Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Overton's play makes Nash, Bullets winners Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 15:07:21 EST Message-ID: Lines: 90 \SE C;SPORTS \HD Overton's play makes Nash, Bullets winners \BY David Hutchinson \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES The NBA scouts said Doug Overton would never make it. But Washington Bullets general manager John Nash warned them not to write off the prospect from his hometown, Philadelphia. Nash was right. Entering his senior season at La Salle in 1990, Overton was ranked with Nevada-Las Vegas' Greg Anthony as one of the top senior point guards in the nation. But in February 1991, Overton sprained his ankle. He rushed back and played poorly. That, coupled with a less-than-impressive showing in the postseason camps, dropped Overton into the second round, where he was drafted by Detroit that summer. His confidence was shattered. "We played Detroit in a rookie/free-agent summer league tournament, and the player I saw wasn't the same one I saw at La Salle," said Nash, a former executive director of the Big Five in Philadelphia, an association of five major colleges in Philadelphia, including La Salle. But Nash refused to give up on Overton. Detroit released him on the final cut, and he played briefly in the CBA before going to play in Australia. Nash periodically would call Overton's agent to keep tabs on him. In October, Nash wanted to bring Overton to training camp, but the playoffs had started in Australia and Overton couldn't just up and leave. By the time Overton's club was eliminated, the Bullets had broken training camp and had begun the preseason. "I talked to Wes [Unseld], and he said it was highly irregular for a player to come into camp late," Nash recalled. "But I assured him it was worth the chance, and so far it appears to have paid off for Doug and ourselves." Indeed. Overton, a quick playmaker who can blast by people, made an immediate impact in preseason. But tendinitis in his Achilles' and a bruised toe - and 12 guaranteed contracts on the roster - landed him on the injured list at the start of the season. Overton was activated four games ago after guard LaBradford Smith was injured, and the Bullets are 3-1 since his arrival, including a three-game winning streak. Overton's ability to break down defenses with his speed and hit the outside shot has energized the Bullets' offense. Because of his speed, Washington (4-5) has been getting easy baskets in transition and out of the halfcourt. He'll either drive and finish, or penetrate and pass to an open teammate. "I credit John Nash for bringing me here," said Overton, who had 21 points and 12 assists in a 126-109 rout of Utah on Saturday. "He is a native of Philadelphia. He saw me play in college and I think that helped. But once I got here, everything was in my hands." When guard Rex Chapman was put on the injured list with a strained back, Overton was given the start over rookie Brent Price. In his first start, he had eight points and five assists in a victory over Minnesota. Once everyone is healthy, the Bullets must figure out a way to keep Overton, who eventually might start in place of Michael Adams. Releasing a player with a guaranteed contract or making a trade are among the Bullets' options. Overton's emergence has been just the right medicine for the slumping Michael Adams. With Overton at point guard, Adams has moved to shooting guard and has started hitting his shot-put jumper. The switch enables Adams to set himself before shooting, instead of rushing his shot. Forwards Harvey Grant and Tom Gugliotta also are getting wide-open jumpers off Overton's penetration down the lane. And wait until Chapman, Smith and Pervis Ellison return. "I know I can get to the basket," Overton said. "I did it in preseason. Now, I know it's OK to drive hard to the basket. You don't want to be looking over your shoulders every time you make a mistake." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM