King has forged a good life for himself back home and, in the process, given New York basketball the transfusion it desperately needed.
Tag Archives: 1980s NBA
Moses Malone: Capturing the Real Mo, 1981
Malone, in a characteristic bit of understatement, says, “I love to make my defensive man work.”
Eddie Johnson: A Country Boy in a Fast Town, 1980
Eddie’s mother asked me not to forget something about her oldest son: “You have to remember,” she said, “he’s just a country boy in a fast town.”
Hubie Brown: Inside the Atlanta Hawks’ Hellraiser, 1980
“We give them an opportunity to display their talent,” Brown said. “In return, they have to give us maximum concentration, intensity, and their physical talent. If they do that, they won’t hear about it. If they don’t, they have to face the consequences.”
Boston Celtics: Something Old, Something New, 1981
Brown’s acquisition of the NBA‘s most-celebrated franchise was viewed from the start as a damnable irony. His meddlesome ways were strange to Chaney, who spent nine of his 11 pro seasons in the Celtic backcourt, and even stranger to Red Auerbach.
Earvin Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: How the Magic Really Works, 1981
When the Lakers boarded the plane for the flight to Philadelphia, Magic sat in the front row, left aisle—the seat usually occupied by Abdul-Jabbar. Magic looked back at Westhead and said, “Guess you have a new Big Fella, Coach.”
John Stockton: Utah’s Blue-Chipper, 1989
About all that remains for Stockton is to become more accustomed to star status. “He really hates the limelight,” says his older brother Steve. “He likes the recognition, but he doesn’t like some of the stuff that goes with it.”
Andrew Toney: The Boston Strangler, 1980s
When Toney says he was unstoppable, it’s without a trace of bravado; it’s more like an accountant ticking off his business assets.
Maurice Cheeks: Still Going Strong, 1988
Maurice Cheeks, at 30, is suddenly the oldest Sixer, even if he does not feel it. He is a leader, even if he does not want to be one. He is a spokesman, even though he usually prefers to say little.
Adrian Dantley: Respect, 1989
“People don’t know me. They never have. They perceive. They guess. Because I don’t offer a lot of input, they go ahead and make up their mind about me anyway.”
From Way Downtown 