Sleepy Floyd: A Fourth Quarter for the Ages, 1987
During one of the Lakers’ three increasingly desperate timeouts in the fourth quarter, Karl simply told his players, “Get the ball to Sleepy.”
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.
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