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How about that NBA?


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Since the mods seem a bit lax on thread topic during this boring part of the year, I'll start an NBA one and anyone can add an NBA tidbit to the conversation if they wish. Actually, I just wanted to change avatars since I now feel that I have been enough of a Red Sox jinx by plunging them into last place with my avatar choices recently. I will substitute now with the person who contributed most to the development of the modern NBA. That's right, I mean Buddy Holly.

     Just kidding. I hope everyone knows that Mikan was directly responsible for rules changes which initiated the shot clock and 12 foot lanes. In addition, he started the illustrious coaching career of Ray Meyer, was commissioner of the old ABA, remained married for 58 years, and lived an exemplary life.

     I still can remember my dad stating as we watched the dominant Minneapolis Lakers rule the old NBA on our black and white t.v. set that basketball would never be watchable because it was too fast paced for the cameras to follow. I still managed put in many hours doing the "Mikan" drill as a boy. Little did I realize that my dad would ultimately be correct since I now find the NBA pretty unwatchable (albeit for different reasons).

    I was surprised to find that the dominating giant of the old NBA was a huge 6'10, 245. I wonder if the Huskers would offer him a scholarship today if he suddenly could reappear?

 

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HB: Supposedly Mikan caused the Syracuse NBA team to stall for a whole half when Mikan played for Minneapolis resulting in the lowest NBA score ever, 19-18. Needless to say, that caused the later shot clock rule. He may have also influenced the 3 second rule although there were other equally immobile post players such as Bob Kurland as well.

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My favorite NBA players, you ask? Bird, Bob Cousey, Bill Walton, Rick Barry, Gus Johnson JoJo White, Pete Maravich. Favorite non Celtic teams: Willis Reed Knicks, Karl Malone Jazz.

How can you like the Celtics and not have Bill Russell on that list???  Guy has more bling than any other NBA player ever.

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My favorite NBA players, you ask? Bird, Bob Cousey, Bill Walton, Rick Barry, Gus Johnson JoJo White, Pete Maravich. Favorite non Celtic teams: Willis Reed Knicks, Karl Malone Jazz.

 

Great list, Jimmy.  Reed and the Knicks broke my heart back when I was a Wilt/Lakers fan. Loved watching Cousy and Maravich.  And  Malone and Stockton.  And Hal Greer.   For me:  60s--76ers.  Early 70s--Lakers.  90s:  Jazz.  Now:  Could care less.

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Col: Russell was too dominant and his personality was too prickly for me to like at first. I didn't really begin to like him until he became the Celtic coach. I followed Bob Petiit, Clyde Lovellette, Cliff Hagan and the St. Louis Hawks originally.  I never liked Wilt for the same reasons. If you want a few of my other Celtic favorites, try Havlicek, Nate Archibald, Dennis Johnson, Cowans and Tom Heinsohn.

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Col: Russell was too dominant and his personality was too prickly for me to like at first. I didn't really begin to like him until he became the Celtic coach. I followed Bob Petiit, Clyde Lovellette, Cliff Hagan and the St. Louis Hawks originally.  I never liked Wilt for the same reasons. If you want a few of my other Celtic favorites, try Havlicek, Nate Archibald, Dennis Johnson, Cowans and Tom Heinsohn.

All good choices

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I loved the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 80s.  Seemed like they faced each other in the finals every year until the Rockets happened to sneak in there one year by beating the Lakers.  Does anyone else remember watching Ralph Sampson catch a last-second inbounds pass from near mid-court and just flip it backwards over his head to win the game and the series against LA?  That remains the most unbelievable shot I've ever seen.

 

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I loved the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 80s.  Seemed like they faced each other in the finals every year until the Rockets happened to sneak in there one year by beating the Lakers.  Does anyone else remember watching Ralph Sampson catch a last-second inbounds pass from near mid-court and just flip it backwards over his head to win the game and the series against LA?  That remains the most unbelievable shot I've ever seen.

 

I remember like it was yesterday. Magic played in the Finals 9 times his first 12 years in the League. The kids would find it hard to believe, but Game 6 of the '80 Final, when he scored 42 against Dr. J and the Sixers, came on tape delay, AFTER the local news. Think about that.

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Rockets also played in the '81 Finals vs. Celtics when Moses Malone led the League in scoring AND rebounding. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Dennis Rodman!

 

 

And, in those same 80's, the Sixers went "foa, foa, foa" thanks to Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones et al. The '83 Philly was as dominant as any team has been in one post-season, largely due to the acquisition of Moses who brought them to the Promised Land.

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I won't watch the playoffs again until the Finals. I'm a Spurs fan and that first round took my heart out. Really curious to see what happens this offseason.

 

Begins and ends with whether Duncan is playing another year.

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Rockets also played in the '81 Finals vs. Celtics when Moses Malone led the League in scoring AND rebounding. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Dennis Rodman!

 

 

And, in those same 80's, the Sixers went "foa, foa, foa" thanks to Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones et al. The '83 Philly was as dominant as any team has been in one post-season, largely due to the acquisition of Moses who brought them to the Promised Land.

 

That '83 Sixer team beat the Lakers. Also the series when Dr. J went up and under the Basket, baseline, for that insane reverse flip off the glass. Still maybe one of the best shots you'll EVER see...

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Rockets also played in the '81 Finals vs. Celtics when Moses Malone led the League in scoring AND rebounding. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Dennis Rodman!

 

 

And, in those same 80's, the Sixers went "foa, foa, foa" thanks to Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones et al. The '83 Philly was as dominant as any team has been in one post-season, largely due to the acquisition of Moses who brought them to the Promised Land.

That '83 Sixer team beat the Lakers. Also the series when Dr. J went up and under the Basket, baseline, for that insane reverse flip off the glass. Still maybe one of the best shots you'll EVER see...

I am glad somebody else thinks so. To me that is the best shot I have ever seen. So much better than the Jordan drive the lane switch hand shot that so many people get all hot and sweaty over. But that is probably just me.

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