THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995 TAG: 9512220596
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Own worst critic: When ``Our Own'' Joe Smith, the Golden State Warriors rookie, gives himself a C-minus for his play so far, he proves to be a tough audience, a good thing most likely.
In the wind: If and when Golden State ships problem guard Tim Hardaway to the Knicks for power rebounder Charles Oakley, Smith would move to small forward, his best position.
Numbers game: At the start of the week, Smith ranked fifth among NBA rookies in scoring (13.4), third in rebounding (6.6), third in shooting percentage (.485) and fourth in blocked shots (1.0). It's something to build on.
At a theater near you: One day, Albert Belle and Bryan Cox will star in the movie, ``Grumpiest Old Men.''
Power surge: So much for the notion that Davey Johnson's Orioles can sneak up on people.
Home free: Helping the Orioles find the money to pay for all their new talent is an arrangement that entitles them to the same rent-free deal that the Cleveland Browns receive from Baltimore.
Freelance: Of sophomore guard Allen Iverson, Georgetown coach John Thompson says, ``Allen will learn someday that he's the actor and I'm the director. I write the script.'' Why, then, do Georgetown games look like an Evening at the Improv?
Taking on TV: The loyalty of ODU fans will be put to the test when the Monarchs entertain St. Joseph's at Scope on the same night as the Fiesta Bowl. ODU hopes that moving the starting time up to 6 p.m. will entice people to turn out.
Let's try again: For another year, the best Christmas gift baseball can give its fans is a labor agreement.
Weighing in: Any day now, if it hasn't happened already, the boxing cognoscenti will announce that Oscar De La Hoya is overtaking Roy Jones and Sweetpea Whitaker as best pound-for-pound fighter.
Good News, Bad News: ESPN's witty in-house commercials are more entertaining than most of its regular programming.
Quick hit: Virginia Tech's Sugar Bowl partner, sixth-ranked Texas, could be the country's most overrated team.
The runner-up: Next to the Fiesta Bowl between Nebraska and Florida, the best matchup of the holiday season is Tennessee and Ohio State in the Citrus.
Changing places: For the first time in a decade, it would not surprise me if an AFC team - Pittsburgh - won the Super Bowl. This is less a tribute to the AFC than a comment on the damage done to the Cowboys and 49ers by free agency.
Empty bravado: Pat Riley, whose image as a fierce competitor is well cultivated, looks silly when he threatens to fine his Miami Heat players $1,500 for helping up a fallen opponent.
La-la-la: Shaquille O'Neal, a free agent after this season, may be tempted by a bigger fish bowl - Los Angeles.
An alarming discovery: Minnesota Timberwolves teenage rookie Kevin Garnett, on the biggest change between high school and the NBA: ``No one wakes you up in the morning.''
Ancient history: Young fans will never believe it when you tell them that UCLA vs. Notre Dame once was a riveting basketball rivalry.
On golden pond: All other recent sports comebacks pale in comparison to Mario Lemieux's spectacular return to the Pittsburgh Penguins. by CNB