TL's Sunday Sports Notes | June 16
While We're Young (Ideas) | Happy Father's Day to All Those Dads
West x Northeast P.O.V.
By TERRY LYONS
BOSTON - PROVIDENCE - NEW HAVEN - STAMFORD - NEW YORK - (Written on the Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 163) - It was a Wednesday night, and the date was April 29, 1970 - a school night - but we were allowed to stay up late and watch the New York Knickerbockers play the Los Angeles Lakers at The Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California. The three hour time change be damned, because the Knicks were playing Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals. It was a tight one and the crucial momentum of the championship series was about to be determined.
The inbounds pass went to New York’s Walt “Clyde” Frazier who calmly dribbled as the game clock counted down from 10 seconds to five. Frazier zipped a pass to a cutting Dave DeBusschere who pump faked and then hit a 15-foot jump shot from the free throw line, making the score 102-100 (Knicks) with three seconds remaining in the game.
Wilt Chamberlain took the ball out of bounds and snapped a chest pass to Jerry West who took three dribbles straight down center court, lining up with his basket some 60+ feet away. West launched the shot with a running leap and swish. “The ballgame is tied,” announced Knickerbockers TV play-by-play man Bob Wolff, as DeBusschere nearly fainted and fell backwards in disbelief.
The Knicks somehow outscored the Lakers 9-6 in the overtime and won Game 3 by the score of 111-108 (OT). Willis Reed led New York with 38 points while West had 34 points. A year after winning the Most Valuable Player award for the 1969 NBA Finals, (the first time the award was presented and the first and only time it was presented to a player on the losing team (Boston defeated LA, 4-games-to-3), West’s Lakers eventually lost to the Knicks in seven games as West averaged 31.3 points per game, 7.7 assists per game and 3.4 rebounds per game while playing an average of 47.9 minutes over the seven grueling games.
West was a player feared and revered by opponents and opposing fans. On a team that also had Chamberlain and the great Elgin Baylor, West was the point guard and team leader. West and Oscar Robertson had been the pride of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team which won the gold medal in Rome and has since been enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Frazier was their equal in 1970 as the Knicks rose to prominence in the NBA.
West, a 14-time NBA All-Star, would go on to win his lone NBA title in 1972. He was honored on the NBA’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary teams as one of the league’s all-time greats and a silhouette from a photo slide of his 6-foot-3 body was utilized to create the ubiquitous and globally recognized NBA logo.
As great as his playing career, West followed with a full career as a front office/general manager and creator of championship-level NBA teams. For that talent, this year he was to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, joining his inductions as a player and a member of the 1960 U.S.A. men’s Olympic basketball team.
As you’ve certainly heard by now, West passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the age of 86. It was the second shocking notification of the death of an all-time NBA great, following the terrible news of Bill Walton’s death over Memorial Day weekend. Two of Southern California’s adopted and favorite sons (West from West Virginia) and Walton (from San Diego) gone.
I last wrote of West when I was extremely enraged - yes, let’s call it apoplectic - over the depiction of the Lakers great in a now (and deservedly so) cancelled television series, called “Winning Time.” In that series, West was made out to be an unfit, cursing, maniac as he was played by actor Jason Clarke. The depiction caused those who knew and worked with West to walk off the set, agents - some who he negotiated against - wrote letters to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter and nearly everyone associated with the NBA or the Lakers simply turned the series off in disgust.
Truth be told, West was a very intense and complicated human being, some of which he explained himself in his autobiography “West on West,” which is highly recommended. I first worked with West in 1982 and gradually got to know him over 42 more years.
Not once did I hear him utter a curse. Not once did I see him disrespect a colleague, co-worker or fan. Not once did I see him act in any way other than as the classy, smart, gentlemanly, opinionated and interesting person he was. Many of West’s interviews - especially with Dan Patrick - were the best I’ve ever witnessed, by far. Patrick’s producer Todd Fritz and I would call other great interviews by Dan with the highest possible compliment of … “entering the Jerry West Zone.” Only a rare few interview subjects ever approached that level. (The one embedded below certainly did).
While I’ve had a few tremendous chats with West over the years, nothing can compare to the stories and tributes written this week, especially from those who covered the “Showtime Lakers.” I can say, there were a handful of times I found myself off to the side at a basketball Hall of Fame function and I’d look up and see West in the same area, never seeking center stage recognition although everyone in the room believed he earned it and deserved it. He enjoyed hearing updates on mutual friends and he recognized the fact I was very loyal and protective of his lifelong buddy and fellow Hall of Famer, Rod Thorn, a fellow West Virginian who I worked with at the NBA league office for decades. I guess that ranked as well deserved “street cred” in Cabin Creek?
HERE NOW, THE NOTES: To pick up the torch and tell a story which depicted the true, day-to-day, Jerry West, I asked former Wash DC (Bullets/Wizards) basketball man and scout Chuck Douglas if I could borrow his memories posted this week when he heard the terrible news of West’s passing.
Let’s turn the column over to Chuck.
“Jerry West is maybe, the most impactful person in the history of the NBA,” Douglas wrote. “And, one of the greatest figures in American Sports. Quick story, first time I met Jerry West was in Colorado Springs at a USA Basketball training camp to determine the roster for an upcoming Olympic Games. We were on the second level overlooking the practice courts filled with the best college players in the country. I was young, 20-something, and at one of my first NBA scouting assignments.
“Our chairs, by chance, were about 15-feet apart. And, I was thinking holy sh**, that's Jerry West ... aka 'The Logo.' But trying and failing at being cool, I think he sensed my uneasiness and said hey 'Mind if I join, you?'
“He proceeded to introduce himself, and we talked scouting and player development over the next three hours. Long after the tryouts and practice had ended. Just the two of us in an empty USA Basketball gym.
“First thing he asked me is what do you look for in players, as far as their next level prospects. I told him, I can't explain it well, but, it's 80% innate feel on my end with 20% skill level and some other measurable talent mixed in. He said, ‘that's impressive from a young guy just starting out,’ adding that most don't believe it. But, that his player evaluations were also heavily weighed by his gut feel rather than analytics or anything else considered so obvious. That kind of affirmation plus validation from one of basketball’s great talent evaluators made me feel like I was 10-feet tall and maybe, despite all my insecurities, ‘I can do this.’
“He asked me if I'd like to join him for dinner that evening. And treated me like a long lost friend every time our paths crossed from that day on. Hall of Fame player, one of the greatest front office executives in NBA history. Yet, the man was nothing but gracious, kind and unassuming. He welcomed me from day one, offered me advice, and wanted absolutely nothing in return.
“My Dad's basketball idol and someone I was in awe of as a colleague, Jerry West was an amazing player and an amazing executive, but he was also an amazing human being.
“The Logo, the icon.
“We lost a legend. No one who loves sports will ever forget you, or anyone who believes the human spirit is inherently good.
“Rest easy Mr. West, Prayers to his wife Karen and family.”
WOW: That says it all. (Special thanks to Chuck as he approved the use of his incredible memory and tribute).
NUGGETS & TIDBITS: Without a doubt, the late Jerry West is one of the most impactful people to ever grace the courts and arenas of the National Basketball Association. I was wondering who some of the others might be, so I made a list, the kind of list where the order might change every single time I’d be asked. Nevertheless, for June 16, 2024, here is goes.
MOST IMPACTFUL PEOPLE IN NBA HISTORY
Michael Jordan
David Stern
Bill Russell & Wilt Chamberlain
Earvin “Magic” Johnson & Larry Bird
Jerry West
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Julius Erving
Yao Ming
Earl Lloyd/Chuck Cooper/Sweetwater Clifton
Walt “Clyde” Frazier/Charles Barkley/Allen Iverson - Game/culture changers!
Bob Lanier/Oscar Robertson/Tommy Heinsohn - NBA Players Assn.
Bill Walton
George Mikan
Red Auerbach
Maurice Podoloff
ANOTHER LIST: Here’s another of the patented TL lists, another that can have its ordered changed at any point in time, depending on how you might judge the concept. This topic arose when coach gone TV commentator Stan Van Gundy said he thought that Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were the best offensive backcourt in the history of the NBA.
That’s quite a declaration, but the use of the qualifier - best offensive backcourt - allows for an examination of the numbers and, because of that, the Doncic/Irving pair certainly qualifies high on the list for discussion. Quite a few people had an issue with the statement. I found myself in the 50-50 category, not knowing whether to agree or disagree.
Without looking at the numbers, I immediately thought of Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, and that thought was magnified this week upon reading of West’s death. I do remember the great UCLA coaching legend once saying that he thought Gail Goodrich might’ve been the best player he ever coached (paraphrasing a bit). So, that said, here’s my list.
BEST (OFFENSIVE) BACKCOURTS in NBA HISTORY
Jerry West and Gail Goodrich (LA Lakers)
Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe (NY Knicks)
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (Note: USAB played ‘em together as guards)
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson (GS Warriors)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Norm Nixon/Byron Scott (LA Lakers)
Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams (Seattle Sonics)
Maurice Cheeks and Andrew Toney (Philadelphia 76ers)
George Gervin and Johnny Moore (San Antonio Spurs)
Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady (Toronto Raptors)
Brian Taylor and “Super” John Williamson (NY Nets/ABA)
No. 11 - The greatest DEFENSIVE backcourt - Norm Van Lier and Jerry Sloan (Chi. Bulls)
* Without a doubt, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving of ‘24 deserve a spot high on that list. And, apologies to Chicago’s BJ Armstrong or Ron Harper to pair MJ and Pippen above.
Additional Apologies to a few more great backcourts, just off top of mind: John Stockton/Jeff Hornacek (Utah Jazz); Bob Cousy/Bill Sharman (Boston Celtics); Earl Monroe/Kevin Loughery (Baltimore Bullets); Ralph Simpson/Mack Calvin (Denver Nuggets/ABA); David Thompson/Ralph Simpson (Denver Nuggets/ABA/NBA); Clyde Drexler/Terry Porter (Portland Trail Blazers); Hal Greer/Wali Jones (Philadelphia 76ers); Kevin Johnson/Jeff Hornacek (Phoenix Suns); Isiah Thomas/Vinnie Johnson (Detroit Pistons); Gary Payton/Hersey Hawkins (Seattle SuperSonics); Calvin Murphy/Mike Newlin (Houston Rockets); Ray Williams/Micheal Ray Richardson (NY Knicks); Danny Ainge/Dennis Johnson (Boston Celtics); Oscar Robertson/Jon McGlocklin (Milwaukee Bucks); Roger Brown/Freddie Lewis (Indiana Pacers/ABA); Oscar Robertson/Tom Van Arsdale (Cincinnati Royals); Mitch Richmond/Tim Hardaway (GS Warriors); Dwyane Wade/Jason Williams (Miami Heat) - and, I’m surely forgetting a bunch - feel free to comment or write in).
STEREOPHONIC: A little tip as the TONY Awards tonight will send Stereophonic ticke sales into the stratosphere, yours truly will be taking in a TONYs Eve show and it will be properly reviewed in next week’s WWYI. Here’s what’s already been written: “Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves — with fly-on-the-wall intimacy — in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.” … Tune in tonight on the TONYs and next week right here!
SO FAR AWAY: Has it dawned on anyone? If Kingston, Rhode Island and Storrs, Connecticut were both too far away from their native Jersey City, the Danny Hurley family didn’t have a prayer of accepting multi-millions to accept a gig in Southern, California. During the NCAAs, Hurley mentioned the fact his wife, Andrea, wasn’t all that sure if she wanted to venture so far north (Storrs, CT area) even though it’s only about two hours north of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.
While we’re on Central Connecticut …
TRAVELERS ⛳️ The PGA Tour will complete the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst and the pro golfers will head north for the only tour stop in the Northeast (the great Labor Day weekend DBC/Northern Trust at TPC Boston is long gone). The Travelers in Cromwell, Connecticut is always one of the best (most organized) events of the North American sports calendar and Digital Sports Desk (and its PGA Tour Brunch subset) will be on site at TPC River Highlands this week to cover the tournament. The great news? The Travelers is the final Signature/Elevated event of the 2024 PGA TOUR season, so the field will be plush with superstar golfers. (I might suggest a subscription to PGA Tour Brunch for the bigtime golf fans out there. It’s six days a week of mobile-friendly PGA Tour news and a huge help to navigate the leaderboard, cut-lines and everything else - all in one place).
NHL STANLEY CUP THUD: The Florida Panthers are so good, they’ve reduced the NHL Stanley Cup Final into a sleeper, even though the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers and NHL MVP Connor McDavid are worthy adversaries. … There are a number of reasons the Panthers are top of the heap, and they showed much of it in the 2023 NHL Playoffs when they eliminated President’s Cup winner Boston in the very first round. The No. 1 reason for the Panthers’ success is goaltending. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has already won the Vezina Trophy twice and looks to add a Stanley Cup and possibly even a Conn Smythe Trophy to his resume. Bobrovsky has allowed two goals or fewer in 15 of 20 appearances this postseason with a 2.07 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and two shutouts. Bobrovsky has upped his game even further in the Final with a .953 save percentage – only six different goaltenders have completed a Final of four or more games with as high a save percentage. … Only Montreal great Ken Dryden comes to mind as an equal comparison to Bobrovsky.
PARTING WORDS & MUSIC: To lighten it up a bit. How many of you did “The Mouse?” … Better yet, how many have some idea of what “The Mouse” is, was or will be? … Anyone heard of Soupy Sales?
Nevermind, just watch.
While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly (Sunday) collection of Sports Notes and News written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips in a column that sold a few newspapers.
TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.
-TL-