Bill Melchionni, a three-time ABA all-star with the New York Nets, recently joined the podcast No Weak Stuff to talk about his basketball career, from Villanova University to the pros (NBA and ABA). Melchionni discusses the 1973-1974 Nets, the youngest ABA title team, and its similarities with last season’s young Oklahoma City Thunder squad. MelchionniContinue reading “Checking in with Bill Melchionni”
Tag Archives: Julius Erving
Maurice Lucas: Roughing It in the NBA, 1977
Lucas plays aggressively, and critics say he plays dirty. “I play very aggressively. I play with intelligence,” he said. He paused a moment and added a footnote. “I play rough.”
Julius Erving: Basketball’s Most Valuable Pro, 1984
He is 34 years old now. He has won the NBA title. If things go according to plan, 1985 will be his final season. It’s a cause for concern inside the game.
How Julius Erving is Fighting His Critics, 1980
By August, Erving was able to run again, working himself up from a quarter mile to two miles. By the start of camp, he was so strong that he didn’t bother wearing those ugly braces on his once aching knees.
Lou Carnesecca: Now Playing at the Island Garden, 1971
The car pulls into the driveway, and the inner tension reaches a peak. Defeat is too fresh in Carnesecca’s mind for it not to show on his face.
Billy Cunningham: Confessions of an Ex-Coach, 1988
Once you become a coach, you look at the game differently. I began to believe in creating your offense from the defensive end of the court. And, I think the 76ers became a very good defensive ballclub.
Dr. J and the Champion New York Nets, 1975
Erving is young. So is his coach, Kevin Loughery. If they can stay together, the Nets will become as great as their talent allows.
Irwin Weiner Does the NBA, 1978
Weiner also had some news: George McGinnis has been traded by Philadelphia to Denver for Bobby Jones. Back to the news after the commercial from Irwin Weiner.
“I’ve never been down to Portland,” Weiner said. “When I come to town, they’ll give me the red-carpet treatment. It will all be blood.”
George McGinnis’ Thoughts on His Old ABA Colleagues, 1976
“People want to find out about these (ABA) guys. You know, if I had stayed my whole career with the ABA, that was something they’d always say about me. It probably would have been on my mind, too.”
Willie Sojourner: That Tall Carpenter in Elko, 1990
Sojourner had his moments as a rookie. Like Red Robbins Night in the Salt Palace.
From Way Downtown 