Columnist Ron Kantowski: It’s time to get real in sports world

Monday, Oct. 20, 1997 | 10:52 a.m.

LEAVE IT TO the Smirnoff Vodka folks, whose product has done more to distort reality than what's growing in Woody Harrelson's backyard, to come up with the "Get Real Index" -- a tongue-in-cheek poll to determine the most pretentious individuals in the worlds of entertainment, media and sports.

Actually, this is the second year of the contest. Dennis Rodman was the first winner of the dubious award but the NBA's illustrated man apparently is not eligible to defend his title.

The 10 finalists for 1997 -- fans can vote at the Smirnoff (www.smirnoff.com) or CBS SportsLine (cbs.sportsline.com) websites -- are as follows:

Riddick Bowe: For living his "lifelong dream" by entering the Marines, only to quit after the first week of boot camp.

Kevin Garnett: For turning down a $100-million-plus contract, declaring the Minnesota Timberwolves' offer an insult. Garnett eventually "settled" for $125 million, then claimed his dispute wasn't about the money.

Allen Iverson: For responding "I don't have to respect anyone" when Michael Jordan insisted the Sixers' rookie pay homage to his slam-dunking elders.

Keyshawn Johnson: For writing a book titled "Just Give Me the Damn Ball" following a sub-par rookie season in which he belittled several of his New York Jets teammates.

Mark Messier: For saying that money didn't preclude him from re-signing with the Rangers, then bolting New York for a $20 million pact in Vancouver.

Rick Pitino: For claiming that money isn't important as loyalty, just before leaving Kentucky for 70 million Celtic greenbacks.

George Steinbrenner: For taking over the Yankee Stadium parking lot attendant duties and proclaiming that he alone could solve post-game traffic snarls.

Barry Switzer: For claiming he was "just protecting young children" and "forgot" he has packing a pistol when he was detained at a Dallas airport.

Mike Tyson: For his scripted apology two days after he nearly bit off Evander Holyfield's ear during their championship fight.

Tiger Woods: For signing a $13 million deal with American Express, even though the All-Star Cafe restaurant chain, in which he is a partner, does not accept the American Express card.

Those are the national contenders. But there's a lot of audacity between the lines at the local level, too:

Las Vegas Thunder: For adopting a new logo, a thinly veiled plot to extort new T-shirt and replica game jersey revenues from its fans.

Robert Gamez: Las Vegas' PGA touring pro told the Chicago Tribune that the difference in talent between journeyman David Toms and Tiger Woods is "miniscule" during his lambasting of Woods following the Quad City Classic.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway: For asking $45 for general admission to its Indy Racing League event when you could get into the California Speedway infield for $20 during its Winston Cup and CART weekends.

Jon Denton: The UNLV quarterback told reporters he was "licking his chops" at the prospect of going against the TCU secondary before having his worst game of the season. (But Denton should not be judged too harshly, as his candor is refreshing in these media savvy times.)

Jerry Royster: On the eve of the 1997 PCL season, the Las Vegas Stars' manager predicted "When all is said and done, we're going to have a strong team." The Stars finished 56-85.

Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority: For asking local football fans to support not one but two postseason games -- the WAC championship game and Las Vegas Bowl -- during the month of December.

UNLV athletic department: For giving the impression it wants to cooperate with local media, then making itself scarce at the slightest hint of controversy. (Kudos, however, to football coach Jeff Horton, for his forthright manner in dealing with the press this season.)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Part II): For boldly proclaiming itself the "Motor Sports Capital of the World," without first consulting Indianapolis, Daytona, Charlotte, etc.

Bob Arum: Many years have passed since the Las Vegas promoter admitted to the boxing press that "Yesterday I was lying to you. Today I'm telling you the truth." But his confession warrants a dishonorable mention, even today.

Paul Tanner: The all hat, no cattle Texas businessman promised he was going to build a bazillion seat downtown domed stadium and bring the Super Bowl to Las Vegas. As it turned out, he couldn't even raise enough capital to purchase the land on which the stadium would be built.

Anybody in Las Vegas: Who actually believed him.