THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610250824
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 46 lines
Sure, it's Joe Smith's homecoming, the first time the Maury High graduate has played locally as a professional.
But while Smith will be the center of attention, here are a few other faces to watch tonight when Smith's Golden State Warriors take on the New Jersey Nets at 7:30 at the Hampton Coliseum.
The other locals: Nets forward Tony Massenburg, from Sussex Central High, is a 29-year-old journeyman who has played for eight NBA teams as well as in Spain and Italy.
Warriors guard Bimbo Coles played for Virginia Tech, where he's still the career scoring leader. Coles is a six-year veteran who can play either guard spot.
Nets assistant coach Kenny Gattison played at Old Dominion. The 32-year-old Gattison retired last year after a 10-year NBA career.
Warriors general manager Dave Twardzik also played for ODU.
The rubber man: At 7-foot-6, New Jersey's Shawn Bradley is one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA. The slender, 248-pound Bradley spent two years in Philadelphia before the 76ers gave up on him and sent him to the Nets. Bradley averaged 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks for New Jersey last season.
The rookie coach: John Calipari took the University of Massachusetts from nowhere to the Final Four in eight years. Now the 37-year-old disciple of Rick Pitino is trying to rebuild the Nets..
The marksmen: Golden State's Chris Mullin and Mark Price are two of the best pure shooters in recent NBA history. Beset by injuries in recent years, Both are winding down their careers. Mullin, 33, has averaged just 47 games over the past four seasons. Price, 32, played in just seven games last year and is coming off foot surgery.
The rookie: New Jersey's Kerry Kittles was the eighth pick in this year's NBA draft. He has averaged 12.6 points and four assists in five preseason games.
And, of course, there's Smith. Local fans have been able to watch him in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am league. But never as a Warrior.
``All I kept hearing this summer is people back home never got a chance to see me play,'' Smith said. ``It will not only give them a chance to see me play, but to see me live.
``I've played in the Pro-Am a couple of times, but this is a . . . different atmosphere. I'm out here doing my job now. It's going to be fun.'' by CNB