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Show Dear Mr. Schayes 0 By DAVE WIGHAM Congratulations for being a first round pick in the recently conducted NBA draft but unfortunately for you it was the Utah Jazz that selected you. Before you come out to our wonderful state I thought you would like to know w hat is going on here and w hat to expect. FIRST OF all the people out here are anxious to see you since no one really know s just how big you are. In most cases you are anywhere from 6' 10 to T and weight between 230 and 260 lbs. 1 guess it just depends on w hat shoes you wear and w hat you ate for supper. Word here is that you can pass the ball. Sure hope so, because, even if you didn't you'll have to learn in a hurry to survive on this team. Just memorize the numbers 4 and 35 in your mind and then practice passing to them. Even in your dreams just picture yourself on the top of the key throwing the ball towards one of these guys. Oh, yea, then head to the basket because believe me the ball is going up. THE PLAYS here are easy to remember, numbers one through six are when A.I), gets to shoot. Seven through ten are for Doctor Dunkensien. The other plays are for the other guys on the team but the Jazz has yet to come up with a point guard that can signal for play eleven. They say you have a nice touch from the outside, that's nice. But let's face it, outside in the Jazz offense is outside the three point range. Which is where the center sets up on offense. It's tough to get a rebound out there but the coach w ill blame a loss on you for not getting an offense rebound. THIS Sl'MMER I suggest you play a lot of two on one basketball. You be the one guy because come league time you'll have to cover your guy and another one. We can't expect our two scoring machines to play at both ends of the floor. Some call y ou a project in the NBA. That means to us that you'll need some top notch coaching. That's going to be tough out here since our coach isn't exactly batting 100 percent in that area. See. last y ear, we had about three other projects and none of them are with the team this year. Let's both hope you can be number one. AS FAR as running is concerned don't bother yourself with it. Our coach doesn't believe in it. Lverytime we get a rebound you can look over to the bench and see a guy standing up w ith his hands in the air saying slow things down. Well, that guy is our coach. People in Utah love to see run and gun fast break type ball, the only guy who doesn't our coach and he calls the shots. ONE TIME or another during the year you'll find yourself riding the bench for no apparent reason. Just take it in stride as every player gets into the coaches dog house and gets some pine time. The way he substitutes is a mystery to anyone connected to the game, even the press on the road runs contests to see if anyone can guess the Utah system for subing. It's great to have a center coming to tow n. but last year we had two who were listed as starters and neither are. Hope everything works out for you in your career. Just don't judge the entire state, or it's people, on the Jazz. Your's Truly A faithful Jazz fan |