CONTENTS

NBA Playoffs 20
The Bullets shot past the Spurs and even surprised Philly, but Denver could not buck Milwaukee
by Curry Kirkpatrick and John Papanek

Plunging Right Ahead 24
American divers showed that they were as strong as ever with impressive performances in two major international meets
by Bruce Newman

The Nostalgia Invitational 26
Some legends are more legendary than others, as Sam Snead, 65, proved in the $400,000 Legends of Golf tournament
by Dan Jenkins

Kentucky Derby Preview

Alydar, Affirmed and Sensitive Prince head one of the strongest fields in years as the May madness hits the bluegrass
by William Leggett 28

Roses, juleps, "My Old Kentucky Home," that's the tourist's Derby, but artist Oscar de Mejo viewed the storied scene with a fresh eye 30

Going through Life at a Walk 34
Race walker Ron Laird has no regular job or address—only plans to make the U.S. Olympic team for the fifth time
by Barry McDermott

Courting Disaster 46
The perils of playing rural tennis include bulls that horn in on your game and snakes that steal tennis balls
by J. D. Reed

Journey Into Spring 90
With his daughter, the author canoes a beloved river, the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and assesses the state of its health
by Bil Gilbert

The Departments

Scorecard 15
TV/Radio 54
Baseball 57
Bridge 64
Boxing 71
Rodeo 76
Track & Field 80
Hockey 86
For the Record 115
19th Hole 116

Cover photograph by Manny Millan

Credits on page 115

Next Week

He whoops and he hollers and thus, all psyched up, Mark Roth goes out and bowls them over as the professional circuit's high roller. Herman Weiskopf tells of the life and tempestuous times of the man they call the Corkscrew Kid.

Indy regulars are Jim Hurtubise and that outdated front-engine car he attempts to qualify every year. Just what is the man who broke the Speedway's qualifying record as a rookie trying to prove 18 hard years later? Kim Chapin investigates.