[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Could Antoine Replace Jordan, Mike Szostak Says If...
January 14, 1999
Some who may be a little like Mike
by Mike Szostak
The Providence Journal
Who's next?
Now that Michael Jordan has retired, again, who
will step forward and pick up the torch for the
NBA?
There never will be another Michael Jordan, of
course, so to frame any discussion in that
context would be ludicrous. There will be other
stars, superstars and most valuable players,
however, and to discuss who will be the next
best is perfectly reasonable.
Such talk started Tuesday, when word that Jordan
had decided to retire hit the streets of
Chicago.
Here are several leading heirs to the throne
that Jordan has vacated.
Shaquille O'Neal
Don't snicker. Shaq has star quality. His CDs
and videos are popular among kids. He is
recognized most places he goes. And he can play
the game. He has an Olympic gold medal from
Atlanta. He is Orlando's career blocked-shot and
rebounding leader. He carried the Magic to the
Atlantic Division title and the NBA Finals in
1995. He was first-team All-NBA last season and
second or third team the prior four seasons. He
has a 27.2-point scoring average. A six-year
veteran, he is established in the league. He has
personality, and he can be charming when he
wants to be. Finally, and most significantly, he
plays in Los Angeles, media capital of the West
Coast.
Sure, Shaq is a joke from the free-throw line,
but Wilt Chamberlain wasn't exactly poetry in
motion from the stripe, and that didn't tarnish
his reputation as one of basketball's greats.
O'Neal will turn 27 in March. He is just
entering his prime. All that's missing from his
resume is an NBA championship. When he gets it,
he could become No. 1 at the NBA box office. And
let's remember that Jordan won his first ring in
his seventh season.
Tim Duncan
All the Wake Forest Wonder did last year was win
rookie of the year and make first-team All-NBA,
first-team All-Rookie and second-team
All-Defensive. And he's only 22.
Duncan benefited enormously by staying at Wake
Forest for four years. When he got to the NBA,
he was polished. Now he is enhancing his image.
Also, he is bound to benefit from playing with
David Robinson, universally respected and
immensely talented himself. Duncan couldn't have
a better teacher in how to carry himself with
class.
Playing in San Antonio might hurt his exposure.
Grant Hill
Another 1996 Olympian, Hill was NBA co-rookie of
the year in 1995 with Dallas's Jason Kidd,
first-team All-NBA in 1997 and second-team in
1998 and first-team All-Rookie in 1995. Hill is
smart -- he stayed at Duke for four years and
won two NCAA championships -- and personable.
But in four seasons he has taken his Detroit
Pistons to the playoffs only twice and has not
led them to the second round.
Anfernee Hardaway
Yet another 1996 Olympian, Hardaway is the
prototypical NBA guard of the '90s, a 6-7
ballhandler who can shoot and rebound. He was
first-team All-NBA in 1995 and 1996 and
third-team in 1997. He made the All-Rookie first
team in 1994 and was MVP of the Rookie Game
during All-Star Weekend.
Hardaway was at his best when teamed with O'Neal
from 1994 through 1996. He missed all but 19
games last season because of an injury. Owns a
great nickname, Penny.
Kobe Bryant
Only 21, the son of Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant has
great poise. He doubled his scoring average to
15.4 last season. He won the Slam Dunk
Championship in 1997 and was second-team
All-Rookie that year. Give him a few years, and
Bryant's name could be in the lights. Playing in
LA helps.
Kevin Garnett
Anybody who can command a $122 million contract
two years out of high school merits
consideration for the Who's Next Award. Garnett
made second-team All-Rookie in 1994 and averaged
18.5 points last season. Playing in Minnesota
won't help unless he wins a few titles.
Scottie Pippen
Don't think so. He needs Jordan.
Antoine Walker
Only if he leads the Celtics to the NBA
championship.
©1999 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.