Veterans do not like being outplayed by rookies, and they will do whatever they can—within the rules or without—to gain an advantage. Cartwright had the additional problem of being labeled, “a very nice guy.”
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Michael Brooks: Tough Franchise, Tough Luck, 1982, 1988
“I’m still young,” Brooks said. “I’m not going to give up until I look myself in the mirror and say I can’t play anymore. I love the game so much.”
Dominique Wilkins: Being the Human Highlight Film, 1992
Now Wilkins is no longer only an artist putting on a one-man show. He can be part of a different kind of masterpiece—a team.
Dick and Tom Van Arsdale: Two of a Kind, 1971
The only major difference between them on the court now is that Tom plays forward and Dick is a guard.
Brooklyn’s Finest: Bernard and Albert King, 1984
By all accounts, Albert is still the polite, gracious kid he always was. The pros haven’t changed him one iota. The same isn’t true for Bernard. He’s changed dramatically.
Norm Van Lier: Stormy Weather, 1978
Even now, as he prepares to join the select circle of athletes who’ve lasted for a decade at the top, Van Lier treasures that advise. “First of all, I was taught to respect my coach and my opponent,” he says. “If a young player can’t learn to do that, he won’t respect himself.”
Norm Van Lier: The Boos and the Cheers, 1978
Van Lier talks about being in the twilight years, but he really doesn’t believe that. He still talks about playing another four years under his present contract agreement with the Bulls.
Roger Brown: ‘Now is Now,’ 1971
Sharman continued, “Roger Brown is the closest thing to Elgin Baylor when Elgin was at his peak. The way he handles the ball and shoots, his great ability changing directions and speed. One on one, he’s as good as there is.”
Joe Proski: Tales of an NBA Trainer, 1975
When the Suns are home, Joe gets to Veterans Memorial Coliseum three hours before gametime. If his wife Jan is going to the game, she’ll drive their Cadillac and he’ll ride the motorcycle, which former Sun Gail Goodrich gave him.
Max Zaslofsky: The Whirling Dervish in Chicago, 1950
Then Zaslofsky has a cat-like grace to go around a man, and it is a grace which is not predicated upon speed. His eye is as unerring as any in basketball, and he is shiftiness itself on the prowl.
From Way Downtown 