—The Daily Collegian Thursday, April 7, 1977
Balance key to
Hang on to your hats and polish
your.picture tubes, folks, because the
NBA's second season is just around
the corner.
The playoffs, when the already fast
and furious action intensifies to a
near frantic pace, will begin im
mediately following the regular
season, April 12.
Although a few days remain in the
regular season, All but one of the 12
playoffs post season berths have been
secured.
In the Eastern Conference
Philadelphia, Houston, Washington,
San Antonio, Cleveland and the
defending league champion Boston
Celtics will playoff to meet the
Western Conference's champions for
the NBA crown.
The Atlantic and Central Division
winners. Philadelphia and Houston,
draw byes while the other four teams
joust in two best of three series' to
decide who challenges the Sixers and
Rockets in best of seven battles.
At this writing, the Bullets have the
home court advantage in their
matchup with Boston. San Antonio
appears to have the home court edge
over Cleveland. The Spurs and Cays
finished third and fourth in the
Central. respectively.
Because. of their potential ex
plosiveness, I rate the 76ers a slight
favorite to capture the Eastern
crown. If that Sixer million dollar
forecourt "of Julius Erving and
George McGinnis is clicking and that
high flying fast break is in gear,
Philadelphia fans could see their first
championship since 1967.
Since the return of all-star guard
Doug Collins from an injury that
sidelined him nearly half the season,
Philadelphia has shown better
teamwork. Collins probably moves
better than any of his mates without
the ball.
Philadelphia has been getting good
bench support from 19-year-old
Darryl Dawkins, whose board
strength and backboard shaking slam
dunks are earning him a share of an
already overcrowded Sixer spotlight.
If you're betting, take the Sixers.
The Celtics, though, have an im
preSsive past history in playoff
action, if you call 13 NBA titles im
pressive. Charlie Scott has rejoined
the Celts after a broken arm and will
be an asset to their backcourt.
However, the Celts are due to meet
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Washington, a team that has
dominated them all year. If Boston
eludes the Bullets, they could com
plicate the East. The further Boston
advances, the tougher it gets.
Remember, they've been the , •e
before, and in my opinion could give
the Sixers a tougher final series than
any other East team.
A big surprise this year has been
the play of the Central Division,
which outshined the Atlantic and will
enter four teams in the playoffs.
Houston, the first place team, is
much improved since last year. The
acquisition of Moses Malone, who
jumped from high school to the pros,
aided the Rockets' rebounding game.
Malone is fifth in rebounding and shot
blocking. He leads the league in of
fensive rebounds.
Coach Tom Nissalke's club is deep
and talented but I think it is still a
year away from causing too much
trouble in the East, despite their
first place finish in the Central.
Washington has plenty of playoff
experience and will he tough to beat
in its Capital Center. Coach Dick
Motta, who recently picked up his
400th career win, has done a fine job
of molding youngsters Kevin Grevey
(Kentucky) and Mitch Kupchak
(North Carolina) into the Bullets
attack. if Elvin Hayes and Phil
Chenier put together productive
playoffs series the Bullets just might
press Philly.
Cleveland dipped to fourth place
after winning the division last year.
The Cays rely on team depth but lack
a genuine superstar. Usually, at least
six men score in double figures. Look
for the Cays to nudge the Spurs and
stay alive temporarily.
Cross the Mississippi. In the
Western Conference, Los Angeles,
Portland Golden, State, Denver,
Detroit and either Chicago or Kansas
City are playoff bound.
Contrary to the East, with the
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NBA playoffs
76ers, there isn't a clear cut favorite
out West.
Denver and Los Angeles will draw
the byes thanks to their division
crowns. Detroit will meet Golden
State and Portland hosts either
Chicago or K.C. in the best of three
matchups.
Even though the Denver Nuggets,
champs of' the Midwest Division,
have an explosive front line in David
Thompson, Dan Issel and Bobby
Jones, their backcourt, I feel, is too
weak for Denver to win the West.
Neil
Rudel
Detroit must get by Golden State in
the opening round. Big Bob Lanier,
the team's leader in virtually every
category, is just. returning from a
broken hand but he will be rusty.
The only playoff spot still up for
grabs is being tussled for by Chicago
and Kansas City. I think the Bulls
would be tougher in the playoffs than
the Kings, especially since they've
won 17 of their last 20 and -are the
hottest team in the league.
The Pacific Division should field a
more representative threesome than
the Midwest. Los Angeles and Golden
State are capable of winning the
conference.
The Lakers, who posted the NBA's
best record, will bank their hopes on
superstar, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Stop, Jabbar and the Lakers are
stopped. Beyond Jabbar the strongest
point in the L.A. game is coach Jerry
West and his two assistants, Stan
Albeck and 'Jack McCloskey.
However, I rate Golden State,
despite its third place finish in the
Pacific, as an ever-so-slight favorite
to cop the West.
Somethin' tells me. Ri'clt Barry led
them to an upset -NBA title in 1975.
Phil Smith, Keith Wilkes and Cliff
Ray provide.a solid supporting cast.
Ray is a strong defensive center and
can, perhaps, frustrate Jabbar more
than anyone 'else.
Portland, with Bill Walton, will host
either Chicago or K.C. Same story
here as in L.A. The key to the team is
the center, Walton. Both Walton and
Jabbar were UCLA stars and bet
ween them won five of a possible six
NCAA titleS. Center is a good position
to have a winner.
, If there is one word that could sum
up the NBA this year, it's balance.
Anything can happen in the playoffs.
Predicting the NBA's second season
is not an enviable task.
One year older—one year better
Experienced softballers optimistic
By JIM LOOSE
Collegian Sports Writer
• Lady Lion softball coach
Pat McTarsney has an ex
tremely optimistic outlook for
the upcoming season, the
reason being she has nine
returnees from last year's
squad, six of whom are
starters.
This has to he a definite
advantage, McTarsney said,
because they've been through
it before: "We've been able to
spend less time learning and
more time practicing," she
said. "The returning girls
know the offensive . and
defensive patterns we use and
can help the others to learn
them."
To many it may not seem to
he such an advantage, since
the Lady Lions were 4-8 last
year. Although McTarsney
was disappointed with the
team's performance, she said
the Lady Lions weren't really
as had as the record indicates.
Penn State lost four one-run
games and often outhit its
opponent, she said, but just
couldn't take advantage of the
hits.
McTarsney has her entire
outfield back, headed by
senior Pam Hoyes, who hit
.242 last year. Joining her will
he sophomore Diane Dixon, a
.258 hitter last season, and
juniorßoana Fuller. Fuller hit
O'Brien says strike won't affect season
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. (AP)
, National • Basketball
Association Commissioner
Lawrence O'Brien said
yesterday a possible strike by
NBA referees will not in
terrupt the remaining league
games or the playoffs which
begin next week.
O'Brien told a news con
ference that'' the NBA has
contacted two groups of of
ficials who are ready to step
in should the league's regular,
referees strike.
He said the referees include
officials from the minor
Eastern League and officials
.200 last season, while playing
only three games.
The right side of the Lady
Lion infield remains intact.
Senior Cathy Cronin is at first
base and junior Janet Scinto
is at - second. Cronin and
Scinto were the team's
leading hitters last season,
batting , .333 and .360
respectively. They were also
two of the team leaders in
runs batted in, with five for
Scinto and four for Cronin.
Freshman Jan Carlson has
been tabbed by McTarsney to
begin the season at third,
while Beth Ney, a senior, will
be back 'as catcher: Ney
batted .286 ,last season and
knocked in seven runs to lead
the team in RBIs.
The only unsettled position
on the Lady Lion team is
shortstop, Where three can
didates are competing for the
starting berth. Returning
junior Lee Stang heads the
list, which also , includes
newcomers Dee Dee Berard
and Debbie Malone. Malone is
also a pitcher. McTarsney has
indicated she may use the
three shortstops on a rotating
basis.
"This is a strong, or
perhaps even the strongest,
infield we've ever had," the
coach said. "Overall I think
we're going to be a good
defensive team."
who were trained previously
to step in as possible third
officials in NBA games. Two
referees officiate each NBA
game.
termed
and un
comments -
O'Brien
"irresponsible
conscionable"
made by Richie Phillips, the
attorney fot a group of 24 NBA
referees ' who -voted
unanimously Monday - to
strike the league playoffs.
The' referees also
authorized, by a 24-0 vote, a
strike call by their executive
committee during the
Regarding her team's of
fense, McTarsney thinks she
has a better hitting club than
last year. The coach looks to
Scinto and Cronin to repeat
their good performarices of
last season and hopes for Ney
to deliver some power.
"Also," McTarsney said, "we
have the potential to be an
aggressive baserunning
team." Hoyes led
basestealers last season with
six swipes.
McTarsney is also pleased
with her - pitching staff, which
she - said includes "five
competent pitchers."
"It's the largest pitchink
staff I've ever had," the coach
said. "Usually we're lucky to
get two pitchers!'
The -staff is headed by
Janice Presel, a transfer
student from Ogontz, and
Malone. Both are righthand
ers with good speed, Mc-
Tarsney said. Presel uses a
windmill • windup, while
Malone uses a slingshot
delivery.
Ney, Cronin and Noyes are
the only seniors on this year's
squad. McTarsney looks to
them to provide leadership for
the team, along with Carlson,
who the coach said has "a
good background and plays-a
smart game."
'As far as weaknesses go,
McTarsney can't pinpoint any
remainder of the season
O'Brien said the NBA still
responsible
in that kind of act
has received no official word - responsible, legally
from the National Labor responsible, for any damages
Relations board that the that might be incurred by
referees' group has been' those acts." he said
certified as a collective
bargaining unit
O'Brien noted that the
referees' existing contract
does not expire until the end of
the current regular season
April 10. He said a strike by
officials before then "could
very clearly cause significant
damage to the NBA."
"I want to tell you that we
particular area. "I'd just like
- to be a little stronger and
more consistent," she said.
"What we have to do is
prepare really well and be up
for every game," the coach
said.
McTarsney doesn't ' know
what to expect from the op
position. 'You don't really
know from year to year how
tough they'll be," she said.
The schedule has been ex
panded this year to include
Temple and Slippery Rock.
The only time the Lady Lions
have ever met Temple was
two years ago in a state
tournament, while they have
never faced Slippery Rock.
McTa rsney's only
pessimistic note about the
season is the condition of the
Lady Lion field, The coach
had hoped to he able to
practice on the field and be
accustomed to it, since the
first three games are at home.
However, part of the field
was accidently plowed up this
spring when adjoinging fields
were • being prepared. It's
doubtful now whether the field
can he prepared for Satur
day's opener against Temple.
Even though the team will
probably not have the ad
vantage of playing on its own
field. McTarsney said they
still have the' psychological
advantage of playing at home.
will hold the officials that
O'Brien challenged
Phillips' statement that NBA
officials earn $lB,OOO per year.
The NBA commissioner
said the $lB,OOO pay is for the
seventh-month regular season
for rookie officials only.. He
said salaries for officials
currently range to a top' of
$38,722 for a seven-month
pact.