Author Archives: bobkuska

Guy Rodgers: Mr. Excitement, 1968

Somehow Rodgers seems to have lost none of his speed even at age 32 and credits his continual physical activity for it. “I feel as though I could play quite a bit of ball with the kids.”

Julius Erving: The Doctor Sets Up His NBA Practice, 1977

It was only one play, one fast moment of magic in The Doctor’s lifetime of wizardry, but that one play, that super dunk, that shattering demonstration of superiority, seemed to capture the essence of Doctor J.

Ode to Sonny Dove, 1983

The pro game never was his thing. His career was adequate, but he never fooled himself. He knew what he wanted to do with his life, and he was determined to develop those skills in the same fashion that he developed his skills on the court during teenaged summers

Phil Ford: Have You Driven a Ford Lately? 1983

Ford never has taken a nap on the basketball floor. Loose balls? He’d dive for them. Draw a charge? It didn’t matter if the player was 6-10, 300 pounds.

Red Robbins Rides Again, 1973

Red Robbins is so vital to the interior clockwork of the Utah Stars that it would be virtually impossible to list the ways he contributes to the overall success of the ABA champions.

Ron Boone: The Game I’ll Never Forget, 1971

In all my years in the pros, that was the only championship series I have ever played in, and to have it come down to a seventh game really made it dramatic

Willie Wise Floats to the Top in Salt Lake, 1974

Willie Wise is one of Salt Lake City’s best-kept secrets: A three-time ABA all-star, bull-shouldered, 6-foot-6 forward with a pro career average of over 20 points per game, a man whom Dave DeBusschere calls one of the finest two-way ballplayers in basketball.