Jackson of Dallas, the fourth pick who did not sign with the Mavs until March 4 and still received three points in the voting by the coaches.
O'Neal and Mourning, the impact players their teams anticipated, each received the maximum 52 points - 26 first-team votes from the 27 coaches, who chose All-Rookie first and second teams but were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Chosen for the second team were Walt Williams of Sacramento, the draft's seventh selection, Robert Horry of Houston, Latrell Sprewell of Golden State, Clarence Weatherspoon of Philadelphia and Richard Dumas of Phoenix. Former University of Virginia player Bryant Stith of the Denver Nuggets got one vote.
In other NBA news:
\ BIRD WATCH: The back pain that forced Larry Bird into retirement probably will prevent him from accepting an NBA coaching job, including the Indiana Pacers', the Indianapolis News reported. The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources close to Bird and the Pacers, said the club had discussed the possibility of Bird accepting the coaching vacancy created when Bob Hill was fired Tuesday, but were told his lingering back pain would prohibit it for now.
Bird's agent, Bob Woolf, however, said he had no knowledge of any contact between the Pacers and his client. Woolf also said he believed Bird was "more interested in getting himself better physically" than taking a new job.
\ PICKING THE PICKERS: Magic Johnson and seven officials from NBA front offices were named to the panel that will pick the U.S. men's basketball teams for the next world championships and Olympics. Only two of the committee's 10 members - Davidson athletic director Terry Holland and Duke assistant coach Tommy Amaker - were from college programs. USA Basketball, the sport's governing body in the United States, said NBA players were expected to make up the bulk of the teams, as they did for the 1992 Olympics.
Joining Johnson, Holland and Amaker on the selection panel were Bob Bass, vice president of the San Antonio Spurs; Billy Cunningham, a partner in the Miami Heat; Wayne Embry, general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers; Dave Gavitt, senior executive vice president of the Boston Celtics; Willis Reed, senior vice president of the New Jersey Nets; Donnie Walsh, president of the Indiana Pacers; and Bob Whitsitt, president of the Seattle SuperSonics.
Rod Thorn, the NBA's vice president for basketball operations, earlier was named selection committee chairman.
\ ROCKETS SALE: The Houston Rockets' minority owners agreed with majority owner Charlie Thomas to delay the sale of the team for eight days when the two factions meet in court. The limited partners had wanted a temporary restraining order to block the team's sale to Florida businessman Les Alexander, who has increased his offer from $81 million to $85 million. But Tilman Fertitta, one of the partners, said the two groups will try to solve their differences before a May 27 hearing on whether to pursue the restraining order against Thomas.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB