Sunday, October 7, 2001
Only an exhibition? [THE NBA]
No preseason for Oliver
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comThat's like saying it's only rock and roll.
The basketball games today and Tuesday between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors may not count in the standings, but they matter both to the coaches looking for a winning combination and the players looking for a job.
One of those playing hopefuls is 5-foot-11 guard Dean Oliver, who signed a free-agent contract prior to camp starting last month. The four-year Iowa standout had a solid Summer Pro League outing, starting all six games as the Warriors went 4-2.
"For rookies and other young guys such as myself, exhibitions are made for us,'' Oliver said after the team's first workout yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center. "It's a way for us to get experience and show what we can do. It's a learning process for everyone and I want to make the most of it.''
Golden State, which arrived Friday evening, practiced for over two hours yesterday. The session included about 30 minutes with referees, going over the new rules.
The one rule that will have the most impact is the three-second defensive violation where defenders are only allowed in the key for three seconds.
"I like the spirit of the new rules but it will all depend on how the games are called,'' said Golden State head coach Dave Cowens. "I think the rules will open up play and encourage passing."
The Warriors have 15 players in camp, including four rookies. The other 11 were with the 17-65 team last season when Golden State lost 414 player games due to injury.
"Hopefully, we'll have a year where nobody gets hurt,'' said 12-year veteran Mookie Blaylock, beginning his third year with the Warriors. "That will be the key for us.
"There's some new rules out there and the exhibitions will help us get a good feeling for the season. Playing the Lakers is part of the experience. They've got another great team.''
Cowens said he'll likely start forward Antawn Jamison, the only Warrior to start all 82 games last season, as well as forward Danny Fortson, with Erick Dampier at center. At guard will be Larry Hughes and either Bob Sura or Blaylock.
"But we'll play everybody,'' Cowens said. "They've all worked too hard not to play.''
preseason games L.A. Lakers vs. Golden State
When: Today, 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
Tickets: $10-$65
Information: 956-4481
The battle will be fierce for playing time on the Lakers' side of the court. The two-time defending NBA champions have 23 players on their camp roster, including all five starters among 10 returnees.
Fans will also see a revolving door on the floor for Los Angeles, which is still without head coach Phil Jackson (in Idaho for his mother's funeral). Assistant coaches Jim Cleamons and Frank Hamblen have been running the team -- which is down to 17 healthy players -- since Jackson's departure last Tuesday.
Cleamons said the match-up with the Warriors is key for those new to the team.
"It's like doing homework, (Sunday's) the test," Cleamons said after yesterday morning's workout at the Stan Sheriff Center. "It's time for us to see how well they've retained what we taught them the last 11 practices."
Cleamons said he may only suit up 15 players in order for the coaching staff to get a better look at certain players.
Expected to start are Kobe Bryant and Brian Shaw in the backcourt, Rick Fox at small forward and Dickey Simpkins at center, replacing the injured Shaquille O'Neal. Either Robert Horry or newcomer Samaki Walker should start at power forward.
Also in the mix will be guard Lindsey Hunter, who still holds the Rainbow Classic record for 3-point attempts while playing for Jackson State in the 1992 tournament.
Game times are 4:30 p.m. today and 6 p.m. Tuesday. Ticket prices range from $10 to $65.
Notes: Watching Golden State's practice yesterday were Basketball Hall of Fame coach Pete Newell and former Chaminade coach Merv Lopes ... This is Mookie Blaylock's first trip to Hawaii since his Oklahoma team competed in the 1988 Maui Invitational ... Laker center Shaquille O'Neal said yesterday that he is planning to buy a house on Oahu's North Shore. "I found one that I like, a big ol' house on the cliffs," O'Neal said. The MVP of the 2001 NBA Finals is sidelined after having toe surgery.