Wilkens the choice to coach Olympic team

ATLANTA - Lenny Wilkens of the Atlanta Hawks, the NBA's career victory leader, has been chosen to coach the U.S. team in the 1996 Olympics, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported today.

The newspaper said the vote was made by USA Basketball's selection committee during a meeting at a Phoenix-area hotel, and the announcement will be made next week.

"We identified a candidate, but until we talk to him and get a signed document back, there will be no announcement," said Rod Thorn, vice president of USA Basketball and the NBA.

There has been speculation that Wilkens, who this season passed Red Auerbach as the victory leader, would be chosen for the Atlanta Games.

Kidd top rookie?

DALLAS - At least Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd has a sense of humor about his apparent outside chance at winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

When told he had recorded his fourth triple-double in 10 games on the eve of the voting deadline, Kidd smiled and said sarcastically, "Maybe this game doesn't count."

Kidd's joke was typical of his Rodney Dangerfield-approach to the best rookie race since Larry Bird beat Magic Johnson for the honor in 1980.

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Detroit's Grant Hill is considered the favorite, followed by Milwaukee's Glenn Robinson and Kidd.

Kidd continued his late push for the honor Thursday night with 10 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds during a 112-111 loss to San Antonio.

Although there's speculation that Hill and Robinson might split the votes from Eastern Conference writers and Kidd could get the majority of Western Conference votes, he still might not win.

If not, Kidd can take solace in being a Rookie of the Year runner-up. Magic was, too.

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