Theo: "So, Kareem rebounds, feeds Worthy on the break, over to A.C., to Magic, back to Worthy in the lane and --(Suddenly the other man pulls out a Walther pistol with a silencer and aims it at the Guard's forehead. Before the Guard can react he pulls the trigger.) Theo: "... boom...two points!"
Remember that classic line from the movie Die Hard that made a huge star out of Bruce Willis? I remember that and that film was shown in 1988 when the Los Angeles Lakers won their back-to-back title over the Detroit Pistons. The quote I used -- that's how lethal that team from LA was. Surrounded by All-Stars, it was Magic who made them go. Reading the book reminded me of their greatness. I didn't root for them. I didn't like them at all. I was for the Sixers then the Celtics (before I shifted to the Bulls because of you-know-who).
I've got this huge back log on books and between jumping from one writing assignment to another to home chores to resisting the temptation to just go couch potato for a day, I finally began going through in earnest Jackie MacMullan's When the Game Was Ours. As steeped as I am in the story of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson there are still a lot anecdotes and nuggets of information that delight me as a fan and as a reader. I never knew that the Celts (save for Bird) quit on Bill Fitch in 1983. They weren't out to win an NBA championship; they were not playing so Fitch would get fired! Jeez! And there's more. You gotta read it.
Reading all When the Game Was Ours made me reminisce about those days. Of how you were for La, Boston, or Philadelphia. You were new jack cool if you rooted for Michael Jordan (and everyone did as a secondary fave). Everyone tried to run the break like the Lakers or shoot three-pointers and rub the soles of their sneakers like the Birdman. And I tried to post up like Kevin McHale.... hahaha. Hey, I do have a Kevin McHale Boston jersey and I love it.
In school then, the son of a government official once wore an authentic Johnson Lakers jersey and at that time, not many people wore one; at least here. He sure was a hit amongst schoolmates. And yes, he was a pretty good basketball player too. Everyone wanted Bird and Magic (and Doc) stuff then. But the first one I ever got was Chris Mullin's #17 G-State Warriors. Yup, made by Champs, the only one that manufactured that at the time.
If anyone had FEN (Far Eastern Network) out of Clark Air Base, you were the man because that was our only link to the NBA until -- was it GMA-7 had their NBA on GMA (hosted by the Dean).
I'm rambling now. Just wanted to share my thoughts because I have a bunch of things to do today not to mention deadline. But go read MacMullan's When the Game Was Ours. Even if you read Birds' book Drive, this book is a nice companion read.
No comments:
Post a Comment