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Show SPORTS STANDARD-EXAMINER THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993 SPORTS EDITOR: 625-4260 BUSINESS SIDE LINES Bulls escape from New York Team player Tom Chambers has been willing to sacrifice playing time Chicago is one win from finals Standard-Examiner wire services NEWYORK — Goodbye homecourt advantage. So long 27- game home winningstreak. And maybe farewell to the New York Knicks’ chance to dethrone the two-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls. Chicago wonits third straight game in the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night, breaking a cycle of home victories with a tense 97-94 triumph. Michael Jordan scored 17 of the Bulls’ last 24 points and finished with 29, The biggest points ofall, however, came from guard B.J. Arm- and hit it,” Armstrong said. “That’s why you practice all those hours, for an opportunity like that.” A free throw by the Knicks’ Charles Smith made it 95-94 with 52 seconds left, and New York center Patrick Ewing blocked Sta- cey King’s shot, forcing a 24-second violation. That gave the Knicks a final possession, and Smith appeared for a fleeting moment to have an open path to the basket. But in a furious, scrambling sequence underneath, he was blocked three times — once by Horace Grant, twice by Scottie Pippen — and stripped of the ball once in a last frenzied attempt by the Knicks. “Myheart stopped about five times,” said the Bulls’ Trent Tucker. Added Pippen: “We were trying to scrumthe ball out, and we won that battle.” “We're not going to cry over spilled milk. We thought that he was fouled, but it wasn’t called. That’s it,” Ewing said. “We're disappointed. We’re VERY disappointed.” Smith agreed. “I’m not going to complain about the officiating. We won't cry and beg for help,” BASEBALL Kansas City 7, Boston 2 Chicago 10, Detroit 1 New York 8, Cleveland 5 Minnesota 6, Texas 3 Toronto 7, California 6 National League Houston 5, Montreal 4 pened all over again, I'd do it the same way. I was just trying to makea play, and it didn’t happen. “T will not play it over and over in my mind,” Smith said. “It's New York 11, Chicago 3 done with.” San Francisco 3, Florida 2 Philadelphia 5, Cincinnati 2 Atlanta 5, San Diego 2 St. Louis 5, Los Angeles 4 Pittsburgh 5, Colorado 3 Jordan, who distributed the ball early on, had 10 rebounds and 14 assists in a brilliant encore to his 54-point performance in Game 4. Armstrong finished with 11 points. Ewing led the Knicks with 33 points. “It was a dogfight,” Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. “We knewit would be one of those kinds of games. It was a battle from beginning to end, defensively and offensively. Every shot was contested.” In handing New Yorkits first home loss since Jan. 28 and taking a 3-2 lead in the series, Chicago erased the Knicks’ homecourt advantage and their 27-game winning streak at Madison Square Garden. New York won its first seven playoff games at home, including two over Chicago to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. No team since Portland in the 1977 NBA Finals has come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a seven-game series. “This sets us at match point, and we'll see what happens,” Jackson said. Game 6 will be played Friday night at Chicago and Game 7, if necessary, would be back at New SPORTS SHORTS Black gains finals in steeplechase NEW ORLEANS — Weber State's Kurt Black finished second in his preliminary heat and posted the second-best overall time to advance into Friday’s finals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Black was clocked in 8:45.03, finishing just behind Martin Keino of Arizona, who had the first-place time of 8:44.94. George Yeannelis of Kentucky had the top time of 8:46.19 in the second preliminary heat. Meanwhile, Brian Milne claimed the NCAA title in the men’s discus with a throw of 200 feet, 5 inches. “Three years ago, | was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease,” Milne said. “This proves thatit’s behind me. I'm fully recovered; it’s over.” Milne, a sophomore at Penn York on Sunday. “It’s a devastating defeat. We're going to have to do it the hard way,” Riley said. “This is the See BULLS on 2B 3B American League Baltimore 5, Oakland 2 Seattle 6, Milwaukee 3 he said. “If the same play hap- loose ball and passed to Armstrong for a layup at the buzzer. 5B NS AYOFFS only one by the Bulls all night — corner,” Knicks coach Pat Riley said. “I was open and just stepped up Mary Joe Fernandez reaches French Open finals with another upset victory N B A PL Jordan finally picked up the 1:17 left. “I thought the biggest play of the game was B.J.’s 3 from the Frenchfinalist 11993 strong, whose 3-pointer — the gave Chicago a 95-93 lead with for Suns’ success The Associated Press e Finals at Game 5 of the Eastern Conferenc ’ Madison Square Garden. Chicago won 97-94. Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan (rear) blocks a shot by New York Knicks’ Charles Smith during Bradley returns from mission bigger, eager to play State, battled the cancer for six months during his senior year in high school, losing 35 pounds and two days a week. “The chemo made me sick as a dog,” Milne said. “I'd go in for my treatment on Monday, throw up for 10 hours straight, sleep for a day and a half and be back in school on Wednesday. “Before | got sick, | could squat over 500 pounds. By MIKE CARTER Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — Shawn Bradley didn’t want to talk about his professional basketball prospects after flying more than 13 hours from Australia to put his 7foot-6 frame up for grabs in the annual NBA draft. The returning Mormon missionary said he planned to talk to his agent, David Falk, today at his home in Castle Dale in central Utah. “] made a decision to enter the draft because it was taking away from whatI was doing over there,” Bradley said. “I’m going to talk with my family and then meet with my agent.” Bradley, who weighed 205 pounds when he left Brigham Young University for Australia two years ago, is up to 245 poundsand has been lifting weights. “I grew heaps while I was gone,” he said, and then directed a mild gibe at those who say he is too weak and thin to be a force in the NBA. The Associated Press Shawn Bradley hugshis brother Justin at Salt Lake International Airport Wednesdayafter re- turning from an LDS Church mission to Australia. He is expected to be a top NBA draft choice. “You grow up and all these other people start worrying about you. I'll take what I have and make it the best I can makeit.” Golf's good points outweigh its frustrating moments Hole No. 2, on the second course at Sherril Park Golf Course in Richardson, Texas, will always be this hacker's favorite. As a youngster just learning the game, the 300-and-some-odd-yard par-4 was a thing of beauty. Tree-lined but not too hilly, it offered an attainable challenge — and countless finder’s-keepers golf balls — since it crossed twodifferent water hazards. It also yielded my first birdie, andnearly an eagle on twodifferent occasions. Under the heading “Believe It or Not,” I once saw the same guy get hit twice on No, 2. Playing in my group that day was a first-timer who didn’t know his own strength. Noting that the group ahead was a moderate distance away, we bid the boy to tee it up, saying, “Go ahead, you'll never reach ‘em,” Quicker than you can say Ger- ald Ford, the trailing golfer in the preceding group took a two- bouncer on the back of theleg. “Sorry,” we hollered, “Rookie Vn we) ~ y9 a VIEW- POINT Jim Burton Sports commentary driver!” Incredibly, the same unlucky fellow was on the green putting out, when our newcomer decided there was no way he'd get on in two. He did, While rolling across the green, the rookie’s ball dinked the other man’s foot, causing him little pain, but a great deal of anger. Good ’ol No. 2, the memories of it come easily at this time of year, In fact, this particular time of year serves as a gentle reminder of 18 summers of wonderful torture. This summer will be no exceplion. Eighteen years ago, golf and | were formally introduced. Since then, the routine has been the same. Winters spent in the living room polishing clubs and reading up on the latest techniques; springs and summersspent on the course, finding out that nothing’s changed. I recall one outing in particular, a day filled with unsolicited advice from faithful friends. The advice seemed to come natural, as is often the case on golf courses. Guys who, on their best days, couldn’t carry John Daly's driver were using all-time great lines like, “Just keep your head down, we'll watch the ball.” And, “Stay within yourself, don’t try to kill the ball.” Finally someone crossed the line by asking, “What's your handicap?” “My arms are too short,” I barked, “What's yours?” Driving home that day, I fell deep into thought, wonderingexactly why I continue to play such a heartbreaking game. I came up with 20 reasons why. Here they are: 1. One of these days I'm going to use a 2-iron. 2. I enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. 3. My face doesn’t look so goofy with a nice red sunburn on it, 4, It’s just one more excuse for me to wear a baseball cap. 5» Once, when I was a kid, | found a $5 bill on a golf course. 6. It’s exercise without really exercising. 7. I’ve begun collecting monogramed golf balls. I’ve got one with the “Frito-Lay,” logo on it — I use it exclusively for chipshots(get it, chip shots). 8. Two words: Golf carts. 9. It beats working. 10. It’s a challenge. At least it is for me. 11. I enjoy the time alone (looking for my ball). It gives me a chance to contemplate the great mysteries of the universe. 12. Slow, non-athletic dreamers like me can join right in. It’s nevSee BURTON on 2B Bradley said he was anxious to pick up a basketball, something he rarely did in Australia. “I’ve got to get as much playing time as I can. After all, I’m going to be playing ball for the next 15 or 20 years,” he said. His father, Reiner Bradley, said Falk probably will not allowhis son to work out for teams before the draft. “It wouldn’t be fair for him to get out on this court this soon,” Reiner Bradleysaid. Shawn Bradley went on the church mission following his freshman season at BYUin 1990-91. He led the nation with 177 blocked shots, an NCAArecord for freshmen, and averaging nearly 15 points and eight rebounds a game while leading the Cougars into the NCAA Tournament. He decided earlier this spring to declare himself eligible for the draft rather than return to BYU. Orlando has the first pick in the June 30 draft, Philadelphia the sec- ond and Golden State the third. Most NBA scouts and coaches expect Bradley to be among the first three players selected. Some 75 to 100 friends and famiSee BRADLEY on 2B Local athletes perform well in Arizona Special to the Standard-Examiner TEMPE, Ariz. — Roy High School junior Troy Schiffman sailed a personal-best 15 feet to capture first place in the pole vault, while James Parker of Northridge High took home first place in the EAE PREP TRACK hammer throw plus a pair ofthird- place finishes in the Great Southwest Classic invitational high school track and field meet last weekend at Arizona State Universi- ty. Schiffman, a Hooper resident whowill be a senior at Roy High this fall, surpassed his previous-best vault of 14-6 to win Saturday's competition over top performers from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexi- co, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah. Schiffman, who placed third in last month’s state 4-A championSee TRACK on 2B After | went back, | started working with a five-pound plate. “| think being an athlete helped me get through the whole thing,” Milne said. “I think the discipline you learn as an athlete comes through at a time like that.” Charges dropped against USU duo LOGAN — A Utah State University student has been ordered to stand trial on two counts of felony aggravated assault, but similar charges against two USU football players were dismissed. The students were charged in connection with an assault on two women ata party in Logan on April 24. A witness at a combined preliminary hearing Wednesday for the three players said that Jonathan Eric James, 19, held a gun to her head during a racial argument at the party. Witnesses said that Efrem Haymore, 21, of Robbins, Iil., and Wendell Shawn Johnson, 20, of Bryan, Texas, also argued with the two women assaulted at the party. First Circuit Judge Ben Hadfield ordered James to stand trial, but dismissed charges against Haymore and Johnson. However, the judge recommended that prosecutors pursue misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest filed last month against the two. “The fact remains that a woman was savagely beaten and that these men either assisted in that beating or at least did not come to her assistance, and | find even that to be deplorable,” he said. Mary Beth McKelvey, 21, of Sandy, testified that soon after she arrived at the party, an argumentinvolving racial comments started between several black males and her friend Barbie Benton, 22, of Riverton, who is white. McKelvey, whois black, testified that when she cameto Benton's defense she was threatened by James Another USU football player, Scott Mola, 20, of Tonga, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault. He has pleaded not guilty. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 8. — Standard-Examinerstaff and wire services |