What Else Is There Besides Life, Death and Good Tunes?

Priest Lauderdale has his future mapped out.

Denver’s 24-year-old, 7-foot-4 center told the Denver Post that he wants to play basketball for as long as someone pays him for it, but no longer than 10 years. Then he will take the money he has earned and buy apartment buildings to add to the two he already owns in Chicago, as well as a funeral home and a radio station.

“Everybody needs a place to live, everybody dies, and I just like music,” he said.

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Add Nuggets: They are on pace to become the worst team in NBA history, eclipsing the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers’ record of 9-73, a winning percentage of .110.

Entering tonight’s game against Golden State, Denver is 2-23, a winning percentage of .080.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have turned it around since the departure of Latrell Sprewell, whose play has never impressed Dave Krieger of the Rocky Mountain News:

“Sprewell’s not only a very strange bird, he’s a ball hog and a career .438 shooter. Since his departure, the Warriors have discovered passing the ball, a novel and surprisingly effective tactic. His former teammates also have found they need to stay awake throughout the entire game, since the ball might arrive at any time.”

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Trivia time: Who holds the Big Ten record for longest field goal in a game?

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A knock on the Knicks: Peter Vescey of the New York Post, on whether Knick forward Charles Oakley can help make up for Patrick Ewing’s absence: “At this stage in his career, it’s doubtful he can expand his selection of flagrant fouls.”

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Sixth-man award: In the first half of its 68-64 victory over Brigham Young on Monday night at Oakland, California played six players for 23 seconds during a Cougar possession.

The crowd noticed the infraction immediately and got noisy, but the three referees did not. Cal freshman Sean Lampley sneaked back to the bench undetected, avoiding a technical foul.

“That was the coaching move of the century,” Cal Coach Ben Braun said.

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Uniform approach: Louisiana State might have a new look for Notre Dame when the teams meet Sunday in the Independence Bowl. The Tigers have been practicing in uniforms that have white helmets, purple decals on the helmets, gold jerseys and white pants.

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Let’s go bowling: Phil Mushnick of the New York Post believes there are too many bowl games being played:

“The TV audience for the Sports Humanitarian Bowl--let’s face it--will be comprised mostly of gamblers. Who else will be inclined to go out of their way to watch this? Cincy, by the way, is a two-point favorite.”

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Trivia answer: Morten Andersen of Michigan State, who booted a 63-yarder against Ohio State in 1981.

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And finally: Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf had an interesting midseason comment about his chance of winning the Heisman Trophy:

“I have next year to win the Heisman Trophy if I need to. WSU is going to need a Heisman campaign next year. And you have to play four years to be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame.”