K.C Jones – From Way Downtown

Larry Bird: Bird is Still the Word, 1991

But whether the final curtain on Bird’s show comes down after one, two, or five more years, he’s certain to retire to Indiana duly cast as Larry the Legend.

I Was Wrong About Jerry West, 1966

He grinned his crooked, slightly gap-toothed grin, and the grin revealed gold bridgework. He’s left teeth on the floors of basketball arenas.

Is Larry Bird the Greatest Ever? 1987

There’s Bird’s seemingly unlimited shooting range—with either hand. There’s his blind, behind-the-back bounce passes on a fastbreak. There is his knack for ruining an opponent’s three-on-one attack with one perfectly timed swipe of the hand. The list could stretch for miles.

K.C. Jones Talks Defense, 1973

What was Jones’ requisite for trying to defend opposing supers? “Learn as much as possible about their strengths and weaknesses and master the basic fundamentals of defense.”

Phil Chenier: Can He Unseat Walt Frazier as Basketball’s Top Guard, 1975

“Clyde is the best. He deserves his reputation. He earned it. I’d like to be in that position myself someday.”

Red Auerbach: An Old Friend’s Telling You to Hang ‘Em Up, 1979

Heed those words, Red. Sit back, light up a cigar and relax. You don’t need the aggravation anymore.

Maravich, Mount, Murphy: M-M-M Good in College, But What Do the Pros Think? 1970

In approximately 11 months, when the M boys step onto the court to make their professional debuts, we will begin to see how right or wrong the experts were.

Oscar Robertson: Why He’s the Best Ever, 1968

Says a long-time basketball expert, “If Oscar walked into your neighborhood playground for a pick-up game, he’d probably get his 30 and not much more. He’s the most consistent star ever.”