European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 1, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Aba season opens tonight by the associated press magic Johnson won t be there because of a virus Bernard King and Kevin Mchale Are missing because of injury and two of the top three draft picks a Kenny Anderson and Billy Owens a remain holdouts. Of yes Michael Jordan is playing on injured Knees. But like Jordan the Aba will play Hurt beginning the 1991-92 season on schedule tonight with 14 games involving All but three teams a new Jersey Miami and Atlanta. open saturday. The major developments wednesday were a couple of signings including the six year $20 million Deal Between the Charlotte hornets and no. 1 draft pick Larry Johnson of univ. The Aba s most prominent Johnson magic will probably miss the los Angeles lakers first two games a at Houston on Friday and Dallas on saturday. A magic is suffering from dehydration and fatigue caused by an influenza virus Quot lakers spokesman John Black said. Final 1990-91 standings on Page 23 a the definitely wont practice All the 34-year-old King who underwent arthroscopic surgery on sept. 6 to repair Lorn cartilage in his right knee is recovering More slowly than expected. Although he has been lifting weights with his right leg he has yet to Start running on it and there is no timetable for his return to the Washington bullets. Meanwhile the Boston celtics have a healthy Larry Bird who also signed a contract Extension and a signed Kevin Gamble. The rest of the celtics news was bad. Mchale recovering from foot Surg amp by remained out of the lineup and so did Point guard Brian Shaw who has hamstring and other injuries. Then Dee Brown shawls replacement Tore cartilage in his left knee in practice tuesday and underwent arthroscopic surgery. A it is an unfortunate setback a coach Chris Ford said of the injury to Brown the league s slam Dunk Champion. A Dee is an integral part of this Jordan a problem is less serious As he attempts to Lead the Chicago bulls to another Aba title. He is troubled by tendinitis and May need postseason surgery although he has a in assured the problem wont a a affect his play this season. An operation however might keep him off the . Olympic team. As for rookies Johnson a agreement with Charlotte ended one holdout but Anderson the second Overall pick was still at Odds with the new Jersey nets and Owens no. 3, had no contract with the Sacramento Kings. Four other top 10 picks also remained unsigned a Doug Smith of Dallas no. 6 Luc Longley of Minnesota no. 7 Mark Macon of Denver no. 8, and Brian Williams of Orlando no. 10. Chicago begins defense of its title tonight night at Home against Philadelphia. In other openers it is Charlotte at Boston new York at Orlando Washington the stars and Stripe november 1,1991 c Page 28 l at Indiana Milwaukee at Detroit Utah at Minnesota the lakers at Houston Dallas at san Antonio Golden state at Denver Cleveland at Portland the los Angeles clippers at Sacramento and Phoenix at Seattle. New Jersey has its opener at Charlotte on saturday Atlanta is Home to Detroit and Miami is Home to new inks 6-year Deal with hornets Charlotte . Map a for Charlotte hornets fans the Long Wail for no. 1 draft pick Larry Johnson is Over. In he hornets in need of inside scoring and rebounding announced the signing of the 6-foot-5 Power Forward from univ at a news conference wednesday evening. The six year contract is Worth $3.3 million a year through the 1996-97 season team officials announced. The first year will be Worth $1.95 million the offer that he at least a month ago. Johnson missed the preseason while his agent Steve and Rotl and hornets officials tried to work out a Deal. The negotiations started off on Friendly terms when the hornets made Johnson the top pick in june draft but they soon became acrimonious. Earlier this month both sides accused each other of being ignorant of the league s salary Cap rules. But As the season opener Friday night in Boston approached they moved closer together. On tuesday team officials said they were close to signing Johnson. Both sides had plenty of incentive to resolve the impasse before thursday at 6 p.m., when All Aba clubs Are required to turn in their final 12-Inan rosters. Late tuesday hornets team president Spencer Stol pc said the two sides were very close to reaching an agreement. The contract includes an escape clause for Johnson after Lour years and one for the team after five officials said. Hornets coach Allan Bristow faced with the loss of starting Center Mike Gnoinski to a pulled hamstring said earlier wednesday that Johnson will not Start but should get plenty of minutes against the celtics. Bristow said the biggest question Mark right now is Johnson s physical condition. Quot anybody who a mentally Tough is a Welcome addition right new Quot he said. Quot we done to want to put too much pressure on Larry right Larry Johnson holds his new Jersey in Charlotte ., after signing a Multi year Deal wednesday. Inside sports College football results schedules a Page 22 Colorado picked Over Nebraska a Page 25 Dooley proposes Post bowl showdown a Page 26 Kelly named top Al manager a Page 26 Barkley accuses 76ers of racism Philadelphia a Charles Barkley accused the Philadelphia 76crs of practising racism wednesday predicting the team would keep backup Center Dave a Loppin on the roster As its Lone White player. Barkley indicted he thought Harold Katz would base his decision 011 the fans feelings not personal prejudice. Quot i done to think Harold is racist but i said it would Surprise me if we had an Allback team. And i Slick by that statement Quot Barkley said after practice wednesday responding to statements he made tuesday night on a radio talk show. Katz was in California at the Aba Hoard of governors meeting and a probably is going to refrain from commenting Quot 76ers spokesman Zazek Hill said. Coach Jim Lynam said he wanted a team that Ean win games regardless of the color of the players. Quot Quot i think its common sense that it s my Job As a coach it s a precarious Job so obviously in a going to surround myself with the players that i think can Best go out and win As Many games for the 76ers As possible Quot Lynam said. Philadelphia opens its season tonight in Chicago. The team had until Friday afternoon to reduce its roster to 12, and of the remaining 14 players Only Hoppen is White. Hoppen said Barkley was just being Barkley. A i think Charles likes to be in the
