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College All-Stars Do It Again, 1946

There it stood until less than two minutes remained to be played. Fred Lewis hit from way out to clinch the game, and Klier completed the scoring for the night on a foul by Bob Tough.

The Wait’s Finally Over for David Robinson, 1989

During two years of watching Robinson serve his naval commitment, watching Robinson in the 1988 Olympics, watching Robinson do color commentary for the networks, watching Robinson play service ball, the Spurs could only wait and dream. And lose.

Dick Barnett: Keep on Keepin’ On, 1972

At 35 years of age, Barnett doesn’t have much time left in the game. It has been only in the past four years that he has really made decent money, and he hates to give it up so soon.

Tom LaGarde: Tendon to Business, 1979-1984

“It’s a business,” he shrugged at a 3 p.m. news conference in the Sonic office. “I’m ready to go.”

Warren Jabali: The Rock of Ages, 1995

On this day at North Dade, Jabali slides through the milling children as they head home. A little girl holding a pickle. Gives him a hug and moves on.

Warren Armstrong (Jabali): Like a Rock, 1969-1975

“Warren plays like he was 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7. It’s not all jumping ability, either. He can jump with anybody, but [when] he gets around the ball, he’s got timing and he’s strong.”

Buck Williams: On the Rebound in the City of Roses, 1991

All of the time, Williams had been regarded as the consummate pro, a man who tried to make the best of a bad situation.

Brad Daugherty: Battling the ‘Goliath Syndrome,’ 1991

Daugherty says: “A million a year, three million a year? It all sounds so incredible to me. I’m not hung up on making more money than this guy or that guy. I also know that if you give all the money to one or two guys, then the salary cap means you can’t pay everyone else, and you don’t have a good team.”

Julius Erving: Basketball’s Most Valuable Pro, 1984

He is 34 years old now. He has won the NBA title. If things go according to plan, 1985 will be his final season. It’s a cause for concern inside the game.

How Julius Erving is Fighting His Critics, 1980

By August, Erving was able to run again, working himself up from a quarter mile to two miles. By the start of camp, he was so strong that he didn’t bother wearing those ugly braces on his once aching knees.