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Sports Notes
James Loving - National Radio Text Service TIM DUNCAN NBA's best - JOHN STOCKTON to retire - MICHAEL JORDAN to Charlotte? - JOHN PAXSON named Bulls GM - PAUL SILAS FIRED - New Cambodian national coach TIM DUNCAN NBA MVP Tim Duncan was selected the NBA's MVP for the second consecutive season by a narrow margin. He received 60 of 199 first place votes and an overall 962 points. The Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Garnett finished second in the voting by gaining 43 first place votes and 871 overall. By winning the honor Duncan proved that you could be MVP without being the best in any category. He is a team player that helps the squad win. During the regular season, Duncan ranked seventh in the league in scoring and field-goal percentage, and third in rebounding and blocked shots. He averaged 23.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.92 blocked shots, leading the Spurs to a tie with the Dallas Mavericks for a league best 60-22 record. Last season, he averaged a career-high 25.5 points and 12.7 rebounds and won the MVP award over New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd by only 57 votes. Duncan is only the eighth player to win the MVP award in consecutive seasons. Michael Jordan was the last to do so in 1991-92. Only three players have won the award three consecutive times, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. MVP VOTING RESULTS 1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th - 5th - Total votes 1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs - 60 - 38 - 18 - 2 - 0 - 962 2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves - 43 - 49 - 17 - 3 - 4 - 871 3. Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers - 8 - 13 - 41 - 35 - 15 - 496 4. Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic - 4 - 12 - 30 - 46 - 15 - 427 5. Shaquille O'Neal, LA Lakers - 3 - 4 - 3 - 13 - 14 - 126 6. Alan Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers - 0 - 2 - 3 - 9 - 27 - 83 7. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks - 0 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 20 - 43
JOHN STOCKTON RETIRES @ 41 YEARS OF AGE After 19 years OF NBA service all with the Utah Jazz' JOHN STOCKTON said after his team was eliminated in the playoffs by the Sacramento Kings, "I think it's time to move on," he said. The statement made to coach Jerry Sloan and owner Larry Miller indicates that he will not return for a 20th NBA season and will retire at the age of 41. The diminutive 6-0 guard will be best remembered as the all-time league leader in assists 15,806 and steals 3,265. He also will be remembered as the man that gave the mail (ball) to teammate KARL MALONE to help Malone become the leagues all-time second best scorer. Stockton is known for his no nonsense all business attitude and fearless and tough play. Not one for high fashion Stockton was the last NBA player to wear his shorts short bypassing the floppy draws that are popular in the game today. Stockton was drafted out of Gonzaga University in his hometown of Spokane, Washington USA in the 1st round and 16th overall of the 1984 draft. He started every game in 17 0f his 19 NBA seasons. He was selected as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He was a member of the United Sates Olympic Dream Teams in 1992 and 1996. JOHN PAXSON NAMED CHICAGO BULLS GM Former Chicago Bulls player John Paxson was named to replace Jerry Krause as General Manager of the team. He becomes the sixth GM in the clubs history. Paxson was Michael Jordan's teammate for three NBA championships. He joined the Bulls in 1985. After he retired from the game he became an assistant coach and a broadcaster on both the Bulls Radio and TV networks. He spent nine of his 11 NBA seasons with the Bulls. During his playing career the 6-2, 185-pound guard, averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 assists, shooting .499 from the floor and .804 from the free throw line. He helped the Bulls to three consecutive (1991, 1992, 1993) NBA titles, averaging 13.4 ppg and shooting 653 from the floor en route to the first title in 1991, a six-game victory over the L.A. Lakers. PAUL SILAS FIRED AS NEW ORLEANS COACH After five seasons with the organization Paul Silas was fired as coach of the New Orleans Hornets after they were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs. Silas had winning seasons during his stint with the squad. The team made the playoffs for the past four seasons but never advanced past the second round. He left with an overall mark of 208-155 with the Hornets, who moved from Charlotte to New Orleans after last season. Silas was the sixth coach fired in the NBA this year. His contract was $1.5 million a season.
MICHAEL JORDAN HEADED FOR GREENER PASTURES WITH NEW NBA CHARLOTTE OWNER ROBERT JOHNSON? Talk is Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards are unhappy with each other. Reports indicate Wizard players didn't respond to well with Jordan's criticism of the team when they under performed. Prior to returning to the NBA as a player Jordan had ownership in the team. When he returned he had to give it up. Robert Johnson the richest back man in America is the new owner of the new Charlotte, North Carolina franchise. Jordan was born in North Carolina and attended North Carolina University. Johnson is the founder and head of the cable channel Black Entertainment Television (BET) based in Washington D.C. The talk is Johnson wants Jordan to be involved with the new Charlotte franchise. Jordan and Johnson are friends. Because Jordan is still under contract with the Wizards Johnson was unable to discuss if Jordan will have any role with the new team. The possibilities are Jordan could be a part owner or general manager.
Jordan once tried to buy and interest in the then Charlotte Hornets (now New Orleans Hornets) prior to his purchase in the Wizard franchise. Should this come to fruition the problem will be how much control would Jordan have in player acquisitions and draft picks. Johnson will not comment on the matter until July 1st, when Jordan's his contract with the Wizards expires. TOLA MAY NAMED CAMBODIAN NATIONAL TEAM COACH TOLA MAY has been selected to coach the Cambodian national teams Sea Games squad. My will continue in his duties as Director of Youth Football for the Cambodian Football Federation. The Sea Games will take place in December in Saigon and Hanoi, Vietnam. © Copyright: National Radio Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com
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