Johnny Neumann: The Maine Man, 1982

It’s no wonder that people are willing to give Neumann a chance. He’s so damn likable. He can laugh at himself, even when he is being serious.

Cazzie Russell: Living On Wheat Germ, Vitamin C, and Tiger Milk, 1976

Mostly, Cazzie is called “The Machine,” and for good reason. During a workout last fall while his teammates were doing stretching exercises, he picked up a ball on the baseline and, from 20 feet, arched it through the net.

Rick Adelman: A Players’ Coach, 1993

Adelman appreciates the attention and the praise, but he remain skeptical of individual glory in a team sport that relies on organization, execution, and mutual respect among all the players in the program—not just those to run up and down a basketball court.