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Show Tht DeSy Utah Chronicle tttdnwday, January P0t EJavan 23. 131 annee. bradshaw 3f f Jazz career ends for Boone It's a profession of feu-- , where the money is plentilul. the trimming ostentatious and the endings swift and brutal. In what other job can a man make over $ 00,000 a year only to be forced into retirement before the age of 40? In most fields a man is just beginning to hit his peak at the age of 34. But the NBA is a cutthroat business where only the finest survive. That's why Monday night, Ron Boone, who's played in over 1,000 games in the last 12 years, was sitting in his hotel room while the Utah Jazz played the Detroit Pistons in the 1 Salt Palace. The whole thing started more than picked up Mel Bennett, a ot 20 days -- 7 ago when Utah forward, (torn the Continental Basketball League. Bennett didn't see much action, but appeared to have potential. At the time rookie John Duren was still on the injured reserve list leaving die Jazz with 1 1 activated players. Then came the wiist injury of starting guard Rickey Green. Green was moved to the injured list, and Duren was reactivated just in time to play in the Jazz road trip back East. Upon returning home, the decision was made to hi ing back the recovered Green and waive the excess luggage. It was Jazz would release a pretty evident that the guard-heavmember of the backcourt. But Monday it came as a big shock when the Jazz management announced the waiver of guard y Boone. When I heard the news all I could remember were the words of general manager Frank Layden, who at the beginning of the season had told me that Boone would always have a place on the Jazz squad. "When he's tired of playing, he can move up into the management level," Layden said. At the Detroit game, the home crowd was hostile. A group of fans unrolled two posters. One read: "We Need A Coach: Boone," and the other said: "Extra, Layden and Nissalke Waived." The fans then paraded the signs around Accord Arena to the cheers of the crowd. Nissalke and Layden are probably two of the most hated men in Salt Lake City at present, but it was apparent after the game that the waiver of Boone had bothered Nissalke. "Personally it was traumatic for me because I've known him so long," Nissalke said. He then rationalized it by adding, "By the same token, we helped prolong his career. He wanted to finish up here and get his 000th game here, whic h he did." 1 OIL CHANGE $14.95 on-cou- rt An invitation from IBM to discuss your career. or sales management IBM is certainly one company you should consider. IBM provides a uniquely creative environment in which talented people are encouraged to accept the challenge and responsibility offered by one of the prime growth industries: information technology in 10 minutes No appointment necessary mam 1 We can offer you a remarkable variety of career opportunities in many areas. Come and talk with us. We'll be interviewing all day Feb. 12.The Placement Office will be happy to set up your appointment. In the meantime, if you would like to know more about us and the many opportunities we offer, our career brochures are available at the Placement Office. All you do is bring in this ad and receive ONE DINNER at our regular price, & get ONE FREE DINNER of equal value. Thru JAN, Hariey Thronson Corporate College Relations Manager IBM Corporation ghett 31, 1981 3424 Wilshire Boulevard 1G0 So. 500 West ! (2nd So. & I 5th West) Los Angeles, CA 90010 ! 521-724- 0 .....a I I 'ed.&Thurs. Fri.& Sat. 5-1- pm 1 ........ ..J 30 J if Ron Boone was always a major element on the Jazz team. The young players looked to their captain for leadership, and at times he seemed lo be the coach. If you are thinking about a career in engineering or computer science, BRING IN THIS AD FOR M 00 OFF and out C0 Thursday, Feb. 72 Includes oil (20 or 30 wt.), oil filter, lubrication, and all fluid levels checked. In It seems that originally it was Lay den's idea to stick with the younger players, while Nissalke wanted to put Duren back on the injured list. But after a meeting of the Jazz organization, the agreement was made. It's easy to get upset of sentimental about the agreement. Boone is a great person. He's intelligent and he's a gentleman, but he's also a pro basketball player, where it's easy come and easy go. It happens to every player that has ever hit a basket. There is always somebody better just waiting to take your job. And it's not like Boone is being tossed into the streets. According to Nissalke. no one's ever going to have to throw a benefit for Boone. "There are a lot of guys in the league who don't know whether the ball is stuffed or pumjM'd. but he's not one of them." The Jazz is also going to honor his contrac t which will pay him his salary for the rc maindcr of this year and next. It's been rexrted that Boone wants to play again. Nissalke. a close friend, doesn't think he will. Time's also a chance he may go into coaching. "Maybe assistant coaching, but he's too smart to want to be head coach." Nissalke said. So the honorary mayor of Salt IikeCaty will be lea ing his city. But he's still got the keys, he's still got the fans and he's still got his 1000th game. Bcxme definitely got a lot horn a career that spanned more than a decade. He also knew the odds he was facing. It's all got to end sometime. For a man in his thirties playing kids in their 20' s, the end comes swiftly. An Equal Opportunity Employer |
