The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 7

2002:04:07:23:21:01 MONDAY, SPORTS SECTION ORANGE COUNTY EDITION CCOC By TIM BROWN TIMES STAFF WRITER postseason edge he will pursue for a Laker team that has its vulnerable moments, Phil only calling would appear to be to take Shaquille this Shaquille and deliver him to Game 1, Series 1 of the Western Conference playoffs. On the floor for the first time in three games, since the morning he awoke to a swollen right wrist and the next four days off, was fierce and fluid Sunday afternoon, all that makes the Lakers imposing from April through June. He scored 40 points and took 11 rebounds in a 96-88 win over the moribund Miami Heat, a bit livelier for national television. He blocked two shots and had two assists and, even in the face of a late, awkward attempt at a Hack-a-Shaq by the has-no-shame Pat Riley, made 12 of 19 free-throw attempts, a handful even arcing and falling softly. the Shaq that will take us to another forward Rick Fox said.

Not that the other one, the toe- wrapped, orthotic-wearing, Indo- cin-chewing center, is some treat for a league bereft of others like him. will finish in the top three in themost valuable player vote despite a physically miserable season that probably will be followed by surgery. He has averaged 26.7 points and 10.8 rebounds and made 57.6% of his shots, all below his career numbers, all while wincing on every step. Then, after a few rest, Now You Can Call Him the Big Dipper Associated Press Shaquille refused to wilt in the 96-88 victory over Alonzo Mourning and the Heat. Lakers: scores 40 and has Riley comparing him to Chamberlain after L.A.

defeats Heat. By THOMAS BONK TIMES STAFF WRITER Bobby Jones died more than 30 years ago, but something he left behind still manages to summon vivid memories of greatest player. The Masters begins Thursday at the course he carved out of an old nursery on hilly, rolling terrain in Augusta, Ga. still Bobby tournament, fully grown into one of most treasured and revered like Jones himself. Jones attained an unusual status in sport, as an icon, and maintains it more than three decades after his death.

Many in the game feel about Jones the same way Arnold Palmer does. Jones was a real gentleman Palmer said. he accomplished in golf, no one else has and probably never will. also the father of Augusta National and the Masters, and all those factors are significant to his enduring How Jones has endured is a own story, achieving great fame through heroic achievements, showing the best examples of sportsmanship and humility, getting out of the spotlight early and dying too young. According to historian and biographer, Sidney L.

Matthew, Jones knew exactly what he was doing when he stopped playing regularly in 1930 at age 28. had the confidence and grace to leave the stage at the Matthew said. something very few people can do. And he went on to become a respected ambassador whose opinion was sought because everyone knew it would be reasoned and conservative and completely thought The Jones legacy is storybook stuff, but also powerful. Hootie Johnson, who follows Jones in the line of chairmen of Augusta National, invokes name often.

spirit of Bob Jones is alive Johnson said. is evident here at Augusta National and in the Masters, in his outstanding player record and the decency and honesty he brought to the game of golf. is missed by those that knew him and those who How Jones has achieved such a following is not HULTON DEUTSCH Getty Images Grand Master Grand Master Legendary Bobby Jones Still Towers Over Augusta Event Associated Press Bobby Jones, right, and journalist O.B. Keeler pose by the major trophies Jones won in 1930, when he took Grand Slam. Please see JONES, D10 By GARY KLEIN TIMES STAFF WRITER Kevin Brown came out throwing and swinging Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, laying to rest any doubts that the veteran right- hander is fully recovered from elbow surgery.

With his fastball registering 96 mph at times, Brown rebounded from his rocky opening-day start and devastated the Rockies from the mound and at the plate in a 6-4 victory before 28,452 at Dodger Stadium that completed a three- game sweep. Brown (1-1) gave up four hits, struck out five and did not issue a walk in seven brilliant shutout innings. He threw 79 pitches, 57 for strikes, and faced one batter over the minimum. Ben Petrick, who hit a double in the third inning, was the only runner to reach second base. Brown not only outpitched Colorado left-hander Mike Hampton (0-2), he also outhit the ace of the Rockies, which is no small feat.

Last season, Hampton batted .291 and tied a National League record for pitchers with seven home runs. But it was Brown who delivered the big hits Sunday. He doubled and scored a run in the fourth inning, hit his second career home run into the left-field pavilion against Hampton in the sixth and drove in a run with a single against Mike James in the seventh. Brown, a career .120 hitter, equaled last hit total. easier when you can pick up a bat and not feel like your arm is going to fall said Brown, who underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor muscle in his elbow last Sept.

27. that, I make no All in all, it was a solid Brown Puts Doubts to Rest Dodgers: He rebounds from poor opening-day start to shut out Rockies over seven innings and also homers in 6-4 win. Please see DODGERS, D8 By PETER YOON TIMES STAFF WRITER Se Ri Pak heard the footsteps, and the source was right in front of her: Annika Sorenstam was making a charge. The top two ranked players were in the same group Sunday for the final round of the Office Depot Championship in a head-to-head battle for the title. A difficult layout at El Caballero Country Club, where no one shot better than 68, only added to the drama.

Pak, who wilted slightly early and made what could have been a costly mistake late, withstood No. 1-ranked Sorenstam and shot one-over-par 73 to win her Decision Questioned but Not Result Golf: She hangs on for first head-to-head win over Sorenstam, despite laying up on 17th at Tarzana. Please see LPGA, D11 By ROBYN NORWOOD TIMES STAFF WRITER When the trophy for the Wooden Award was designed, John Wooden wanted one more figure to depict the complete player besides the passer, the shooter, the defender, the ball- handler and the rebounder. wanted someone with a cap and Wooden said. That can be a lot to ask in an age of players leaving early for the NBA, but Wooden have been more satisfied Sunday when Jason Williams of Duke won the award.

Although Williams is making himself eligible for the NBA draft after his junior season, he is on track to earn his degree in sociology this summer. CARLOS CHAVEZ Los Angeles Times Duke junior Jason Williams was winner of Wooden Award. Wooden Award Goes to Williams Please see AWARD, D10 Roddick Has U.S. Flying in Davis Cup Andy in the grass after his straight-set win signals U.S. victory over Spain.

D5 Best Is Not at Best Time With their playoff chances dim, the Clippers come together in a 97-75 victory over Denver. D9 Lawsuit Takes Aim at NASCAR Breakup Johnnie Cochran is making Texas Motor case that NAS- CAR is a stock-car monopoly. D3 D2 D12-13 D12 Day in Sports D13 INSIDE THE 66th MASTERS 2001 champion: Tiger Woods. Augusta National: Par 72, 7,270 yards. Television: Thursday, p.m., USA; Friday, p.m., USA; Saturday, p.m., Channel Sunday, 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m., Ch.

2. RELATED STORY Mark Heisler: Pat Riley used to be all about winning, but misery has made a comeback, big time. D8 Please see LAKERS, D8 TOP FINISHERS 1. Se Ri 2. Annika 3.

Laura Complete D13 Diane D11 WOODEN AWARD VOTING 1. Jason Williams, 2. Drew Gooden, 3. Juan Dixon, Past D13.