Remember Steve Stipanovich?

1983-84 Boston Celtics
November 5, 1983

In other years, he might have been just another talented rookie sitting on the bench. But Steve Stipanovich won't have that luxury this year for the Indiana Pacers. That's because Pacers coach Jack McKinney thinks the University of Missouri product has not only the talent to step right into the NBA as a center, but is smart enough to make up for whatever shortcomings he might have with hard work and intelligence.

Stipanovich, a 7-footer, was the second player chosen in the draft this year behind Virginia's Ralph Sampson. Right now, says McKinney, there is a gap between the two men in talent, not to mention salary. But he doesn't think it will take Stipanovich - who scored 16 points and had five rebounds last night - long to close the distance. "Steve has the potential to be a good NBA center," said McKinney. "Not a great one, yet. But a very good one. When we played Houston the other night, you had a chance to compare their talents, and Sampson was ahead in the numbers. He had something like 21 points and 18 rebounds to 12-8 for Steve.

"But Steve showed that he has skills in other areas. He can be intimidating and is a good outside shooter. He helps out on defense and other things that might not show up in box score." McKinney feels no qualms about force-feeding Stipanovich to the NBA lions, because of his intelligence and the fact that his defensive skills are much better than advertised. Against Sampson, Stipanovich blocked a shot from behind and effectively cut off Sampson's inside game.

Stipanovich says he is just glad to be able to play and to learn what the NBA is all about. It's a good situation for me," he said. "We're a young team and we've got a chance to grow together. The pro game is different from the college game in a lot of ways. I had a little trouble with Parish at the end. But he's beaten a lot of centers with his jump shot."