European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 8, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday june 8, 1994j sports scoreboard i the stars and stripes Page 31nba presents kicks is. Rockets theatre at its finest Aba finals Outlook by Btu. Barnard a writer the Aba final pairing Between new York and Houston Wilh season meetings Between to tears key players Outlook anti prod icon averages Aro Tor All playoffs. Season meetings 1 Houston won 94-85 at new York on Doe. 2 and 93-73 at Houston on feb. 24. Key players Houston Hakeem Olajuwon a carried he rockets of trough the Tret three rounds averaging 29.8 Points 11.9 rebounds 4.3 blocks and 43 minutes. His Quick first step makes it difficult Tor Patrick Ewing to guard  swaged 33 Points and 16.5 rebounds in the two victories Over the kicks. Otis Thorpe a although he a shooting 59 percent from the Field Thorpe s average is just 12.3 in the playoffs because he s concentrated on defense. He did very Well in Tough defensive assignments against Karl Malone Charles Barkley and Chris Webber. Charles Oakley won t be such a Tough chore but Thorpe a averaging 9.3 rebounds a needs to neutralize Oakley a rebounding prowess especially at the offensive end. Vernon Maxwell he a a Streak shooter averaging 14.0 Points on 38 percent accuracy in the playoffs but has been outstanding in spots. He saved Houston with 34 Points 31 in the second Hall in the rockets third game against Phoenix after the suns led the series 2-0. Kenny Smith a another Streak scorer averaging 13.1 Points on 47 percent shooting. Coach Rusty Tomjanovich has not hesitated in the playoffs logo with Sam Cassel at Point guard if Smith  twice had 25 or More against Utah three Meshad Loor less. Robert Horry a he a counted on heavily Tor defense but he has stepped up offensively in the playoffs averaging 12.3 Points on 49 percent shooting. When  comes in the game look for a physical Horry Mason Battle. Sam Cassell a his minutes Are up from 17 per game in the regular season to 21 in the playoffs unusual for a Rookie but Cassell has had some big performances to justify the extra playing time. He had 10 assists in the Pivotal game 3 against Phoenix and 22 in game 7 against the suns. Mario Hue a a defensive stopper off the Bench Elie also Wilt make aggressive plays Offen Siviy to scored 17 in game 2 against Utah on 10-Tor-10 free throw shooting. New York Patrick Ewing a Ewing took Over in game 7 of the Eastern conference finals against Indiana with 2 Points 22 rebounds 11 offensive rebounds seven assists and five blocked shots. He a averaging 23.1 Points 11.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in the playoffs but has yet to face a Center close to Otoju won s Caliper. In trying to win his first Aba title Ewing s biggest Challenge is yet to come. Charles Oakley coach Pat Riley Calls Ewing his one. Indispensable player but he says Oakley to the Cornerstone of the teams physical style. An improved jump shot has helped him average 14 Points on 47,5 percent shooting in the playoffs and he leads the team with 11.6 rebounds. Unofficially he also leads in boor bums diving Tor Loose bans. John Stark a Starks has never fully recovered his Tom after a late season knee injury and has seen his scoring average drop from 19.0 in the regular season to 13.3 in the playoffs. He s also shooting just 38.8 percent from the Field but is still capable q a big scoring game Ike his 26 Pui Witk on 5-Tor-6 3-Point shooting to game 8 against Indiana. Derek Harper he a averaging just 9,3 Points on 40.4 per car shocking to the playoffs but has a Knack Tor making big prey. A he the go ahead Shat with 1 50 to to new Yorkus we game 6 Victory w Indiana and sorted id to Gena 7.1 takes to use grog Anthony when de Tensa is r but Harpar it Wade a Towy end a better Toad or $0 he we Aga 30 Moutot to Antony s 2q. Anthony Mason a non a bean to and out it toys Doghouse this season but has Ott of it now after i 12 part and 10 rebounds to 39 minutes to Gama 7 against ind no and is ports and 14 rebounds to Gama z Agate Chicago. Mason s pro town his own toasted View off a offensive Abs life. His bin to Nevers to game d a West Indiana Neady Cost the kicks the Idrys. Charles Smith with Smith a big disappointment with an 8.7 scoring average and consistent tout Dorffi cute to the playoffs Riley has Given More minutes to Mason. Look Tor the to happen again a Greg Anthony a the Quek Neh of Maxwell Smith and Cassell to crease the chances Anthony wih play Maro Agat oaf the Roc tote. Ard Horty has improved his 3-port Thoc tog a he has 17 to 10 play off game a in a lands to shoe too Nuh when he hat Early Sun duh to a Gama. Outlook the teams Are Simitar to style and makeup relying on their Carter to make tha big ploys. Both Heve Enigma Sec guards to Mowl and Starks at Musty to go i-Tor-12 As 104om2. Both Twe physical Power Forward to Thorpe and Oakley. Both have Tow acor ing  forwards in Mason and Hony both Jive Young inconsistent backup Point guards to Cassell and Anthony. This Wilha a Lough hard thought a series with plenty of spurts and hurts. The rockets have Home court advantage very important against the kicks and a ittle More firepower. Prediction Houston to 4. Appearances in finals franchise _ a Neapolis la. Lakers24 Boston celtics19 . 76ers8 . Samors. 6 Chicago 8u  3 new York kicks. It. Wayne Del. Piston. . Bullets. St. Louis at. Hawks. 4 Portland Trail blazers. 3 Milwaukee bucks.,. 2 Phoenix Burts. A. 2 Seattle supersonics. 2 s o Houston rockets. 2 Baltimore bullets. 1 . Royals a. Chicago Stags. 1 Washington capitols. A fran Fusa  after the 1947-43 season no. Record .24 11-13 19 16 38 3 56 3 33 3 06 2 45 2 34 1 34 1 33 1 22 1 12 0 22 1 12 o 21 1 01 1 01 d 11 0 1 rockets roster amp statistics Houston rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich no.pldyer1 Seoul Brooks. 7 Cert Herrera. 10 Sam Cassell. 11 Vernon Maxwell. 17 Mario Elio. 1 Smith 30 Korry 33 Otis to 34 Hakeem 35 Earl cure Long. 50 Matt Bullard Horpe. 1 Olajuwon.,p it it or. G 5-11 165 5 a a. F 6-9 225 2g 6-3 185 re 6-4 190 5 of a .6-5 210 3 6-7 220 r 6-10 220 1g 6-3 170 6 6-10 246 9c 7-0 255 9f 6-9 215 10f 6-10 235 3 regular season statistics Fig it a a g pet pet. Otajuwon80. .523 .715 Thorpe.,82 .561 .657 Maxwell.75 .309 ,749 smith70 .400 .871 Jent. 3 .500 .500 Horry.b1 .459 .732 elle67 ,449 .060 Cassell .66 .418 .841 Brooks .73 ,491 .871 herrera75 .458 .711 Bullard.65 .345 .769 cureion.2 .250 .000 rockets.82 ,475 .743 opponent 02 .440 .736 avg avg pts Reb 27.3 11.9 14.0 10.6 13-6 3.1 11.6 10.3 9.9 9.3 6.7 5.2 4.7 3.5 2,0 101.1 43.2 25.5 96.0 43.6 23.2 1.8 5.0 5.4 2.7 2.0 1.4 3.8 1.3 6.0 avg Asl 3.6 2.3 5.1 4.2 2.3 2.9 3.1 29 2.0 0.5 1.0 0.0 playoff statistics olajuwon16 Maxwell.16 smith16 Horry. 16 thorpe16 cassell15 elie16 Herrera. 9 Brooks. 5 cure Lon. 9 Jent. 8 Bullard. B rockets. 10 opponent. 16 Fig pet .527 .381 .471 .407 .592 .383 .430 ,450 .833 it pc .771 .688 .783 .867 .600 ,630 .054 a s75 .000 .000 1.000 .278 a .222 1.000 .476 .773 .428 .749 avg Pis 29.8 14.0 13.1 12.3 12.3 9.1 7.3 2.0 2.2 2.0 1.61.0 avg Reb 11.9 3.6 2 8 6.1 9.3 2.5 2.1 2.2 0.4 32 1.0 0.5 101.9 42.0 20.5 97.1 44.5 22.4 ave ast 4.6 4.0 4.5 3.5 1.9 4.9 1.9 0,0 0.6 0.2 0.9 0.0 rockets playoff history 1963 a a didst make playoffs a 1969 a lost to Atlanta 4-2. 1970 a a Dindl make playoffs. A 1971 a a didst make playoffs. 1972 a did no to make playoffs. 1973 a did t make playoffs. 1974 a did t make playoffs. 1975 a beat new York 2-1 lost 1o Boston 4-1. 1976 a did t make playoffs 1977 a beat Washington 4-2 lost to Philadelphia 4-2.1978 a did no to make playoffs. 1979-lost to Atlanta 2-0. 1900 a boat san Antonio 21 lost to Boston 4-0. 1901 a Beal los Angeles lakers 2-1 beat san Antonio 4-3 boat . 4-1 lost to Boston 4-2. 1982 a lost to Seattle 2-1. 1903 a did no to make playoffs. 1904 a did no to make playoffs. 1905-bos to Utah 3-2. 1988 a Beal Sacramento 3-0 beat Denver 4-2 Beal los Angeles lakers 4-11 lost to Boston 4-2. 1987 beat Portland 3-1 lost to Seattle 4-z 1903 a lost to Dallas 3-1. 1969 lost to Seattle 3-1, 1990 a lost to los nagato lakers 3-1. 1991 a lost to los Angeles lakers 3-0. 1992 a did no to make to yells. 1993 a Beal los Angeles depart 3-2 lost to Seattle 4-3. 1994 beat Patland 3-1 beat pm oort a3. Brot Utah 4-1. A of eyed in ski Diego. Championship cities cities Whoso Aba end nil Kancyr be have reached the championship series in the ume year with opponents and result no City has won baft fifes m the Serne Weert. Boston 1957 celtics Aba Defeated St. Lous Hawks Bruins nil lost to Montreal Cena tons Boston. 1958 celtics Aba Tost to St Louis Hawks Brums nil Tost to Montreal cd Lions new York is 72 kicks Aba Tott to to a Gotos a Ora Ranger nil lost to Boston Brum Boston 1974 cuties Aba Defeated a tend a Bucks Bolin nil Lota to for Tan it far  1980 76ors Aba Tost to us Ang Taes Laker flyer nil Tost to new Yurt islander Cut cagey 1992 Buis Aba Defeated Portland tote Tana Blackhawk t4l  Pertum now York 1994 kicks Aba is. Houston Rockot a rangers nil is. Vancouver Canuck rockets Hakeem Olajuwon. 29,8 avg. In playoffs kicks Patrick Ewing. Slammed pacers Down Aba finals records individual most Points sories a 284. Elgin Baylor los angelas 1962 7 games. Most Pew its game a 61, Elgin Baylor los Angeles at Boston april 14,1962 most Points half a 33, Elgin Saylor los Angelos it Boston Agni 14,1962 a a. A most Points Quarter a 21, Joe folks Philadelphia is. Chicago april 16.1947 most Points overtime a 9, John Havlicek Boston is. Milwaukee May 10, 1974 and Sill Laimbeer Detroit is. Portland june 7,1990. Highest scoring average series -41.0, Michael Jordan Chicago is. Phoenix 1993 246 Potnts-6 Gamos most minutes played series a 345, Kareem Abdu Jabbar mite nuke 1974 7 games most Minu ios played game a 61, Garfield Hoard Phoenix at Boston. June 4,1976 30t highest Fig percentage series a .739, Korrek Dickey Glorien stole 1975 4 Gomes. Highest Fig percentage flame minimum 8 made 1.000, Scott Wedman Boston is. La. Bekere May 27, 1905 11-11. Mott Fps series a 101, Elgin Baylor los Angeles 1962 7 games Mich of Jordan Chicago is. Phoenix 1993 6 . Most Fps game a 22, Elgin Baylor los Angeles a Boston april 14, 1962 and Rick Barry san Francisco is. Philadelphia april 10,1967 ,. Most Fig attempts series 235, Rick Barry san Francisco 1967 6 games and Elgin Baylor. Los Angeles. 1962 7 Grimes. Mast Fig attempts game a 48. Rock Barry Sari Francisco is. Philadelphia april 18.1967. A most 3-Point Fig s. Game a 6. Michael Coop or la. Lakers is. Boston. June 4, 1987 Bill Laimbeer Detroit is. Portland june 7, 1990 Michael Jordan conc too is. Portland Juno 3, 1992 Dan manerto of Toonet is Chi Capo june 13, 1993. Most 3-Point Fig attempts game a 12, Bill Laimbeer Doroff is Portland. June 7,1990. Most 3-Poml Fps game none missed a 4, Scott Wodman. Boston is. La. Lakers May 27,1905 highest it percentage series a 1.000, Bill Laimbeer. Detroit 1990 5 games. A most its series a 62, Elgin Bay or los Angelos 19c2 7 games most its game a 19, Bob Etui St Louis in Boston Panl 9, 1958. A most Ftp a gome none missed a 15, Torry Porter Portland is. Detroit Juno 7, 1990 most it attempts sonos a 99, Elgin Baylor los Anglies 1962 7 games most it attempts game a 24 Bob Pettit St. Louis at Boston april 9, t958 a most rebounds series a 109, Bill Russell Boson 1962 7  a most rebounds game 40, Bill Russell twice Boston is St. Louis. March 29, 1960 and Boston is. Los Angeles Panl 18,1962 of. Hughes a rebound average series a 29.5, bit Russell Boson is. Minneapolis 1959 110 Robounds-4 games most offensive rebounds series a 46, Moses Matone. Houston 1981 6 games most offensive rebounds game a 11, Erin Hayes Washington at Seattle May 27,1979 Mott defensive rebounds series a 91, butt Walton Portland 1977 6 game most defensive rebounds game a 20, Psi wan on twice Portland at Philadelphia june 3, 1977 and Portland is. Offu Ladelphia june 5,1977 a a. A most assists series 95, Earvin Johnson los Angeles 1984 7 Gamos. Most assists game �?21, Earvin Johnson los Angeles is. Boston june 3,1984 highest average assists series 14.0, Earvin Johnson la Laker is. Boston 1965 84 ossists-6 games most personal fouls series a 37, ame risen Boston 1957 7 games most minutes played game no Persona fouls �?50, Jojo whrite Boston at Mit Waukee april 30,1974 of most  series a 5, and Hothouse  1947 5 Gamos Char be Scoti Boston 19 pres and mate risen Boston. 1957 7 games Wost Rev autos played. Name disqualify a a 9, Bob Harrison Minneapolis is. New York april 13,1952 Quot Erving Phila Detoh a a most Tanto series a 16, Julius mad steal Portland may1977 6 game mod  i John Havlicek Boston a. M9wauk�, May 3. 1974 stove mix Philadelphia is Inland. May 22,1977 end Maurice Cheeks. Philadelphia Ai us Angeles May 7,1980 mod Btu cad shots series a 23, Kareem  los angelas 1980 6 Gomes. Mod blocked arts pm 8, by Walton Portland w Phila Deothia june a 1377 and Akonom Olajuwon Houston a. Boston Juno 5,1966 Mott Munarin mrie a 31. Earvin Johnyv pm Angeles 1984 7 games Mostom Pete. Gsrner 10, Heanrin Johnson to a Fetos is. Philadelphia May 14,1990 Moat Ira Tui played gome no turnover a 4d. It Rwy Mccray Houston a Bodri Jiw s. Had mod Point Terie a bz7, Boston is. Los Angeles 1986 7 names most port. 01� 14ft. Boston a Ulm 114may 27.1965 most port both team game 27b,  141 is. San Francisco 135aprati 14, 1907 01 fewest port sane a 376, Baltimore a  1971 4 games of wed ports Oama 71. Syracuse is. Fort Wayne 74apri 7.1955 and Houston a. Boston 94may 9, 1961 Fondd ports both town game 145, fort Wasiw 74 is. Syracuse 71 at Indianapolis april 7, 1955 mod 3-Porter made one town game a 9, Phoenix a Law in 1993, mod 3-Portars made Bof Feama Gama a 14, Phoenix 3 and Chicago 5june 13. It 93. Quot 1 Madgin of Victory 35, War Jungton. Senta. June 4,1976 1117-02. T Fig percentage Senes a .515, los Angeles is. Boston 1904 7 games and la. Lakers is. Boston 1967 Fri games lowest Fig percentage series .339,  Warryne 1955 7gnmes a shed it percentage Sene a 627. Boston a. Loa Angela 1966 7 games lowest it percentage Sens a �13, pomade Sofita it. Son fran Coo 1967 8 games mod Rebo irk. Stones �?487, Boston a. Is Loa 1957 7 Gamos feed rat mils eerie a 171, Wash Glon a. A Coan state 1m75 4 Gamos and Ijas to Noios is Phi a Dothola 1963 4 flumes med Dlene rebound fax. Mixi a faced of lend Root Raj. We most dete slue Otto Ounda a Ena fewest it Tenieve Rob Tea ume a 110. Lot 131. Boston a. Laban Gerih 1964 7 go Tia 51, . Cart Duro brie 1975 4 unmet it .3 4 Gomes mrw Ateia. Swie a 19k to am Eta a. Roaton 19m 7�rtax f pad tests tent a 7ft, bad Tenoro i. It Eleanoe 1971 Fra its Fitol personal touts Teria a 221, Boston a. A. Lota. 1957 Giamas �?~7 7 Gams. Few wet Perd tout wet a 64. Used Jake a. By Turtoro 1971 4 turn try mod Ataei. Win 71,  Horff 1977 6 Gomes 74 7 Gawl mod bks feed shots Sene go pad Adalpho a. Loa Yangteh. 1960 owed Donte sane a 21, tee Ikea a. Benton 1974 it fewest blocked shots series a 7, Boston is. Milwaukee 1974 7 Gomes most turnovers series a 149, to land a. Philadelphia 1977 8 games fewest to Wois Fenes a 67, Baltimore a Waukee 1071 4 game i kicks roster amp statistics new York kicks coach Pat   p hit yrs 3 John Starks. G 6-5 1u5 4 4 Anthony Bonner. 7 Corey Gaines. 11 Derek Harper. 14 Anthony Mason. R 68 3g 6-3 105 a 6-4 206 10f 6-7 230 4 20 Rolando Blackman. G 6-6 206 12 32 Herb Williams. Of 6-11 260 12 33 Patrick Ewing. 34 Charles Oakley. C 7-0 240 3f 6-9 245 8 44 Hubert Dave. G 6-5 183 1 50 grog Anthony. 54 Charles san i. 6-2 185 2 f 6-10 244 5 regular season statistics Fig it avg avg avg g pet pet pts Rob ast Ewing. .79 .496 .785 24.5 11,2 2.3 is arks. .59 .420 .754 19.0 3.1 5.9 Oakley. .82 .478 .776 11.8 11.8 2.7 Davis. .56 .471 .025 11.0 1.2 2.9 Smith. .43 .443 ,719 10.4 38 1.2 Harper.,., .82 .407 .607 9.6 1,7 4.1 Anthony. .80 .394 .774 79 2.4 4 6 Blackman .55 .436 .906 7.3 1.7 1.4 Mason. .73 .476 .720 7.2 5.8 2,1 Bonner. .563 .478 5.1 4 7 1.2 Williams. 70 .442 .643 33 2.6 0.4 Gaines. .18 ,450 .b67 1.8 0.7 17 kicks. 02 ,460 .748 90.5 45.3 25.2 opponents. .02 .431 .719 9t.5 39.8 20.5 playoff statistics Fig g pc Ewing .10 .474 oakley10 .475 Starks.18 .388 hoipor.16 .404 �Smith.18 .500 meson.10 ,500 dnvis.18. .378 Anthony.18 ,381 Bonner a ii .400 Williams.15 ,433 Stockman. 6 .273  4 ,000 knlck18 .437 opponent 18 .424 it pet .761 .762 .770 .504 .745 .750 .769 .545 .583 .667 .732 .759 avg pts 23.1 a 14.0 13.3 9.3 8.7 7.2 6.3 5.5 2.1 19 1.3 0.0 avg Reb 11.4 11.6 2.0 2.1 3.6 5.4 1.1 1.2 2.4 1.3 0 5 0.5 avg ast 29 23 4.1 3.b 0,7 2.1 .13 2 3 0 2 0.2 0 5 0.5 09 5 1.0 19.7 88.3 30.9 19.8 kicks playoff history 1947 a boat Cleveland 2-1 lost to Philadelphia 2-0. A 1948 a lost to Baltimore 2-1. 1949 boat Baltimore 2-1 lost to Washington 21950 a boat Washington 2d lost to Syracuse 20. 1951 a boat Boston 2 0 boat Syra Tiso 3-2 lost to Roc Rostof 4-3. A. 1952 a Beni Boson 2-1 boat Syracuse 3-1 lost to Minneapolis 4-3, a. 1953 a beat Baltimore 2-0, boat Boston 3-1 lost to Minneapolis 4-1. A 1954 a lost in round Robin to Syracuse and Boston 0-4. 1955 a lost to Boston 2-1, 1950 a lost to Syro Cuso in third place gamo.1957 a did t make playoffs. 1950 a did t Moke playoffs. A. 1959 a loss to syr Cuco 2-0.1960 a did t make playoffs. 1961 a did no to make playoffs. 1962 a did t make playoffs. 1963 a did t make playoffs. 1964 a ditto Mytka playoffs. 1965 a i dolt Maka playoff. 1966 a Dirjon l make playoffs. 1967 lost to Boston 3-1. 1968 a lost to Philadelphia 4-2,. 1969 a Bent Baltimore 4-0 lost to Boson 4-2, 1970 a beat balt mor 4-3 bed Milwaukee 4-1 Bui los Anglies Izi kers 4-3, Bact Mph it a. 1871 a bed Atlanta 4-1 lost to Lokmor 4-3. 1972 a beat Baff Moro 4-2 Bent Boston 4-1 loot to to Angelos Laker 4-1. 1973 a Beal bal More 4-1 Boot Boson 4-3 Bod los Angeles lakers 4-1. Aba Champion. 1974 a beat Capitol 4 3 lost to Boston 4-1. 1975 a lot to Houston 21. A 19/6 did t make playoff. A 19/7 a Dent make playoff. 1978 a Beni to Gobind 2-0 Lott to Philadelphia 40. A 1979 a did t Mak playoffs. 1960did t make playoffs. 1901 a los to Chicago 20. 1902 a ditto t make prey of. 1903 a beat new Jersey 2 0 lost to Philide i 1904 beat Detroit 3-2 Lott to Boston 4-3. 1965ddn f make playoff. 1966 deny Mek playoff 1967 ddn l make a Wayott. 1968 a Lott to Boston 3-1. 1909 a beat Phil Delphi 3-0, teat to cd fungo 42. 1990 a bed Boston 3-2 lottooetro4 4-l. 1991 Lott to Chicago 3-0. 1 s>2 Beal Detroit 3-2 lost to Chicago 4-3 1903 a bed Indiana 3-1 beat Char no 4-1 Lott to Chicago 4-2. 139 a Beal new Jersey 3-1 Bui Chi Imago 4-3 beat Indiana 4-3. 6 a.m., my it face. We pc a Ekamp toe stole vice Prosie rot Viett cry a to i. A franchise Kings now known As the Sac Ramulo b Meav Wulle move the commit amp Lovier to to my Vio Ealeta 9�ctlofi Fox Roe feet of Tae Erie