THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994 TAG: 9406240638
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
DATELINE: 940624 LENGTH: Medium
A regular guy: Although I couldn't find a rooting interest in the just-completed NBA Finals, what I like about Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich is that, unlike Pat Riley, he doesn't give the impression that he invented basketball.
Just in case: Norfolk's Joe Smith, the center of attention for Maryland hoops last season, has taken out a $1 million insurance policy with Lloyd's of London.
{REST} Made in Portsmouth: With the NBA draft coming up on Wednesday, Providence forward Dickey Simpkins has become a surprising favorite of the pros, thanks in large part to his strong performance at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
The other No. 32: Just because he's become a bitter, jealous, over-the-hill naysayer, that doesn't mean Jim Brown is wrong claiming that O.J. Simpson has always been a phony.
Jurisprudence: As for the fate of O.J. Simpson, it goes without saying that in the state that brought us the Menendez murder trials, no verdict is certain.
Roots: The most visually striking thing about the World Cup telecasts are the gorgeous grass fields. Pro football and major league baseball, take a hint.
Fashion statement: From what I've seen, soccer teams sport the world's snazziest uniforms. I wonder, though, how goalkeepers survive those 90-plus-degree afternoons in long sleeves.
Numbers game: The least busy officials at the World Cup are the men who write up the scoring summaries.
Excitable boys: The pressure on the current Italian World Cup team is nothing new. Benito Mussolini sent a cable to the 1938 team that read, ``Win or die.'' And people think Bobby Knight is tough to play for.
Voice mail: A soccer fan called to remind me that Hakeem Olajuwon started his athletic career as a goalie.
In passing: As the U.S. Open proved, the 18-hole playoff has no place in golf today.
Canadian club: On Wednesday, the Baltimore CFL Colts entertain Winnipeg in an exhibition football game at Memorial Stadium.
A Fall Classic: In late October, Pope John Paul II will celebrate Mass from the outfield at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Sounds like another sellout.
Net gains: With Steffi Graf out at Wimbledon, it is Martina Navratilova's tournament to save.
Slugging again: Jose Canseco is baseball's comeback player of the year.
On a roll: At the start of the season, who would have guessed that, approaching July, the Cleveland Indians would have the second-best record in baseball?
The odd couple: With Orioles owner Peter Angelos calling manager Johnny Oates ``an insecure man'' and questioning whether he's ``a good leader,'' you wonder if Oates will finish the season in the Baltimore dugout. You wonder if he'll want to.
How the game is played: In the wake of alleged scandals at Florida State, coach Bobby Bowden says that the goal of any college football program ``is to be good enough to be investigated and not guilty.''
For what it's worth: The outside dome of Scope could use a good scrubbing.
Helping the Redskins: First, Jimmy Johnson walks out on the Dallas Cowboys. Then the Giants decide not to re-sign quarterback Phil Simms. The breaks are falling Norv Turner's way.
On thin ice: The pitiful sight of Tonya Harding hitching a ride on pro rassling is a sign that her 15 minutes of fame are about up.
by CNB