Bradley wants to be the spirit of 76ers

Sporting News, The, Oct 4, 1993 by Tim Povtak

The thought of trying to carry an NBA franchise, particularly in a town that can grind down its sports celebrities, should be causing sleepless nights for rookie center Shawn Bradley.

Yet he only laughs at the notion.

The thought of carrying the 76ers through the decade and beyond has only helped him prepare for what is sure to be a closely watched rookie season.

Bradley, the 7-foot-6 center who has been out of the game for two years after just one season at Brigham Young University, welcomes the scrutiny. Instead of avoiding the spotlight, he invites it.

To confirm his status as the franchise player, Bradley asked for the No. 76 on his jersey. That took a special exemption from the league office because league rules state that no double-digit number should exceed 55.

"I looked at the team logo (76ers), and saw my height (7-6) listed next to my name, and thought it might be a pretty neat idea,"' Bradley says. "The idea might be a little off the wall, but I like doing things that might be considered off the wall. That makes it interesting."

The 76ers staff, still very much convinced their selection of Bradley was anything but a gamble, applauds his idea and loves his attitude. After all, they gutted last season's team to rebuild around Bradley.

"I don't know if any rookie can ever be totally prepared to join the NBA, but hopefully I can have a season good enough to build upon," Bradley says. (Shaquille O'Neal) had an incredible rookie season last year, and I'm not saying I can do anything like that, but I'm confident I can do well."

Of all the rookies this season, Bradley has had one of the most productive summers. He signed quickly and has been working out under the direction of the 76ers since he was drafted in June.

Although an intense weight-lifting program has strengthened him considerably, he still weighs only 245 pounds. Despite consuming 5,000 to 7,000 calories per day, gaining weight has been a slow process.

"People think it might be fun to eat everything in sight, but it's not easy eating that much every day," Bradley says. "It's work."

Bradley, who was married Saturday, was in Orlando for the league's annual rookie orientation, a program in which all first year players are provided three days of lectures on everything from dealing with groupies to financial planning.

During a photo shoot with a trading card company, Bradley was so impressive that the rest of the rookie class stopped to watch him. His ball handling, mobility and dunking drew impressive looks.

"If you're going to play against him, you better learn how to shoot the ball straight up," says Scott Haskin, the Pacers first-round draft choice from Oregon State. "He's going to be something. He's ready for all of this. "

Windfall

The NBA' new television contract with Turner Broadcasting (four years, $350 million), coupled with the one signed earlier with NBC (four years, $750 million) is one more reason why the salary cap - if it continues to exist - will soar in the coming years. It will be $15,175,000 next season, the NBA announced Friday. It should move above $20 million within three years.

While Major League Baseball's television revenue is falling dramatically and the NFL's has leveled off, the NBA's TV dollars will rise approximately 26 percent next season.

This season will be the first time every playoff game will be televised nationally on either NBC, TNT or TBS. TNT will carry 45 regular-season games and 35 playoff games. TBS will carry 25 regular-season games and up to 10 playoff games. NBC will carry the rest of the playoffs.

Bank shots

With Toronto sure to become the next NBA expansion city, watch for Mexico City to follow in a few years as the league's popularity continues its amazing, international growth. . . . The Bullets have offered a tryout to Kenny Walker, the fifth pick of the 1986 draft by New York. Walker has played the last two seasons in Spain. lbs only real success in the NBA was winning the Slam Dunk Contest. . . . The Heat have called off their search for a backup point guard to Steve Smith. The reason is the surprisingly quick recovery of Bimbo Coles, who had shoulder surgery July 17. Although Coles was not en" to be available until December, he worked out last week to prove how quickly he has recovered. . . . Gheorge Muresan of Romania, the 7-7 center, began working out with the Bullets last week. There have been communication problems because he speaks only Romanian and French. "I used to speak French," Bullets Coach Wes Unseld says. ID have to bone up on a few swear words. " . . . Forward Douglas Edwards of Florida State, who was picked 15th by Atlanta, says he knows why ins stock dropped on draft night. NBA scouts didn't like his lack of intensity.

"They saw me play sometimes, and it might have looked like I was going half speed, like my mind was someplace else," Edwards says. "Sometimes I just didn't come ready to play. That has to change now."