Extra Point

By Mike Fitzgerald

---

Cedric Ceballos is coming by to pick me up at the Ala Wai harbor in his speedboat and then we're gone.

I have some personal problems, but don't worry - three or four days of water skiing will fix me right up. Maybe even a few Hooters girls can join us.

Hey, any psychiatrist will tell you that there is nothing like a little sun and surf to put your mind at ease.

Speaking of aching heads, Cedric and I will be joined by Dennis Rodman out on the blue Pacific. At least we won't get hit by any other watercraft, with Rodman's hair serving as a portable lighthouse. And his tattoos will surely frighten the sharks away.

Is it just me getting old and cranky, or does the NBA now stand for the "No Brains Association?"

And it was nice of Rod Strickland to come back to the Portland Trail Blazers after he stormed out on the team and head coach P.J. Carlesimo a few weeks ago.

How about a minor gaffe to fill in the above headaches?

Milwaukee star and Dream Teamer Glenn Robinson got the opening tip last week and dribbled toward the wrong basket, drawing an over-and-back violation.

"I kind of got turned around," Robinson said afterward.

We're not taking him water skiing with us. He would end up with his head in the sand at Kuhio Beach.

FORTUNATELY, there are plenty of other players - young and old - in the NBA who try to make us forget the above-mentioned knuckleheads.

Grant Hill is leading the lowly Pistons back to respectability in a hurry. And he is a classy young man, not to mention a sensational player. He picked up his first technical of the season the other night, probably for saying "darn."

I also like Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal, even if they appear in every other TV commercial. There are many, many others in the NBA who don't get the proper recognition because of the incredibly stupid stunts by a few.

Three of my favorites remain: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and David Robinson.

You can be sure Jordan had a little chat with Rodman, who should have been suspended for the remainder of the season.

Magic is rightfully furious at Ceballos, who was stripped of his role as Lakers co-captain - and should be suspended.

Robinson is quietly leading the Spurs toward another Western title run, without the Worm pest.

Jordan is the MVP this year. Forget the others. He not only leads the league in scoring by a wide margin, but has again showed that he can carry the Bulls by himself, as he did when Scottie Pippen was out with a back injury and Rodman was in the league dog pen.

Jordan's game is complete dedication - and it will result in an NBA championship.

Magic, though, must be wondering if he fits into a league where the inmates are so often running the asylum.

I guess that's what happens when the players make so much money, usually much more than the guys trying to coach or baby-sit them.

Jerry Tarkanian, talking about his brief stint as San Antonio Spurs head coach, lamented: "What do you say to a player who pulls up late for practice in a stretch limo?"

But I hope the NBA gets tougher with jerks like Rodman, and teams like the Lakers shouldn't let a deserter such as Ceballos stroll back to the team when he feels waterlogged enough.

Magic and Michael and the Admiral won't be around forever. The young stars who are doing their job should start speaking up - so they won't be overshadowed by the No Brains Association all-stars.