Legends Share In Glory With Stars

Bill Russell helped George Mikan up to the podium, the great Minneapolis Lakers center steadying himself on a ledge of legends, to conclude perhaps the greatest assembly of athletes in history Sunday night at halftime of the NBA All-Star game.

There was Russell and Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Julius Erving. Wearing leather jackets emblazoned with their team logos, basketball’s greatest living players assembled on one court for the first time.

And it wouldn’t have been complete without perhaps the greatest, Michael Jordan. Still sweaty from an electrifying close to the first half of the All-Star game, Jordan was the first player called; Mikan the last.

The NBA’s 50 greatest players were selected last October. All are still alive except Pete Maravich. “Pistol” Pete’s two sons, Jaecen and Joshua, joined the line of greats in honor of their dad.

Jerry West and Shaquille O’Neal were the only living players absent. Both names were announced, with Shaq’s drawing loud boos.

West was having surgery in Los Angeles, while O’Neal was reportedly was undergoing treatment for a knee injury.

Rice honored as MVP

Sunday afternoon, as he was about to leave the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland for a date with the NBA all-star record books, Glen Rice turned to fiancee Cristine Hernandez with a forecast.

“I didn’t get the 3-point contest last night,” he said. “I’ll have to go get the MVP.”

By late evening, his premonition was as much on target as his 3-point jump shots. After a miserable start, the Charlotte Hornets forward turned hot, scoring 20 points in the third quarter and 26 overall in leading the Eastern Conference to a 132-120 victory over the West.

By the time the last seconds had run off the clock, Rice had left two all-star records in his wake and had the most valuable player trophy in his hands. It was the first such all-star distinction for the Hornets, who have had three players make six appearances in the game.

Bullets want Bickerstaff

Denver Nuggets president Bernie Bickerstaff has reached an agreement in principle to be the next coach of the Washington Bullets, sources said.

Bullets general manager Wes Unseld said that an agreement had been reached with someone and a formal announcement would come today. Unseld still will not give a specific name.