``hamlet'' King's College Administration Building Auditorium, 133 N. River 
St., Wilkes-barre. Wednesday-saturday, 8 P.m.

Accused Cop Has History Of Trouble 
Officer Named In Lawsuit Alleging 
Sexual Assault Has Been Accused In 
Court Three Other Times In Last Two Years

By TOM HOUSENICK; Times Leader Sports Writer
 Saturday, February 08, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





CLEVELAND -- Bob Sura almost seems like an afterthought in tonight's Nestle
Crunch Slam Dunk competition. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The former GAR Memorial High School and Florida State star from
Wilkes-Barre certainly isn't expected to grab the spotlight in the
competition, which starts at 7 p.m. at Cleveland's Gund Arena as part of the
NBA's All-Star Weekend festivities. Just look at the others who are more
likely to do that. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First, there is Kobe Bryant, the 18-year old Los Angeles Lakers rookie who
went to his senior prom last year at Upper Merion High School in Hollywood
style with a limousine and actress/singer Brandy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ray Allen, a first-team All-American as a junior last season at the
University of Connecticut, is playing 30 minutes a game as a 21-year old
rookie for the Milwaukee Bucks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Don't forget about Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks. The 23-year old
was last year's Slam Dunk runner-up, and his display of power and athleticism
makes him the favorite for this year's event. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plus, there is Darvin Ham, a 23-year old rookie for the Denver Nuggets. The
former Texas Tech star grabbed national attention last year during the NCAA
tournament by shattering a backboard against North Carolina. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ham is replacing injured Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson, the
flamboyant and often-controversial 21-year-old who is the odds-on favorite to
win this season's rookie of the year award. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Finally, there is Sura, the second-year guard for the host Cavaliers. He
almost seems like a throw-in for Cleveland. A courtesy to the host city. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After all, Sura is fourth among the six contestants in scoring, minutes
played, salary and exposure. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Iverson's change in hair style is news on ESPN. And, Bryant's every move is
news in the Los Angeles Times. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm just looking at this as another opportunity to show off my talents,"
Sura said. "It should be a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can get off a couple of
good dunks and maybe win it." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The prize money isn't the catch here. First place is worth $20,000,
approximately the salary for one game for Allen, the fifth overall pick in
last June's draft. Sura earns roughly $10,000 a game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The real prize for winning the slam dunk contest -- which debuted in 1984
-- is fame. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Several past winners have gone on to become mega-million dollar stars.
Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins are the event's only two-time winners.
Jordan is the league's most dominant player these days, and Wilkins, one of
the league's great scorers, recently returned from a brief stint in a European
league that paid millions for his services. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Spud Webb and Dee Brown, two undersized competitors, had their moment in
the sun and reaped the rewards of shoe commercials and contract bonuses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Cedric Ceballos elevated his game from slam dunk king in 1992 to all-star
status last season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's exciting. Hopefully, I can take advantage of this situation and get
some national exposure, maybe my own commercial," Sura said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There also have been one-night wonders, those who have faded into the
sunset. Kenny "Sky" Walker, the 1989 winner, was a first-round bust in the
late 1980s. Harold Miner, tabbed as "Baby Jordan," has never come close to
those comparisons in this decade. And, Portland's Isaiah Rider and the Los
Angeles Clippers' Brent Barry, last year's winner, are struggling to make
their mark in the league. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Regardless of tonight's outcome, Sura has improved his game in his second
year in the league. He is averaging 26 minutes and nearly nine points a game
as the first guard off the bench for the Cavaliers, a team that limped into
the All-Star break by losing 12 of its last 16 games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's been a rough stretch, but we'll get through it," Sura said. "Right
now, we're struggling to play well for 48 minutes, and we've got some key guys
in shooting slumps. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Things will change." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sura Hoping To Jump For More Than Joy Former Gar Sensation Out To Grab Some National Attention In Tonight's Nba Slam Dunk Event