NEW YORK SPORTS DIGEST
October - November, 2001
FEATURE PHOTOS
(coming soon!)
FOOTBALL
JETS MEET UP WITH OCEANSIDE'S FIEDLER AGAIN IN NOVEMBER
SUPER BOWL PUSHED
TO FEB. 3
FORMER HOFSTRA PLAYER SHINES WITH
SAN FRANCISCO IN NFL
FLASHBACK 1986: QUARTERBACKS TAKE COMMAND
MARINE GRIDDERS FEEL CONFIDENT
SOCCER
LONG BEACH ROOTERS OFF TO TREMENDOUS START
FRANZESE HEADS SOCCER TEAM
HOCKEY
O'NEILL NAMED HOCKEY CAPTAIN
RACING
APTITUDE SEEKS WIN
IN BREEDER'S CUP
SOFTBALL
LONG BEACH REC
CROWNS CHAMPS
TRACK
LONG BEACH'S NAUGHTON PLACES HIGH IN BIG MEET
HOME
JULY - AUGUST, 2001
APRIL - MAY, 2001
FEBRUARY - MARCH, 2001
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JORDAN DECIDES TO PUT ON
HOOP UNIFORM
By Robert Elkin
Former Chicago Bull all-star guard Michael Jordan is making a come back in the National Basketball Association. It’s not with his
old Chicago team, either.
It’s with the Washington Wizards.
The NBA personnel, his teammates and even rival personnel welcome his return to the court.
He is returning to the sport as a player to the game he loves because during the last year and a half as a member of the Wizards’
management, he enjoyed working with the players and sharing his own experiences as a player.
“Right now I feel good,” he said. “I prepared my body physically for the upcoming season. I’ll be a coach with Collins (Doug).”
Collins is the head coach of the Washington franchise. They will be teaching the young players to develop and improve their
game.
“I feel there is no better way of teaching young players than to be on the court with them as a
fellow player,” he said, “not just in practice but in actual games. I feel that I am focused on the future and the
competitive challenge ahead of me. I just want to play all 82 games.”
He feels confident that he can go against the young players who are competing in the game today.
“I am happy to welcome Michael Jordan, the player, back to the NBA, although as commissioner I’m sorry to lose him in the board
room,” said Dave Stern.
Rival players and coaches are very delighted to see him back again.
New York Knicks guard Howard Eisley feels that with Jordan coming back it is great for the league.
“He’s probably the best ever to play the game, Eisley said. “Whenever a player of his caliber comes back it’ll draw excitement from
the league.”
Said Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy: “He’s a great player and he’ll continue to be a great player. The home opener will be exciting
for the fans.”
Jordan leads Washington to face the Knicks for a 7:30 start on October 30.
KNICKS OPEN SEASON TUESDAY
The New York Knicks have virtually the same team that they finished with last year when they got eliminated by Toronto in the first
round.
“We let a golden opportunity slip away from us,” said front court player Kurt Thomas.”
The Knicks made a few changes to their roster during the off season.. One significant one was the retirement of Larry Johnson, who
has been hampered by a sore back injury suffered last year and they picked up some new faces along the way.
Meanwhile, heading the roster are forward-center Marcus Camby; Allan Houston, Mark Jackson
and Charlie Ward at the guard positions; swing man Latrell Sprewell; and Kurt Thomas at forward.
Coach Jeff Van Gundy did say at the start of the practice sessions at Purchase College that the starters are all up in the air.
Veteran players with experience, defense, defensive rebounding, depth, enthusiasm, ball handling, and versatility in positions are some
of the strengths.
Camby’s 11.5 rebounding led the team last year. He finished third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting .524 from the floor.
Van Gundy will also count on some. newcomers led by Howard Eisley, a proven veteran. He came to the Knicks in an off season trade
from Dallas. He should battle for a spot in the crowded backcourt.
Eisley is an excellent pick and role player who can get those long-range or three-point shots. He can play either the one or two guard
positions.
Said Thomas, “I think the trades will help us..to become a better team.”
“On paper, with the moves that we’ve made we definitely strengthened ourselves, especially our bench,” assistant coach Don Chaney
said.”We brought in a lot of veteran players who had success in other places.”
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