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All-Star rookie yes, nervous yes, young -- no

Nando.net | Feb 9, 1996

SAN ANTONIO (Feb 9, 1996 - 20:11 EST) -- Olympic veteran Arvydas Sabonis has a sore back and NBA All-Star rookie jitters.

Sabonis showed up for All-Star Weekend Friday despite Portland's appeal to get him out of the rookie game on Saturday. At 31, he is the NBA's oldest rookie.

"I feel like a rookie again, not like I'm in my 30s," Sabonis said.

Speaking through an interpreter, the 7-foot-3 Luthuanian joked about the NBA threat of a fine if he didn't play for the West squad because of his balky back.

"Better late than never I'm here," he said. "My back hurts but I will play but I don't know yet how many minutes."

He's not sure how his back got hurt. "Nobody bumped me or anything," he said. "I wake up one morning and I feel pain."

Sabonis, a 24th pick by the Trail Blazers in the 1986 draft, led the Soviet Union to the Olympic gold medal in 1988.

Asked the difference between European basketball and the NBA, he smiled and said: "The best basketball in the world is in the NBA. Nothing compares. I'm still working very hard to get myself up to the NBA level and get used to the style of play."

Sabonis, who has signed a five-year contract with Portland, scored in double figures in 20 Olympic games. He was particularly deadly when he was teamed with Sarunas Marciulionis on the Lithuanian team

Sabonis' availability through most of the season has been a game-to-game decision.

Sabonis played 13 minutes in Portland's 103-93 victory over Minnesota Wednesday night. He averages 23 minutes a game, usually playing only in the second and fourth quarters.

The Blazers limited his minutes because of his long history of injuries. Despite those limitations, he is the team's No. 3 scorer and No. 2 rebounder.

"I don't like to talk about myself but I know I still have to improve," the 292-pounder center said.

Asked the most difficult player to defend, he gave a diplomatic reply: "All good. All strong."

Blazers officials were also upset that Sabonis had to fly by commercial airlines to San Antonio. The team usually flies by charter. Alexander Volkov, formerly with the Atlanta Hawks, served as Sabonis' interpreter. Volkov and Sabonis were teammates on the Soviet national team that won the Olympic gold medal in 1988.

NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said Sabonis could be fined or suspended if he refused to play in Saturday's game.

"Don't worry," Sabonis said. "I'll go a long as I can be comfortable with my back."

(c) 1996 Copyright (c) 1996 Associated Press

Stuart's note: Sabas had 8pts and 3 rebounds in only 4 minutes of play! box score

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