It Takes a Big Man (About 6-11) to Criticize Blazers in Portland

Portland proudly proclaimed itself “Rip City” before the NBA Western Conference championship series against the Lakers. But the ripping has become internal.

Trail Blazer Coach Rick Adelman, writing in the Oregonian, is sensitive to criticism of his team--and coaching--by TV commentator Bill Walton, the former Trail Blazer star, who also writes a column for the same newspaper.

“Bill gives a perception to those in Portland that he is knowledgeable about our team,” Adelman said. “I believe if you’re truly going to do that job as a professional, you would try to find out what our team is trying to do. Walton not once has talked to our coaching staff.”

Aw Bill, talk to them.

Trivia time: Who holds the record for most rebounds in an NBA playoff game?

Boz Bashing II: Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelley, commenting on the acting ability of Brian Bosworth, the former Seahawk linebacker: “Boz makes Arnold Schwarzenegger look like Laurence Olivier, and Sylvester Stallone is Rex Harrison by comparison.”

Sour grapes dept.: Detroit General Manager Jack McCloskey, interviewed on radio near the end of Chicago’s 21-point victory over the Pistons Monday, wasn’t gracious in defeat.

“They (the Bulls) have only two good athletes, (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen,” McCloskey said. “None of those other guys are going to set any records. We just played horribly.”

Asked who he thought might win a series between the Bulls and the Lakers, McCloskey said, “I don’t care. I really don’t care.”

New York, New York: It’s a wonderful town as far as Dodger pitcher Bobby Ojeda is concerned. The former Met is homesick, according to Jack O’Connell of the Hartford Courant.

“I miss the rowdiness of the city,” Ojeda said of New York. “I miss the fans, even the writers. I have to work at being laid back in L.A. I really miss being a New Yorker.”

Even Central Park?

Payoff: Detroit Mayor Coleman Young owes Chicago Mayor Richard Daley a case of ginger ale and two dozen Coney Island hot dogs as the result of their bet on the Piston-Bull series.

Fine, but when did Coney Island move to Chicago or Detroit?

Look out, Ben: Florence Griffith Joyner has said that she might make a track comeback in the marathon. Perhaps she should challenge Ben Johnson instead.

FloJo’s best time of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters would have beaten Johnson, who was timed in 10.54 while placing fifth last Saturday in a meet at Granada, Spain.

No trade-in: Want to buy an Indianapolis race car? A 1991 Lola costs only $320,000-- without an engine.

Thin-skinned: Baseball players such as Jose Canseco and Albert Belle have reacted angrily to hecklers, prompting Alan Greenberg of the Hartford Courant to write:

“Most of us would willingly endure slurs that would embarrass Andrew Dice Clay if they gave us $2 million to play right field for the Seattle Mariners.

“But as their astronomical salaries and hordes of yes-men isolate them from the realities of the average working stiff’s life, many ballplayers don’t see it that way. They don’t see themselves as lucky, just put upon.”

Trivia answer: Wilt Chamberlain, while playing for Philadelphia, had 41 against Boston in 1967. Note: The Celtics’ Bill Russell had 40 rebounds three times in playoff games.

Quotebook: Isiah Thomas of the Pistons, warning the Bulls before Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference championship series: “They’ll be in for the toughest game of their lives.”