Tom Chambers was married last summer, but the honeymoon continues. This honeymoon, though, is with Utah Jazz fans.
Everywhere he's gone since joining the Jazz this summer, Chambers has been met with rousing cheers. He received a loud ovation on a meet-the-players night during the preseason. Another was accorded him during introductions on Opening Night and again on Monday. And after leaving the game with 26 points Friday against Dallas, Chambers received a standing ovation.After playing against the Jazz for years in Phoenix, the former University of Utah star appears truly gratified at the response from his home area. "I haven't had a reception like that in a long time, except when I go back to Phoenix," said the 34-year-old Chambers. "It's been great."
Chambers said the standing ovation at the Delta Center was a continuation of what's gone on since he arrived in Salt Lake. "It's been like that ever since I came here," he said.
* * *
You never know with those tricky back problems.
Last week Detroit's Alvin Robertson, who has been complaining of a bulging disc in his back, reportedly attacked player personnel director Billy McKinney, putting a choke hold on McKinney and pinning him to the scorer's table.
The disagreement arose because the Pistons believe Robertson's back injury isn't as bad as the veteran guard indicates. Robertson had missed therapeutic exercise sessions and skipped practices.
When McKinney approached Robertson to tell him he was being suspended for three games, though, Robertson's aching back suddenly was well enough to survive a scuffle.
* * *
Despite high hopes for David Benoit during the exhibition season, the starting Jazz forward is off to a poor start.
Benoit, who admitted last year was a disappointment, is just 3-for-14 shooting. That translates into a .214 field goal percentage - the worst on the team.
Though Benoit is starting, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has been substituting Tyrone Corbin, Bryon Russell and Tom Chambers in that spot.
Sloan said for now he plans to keep Benoit in the starting lineup because "I need Ty's ability to come off the bench."
But the Jazz coach admits he is concerned about Benoit's play. "Obviously there's going to be a lot of talk. David has not played as well as he is capable."
So if Benoit continues to play poorly, will Sloan go with Corbin in the starting lineup?
"I don't know," said Sloan. "We've got to compete at that position and Tyrone's done that."
The coach added the team must do a better defensive job. "If we can't do a better job than that, then maybe I've got to change the starting lineup. That's not a threat - it's just the way it is. We've got a very good team and we've got to go out and prove it."
ADDENDUM: Seattle's Shawn Kemp on the Derrick McKey-Detlef Schrempf trade: "Derrick's in my mind, but Detlef showed he can take his place on the court.". . . Charles Barkley on New Jersey coach Chuck Daly: "I hope Chuck doesn't have a heart condition. He goes from the Dream Team to Armon Gilliam and Benoit Benjamin." . . . The Times of London on Shaquille O'Neal's visit: "He talked in a whisper with dumb answers to dumb questions."