NBA's MAHORN IMPARTS ADVICE AT CAPE GIRARDEAU YOUTH CLINIC

Treat people with respect and keep life's priorities in order.

Those were two of the points National Basketball Association player Rick Mahorn emphasized the most Friday as he spoke to more than 100 youngsters attending a basketball clinic put on by New Bethel Church of Cape Girardeau.

The group sitting on the A.C. Brase Arena Building court looked up at the imposing Mahorn with wide eyes as he talked to them about more than just basketball.

"You have to give people proper respect and treat them the way you want to be treated," said Mahorn. "And you have to get your priorities right. God comes first, then family and everything else comes after that."

As Mahorn later signed autographs for all the youngsters, he grinned when told that he seemed to genuinely enjoy speaking to the group.

"I love talking to kids," he said. "If you see a young adult with a smile on their face, that's a great feeling."

While never reaching certified all-star status in the NBA, the 6-foot-10, 270-pound Mahorn has certainly made a nice career for himself after earning NCAA Division II All-American honors at Hampton.

The 39-year-old Mahorn, who now plays for Detroit, was a second-round draft choice of the Washington Bullets in 1980 and, if and when the current lockout ends, he will be entering his 18th NBA season.

Mahorn, a rugged forward-center who is in his second stint with the Pistons, probably earned his greatest notoriety as a key member of Detroit's 1988-89 NBA Championship team that also included a guy by the name of Dennis Rodman.

Asked if Rodman was as wild and crazy back then as he appears to be now, Mahorn said, "He's not crazy now. He markets himself the way he thinks is right."

Mahorn, who has also played for Washington, Philadelphia and New Jersey in addition to Detroit, has career averages of 7.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He has averaged in double figures in scoring four times during his career.

Mahorn acknowledged that he's not among the better jumpers or fastest players in the NBA. But he's always been noted as a strong rebounder and defender, which has helped keep his professional basketball career alive.

"I try to do whatever I can to help my team," said Mahorn. "I try to play defense and put a body on people."

Of the current lockout, Mahorn said, "Hopefully it will end soon and won't go into the season. We'll just have to see."

As for the possibility of Michael Jordan retiring, Mahorn said, "Whether he comes back or not, there will still be the NBA."

Mahorn, while acknowledging Jordan's greatness, was hesitant to label him as the best basketball player of all time.

"Everybody plays in different eras," he said. "I was fortunate enough to play against Dr. J (Julius Erving) and some other great players from that time. It's just hard to compare people from different eras, but he (Jordan) has certainly made his niche."

Mahorn knows he can't keep playing basketball professionally forever so he has prepared himself well for life after sports. He's currently doing broadcast work for WNBA games and also has some other business interests going.

"You have to prepare in life no matter what your profession is," said Mahorn.

Of his future NBA plans, Mahorn said, "I just take it year by year. As long as I still feel good and still enjoy it, I'll try to keep playing."