I hate that the NBA is entrenched in labor strife. The little brother of the NFL is experiencing a little bit of “monkey see, monkey do syndrome.” The problem for the NBA is that it’s become a winter game. With the football being so dominant in the fall, no one really pays attention to the NBA until the Christmas game.
I grew up loving the NBA. The 76ers were my favorite team, and Dr. J. was my favorite athlete. The NFL has usurped the NBA as my favorite but the NBA has first love status. She’s still dear to me. A couple of weeks ago I was channel surfing and NBATV was showing a 76er double-header; Game 7 of the '82 Eastern Conference Championship Game in Boston Garden, and Game 4 of the '83 Finals against the Lakers when the 76ers finally got the monkey of their back, and won the Championship for Doc.
The 4 hrs of the NBA was great to watch, and I found myself taking note during both broadcasts.
Andrew Toney was a Beast! He had to be the most feared two-guard in the sport. He was smallish but could get his shot off against anybody. He was a miniature Bernard King. Hate that he had that career ending knee injury.
Dick Stockton alluded to Pat Riley speaking ill of the officiating in game 3 of the series and being fined 3K for it. This puts to bed the notion that this was a Phil Jackson creation. 3K wow. Players get charged 3K for technical fouls now. Inflation! Also, Bill Russell was the color guy (no pun intended) and asked Stockton “Did Riley lie” when speaking about the officiating, to which Stockton immediately lost his tongue.
Stockton also mentioned that back-up center Clem Johnson missed a previous game in the series due to a urinary tract infection. Had to play back the DVR to make sure I heard that one correctly. I did! 1983 was a different time and place. It was like the game was being televised on Cinemax and not CBS. How do you think Clem’s family, friends, and girlfriend reacted to that one?
Magic was guarding Dr. J exclusively. Thought that was kind of weird.
Jamal Wilkes’ jump shot is by far the most hideous thing I’ve ever seen in life. The word “fugly” hadn’t been invented at the time but it suits his jumper perfectly. How did that thing not get blocked more often?
Clem Johnson was a very skilled back up that would dominate the center landscape in 2011. He’d be the 5th best center in the league now behind Howard, Bynum, Duncan, Gasol.
I was trying to decide who the time machine “custodian” was between Ivaroni, and Rambis, and then Landsburger comes in off the bench, and totally nails it.
Bobby Jones, Clint Richardson, and the aforementioned Clem Johnson make a very formidable bench.
Every time Moses Malone’s name was mentioned “On the Boards” was soon to follow. Moses was to peanut butter, what on the boards was to jelly.
Russell once misspoke and said “man on man” defense instead of “man to man” defense. Maybe I’m the only one that cared about that one.
When guys went to the deck their team mates didn’t immediately run over to help them up. That would only happen to Chris Bosh in 2011.
Michael Coopers leaving his shorts string hanging outside is a cool look. Surprised in this day of individuality no one does this. Wonder if Stern grandfathered him in and then banned it in future CBA dress codes? Wonder if the players would take less money now if they could let the string hang?
Bobby Jones is just arms, and legs, attached to a torso. But then again aren’t we all?
It’s starting to become obvious that CBS has no spotter working. Stockton and Russell were missing stuff on the slow motion replays for heavens sake. Funny because Stockton still calls game. This weekend he called an MLB playoff game, and NFL regular season game. He probably has 2 spotter and he is still missing calls.
Kareem also had a sweet lefty skyhook.
Riley has “time machine clothes.” You know how when you watch most things from 30 years ago the clothes stand out first. Well Riley’s outfit would fit in today without question. Everything about that game was dated except Riley. That dude has to have made a deal with the devil. The name on his birth certificate may read Johnny Favorite. He’s timeless.
76er coach Billy Cunningham had a Nike logo on the chest pocket and sleeve of his blazer. Trying to figure out how Nike didn't MAKE this catch on?
There is no way Moses Malone has never ate a whole pan of cornbread. I’d stake my life on it.
Clem Johnson is sporting a Shag, Widows Peak, and Sideburns. The Sexy Trifecta!
Toward the end of the game Cunningham was putting in Clint Richardson for defense, and I noticed that Stockton never used the term “situational substitution.” I guess it hadn’t been invented yet.
In the post game after the 76ers won the championship. The players were yelling into the TV like they had never had a camera in their face before. It was unreal. They were more giddy to be on TV than to win the championship. Each and every one of them said “Hi Mom”. What happened to “Hi Mom?” No one says that anymore.
All in all the games were great. Might be the only NBA games I see for the next six month or so. Hope not but you never know!
