Letters To The Editor

Jordan hurts the Bulls

I’m going to be obstinate just for fun, and take an unpopular position. I’m going to make the heretical statement that the Chicago Bulls were a better team before they let Michael Jordan back on the court. Jordan’s ego won’t allow him to fit in with an established group of players. He has to come crashing in like the 800-pound gorilla who will sleep where he wants. He’s already hogging minutes as well as the ball.

What Jordan has never understood is that basketball is a team game. He’d rather play a game called Michael and the Eleven Dwarfs. Immediately on his return, the other 11 Bulls began struggling. Kukoc’s game has collapsed. Pippen’s game is off badly, and so is Armstrong’s. If the truth were known, do you think the Bulls are really all that excited? Yes, they’ll win more games, but at what price? It’s a mitigated blessing, I’ll tell you. At best, it’s going to be a love-hate relationship. Former Bull Horace Grant was delighted when Jordan retired, and I’m sure he’s glad to be in Orlando now.

Tuesday night against the Knicks, Jordan scored 55 points. But he put up 37 shots. Anybody who shoots that much will score, I guarantee. John Stockton could score 50 points a night if he put up 37 shots. But because he knows basketball is a team game, he averages 11 shots and passes to his teammates most of the time, which is why they love him. I’ll take a good, solid team concept like the Jazz anytime over one hot shot with an incidental supporting cast. Jack Jennings Spokane

Fan’s complaint off base

I’m responding to Walter Lutz III’s letter (March 26). Two things concern me about his letter regarding Spokane Chiefs coach Mike Babcock. The first is the idea that any hometown fans would be so rude as to provoke Babcock into making an inappropriate remark. Second, and more bothersome, is the feigned hurt and innocent tone of his letter.

He says he’s been sitting behind the players’ bench for 15 years. This alone makes his innocence suspect. I’ve only been a hockey fan three years, and it didn’t take long to figure out there are places in the Barn where I don’t want to sit because the rude and vulgar behavior of a few ruins my enjoyment of the game. Certain sections of the Barn are notorious, the section behind the players bench being one. If this were not so, we wouldn’t need a special “family” section.

Just because a fan buys a ticket doesn’t mean he buys the right to verbally abuse the players and coaches. Mr. Lutz says the people in his section were “joking.” I’ve heard this brand of joking, and it isn’t funny. As for his concern for his children, the fact that he sits where he does fills this concern with irony. If he’s looking for examples of poor role models, he’ll find plenty in the seats around him.

The bottom line is, that as Chiefs fans, we have responsibilities to the players and coaches that should preclude the need of a vocal minority to indulge in rude behavior. Stormy Rodolph Cheney

Time for fans to strike

I am rooting for a settlement to the baseball labor dispute. My rooting, however, is not for these illustrious, overpaid “stars” making the ridiculous money they get for playing the game that has been too good to them; nor is my rooting for the club owners, who refuse to regulate themselves and then cry about paying too much money.

I am rooting for a settlement in hopes that we will have an opportunity to go on strike ourselves. It would be wonderful for fans to refuse to go to the games for the entire season; refuse to buy the tickets and refuse to buy products endorsed by these overpriced egomaniacs; refuse even to watch the games on TV.

The owners and players seem to have forgotten who pays the bill. They have made a mockery of our pasttime for selfish gain.

The owners and players couldn’t care less about the fans, concession workers, groundskeepers and everyone else who has supported the “field of dreams.”

I for one am going to strike for the entire season, if and when there is one. I will not watch or support Major League Baseball in any way. I urge all fans to do the same this year. John P. Johnson Spokane

Wrestling meet great success

Congratulations are in order to the more than 600 young wrestlers who recently completed their season with the Spokane Junior Wrestling teams in Spokane and the Valley.

Each Saturday, between 1,800 and 1,900 matches were wrestled by these youngsters who ranged in age from 5-12 years old. All matches were very low key with the participants never really knowing or caring who actually won. Hands were never raised, but a pat-on-the-back from the official and a high-five from the scorer/coach was often seen. It was fun for everyone involved. Rich Tschirgi Medical Lake

Wake up, Mt. Spokane operators

On March 26, Mount Spokane closed for the season. Ironically, the morning ski report boasted that they still have more than 100 inches of snow on top. Why in the world would they close with so much snow? Granted, they haven’t had the crowds like they did earlier in the season. As a season-ticket holder, however, I am appalled with the early closure. There have been many times throughout the years that the mountain would stay open well into April with less snow than it has now. I cannot understand why Mount Spokane couldn’t stay open on weekends. It doesn’t make sense why they couldn’t keep the mountain open until the end of spring break.

Lets face it. The main reason the mountain closed early is that its operators are cheap. It is a poorly managed mountain. If its operators would cater more to skiers and not skimp on services, maybe they would have more skiers. It is a nice hill to ski. I have been skiing there for more than 20 years. A lot of my friends have given up skiing at Mount Spokane because of poor management. They now ski Schweitzer and Silver Mountain. I would gladly pay more for season passes and lift tickets if Mount Spokane operators would improve services. Such as an updated ski lodge, or better utilization of Lodge One, which has been closed all season (except for the restrooms). Or better grooming. It’s a minor miracle for operators to groom the face of Chair Two. An honest ski report wouldn’t hurt, either. How many times have prospective skiers called up and been told, “high overcast,” only to get there and find it completely shrouded in fog? Prior to night skiing, the lodge and bar would close at 4 p.m., right when the lifts close.

I had a lot of fun up there this year, and most likely I’ll be back next season. But my patience is wearing thin. I do support the effort for new management. So instead of skiing this weekend, I’ll be working on my house. No. Better yet, I’ll be spending my money at Schweitzer. Kingsley R. Johnson Spokane

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