Biggest Star, Jordan, Is a No-Show

Michael Jordan may be one of the greatest basketball players ever, but it’s probably safe to say he’s not the most popular man among some fans in San Diego today.

Early Tuesday morning, Jordan pulled out of the Seagram’s Coolers All-Star Basketball Classic because of personal reasons. The game Tuesday night at the San Diego Sports Arena was won White team, 169-156, over the Blue.

Unbelievably, the game was still almost a sellout, drawing 10,590 fans.

But its entertainment value and luster was lessened considerably by Jordan’s absence.

And it didn’t help matters that two of the game’s other big attractions, Dominique Wilkins of Atlanta Hawks and Mark Aguirre of Detroit Pistons were also no shows.

Wilkins called and said he missed his flight from Atlanta, and Aguirre just never bothered to call.

Jordan informed Cliff Levingston, the game’s organizer, that he would be unable to appear. Keith Padgett, director of the game, said he understood.

“Michael’s a great guy,” said Padgett, director of the San Diego area chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. “If he could have made it, he could have been here. He told Cliff that he’s canceling everything for two weeks.”

But most fans weren’t as understanding.

Levingston’s pre-game announcement that Jordan expressed his regrets was greeted by a chorus of boos. After all, it was Jordan’s busy schedule that changed the date of the game.

“That’s true, he did change the date,” Levingston said. “It’s a little bit of a disappointment. But these guys brought me up and showed that it could be a good game.”

Escondido’s Ken Wilson said: “I know they’re coming here as part of a charity event, but I still think they owe it to the fans who paid to see them. I came to see Danny Manning. And it doesn’t bother me that much that Jordan didn’t show.

“I think people are going to take further games like this with a grain of salt. It’s got to hurt next year’s game.”

Levingston said “the true basketball fan will never be scared off. The wishy-washy fans probably won’t show next year. If you worry about all the players who don’t show, you won’t ever get any sleep.”

Fans were informed during the day, through radio and television, that Jordan, Wilkins and Aguirre would not be playing. And for those who hadn’t heard by the time they reached the arena, parking attendants handed out press releases saying Jordan, Wilkins, Aguirre and Jerome Kersey of Portland would not play, although Kersey called several days ago and said an injury would prevent him from attending.

Refunds were offered, but few people seemed to take them.

Although the images of Jordan, Wilkins and Aguirre might have been tarnished a bit, Terry Porter’s was not. Porter, a guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, interrupted his honeymoon to play in the game.

Indiana’s La Salle Thompson, who scored 12 first-half points and grabbed seven rebounds, said before the game that there would actually be some defense played. “We had a meeting before we left the hotel that we were going to emphasize defense a little more. Without defense, there’s not going to be much of game.”

But defense, along with several players, was a no show.

There was plenty of everything else: wide-open drives to the basket, choreographed alley-oops, three-point shots by 7-footers, turnovers galore and yes, points.

The Blue team, led by 20 points by the Lakers’ Byron Scott, had 93 by halftime. The White, led by 14 points each by Reggie Miller (Indiana) and Seattle’s Olden Polynice, had 85.

All-Star Notes

Although trade rumors continue to swirl concerning the Lakers’ Byron Scott and a possible trade to Cleveland, Scott said he’s not bothered by it. “I’ve had my name come up for the last five years,” he said. “If I went to Cleveland, I’d try to look on it on a positive note. They’re a contending team, and they’re very young. On the other hand, LA’s my home and I’d hate to leave it.”