Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 January 2003 — Page 13

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE B5

Indiana Civil Rights Commission honors local Black sports figures

Tony Dunqy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, spoke at the 12th Annual Indiana State Employees MLK Celebration. Dunqy stands in front of larqe pictures showinq (from left) coaches Mike Davis of Indiana University, Isiah Thomas of the Indiana Pacers, and Tyrone Willinqham of Notre Dame, who were amonq the many Black Hoosier sports fiqures honored at the event.

Sandra D. Leek, Esq., Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Riqhts Commission qives listeners somethinq to think about durinq the celebration.

Burnetta SlossTanner (center), accepted an award on behalf of Isiah Thomas, is pictured with (from left) Sandra D. Leek, Governor Frank O'Bannon, Mayor Bart Peterson and Marion County Judqe Tanya Walton Pratt.

SUNDAY ► Continued from Page 6 succeeded a man who did a great job here and a very hard guy to replace in Tony Dungy,” said Gruden, in an interview after beating the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. “It’s been difficult succeeding a guy and a situation that was very controversial for many of our players. Every coach’s job is to win a championship and that is my job here.” Despite his commitment to the Bucs, Gruden said he still maintains close friendships on the team and respects his former soldiers. Several members of the national media are building the drama of the event by showcasing the past and highlighting this controversy. Are the students capable of beating the teacher? Is this weekend about Davis and Gruden, or about the players on the field representing the Raiders and the Buccaneers? Only time will tell. It is the opinion of this writer that the Oakland Raiders will win the rings this weekend in San Diego. Controversy aside, the Raiders have the best offense in the NFL. They are more effective defending the pass vs. the run. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not have an effective rushing attack. In fact, their entire offense could use an overhaul. This team is not the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens’ defense a couple of years ago was probably the most dominant in the history of the NFL. At least this is what the numbers suggest. The most effective way to beat the Raiders is to establish the run and keep their massive defense on its heels and guessing. Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson is no Steve McNair (Tennessee Titans). Johnson will have a tough time evading the pass rush when the Raiders lineup, then tee off due to not having to worry about the run. On the other hand, the Bucs defense will put up a good fight due to spending most of its time on the field, but will falter in the later quarters. Time for all of the talk to come to an end. Stay tuned.

PACERS ► Continued from Page 6

WISH TV Channel 8 sports anchor, Anthony "A.C." Calhoun was recoqnized for keepinq our community in touch with the world of sports.

Tanya Walton Pratt qave a pleasant qreetinq to those in attendance. (Photos/ C. Guynn)

ketball left to be played and the Pacers are a long way from a championship celebration. However, the future is now for head coach Isiah Thomas and the Indiana Pacers. As the Pacers look to continue its development as the season progresses, there are several areas of focus if the Pacers are to complete this storybook season. The Pacers have done a good job of defending its home court this season. The Pacers have only lost one game at Conseco Fieldhouse. However, winning on the road is a key barometer for a team if it plans to compete for a title. The Pacers are .500 on the road and have lost winnable games to substandard teams. Once this team’s mental toughness catches up to its physical toughness, winning on the road should become an easier proposition.

BUNG Continued from Page 6

There is no secret that shoe manufacturers Adidas and Nike have been knocking on LeBron’s door for years. And you can bet that more than a few agents have had conversations with Gloria James. This young man is a fi-foot-H dollar sign and there is a long line of smooth talking, unscrupulous sharks ready to write a four, five or six figure cheek for just a piece of his future fortune. Thequestion here is why Gloria James didn’t just wait. Would it have been too difficult to put the Hummer on hold until after LeBron finished the season? 1 low about giving him the ear as a high school graduation present? And why a Hummer? You don't cruise under the radar screen in a vehicle that weights 6,400 pounds

and measures 15-feet long and pictureonthecoverofeverysports 10-feet wide. Plus, he was already magazine, some folks don’t like driving a Fort! Explorer. an African-American youngster Now, the Ohio High School flaunting the flow. Instead of Athletic Association is conduct- searching for Hummers, Rolex ing an investigation, which may watches, gold jewelry, furs and end with LeBron being stripped big houses, what the Jameses need of his high school eligibility. His to he searching for is good advice school, ranked No. 1 in the conn- during a period in which they will try, may have to forfeit a number he under the most intense media

More consistent play at the point guard position will also be a key. Jamaal Tinsley is clearly one of the up-and-coming point guards in the league. However, as unfair as it seems, he will have to develop faster to keep up with the development rate of the rest of the team. Protecting the ball is an area of concern. Minimizing mental errors at the end of games is also an area of improvement. The Pacers also need for Jermaine O’Neal and Brad Miller

of games. This is a classic case of attention and scrutiny any high , being blinded by the filing filing, school athlete has every received. Money can make you rich, hut it And please buy a good pair of can also make you stupid (given sunglasses so as not to be blinded

to unintelligent decisions or acts: by the filing filing.

acting in an unintelligent or care-

less manner).

What Ms. James failed to realize is that eveiyone in Ohio does not love her son. Despite all the headlines, the accolades, national television appearances and his

Mun in Wamble has covered sports in California. Texas and Washington, and he has hosted several Pallas sports radio talk slums.

to remain consistent. The play of the bench is also a factor. Don’t be surprised if the Pacers finish as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Also, don’t be surprised if’Thomas wins coach of the year. -.lames M Keough, Jr. - Ke- (■( >n lerC '< >rresp< indent

A New Year, A New Look, Check It Out!

Subcribe Today Call 924-5143

LAW OFFICES OF TOM SCOTT & ASSOCIATES

BAKKRUPTCY Free Consultation with an Attorney

HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED • Mistakes Of Youth • Illness or Layoff • Overtime Cut

STOP Repossessions Garnishment Foreclosures

255-9915 6100 N. Keystone Ave., Suite 454

Town homes for Indy living.

' G

Located at 30th Street at White River PKvjv

River’s Edge 925-2168

MONTHLY PAYME NTS STARTING i ROM THE S400 s

Em 'vViHili'ivr re Free . Dow:?< vvn' UV' ' I

www.durabuilders.com 1-800-0 WN-D LIRA WW.A • b2b ± NAHB T

Hun?

BUILDERS

K Of EjU*«*wr.E

and invite you & a guest to attend an advance screening of

BikihBbyZ . >: . -E tv;- S.W V; '

HERE’S HOW:

To register to wm mail this original advertisement (No Photocopies Accaptod) with your name, address and daytime phone number to: Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper 2901 N Tacoma Ave Indianapolis, IN 46218

NAME

ADDRESS PHONE#

PRIZE:

50 entries chosen at random will win passes to see the new movie BIKER BOYZ showing Thursday, January 30,7:30 p.m., Regal Galaxy, 96th St.

RULES:

0n« *ntry per p*r?on duplicate entries milt b« dtsqjjhhed No-purchase necessary W,ows will be chosen by random arawirqand notifted by phon* Entries must be received by Tuesday January 23 Passes valid only tor BIKER BOYS

BIKER BOYZ OPENS NATIONWIDE JANUARY 31,2003