During one of the Lakers’ three increasingly desperate timeouts in the fourth quarter, Karl simply told his players, “Get the ball to Sleepy.”
Author Archives: bobkuska
Gene Shue: The Little Mouse That Roared, 1961
Twice before Dame Fate had stepped in to help Gene, and once again, she was waiting in the wings. This time, she appeared as a telephone call.
Bobby McDermott: Speaking of George Mikan, 1946
“I don’t think basketball will ever see his equal again.”
Darnell Hillman: The Game I’ll Never Forget, 1972
When you block shots like that, it becomes a psychological weapon. You want opposing players thinking about it.
Al Attles: The Demise of the Player-Coach, 1994
They say that’s in the book. I’m still trying to find out who wrote the book, and I can’t even find the book.
Vinnie Johnson: The Microwave Heats Up Fast, 1986
When V.J. scores, he does it from defying positions, his body often off-center and wiggling in an attempt to confuse the defender.
The Greening of Jo Jo White, 1977
For an athlete who thought it would be wonderful if he ever made $20,000 a year playing basketball, Jo Jo White has done all right.
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.
George Mikan: The Games I’ll Never Forget, 1948, 1954
The pro game in my day was a little different than it is now.
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.
