bobkuska

Meet the Father of the Three-Point Shot, 1979

When the NBA Rules Committee adopted its three-point play this summer, it didn’t pick the dimensions casually. Hobson had written several letters to NBA commissioner Larry O’Brien urging the NBA to adopt shorter distances.

Oscar Robertson: Picture of Consistency

It is true. Robertson is a perfectionist. Whenever the subject is basketball, the Big O wants to be the best, the absolute best.

Secret Plot to Make NBA Champs of Milwaukee Bucks, 1971

The man making the offer was Wes Pavalon, owner of the Bucks, a 36-year-old multimillionaire. “There’s nothing mysterious about paying tremendous salaries to tremendous athletes,” Pavalon insists, “or in making them happy in other ways.”

Dave Cowens Doesn’t Play Hard . . . He Kills Himself, 1973

For Cowens, the future in basketball seems unclouded. Outside of basketball, the future is—so far—simply uninteresting. Money does not appear to be the most-important thing in his life.

Dave Cowens: Farewell John Havlicek, 1978

People ask me who will replace John Havlicek this year. I tell them there will be another name on the roster, but that nobody will replace him—ever.

Sam Jones: Cha-Ching, 1966

Sam is 32 years old now, but there was no indication last year that his speed was diminishing, while his skills and confidence rose to new heights.

Bob Cousy: One Magical Night in Boston Garden, 1953

Cooz, the reason for the mass delirium, just sat on the bench, hunched over, trying to hide the tears. “Thanks for everything. Thanks fellas,” he said to well-wishers and his teammates. “There was a prayer going with every shot. I certainly needed them. But I don’t want to have to play a game like that again. Boy, it’s too much. I was lucky.”

Alex English: Mister Poetry in Motion, 1989

That’s the amazing thing about English. His body with the arms and legs that look like pipe cleaners sticking out of a lean torso, doesn’t look like it would hold up in this very physical game.

A Belated Cheer for Ray Felix, 1987

The Knicks were playing the old Philadelphia Warriors, whose star was Wilt Chamberlain. And it was Ray’s job, at least when he was in the game, to guard him. He did his best, I’m sure, but it wasn’t close to good enough.

Elgin Baylor: How Serious Is His Leg Trouble? 1965

Baylor feels he’ll be back in stride again now. Although he’s never won the President’s Cup as the NBA Most Valuable Player as voted by the athletes, Baylor has always been a top contender. He could capture the coveted prize this year if he regains as much bounce as the Lakers hope and expect.