They Said It

? Joe Mullaney, coach of the ABA's Kentucky Colonels, on his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers: "There was a tendency on the part of management to overrate the team. In their prime, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West would have wiped out anybody, but they're not in their prime anymore."

? Jim Dooley, Chicago Bears coach, on moving into the bachelor apartment of Quarterback Bobby Douglass to "live, eat and think football" for a few days: "He's got a fine pad, but I had that Odd Couple feeling. It's been 20 years since I've folded my own blankets."

? Billy Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star forward, explaining why he chose pro basketball over pro football: "I was thinking about Frank Gifford. I remember what happened when he was hit by Chuck Bednarik. That stood out in my mind. I'd have been cut in half by some guy. I'd be 3'3" now."