Broadcaster Hearn recalls the confidence the team developed. “It was incredible,” he said. “I mean, 33 in a row. It can’t happen. In my opinion, of all the records in sports, that one won’t be equaled. Can you imagine anything like that today? With all the good teams and all the travel. I can’t.”
Tag Archives: Bill Sharman
The Year the Los Angles Lakers Won Their First Championship, 1972
“You know, Jerry,” said Wilt Chamberlain, “you stick around with me, and we may make a hell of a basketball team.”
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.
Red Auerbach: Painting the NBA Playoffs Red, 1979
On the days when the Celtics are scheduled to play at home, Red sends out to a local delicatessen for cold cuts and invites in friends for a pregame nosh. On this March morning, though, Red contented himself with the familiar cigar and, when the tape recorder went on, he began to talk.
What They Say About Lew Alcindor, 1968
What follows is a sampling of what people—players, writers, coaches, and teammates—have to say about Lew Alcindor.
Ron Boone: The Game I’ll Never Forget, 1971
In all my years in the pros, that was the only championship series I have ever played in, and to have it come down to a seventh game really made it dramatic
Willie Wise Floats to the Top in Salt Lake, 1974
Willie Wise is one of Salt Lake City’s best-kept secrets: A three-time ABA all-star, bull-shouldered, 6-foot-6 forward with a pro career average of over 20 points per game, a man whom Dave DeBusschere calls one of the finest two-way ballplayers in basketball.
The Laker Roadshow . . . Starring Wilt Chamberlain, 1972
They affectionately call him “Big Fella.” Wilt Chamberlain is a proud man in the twilight of his career at 36, going on 40. But sometimes his moods are almost childlike.
Three-Point Shot: Pro Basketball’s Big Bomb? 1971
Imagine the excitement in Madison Square Garden if one of the Knicks sank a three-point play in the closing minutes of a stretch-run game. It would be pandemonium.
Jim McMillian Picks His Shot, 1970, 1973
Despite his size, McMillian can break in at forward because, with the menace of Wilt Chamberlain at center, the Lakers really don’t need strong rebounding cornermen.
