Ex-Rebels dot NBA rosters

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1997 | 11:16 a.m.

Each is a year older and each has added to his battle scars, but, as was the case last year, UNLV has five of its alumni playing in the National Basketball Association this season.

Thus far, they're receiving mixed reviews.

The best known of the group, former collegiate player of the year Larry Johnson, has been out of the New York Knicks' lineup with a sprained right ankle. He has missed the last six games.

Yet even before going down, Johnson was languishing with a sub-par 12.7 scoring average. He even apologized to his teammates after one dismal game in which he scored only six points, although he bounced back to score a season-high 22 one game later.

Also playing less than in recent years are Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony. Both are bit players, Augmon with Portland and Anthony with Seattle.

Augmon is averaging 6.6 points per game while Anthony is at 3.1.

Playing regularly and scoring at his usual brisk pace is J.R. Rider, who is averaging a team-high 21.8 points with Portland.

Also playing regularly of late is veteran Armon Gilliam with Milwaukee. Now 33, Gilliam is coming off games of 18 points (vs. Chicago) and 19 points (vs. Seattle) over the weekend.

The current UNLV basketball team may have lost by 24 points to Michigan last Saturday but here's a prediction: If the same teams meet in the post-season, the Rebels -- who will have added three top-notch players by then -- will win. ... The mother of UNLV coach Bill Bayno said she'll "talk to him about that" when asked during an interview about her son's occasional use of bad language during the heat of a game. ... Western Athletic Conference football teams had a collective struggle against upper-echelon opponents this season. WAC members were 24-30 vs. outside competition but only 18-30 against Division I-A opponents. Worse, the WAC went 5-24 vs. teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 10 and SEC. ... Due to a manpower shortage, Las Vegas Thunder coach Chris McSorley actually had to suit up and play last Friday vs. Manitoba and it was reported he fanned on a possible scoring chance. Sounds hilarious. At least McSorley didn't get into a fight and receive a 10-minute penalty, like he did the last time he was forced into action (in March of 1995).

Give the Good Timing award to pro fisherman Danny Branscum of Henderson. Last week his wife gave birth to a son and Branscum came through with a $100,000 payday for finishing first in the Wal-Mart Tour event on the Arkansas River near Pine Bluff. "This will be a week I'll remember for a long time, that's for sure," Branscum said. ... Jerry Royster, who has managed the Las Vegas Stars the past two seasons, has to be reconsidering his position of preferring to manage in the minors rather than take a coaching job at the major-league level. He was passed up for the last major-league managerial position and lost out to a guy with a similar background, except Jerry Manuel has spent the past six seasons coaching in the big leagues. The Chicago White Sox took Manuel even though he managed only two seasons in the minors, in 1990 and '91. ... Golfers have to like this one: In terms of compiling a handicap, beginning in 1999 the USGA has mandated that single-digit handicappers can take no worse than a double bogey on any hole.

National Finals Rodeo team ropers and barrel racers caused a brief commotion just prior to this year's competition, as they threatened a boycott to protest what they feel are inadequate purses. Two thoughts: It seems as if they make the same threat on a yearly basis; and there's a reason they're not paid as well as their NFR counterparts. Many spectators have been known to go for a smoke or a beer when the barrel racers come out. ... Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants to coach in the NBA. "I think I should give it a shot," he said. "The game needs my knowledge." ... The Kansas City Chiefs are 11-3 and looking at home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, which comes as no surprise to those who have followed the career of head coach Marty Shottenheimer. This is his 14th consecutive year of coaching in the league without having a losing season -- the longest streak of its kind in pro football history.

Eleven NFL coaches quit or were fired after last season. Here's what they're doing now: Rich Brooks, St. Louis, now defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons; Jim Mora, New Orleans, TV analyst; Rich Kotite, New York Jets, plays golf every day; Dave Shula, Cincinnati, executive with father's steakhouse chain; Wayne Fontes, Detroit, golfs; Bobby Ross, San Diego, head coach for the Detroit Lions; Dan Reeves, New York Giants, head coach for the Atlanta Falcons; Bill Parcells, New England, head coach for the New York Jets; Mike White, Oakland, tight ends coach for the St. Louis Rams; George Seifert, San Francisco, retired but pondering return as head coach next season; and June Jones, Atlanta, says he stays home and follows the league by satellite. ... Basketball great Magic Johnson will meet today with Nevada State Athletic Commission representatives to discuss his interest in becoming a boxing promoter. Las Vegan Sterling McPherson, a former fighter who has been managing fighters in recent years, will accompany him. ... On this date in 1934: With snow falling and the temperature down to 9 degrees, members of the New York Giants switch from cleats to sneakers at halftime and rally for 27 points en route to a 30-13 victory over the Chicago Bears in the NFL championship game at the Polo Grounds.