VOL. XVI, NO. 11
APRIL 11, 1975
NBA, ABA Display
Talented Rookies
Talented Rookies
By BILL CROWE
Both the National and American Basketball Associations are finishing up their seasons, a situation which always presents some interesting questions. Of course, everyone is wondering what teams will pull out the league championships and who will win the Most Valuable Player awards and the scoring titles; but one other honor is far from being settled - the Rookie of the Year voting.
There are so many outstanding first‑year men in both leagues this season that there will be many disappointed youngsters when the balloting is history. Coach K. C. Jones of the Washington Bullets calls this the best year for rookies since 1956 when Bill Russell, Willie Naulls, and Tom Meschery entered the NBA.
Chicago Bull mentor Dick Motta says that his team alone could have four nominees in Bob Wilson, Leon Benbow, Mickey Johnson, and Cliff Pondexter, but none of them have appeared in enough games to be serious contenders.
Both the National and American Basketball Associations are finishing up their seasons, a situation which always presents some interesting questions. Of course, everyone is wondering what teams will pull out the league championships and who will win the Most Valuable Player awards and the scoring titles; but one other honor is far from being settled - the Rookie of the Year voting.
There are so many outstanding first‑year men in both leagues this season that there will be many disappointed youngsters when the balloting is history. Coach K. C. Jones of the Washington Bullets calls this the best year for rookies since 1956 when Bill Russell, Willie Naulls, and Tom Meschery entered the NBA.
Chicago Bull mentor Dick Motta says that his team alone could have four nominees in Bob Wilson, Leon Benbow, Mickey Johnson, and Cliff Pondexter, but none of them have appeared in enough games to be serious contenders.
At the top of the NBA list are such first‑timers as Keith Wilkes of Golden State, John Drew of Atlanta, Leonard Gray with Seattle, and Scott Wedman of Kansas City‑Omaha.
The ABA can counter with its own group of young stars. Out of the 10‑team league there are nine permanent starters scattered around. Three of them, Marvin Barnes, Gus Gerard, and Maurice Lucas, all play ball for the Spirits of St. Louis. Barnes was the only rookie starter in the ABA All-Star Game with a season average of 24.0 points and 15.6 rebounds.
Others in the ABA warranting serious consideration are Utah's Moses Malone, Bobby Jones of Denver, David Vaughn from Virginia, Billy Knight and Len Elmore of Indiana, and New York's Al Skinner.
Malone is a 19‑year‑old fresh out of high school who opted to sign with the Utah Stars instead of going on to a promising college career. No figures were actually given, but it is rumored that Malone's salary is around two million dollars.
The ABA can counter with its own group of young stars. Out of the 10‑team league there are nine permanent starters scattered around. Three of them, Marvin Barnes, Gus Gerard, and Maurice Lucas, all play ball for the Spirits of St. Louis. Barnes was the only rookie starter in the ABA All-Star Game with a season average of 24.0 points and 15.6 rebounds.
Others in the ABA warranting serious consideration are Utah's Moses Malone, Bobby Jones of Denver, David Vaughn from Virginia, Billy Knight and Len Elmore of Indiana, and New York's Al Skinner.
Malone is a 19‑year‑old fresh out of high school who opted to sign with the Utah Stars instead of going on to a promising college career. No figures were actually given, but it is rumored that Malone's salary is around two million dollars.