This season, Erving’s 16th as a pro, was to have been the closing of the circle that is basketball.
Tag Archives: 1980s NBA
The Cautionary Tale of Billy Ray Bates, 1982
People wanted to be seen with him. Billy Ray Bates was invited to parties, chased by women, clutched by hangers-on.
Gus Williams: Does He Get Enough Respect? 1981
Respect has always come grudgingly to the Seattle SuperSonics’ super-quick guard.
Norm Nixon: He Works His Own Magic, 1981
And they were a winning team, because Norm Nixon sacrificed himself to make the backcourt work.
Fred Brown: Reeling in the Years, 1980
Sometimes when others are talking shooters, Brown becomes a little defensive about his growing reputation as a glamorous gunslinger who can’t ride and rope, but boy, can he shoot.
Dallas Two-Step: Dick Motta and Mark Aguirre, 1984
First impressions were not lasting, which was fortunate for Mark Aguirre and the Dallas Mavericks.
Bob Lanier: Milwaukee Bound, 1980
Bob Lanier scored points. Bob Lanier grabbed rebounds. Bob Lanier pitched assists. Bob Lanier added spirit. And the second-place Bucks were challenging again, two to three games from the lead.
Larry Smith: Mr. Mean, 1981
He is the Leaping Unknown, Mr. Mean, Electric Legs, Little Moses. He is the fiercest rebounding forward alive.
Mike Bantom: Larry Bird No Puzzle, 1982
Larry Bird is on record with this—the player he most hates to see guarding him is Mike Bantom.
Paul Silas: Shrewdness in Seattle, 1980
“In order to stay in this league for any length of time, you’ve got to be excellent at something,” Silas said. “Rebounding was my specialty, and I just worked at it.”
From Way Downtown 