Sam Bowie is not Michael Jordan

February 13, 1985

JORDAN LEAVES BOWIE BEHIND

It isn't easy walking around in Sam Bowie's sneakers. He is recognized not for who he is, but for who he isn't.



Sam Bowie is not Michael Jordan. He is not an All-Star starter in his rookie season. He has not elevated a non-playoff team into postseason contention. He has not boosted attendance around the league. Larry Bird has not called him the best player he's ever played against.

It's not Bowie's fault that the Portland Trail Blazers chose him instead of Jordan last June, nor is it Bowie's fault that Jordan is the league's most exciting new player since 1979 (Larry Bird/Magic Johnson), but Bowie is condemned to a career of whispers and pointed fingers.

The whisperers point at Bowie and say, "There's the guy they took instead of Michael Jordan.

It's not Bowie's fault. Is it Tony Eason's fault that the Patriots drafted him when they could have had Dan Marino? The Trail Blazers have to answer the critics, not Sam Bowie.

"Actually it hasn't been that bad," says the 7-foot center. "I don't hear that as much as one would think. Mostly it's something I get asked about in interviews, but as far as the city of Portland is concerned there hasn't been any of that."

Coach Jack Ramsay is tired of answering the question. "I've made my statement," says Ramsay. "We needed a center and Sam was the very best available. Every place we've gone I've been asked about it, but we're very happy with Sam."

As if the shadow of Jordan isn't enough of a problem, Bowie's medical history also made him a suspect pro prospect. He missed two college seasons recovering from a stress fracture of his left shinbone. He cracked a rib and missed most of Portland's training camp, then had some early-season injuries, but has missed only three of 50 games.

Bowie says, "I know it was a big question mark whether my health would stand up in the NBA, but so far so good."

The numbers aren't bad. Bowie went into last night's game vs. the Celtics averaging 8.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. His numbers are on the rise. He scored a career-high 24 points and had 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocked shots in 38 minutes against New York last Thursday.

In the 10 games prior to last night's, Bowie had averaged 13.4 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 61 percent from the floor (51-84) and 86 percent from the line (32-37). He is also averaging 2.5 blocks per game, third best in the league.

"I've been coming along pretty well," he says. "My personal progress and the progress of the team is improving. We like to think we're getting better. For me, it's just a great big step from college ball to pro ball. The competition and the length of the schedule make it real tough."

What kind of a force can Bowie become in the NBA?

"That's a hard question to answer," he says. "It depends on what kind of personnel I'm surrounded with. Right now I'm out to rebound and play defense and block shots because we have the scorers in Kiki Vandeweghe and Jim Paxson."

Bowie is easy to coach. "He's not a problem as far as not wanting to do things," says Ramsay. "He listens and trys to do everything. His problems come when he tries to take what he does in practice and use it in games."

Does Ramsay think Bowie will become an All-Star center eventually?

"Yes. That's not impossible, but for that to happen, the team has to do well."

Vandeweghe did not play against the Celtics; he sustained a bruised knee in practice Monday and was replaced in the starting lineup by Clyde Drexler.