Gervin finished his NBA career having scored 20,708 points and add in another 5,887 from the ABA and his inclusion on the NBA’s Top 50 Players list back in 1996 was a no-brainer.
George Gervin says he developed his finger roll by watching greats such as Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins, and Julius Erving. (Photo from the San Antonio Express-News)
Selfishly, Gervin holds a special place in this author’s heart for a pair of reasons. First, he attended Eastern Michigan University (the author’s alma mater) and was spoken about in reverent terms there (in fact, EMU’s arena now bears his name, the George Gervin Gameabove Center). Second, his Nike poster was brilliant! The track suit, the ice throne, the overall regalness; it hung on a wall in my room proudly for years!
Nike’s George Gervin poster circa 1982.
George Gervin explains the evolution of his finger roll to Jalen Rose during “An Evening of Black Excellence” that honored Gervin Friday night at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI.(Apologies to the awkward beginning to the video clip.)
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.
For a variety of reasons, I’ve found myself watching some sports documentaries recently. Here’s what those viewings have been, what I learned, and whether I’d rewatch them.
It Ain’t Over
I watched It Ain’t Over Christmas night with my father who was visiting for the holiday. The film was released in 2022 as – from what I can tell – a bit of a passion project by MLB legend Yogi Berra‘s granddaughter, Lindsay, who spends much of her time on camera reminding the viewers of the greatness her grandfather achieved. And, by and large, it achieves its goal. I’d find it hard to believe anyone who spends time with this film will walk away without a newfound appreciation for Berra and what the body of his work entailed. I’d certainly watch it again, though I’m still left wondering why Nick Swisher was one of the sitdown interviews. (Viewed on Netflix)
Black Ice
We here in the United States have this perception about our neighbors to the north in Canada that they’re a kinder and gentler people. More welcoming, more humane. You likely know the cliche. It turns out, however, when it comes to how we’ve historically treated black and brown people, we’re a fair amount more alike than we might think. I watched Black Ice on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and it provided the type of reflection that holiday is designed to instigate. Beyond a terrific historical look at the NHL and its parallels with MLB when it comes integration, I was awed by the multi-generational composition of those intereviewed and impacted by institutional racism. I certainly need to watch it again to better appreciate the history and ongoing challenges. (Viewed on Hulu)
The League
Speaking of racism – institutional, overt, or otherwise – The League takes a deep dive into the Negro Leagues. I saw this over a few days in early December and came away with a greater appreciation of the struggle for black players to find their way into MLB. And then, once integration occurred, how it began the slow death of the Negro Leagues and, utlimately, of the thriving economies in and around the communities where these teams played. Rich in information and first-person interviews from players from bygone years, this one is not to be missed. (Viewed on Hulu)
The Saint of Second Chances
Mike Veeck is part of one of the pre-eminent baseball families in history. His grandfather, Bill Veeck Sr., was a general manager with the Chicago Cubs and his father was unimitable, Bill Veeck Jr.The SaintofSecond Chances, a pseudo bio-pic come documentary, takes a look at some of the Veeck family’s history, Mike’s uneven relationship with his father, the eventual reconciliation, and how he rebuilt his reputation after Comiskey Park’s Disco Demolition Night promotion that went, ahem awry. The film also attempts to tug at viewers’ heart strings by sharing the story of Mike’s daughter, Libby, who plays a huge role in the latter half of the movie. (Viewed on Netflix)
The Redeem Team
Ostensibly, The Redeem Team is the story of the 2008 U.S. Men’s Summer Olympic Team which won a Gold Medal after a series of American disappointments on the international stage. In reality, as the film moves on it, you became aware that it’s a bit of a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant who was a late addition to the squad. Likewise, viewers get a good sense – even as a younger player – of LeBron James‘ will to win and his leadership skills. Finally, Coach Mike Krzyzewski showcases his ability to motivate even the biggeset superstars in the sport. (Viewed on Netflix)
Bill Russell: Legend
Bill Russell: Legend is considered a TV series by IMDb, but let’s be honest, this is more like a 3-hour-plus documentary (split over two episodes) about one of basketball history’s most dominant and influential players, Bill Russell. It does take a deep dive into Russell’s life, dating back to his family’s beginnings in Alabama to the move to California to his time at the University of San Francisco to the crazy trade Boston Celtics’ GM/Coach Red Auerbach made to get him to Beantown (yes, he was essentially traded for the Ice Capades.) Unsurprisingly, it also explores the racial tensions between a successful black man in Boston and the greater community as well as how he became involved in the Civil Rights movement. There is a calvacade stars who opine throughout this “series” and their insights are brilliant. I especially love Jerry West‘s perspective as a long-time rival who so often found himself on the losing end of battles with Russell’s Celtics, you could feel his reverence for his foe. (Viewed on Netflix)
Those are size 14s on the left and size 15s on the right. Which players belong to each pair of sneakers?
How were we to know when this image was chosen as this week’s Fan Teaser that news of Sports Illustrated‘s possible demise would coincide with the posting?
Yet that’s what we’re hearing. On Friday, it was announced the parent company of SI was laying off many staff members. (New York Times article found here.)
We reference Sports Illustrated because this image if from one of its famed photographers, Walter Iooss Jr. The image is of Boston Celtic and Philadelphia 76er legends, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, and was captured in Philadelphia’s Spectrum in 1967, its first year of existence. The Celtics won the game, 116-111. Russell scored five points and had 19 rebounds in 43 minutes of action. Chamberlain played all 48 minutes, scored eight points, and had 33 rebounds.
Bill Russell, left, and Wilt Chamberlain do battle in the paint of the Philadelphia’s first-year arena, The Spectrum. (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr.)
If you’ve not yet seen the documentary airing on Netflix about Russell, “Bill Russell: Legend,” do yourself a favor and find a way to do so. Fascinating! Here’s the trailer:
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.
The Candyman, John Candelaria, about to get a hug from an overly enthused “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates base coach … or is he?
Through most of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Morganna the Kissing Bandit was a fixture at major sporting and entertainment events.
Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher John Candelaria was one of her victims – though oddly with a bat in his hand and not on the pitching mound.
John Candeleria is about to receive a smooch from Morganna the Kissing Bandit.
Here’s a lovely retrospective of her from the USA Today or, if you prefer some video, the ESPN E:60 feature about her from 2014.
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you by the early kickoff on Sunday.
I was doing some computer work Sunday afternoon after the weather turned ugly outside and decided to turn on the Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies game for a bit of background noise.
Shortly after I turned the game on, Lakers’s big man Anthony Davis got tangled up in the paint and seemed to tweak a shoulder. The announcers indicated he’d headed to the lockerroom early for the half and I thought nothing more of it. To me, it appeared as though he might have had his shoulder pop out of its socket and go right back it. It’s disconcerting, to say the least, and everything sort of goes numb. It’s happened to me a few times and, I’d imagine, it happens to professional athletes fairly regularly as well.
Following the obligatory commericial break, ABC studio host Mike Greenberg welcomed us to the proceedings and then vocalized the concern over the Davis injury. Then, he did something I cannot comprehend. Rather than throw it to the only former professional basketball player on the set, Jalen Rose – whom one could reasonably deduce may have suffered a similar injury or, at the very least, been in the presence of one prior – Greenberg chose instead to throw it to Stephen A. Smith.
Smith proceeded to bloviate, as he is want to do, about how Davis must return and if he does not the Lakers will be doomed and what a travesty it was that he could be lost less-than 24 minutes of the post-season. Blah, blah, blah.
I could not shut the television off fast enough.
It reminded me of why, nearly a decade, ago I gave up sports talk radio for Lent.
I’ve never returned.
I’m also happy to say that, as a general rule, I avoid all things Stephen A. Smith: print, radio, TV, Internet, doesn’t matter. I neither have the time nor the desire to listen to folks create tension in order to “debate” about a topic under the guise of providing information.
Life’s too short to take on unnecessary stress that can be spewed from the talking heads.
I’ll happily subscribe to my man Alfred E. Neuman‘s motto, “What, me worry?”
High schooler LeBron James prepped at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. (AP Photo)
Last week the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James drained a fadeaway jumper from the top of the key that established him as the NBA’s all-time career scoring leader. His 38 points scored on the 38th day of the 2023 calendar year bested a record that hadn’t previously been broken for 39 years.
As some shlub sitting behind a keyboard in southeastern Michigan, I’m the last person to chime in on whether King James is the best that’s ever been. I will say, however, the fact that he’s scored more points than anyone in league history and is fourth on the career assists list and sits in the top 35 all-time in rebounds and has won four NBA Championships does quite a bit of chiming.
Rather, my role today is recollect the two times I was able to see James play in person.
The first came at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center when James was a senior in high school at Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School. His eventual high school national championship team played Detroit Redford (then ranked 14th nationally) and its future Mr. Basketball recipeint, Dion Harris. It was a rather forgettable game for my friend Wayne and I to make the 6-hour Sunday roundtrip for – SVSM won 76-41. There are two moments that linger, however. The first occurred when James picked up a loose ball near midcourt and broke free to throw down a thunderous dunk; much to the delight of the crowd. Later, a similar play occurred, but rather than dunking James merely laid it which led to a round of boos.
Beyond those two exchanges the only other recollection I have is that – I’m 99.9% certain – a Tony Packo’s stop was made on our way through Toledo heading home because … um … Packo’s!
I had an chance to see James again the next year – again with Wayne, but also with my then-2-year-old son Jake and Wayne’s sons in Chicago’s United Center. It was during a family pre-Christmas trip to Chicago and we managed to go to a Bulls-Cavaliersgame on Saturday and a Blackhawks-Devils game on a Sunday.
The particulars of that game are lost to an aging memory, I’m afraid, though the boxscore tells me James scored 32 points and had 10 assists in 41-plus minutes of action on his first visit to Chicago. What I remember most about the night is that it was a 7:30 local time start and Jake was not going to make it to the end of the game. As this was the era before rideshare services trying to find a cab around the United Center while the game was ongoing … not easy. Eventually we found one and made our way back to the hotel but not before this father had a few more gray hairs sprout on that frigid Saturday night.
Did I have an inkling during either of these interactions with basketball royalty that James would go on to score more points than any other player in the game’s history? Not a chance.
Am I glad I had a chance to see him in person before he’d cemented his place among the game’s greatest of all time. Absolutely.
Confession Time: This is the most random of posts and was instigated by an innocuous item on a local sports report I heard on my commute home from work today. The guy reading the sports noted the NHL’s trade deadline is March 3.
Random stock hockey photo.
I didn’t give it much thought initially, but the more I considered it, the more I began to wonder how much more of the regular season is even left on March 3? Talk about the ability to rent a player for the playoffs!
The answer, by the way, is six weeks. That’s how much time is left from March 3 until the NHL’s regular season ends on April 13. A shade over 20% of the regular season remains at that point.
And away I went looking up the trade deadlines for the other North American professional leagues.
The other fall/winter/spring sport – the NBA – by contrast, has its trade deadline February 9. The regular season ends April 9. Players in the Association who are traded have about 30% of the season to spend with their acquiring team.
This past season for the NFL the deadline fell on November 1, following the eighth week of an 18-week regular season. Trades are relatively uncommon in the NFL, but teams that do acquire players have them for about 55% of the season, in most cases.
In the MLB, the trade deadline is August 2 and the regular season ends this year October 1. That early August deadline leaves abourt 31% of the regular season remaining.
What’s the point, you ask?
Well, there really isn’t one. It was purely a wonder on my part and I’m fascinated at how far to both extremes the NHL and NFL are. I theorize some of the rationale on the part of the NHL’s date is to help prevent teams on the periphrey of the playoffs from tanking, but it still seems outlandish that an acquistion could – potentially – play more post-season games than regular-season games with their new team.
And speaking of NHL scheduling oddities, my hometown Red Wings played their final game before the All-Star Break on Friday on Long Island. Their next game is Tuesday, February 7. That’s 10 days off in the middle of the season??? Other teams have it the opposite way, the Boston Bruins play their final game before the break Wednesday in Toronto, but don’t play again until Saturday, February 11. Toronto, meanwhile, is back at it on Friday, February 10.
What makes the Wings’ lengthy idle stretch even more perplexing is that they currently have played the fewest games this season with 48. The Washington Capitals, by comparison, will have played 53 by the time they take their 10-day break.
With my hometown Detroit Tigers long ago on the outside of this year’s Major League Baseball post-season discussion, I found myself more rooting against teams rather than for teams these past 10 days of MLB playoff action.
For example, I’m more than happy that the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals will spend the remainder of the playoffs watching from their easy chairs just like me. And if the New York Yankees can join them … well, that wouldn’t stink.
Rest assured, I was also pulling hard for the Seattle Mariners in their 2-for-the-price-of-1, 18-inning, 6-hour, 22-minute marathon from the Emerald City Saturday night when they were ultimately eliminated. Nothing against Dusty Baker, but I’ll be rooting against Houston no matter who its opponent might be come Wednesday.
Legend has it that Dusty Baker (right) and teammate Glenn Burke originated the high-five. Despite this, the author will still root against his Astros the remainder of the playoffs.
Aside from not having an actual rooting interest, I guess I’m unsure why I’m behaving this way?
Is it a natural part of the aging process? I’ve heard tell of my father and others of his generation who behave similarly. Shoot, several of my buddies do the same thing!
And it’s not just limited to the baseball post-season.
On what was truly a pretty remarkable day for sports fans Saturday I also found myself pulling for the Tennessee Volunteers (and I’m ordinarily no fan of “Rocky Top”!) against the Alabama Crimson Tide because … it’s Alabama, duh! And Texas Christian beating Oklahoma State in double-overtime was just fine by me (see Coach Mike Gundy‘s mullet) as was Illinois and Coach Brett Bielema (gulp!) taking down Minnesota and it’s boat-rowing coach, P.J. Fleck.
This transferred to Sunday when, with no Detroit Lions’ action to torment my day, I had cart blanche to root for the New York Jets er, rather, against the Green Bay Packers (J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!) as well as the for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers to lose to the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers (a year ago I would’ve rooted for a tie!).
Here’s hoping the hometown Detroit Red Wings keep up the hot start and their NBA-brethren Pistons get off to a quick start against Orlando on Wednesday. Perhaps then can find some joy in rooting for someone again.
