exactly like moving from riches to rags, but Jim Cleamons is making the move with optimism.

In Bermuda this week to conduct a coaching clinic at Mount St. Agnes Academy, Cleamons said yesterday that he was looking forward to his new job in Dallas.

But he was quick to point out that he was also motivated by the task ahead, one that sees him leaving the post as a Bulls' assistant for the past seven seasons to become head coach of the Mavericks.

Cleamons is also leaving the talents of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen for the less recognised talents of Jim Jackson and Jason Kidd.

"The thing that I want to do is bring them into focus with the fact that basketball is a team game. We have some outstanding young personalties in our team, but they have yet to realise the fruits of their potential in terms of playing together and formulating good team strategy, They must understand how to play together.. .that is the biggest challenge that I have,'' said Cleamons.

"There is no doubt that we have a lot of hard work ahead of us at Dallas, but the greater the challenge the greater the reward. It's a young team that has lot of potential, but it's a team that has not realised hardly any of its potential.'' And potential is a word frequently mentioned when speaking of the Mavericks.

Last week they added free agent power forward Chris Gatling to a remodelled front court that includes Eric Montross and first-round draft pick Samaki Walker. With Jamal Mashburn, the NBA's number five scorer two years ago, returning from knee injury , their front line goes from woeful to intimidating right away.

But still there is no Jordan, no Pippen...or any other player with the ability to grab a game by the throat and Cleamons will have to sweat out a few more close encounters against the NBA's elite.

What was it like coaching the Chicago superstars? "Our team was one in which you realise that you have obviously tremendous basketball personalities, but they understand who they are and they don't take advantage of the situation. Our team respected who they were and they didn't look at us to give them anything special.'' "We tried to live as a family on and off the floor, and guys who do that are really professional about how they handle themselves. In a business you don't give them special rewards, they earn them and people understand and respect that. You try to treat them all fairly, but you realise that they are all different.

Cleamons broke into the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971 and later played for Cleveland, New York Knicks and the Washington Bullets.

He has witnessed the escalation of ticket prices the salary spiral through conracts to free agents such as Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal but doesn't think this is going to deter fans -- nor does it's an unwise business decision taken by owners.

"I don't think the owners are giving away the store, they are supposed to be prudent businessmen. They are in business to make a profit so they obviously know the bottom line of where their profit margin needs to be in order to continue to make money as a franchise. So it's my hope that they are indeed doing so because I want to see the sport continue to thrive.'' And basketball currently is thriving worldwide more than any other sport.

Cleamons feels its popularity will result in other leagues equivalent to the NBA and a true championship involving the world's best teams.

"I think people are seeing the fact that basketball is a fun game to play and that it does encompass all of the things that you talk about in a team aspect.

I think its a microcosm if you will of society in general in which you have one ball that has to be shared and the team that is able to share the best is often successful.

With so much on his plate, Cleamons still has time to offer useful advice to aspirin players like those attending this week's clinic.

"My message to them is that if they can bring a good work attitude and mentality to the floor with them each time they play, sooner or later they will accomplish their goals.'' Jim Cleamons