:10—So you think you know basketball…well let’s talk about it. Let’s begin the conversation with a walk down memory lane. For those of you who were fortunate enough to see the legend that was “Pistol Pete” Maravich, you can verify for those who didn’t that the greatness I speak of is true. First, they made a movie about him. Second, he graduated in 1970 and is still the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,667 points. He also holds the record for the most 60-point games with four. He was a basketball wizard good enough to play with the Harlem Globetrotters and get this…he averaged 44.3 points a game at LSU…BEFORE the 3-point shot!
:09—I am going to give you two teams here. You call me or text me and tell me who wins. Team No. 1: Magic Johnson at the point; Michael Jordan at the two-guard; LeBron James at the three; Tim Duncan at the four and Kareem at the five. Team No. 2: Allen Iverson at the point; Kobe Bryant at the two-guard; Scottie Pippen at the three; Hakeem Olajuwon at the four and “Shaq Daddy” at the five…If you try to tell me that team No. 2 wins that game, I will immediately know you “Don’t know Bo” about basketball. Text me what you think at 412-628-4856.
:08—Ask around. Don’t just believe it because you read it here. Just about everyone in the know will tell you Kenny Durrett is the greatest player in Western PA history. Yes, there were other greats to consider; Ricky Coleman, Jeep Kelly, B.B. Flenory, Simmie Hill, Sam Clancy, Norm Van Lier, and Dick Devenzio, just to name a few. But K.D. gets the vote. He was a City League and state champion at Schenley, three-time scoring champion in the Big Five while at LaSalle, and was voted the greatest player in Big Five history. He also was a first-round NBA selection.
:07—Speaking of Sam Clancy, and I was, I’m still telling you and I’ll never stop saying it, Clancy’s uniform should be retired and hanging at the Petersen Events Center. The most physically-dominant player in Pitt history, All-American, Pan-American gold medal winner and a ton of records and stats still stand to this day. Add to that a 15-year pro football career…c’mon man!
:06—Hey how about this, the 1967-70 graduating class. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Calvin Murphy, Pete Maravich, Elvin Hayes, Earl Monroe, Wes Unseld, Cazzie Russell and Dan Issel. Best class in NCAA history. (See…how much you don’t know. Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place, Google ain’t got nuttin on me!)
:05—So here’s what Myron Brown said! Myron said, if a quality boys high school basketball team, say Sam Clancy, Bill Clarke, Puffy Kennedy, Edwin People, and Warner played the current Connecticut women’s record-breaking national championship team, the boys win by 60. Now that’s what Myron said. I think more like 40 and the Pitt basketball legend says more like 20, but there will be a game. What say you. Text me at 412-628-4856. (No disrespect. Just let the difference speak for itself.)
:04—Here are the Top 10 players in Western Pa. just in case you couldn’t figure it out on your own as voted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Kenny Durrett, No. 1; Simmie Hill, No. 2; Billy Knight, No. 3; Maurice Stokes; No. 4; Dick Groat, No. 5; Jack Twyman, No. 6; Ricky Coleman, No. 7; Jack Marin, No. 8; Armon Gilliam, No. 9; Maurice Lucas and DeJuan Blair, No. 10-tie.
:03—I predicted a Final Four of Gonzaga, Oregon, South Carolina and Kentucky. Three out of four ain’t bad. North Carolina beat the Wildcats on a last-second shot…they tip it off Saturday in Phoenix. Gonzaga vs. South Carolina at 6 p.m., followed by Oregon and the Tar Heels.
:02—For the record, I attended a great awards banquet hosted by the Pittsburgh Urban Official Chapter this past Saturday. A good time had by all. Here are your highlights. They remembered the legends, like Mr. Taylor, the Elder Statesman, and Tim Jenkins, who said in no uncertain terms, “Don’t tell me how to ref. I don’t tell you how to play, although someone should.” Big John Kinsez, who threw me out of my own league…not out the game, not off the bench, he threw me out the park! Ray Morton, the architect; Smitty and his famous CCCCCAAAALLLLLLL; and Rich Allsberry giving you that stare that makes you question why you’re questioning him…and if I had a dollar for every time someone said, “Isn’t that Jennifer Bruce officiating?” I’d have $500. Job well done Urban Official! Inclusion, not exclusion!
:01—Farewell to the legend that makes legends. Happy trails (New Pittsburgh Courier managing editor) Ulish Carter…could not have done it without ya!
~ GAME OVER ~
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