9101130502
DETROIT FREE PRESS
910329
Friday, March 29, 1991
METRO FINAL
1C
Photo
:
Who loves ya . . . Jerry?
Robert (Dean) Preston Dean (Robert) Smith
Chris as Sabo Chris as Mullin
MITCH ALBOM
Copyright (c) 1991, Detroit Free Press
WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER HERO LIKE THE SHARK
THE LIVE ALBOM
* It's real nice that UNLV is going to win another championship, but please,
let's not turn Jerry Tarkanian into a hero.
* Fact is, Tarkanian earns his nickname, "The Shark." In addition to the pile
of NCAA violations already staring him in the face, a few years ago he managed
to sneak New York City streetball legend Lloyd (Swee' Pea) Daniels into his
program -- even though Daniels never graduated from any of the high schools
he attended and couldn't read beyond third-grade level.
* Daniels might be playing for the Runnin' Rebels today. But less than a month
after Tark brought him to UNLV, Swee' Pea was arrested at a crack house.
Wearing his UNLV T-shirt. Nice role model, huh?
* Coaches like Tarkanian, they say "every kid deserves a chance." What they
mean is, "If the kid can shoot, find a way to get him, the hell with rules."
* Personally, I think Jerry should give up the act, and admit he's really
Telly Savalas.
* So Wade Boggs falls out of a moving truck, which his wife is driving, and
everyone shrugs and goes back to their business.
* Which only shows you where baseball is at.
* Did anyone get a good look at that driver? I mean, it could have been Margo
Adams, right?
* Have you noticed these great sports names all of a sudden? In golf we have
Rocco Mediate (which sounds like something the Godfather would yell: "Rocco,
mediate!"). In college basketball we have King Rice, (who, I guess, as King,
ranks higher than Jerry, Tony and Allen.)
* And then there is Akeem Olajuwon, who recently announced that he wants it
spelled H-a-k-e-e-m from now on, thank you. Only the "H" is silent.
* Which leads me to this conclusion: These NBA players just have too much time
on their hands.
* Tickets to the Chuck Daly roast on April 3 at the Troy Marriott are still
available. This event is special to me, because it raises money for Detroit
kids to study music, dance and art. Chuck will be roasted by the likes of
Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, John Salley, Scott Hastings, Jacques Demers, Jud
Heathcote, Frank Layden, Doug Collins and others. Please join us April 3. For
tickets, call 872-DALY.
* Now. Back to the NCAA. Why is it that every time I see Dean Smith, I expect
him to lead a parade, like he did in "The Music Man" under his stage name,
Robert Preston?
Robert (Dean) Preston Dean (Robert) Smith
* Dennis Rodman is the one player who could push the Pistons into another
round of playoffs -- even when they otherwise don't deserve it.
* It's Friday. Do you know where your WLAF team is playing?
* How about that helmetcam, huh? Now there's a great moment in sports.
* I usually don't listen when athletes sing the blues about being used,
unappreciated, then tossed on the heap. In Bob Gagliano's case, I make an
exception.
* Why do I have the feeling that Bo Jackson is going to get rich out of this
injury thing, too?
* Speaking of Jackson, he is hardly the only two-sport athlete these days.
What about Chris Sabo, who drops the baseball when the season is over and
pulls on his shorts -- as basketball star Chris Mullin?