Cheryl : We're back with the Inside Look at the Jambalaya Bears.

(why does that sign still say TNT!!! ... rrrr....)

Standing by Live in Jalambaya..I mean Jambalaya...off-stage chuckle..

there you go..stick that with the sign and you got a pair.

Ahmad Rashad! Ahmad...are you there?

Ahmad Rashad : As THERE as I will ever be Cheryl...good natured chuckle..

I'm here in Jambalaya Park talking with Shareef Abdur Rahim aka ..no...not..Reef...as you might think....but JAGGER Bear...(chuckle)..I know....go figure...EH? Seriously though, Shareef is a big Mick Jagger fan. He says the Stones hit "You Can't Always Get What You Want' ... has been the story of his young career so far.

(Is that the Knight Rider Theme Song coming through from the studios Cheryl?)

Ahmad : Shareef 'Call me Mick'...what's your outlook for the organization in 2000?

Shareef : Ahmad, I really think this ball club is gonna take off this year. We got a talented group of veterans and young players. We recently won a Board Room decision to make training more spontaneous and less conservative. Hopefully that'll get more people to come join us at our games. Its really hard to 'translate' conservative plays into free flowing action and with all due respect to Coach Hill and the Board...we just gonna do our thang and get our energy level up and make heads up plays and I think we'll be fine....hiccup!

Ahmad : Er...OK..Shareef...we have Bears point guard Mike Bibby now. Mike...tell us what Shareef has been drinking lately...then tell us how you see the club going this year.

Bibby Chip Bear : 5 glasses of Harvey's Bristol Cream....Ahmad. Nasty stuff if you ask me. But Shareef has had a lot on his plate lately...the blow-out games and slump before Christmas really got to him. But he'll be OK. Outlook-wise...I"m looking forward to playing for our new owner who'll be taking over in the spring - Ezra Bear. I'm also gonna be helping out BattleTech Bear with his farm team coaching. I also want to attack the ball more and put greater pressure on opposing guards. WHOA! Easy Shareef! Ahmad...help me get Shareef into his Prelude will ya? There we go...

(Ahmad returns...)

Ahmad : A big big factor in the Bears' improved play this season has been the form of Othella Harrington aka...Big Kahuna Darth Bear. And they said Magic was a stupid nickname... umm....Othella tell us about your rebounding at both ends of the court...

Othella Kahuna : Well...Ahmad...I just try and go out there and work hard every time. I just try and keep the Staples motto in mind.."Always Taking Care Of Business" and that always works for me. I try and do the little things right and come out with energy and give this team a lift. When you take that mindset on the court -- the rebounding just falls into place and I don't worry about it.

Ahmad : Are you more a set play kinda person Othella?

Othella Kahuna : Um...I don't really wanna go there Ahmad...(big smile)..but yeah..I like plays that call for me to post up - that's one of my bread and butter plays...but I can run and gun too..I think being a rebounder gives you that versatility. So...I don't worry about what kind of plays are called....I just go in and do whatever Coach asks me to do.

Ahmad : I couldn't have said it better Othella. The guys on the team have asked me to ask you this question....chuckle.."When are you gonna get rid of that butt ugly Chevy Lumina?"

Othella Kahuna : LOL...oh man...Ahmad..I'm not picky about what I drive. I don't need no baby beanie like Bibby drives or no Honger car like what Shareef drives. As long as it gets me from home to training and back...erathang is fine....chuckle...

Ahmad : Cheryl back to you.

Back To The Broadcast Center With

Cheryl Miller and The Inside Look Analysis

With Michael Jordan and James Worthy