ATLANTA — Not that I spend a lot of time looking at other men’s bodies, but I’ll tell you this: Bruce Smith is an eyeful. He will grab your attention. This is not a human, this is a sculpture. This is a block of granite in comic-book proportions. The Incredible Hulk? The Thing? Schwarzenegger’s role model?
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The reason we distinguish between freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors is to know where they are in their studies. Example: a senior should not be taking beginner’s math if he is a math major. Nor should a grad student be taking beginner’s English.
Nor should Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson, Juwan Howard and Jimmy King be enrolled in “Intro To Indiana Basketball” in this, their junior season. Uh-uh. By now, they should know the material.
The Last Man Out pulled his coat on over his sweatshirt, and his hood up over his baseball cap. His jeans were zipped. His sneakers tied. He was ready to go, but he sat down anyhow. As the few remaining players headed toward the exit, he bit a fingernail, nodded, and mumbled, “See ya tomorrow.”
Then he caught himself.
“Listen to me,” Chris Spielman said quietly, “I keep saying see ya tomorrow.”
Well, now. That was a first. The Pistons gave a news conference and forgot to bring the news.
Instead, most of the Detroit press corps sat there, in a banquet room, and listened to Isiah Thomas say how “this is one of the happiest days of my life” — and then not tell us why.
Oh, he did say he’ll be a Piston for the rest of his career. But once the Knicks deal fell apart, did anyone doubt that?
He did say he’ll be a Piston “for the rest of my life.”
In what capacity, Isiah?
“That’s between me and Mr. Davidson.”
What kind of authority will you have?
“Which one’s Kramer?”
— Out-of-town journalist in Lions’ locker room this week Is it safe to call 1993 the Year We Appreciated Quarterbacks? After all, Joe Montana went to Kansas City, and now the Chiefs have real Super Bowl chances. Randall Cunningham went kerplunk, and so did the Eagles’ playoff hopes. The thud from Miami was the end of this year’s Dolphins — and it coincided with the thud of Dan Marino. And down in Texas, Warren Moon and Troy Aikman are the two big reasons folks are loudly predicting a Lone Star Super Sunday.
Let me get this straight.
1) The New York Knicks express interest in Isiah Thomas.
2) Isiah goes to Bill Davidson with the news.
3) Davidson immediately gives Isiah 10 percent of the team, a vice presidency and a $55 million package to keep him in Detroit.
Does the word overreaction come to mind?
How about common sense? Because, personally, I can’t find any sense in this
supposed deal. To be honest, I wonder whether this is the deal at all. I’m sure Isiah will be taken care of, but $55 million?
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