Hoop Dreams - The Basketball Thread

[hands_on_lanzon]

Let's talk hoop!

you're too young... us Norcal old timers had to watch Clifford Ray, Rick Barry, etc. (before the kings arrived) and were forced into becoming Lakers fans. who are BTW playing over their heads. I went to one finals game at the forum during college, Lakers-celtics 1984 or 85, can't even remember what game, year, or who won. lol.

LOL! Run TMC got me hooked. Still have all the basketball cards I got signed at the games plus my Larry Smith Hardhat Club hardhat. I love when the defensive guys get their fan groups.

I'm definitely on the younger side, but I appreciate the history of the game. I was born in '82 and have been playing since the 3rd grade. I grew up in Seattle, so the 90s Sonics were my team... not much more exciting than Gary Payton lobs to Shawn Kemp back then!

Teams I despised included the Nuggets (Dikembe finger wag), Suns, Jazz, and of course the Bulls!.. beating the Sonics in the finals killed me.

I moved down to The Bay in 2000 and the Sonics went away. Having moved, I was spoiled in not having a team to rep, so I followed good ball. I appreciated the Spurs ball movement, extra passes, and team game. I liked the Kobe and Pau years.

When the going got good, I jumped on the "We Believe" wagon of the Dubs and, of course, the recent decade of winning has spoiled me silly.

I think Kerr might've gotten outcoached and the Lakers definitely showed more desire and heart. Jordan Poole showed to be a BUM and Klay was colder than a polar bear's toenails. I hope they don't blow up the core yet. Kerr seems to stand behind needing Dray to remain a contender. I hope upper management and Dray agree.

I've been talking Nuggets since October. I think they deserve it this year!

 

[rainbow21]

My son was very sad about the Dubs exit. Then he realized that’s because his memory of their last eight playoffs always included them in the Finals. A bit too flawed this year. Just as Wiggins stepped up he broke his ribs. I hope Poole is not part of this team next year and Dray is…

Edit... six, not eight playoffs in Kerr's stint as coach...

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

My son was very sad about the Dubs exit. Then he realized that’s because his memory of their last eight playoffs always included them in the Finals. A bit too flawed this year. Just as Wiggins stepped up he broke his ribs. I hope Poole is not part of this team next year and Dray is…

I didn't realize that Kerr had never lost a Western Conf series before. That's INSANE!

I also didn't realize Wiggs broke a rib. Ouch! I recall the play, but didn't notice he got that hurt. I did notice JP on the bench, clapping like a complete BUM with zero enthusiasm. One could say he was tired. But I'd say he was probably pouting for his lack of PT and couldn't wait for the season to be over.

 

[rainbow21]

Yeah, their championships were always important because I needed to replenish my well worn championship tshirts.

There was a different play that was shown where Wiggins was hurt on a rebound under the basket (somewhere with 4 to 6 minutes left) where LB used his "arm bar" to box Wiggins out. Showed him grabbing his ribs afterwards. Again did not look like anything unusual.

 

[badhabits]

'82...LOLOLOL! I forgot, I was Supersonics fan... before you were born! I could name half the team and coaches. That was when shorts were short and you had to watch a recording of the NBA on CBS at 1130 pm. Was a big fan of Dennis Johnson, then he went to the celtics, ugh...and David Thompson of the Nuggets. Do you know about the ABA? I played a lot as a kid too, in school and other leagues, used to geek out over the monthly Basketball digest magazine.

A few years back I became aquainted with one of Jack McCloskey's kids; he's the GM that build the Bad Boys Pistons that won a couple of titles. Some more oddball trivia.. there was a NBA show in the 90s, Ahmad Rashad hosted with Willow Bay. She is now a dean at USC.

BTW, how does that little push and fall or a box out break a rib? Usually that happens with some serious blunt force, like a bad fall skiing or mtn biking, landing across the skis/poles or bike... just sayin.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

Basketball was my first love. Everyone, including my wife, knows it. When I opted for a tattoo to mark that love, I paid respect to the inventor. During our road trip last summer, I made sure we got the HOF on the route and my wife was kind enough to capture this pic for me. Afterwards, she sat in the car (in the parking garage) while I toured the museum solo.

#ballislife

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

BTW, how does that little push and fall or a box out break a rib? Usually that happens with some serious blunt force, like a bad fall skiing or mtn biking, landing across the skis/poles or bike... just sayin.

There was a different play that was shown where Wiggins was hurt on a rebound under the basket (somewhere with 4 to 6 minutes left) where LB used his "arm bar" to box Wiggins out. Showed him grabbing his ribs afterwards. Again did not look like anything unusual.

Ok... that makes more sense.

'82...LOLOLOL! I forgot, I was Supersonics fan... before you were born! I could name half the team and coaches. That was when shorts were short and you had to watch a recording of the NBA on CBS at 1130 pm. Was a big fan of Dennis Johnson, then he went to the celtics, ugh...and David Thompson of the Nuggets. Do you know about the ABA? I played a lot as a kid too, in school and other leagues, used to geek out over the monthly Basketball digest magazine.

I never watched the ABA, but I do recall Sonics games being blacked out, so I had to listen on the radio! What a great nostalgic memory!! Kevin Calabro was a great play by play announcer!!!

A few years back I became aquainted with one of Jack McCloskey's kids; he's the GM that build the Bad Boys Pistons that won a couple of titles. Some more oddball trivia.. there was a NBA show in the 90s, Ahmad Rashad hosted with Willow Bay. She is now a dean at USC.

I totally remember that show! I used to watch it while my family waited for my mom to get ready for church on Sundays.

 

[badhabits]

nice... the only hof I've been to is the hockey hof in Toronto...lolol

 

[captain-janeway]

'82...LOLOLOL! I forgot, I was Supersonics fan... before you were born! I could name half the team and coaches. That was when shorts were short and you had to watch a recording of the NBA on CBS at 1130 pm. Was a big fan of Dennis Johnson, then he went to the celtics, ugh...and David Thompson of the Nuggets. Do you know about the ABA? I played a lot as a kid too, in school and other leagues, used to geek out over the monthly Basketball digest magazine.

A few years back I became aquainted with one of Jack McCloskey's kids; he's the GM that build the Bad Boys Pistons that won a couple of titles. Some more oddball trivia.. there was a NBA show in the 90s, Ahmad Rashad hosted with Willow Bay. She is now a dean at USC.

BTW, how does that little push and fall or a box out break a rib? Usually that happens with some serious blunt force, like a bad fall skiing or mtn biking, landing across the skis/poles or bike... just sayin.

LOL short shorts! Every time the team wears a throwback jersey I think they should wear the short shorts too. At least now they don't look as long as the Fab Five years. Those just looked plain silly.
I actually still have a pair of short shorts I still wear. I'm really short, so they work well on me.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

LOL short shorts! Every time the team wears a throwback jersey I think they should wear the short shorts too. At least now they don't look as long as the Fab Five years. Those just looked plain silly.
I actually still have a pair of short shorts I still wear. I'm really short, so they work well on me.

They're coming back! Some of the kids (high school to 20s) at the gym will actually roll the waist of their shorts to hike them up! They are definitely more functional than the baggy Fab Five years, but I wouldn't go this high...

At one point in time, I learned that the NBA actually has a rule that your shorts need to be 1" above the knee. Seems like something Chris Paul would call out on opposing teams.

 

[pmorey]

... not much more exciting than Gary Payton lobs to Shawn Kemp back then!

I witnessed this up close and in person - I played against Shawn Kemp in high school here in northern Indiana. I was a senior when he was a freshman and he was like an alien with the things he did, things none of us had ever seen before, even on TV. He blocked a shot of mine with, I think, his arm pit. I had a clear lane to the basket - until I didn't.

 

[captain-janeway]

They're coming back! Some of the kids (high school to 20s) at the gym will actually roll the waist of their shorts to hike them up! They are definitely more functional than the baggy Fab Five years, but I wouldn't go this high...

At one point in time, I learned that the NBA actually has a rule that your shorts need to be 1" above the knee. Seems like something Chris Paul would call out on opposing teams.

 

[HappyTurtle]

Let’s go Sonics! Something is in the works. I would be happy to take the Thunder team back to Emerald City. SGA-Giddey-Chet (‘Zags) ….won’t be surprise is KD returns home (to Sonics )

Born in ‘88, grew up in Spokane, army, now living in San Diego. I guess I’m in the younger side too

 

[Mercury59]

I played in High School. Captain of all my grade teams.

 

[TimWilson]

I played in the 60s and 70s, and honestly, the 2 things I found most alienating was how handsy it was getting, and the shorts getting too long. Strictly spectating after that.

I had friends who derided basketball as an underwear sport (while I derided them for loving American football which is basically overgrown toddlers in snowsuits ), and found that I only cared to participate in underwear sports: boxing, wrestling, cross country, volleyball, and especially soccer, which I also coached (5 year old girls, THE BEST). I figured if I was going to have to wear "shorts" past my knees (where it was before settling an inch above the knee), then it was no longer the game i loved. Time to move on.

I STILL wear shorter shorts than is fashionable (similar to the Memphis player above), and since I live in Hawaii, that's pretty much every day. I last wore long pants to see Todd Rundgren at the Blue Note in Honolulu, Thanksgiving 2019.

The last NBA games I saw in person was the first game in Round 2 of the 2008 playoffs (ie, for the 2007-2008 season) between the Celtics and the Cavs at the (then) Boston Garden, which we lived next door to for a few years. We hoped for a 40 point game from LeBron and a Celtics victory, and while we got "only" 37 from LeBron, he was spectacular in a loss to the Celtics on their way to a championship that year.

I'd first fallen in love with the Celtics in the Russell-Cousy years, and got to see a healthy Bird-McHale-Parrish team a few times in the early 80s.

I'm also a huge fan of the ABA, which I feel like it's probably a whole 'nother post.

While MJ only barely makes my all-time top 5, I love, love, LOVE the movie Air, telling the tale of the deal behind Air Jordans, now playing on Amazon Prime. Really a terrific movie -- I like Affleck just fine as an actor, but he's seriously underrated as a director, imo.

My favorite making-of story is that Ben wanted to make the movie with Michael's blessing (even though Michael's not in the movie until the closing credits, and as a public figure, Michael couldn't have stopped the production, but Ben wanted to do it the right way), and Michael said, "One condition: Viola Davis plays my mom, or no deal." Neither Michael nor Ben had yet met Viola, and I'd have loved to hear the conversation where Ben brought this up to Ms. Davis, who is indeed perfection-plus in the movie. Not just for sports fans, or basketball fans, much less MJ fans (my respect is grudging at best), but a very moving time capsule that plays like a thriller.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

I played in the 60s and 70s, and honestly, the 2 things I found most alienating was how handsy it was getting, and the shorts getting too long. Strictly spectating after that.

I had friends who derided basketball as an underwear sport (while I derided them for loving American football which is basically overgrown toddlers in snowsuits ), and found that I only cared to participate in underwear sports: boxing, wrestling, cross country, volleyball, and especially soccer, which I also coached (5 year old girls, THE BEST). I figured if I was going to have to wear "shorts" past my knees (where it was before settling an inch above the knee), then it was no longer the game i loved. Time to move on.

I STILL wear shorter shorts than is fashionable (similar to the Memphis player above), and since I live in Hawaii, that's pretty much every day. I last wore long pants to see Todd Rundgren at the Blue Note in Honolulu, Thanksgiving 2019.

The last NBA games I saw in person was the first game in Round 2 of the 2008 playoffs (ie, for the 2007-2008 season) between the Celtics and the Cavs at the (then) Boston Garden, which we lived next door to for a few years. We hoped for a 40 point game from LeBron and a Celtics victory, and while we got "only" 37 from LeBron, he was spectacular in a loss to the Celtics on their way to a championship that year.

I'd first fallen in love with the Celtics in the Russell-Cousy years, and got to see a healthy Bird-McHale-Parrish team a few times in the early 80s.

I'm also a huge fan of the ABA, which I feel like it's probably a whole 'nother post.

While MJ only barely makes my all-time top 5, I love, love, LOVE the movie Air, telling the tale of the deal behind Air Jordans, now playing on Amazon Prime. Really a terrific movie -- I like Affleck just fine as an actor, but he's seriously underrated as a director, imo.

My favorite making-of story is that Ben wanted to make the movie with Michael's blessing (even though Michael's not in the movie until the closing credits, and as a public figure, Michael couldn't have stopped the production, but Ben wanted to do it the right way), and Michael said, "One condition: Viola Davis plays my mom, or no deal." Neither Michael nor Ben had yet met Viola, and I'd have loved to hear the conversation where Ben brought this up to Ms. Davis, who is indeed perfection-plus in the movie. Not just for sports fans, or basketball fans, much less MJ fans (my respect is grudging at best), but a very moving time capsule that plays like a thriller.

It's crazy how much of a thriller it is, even when we all know the outcome! Spoiler alert... they choose Nike! I'm impressed how they still make it exciting.

If you wanna find a pickup game, I can point you to a park. I tried a buncha courts around Oahu during my stay and only found one game in the north part of Kailua. Lots of friendly dudes... they said the OGs have been playing that pickup game for 30yrs! I found my way in and was welcomed back the next week.

Open questions to all...
Do you still play?
What's the longest you've gone without playing?

I was supposed to play today at 7:00 at my local church, but I got lazy and napped instead. I was doing yard work all day and also had to pick up my wife at 10, so I'm justified to wait til tomorrow.

If I go a couple weeks without at least a shoot around, I feel like I'm missing something.

Same if I go a few weeks without a game.

Longest I went without playing is when I blew out my knee in 2013. Had surgery at the end of July and I remember getting a new ball on Black Friday and shooting around (super lightly) on Thanksgiving weekend.

#ballislife

 

[AZChris]

I have loved hooping since high school and played intermittently after HS. I got into men's league/church league basketball in my early 40's after a long break. I got in good enough shape to actually run the floor and found out I could still shoot. The reality check I had is when I rolled my ankle. I have sprained my ankle and jammed every finger a ton of times in my life playing basketball. As an OLDER man, the impact and recovery was drastically different. I have played next to none since. Kind of like getting on ladders -- you start thinking injury risk.

Still a fan though. I've been in Phoenix for a long time and remain a loyal and frustrated Suns fan. I had a friend in HS whose dad was a very successful realtor and had front row seats back in the mid-70's so I went to quite a few Suns games then and saw some amazing teams. Watching the 76ers warm up with Dr. J, McGinnis, World B etc, was worth the price of admission.

 

[pmorey]

While MJ only barely makes my all-time top 5...

Ok Tim, I’ve got to have the list of 4 you put ahead of MJ. From what you said I’m going to guess Russell and Bird, but after that… Magic? Kareem? Oscar Robertson?

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

Today, I played 3on3 with some kids on a court that I've been playing on longer than they've been alive...

(As proven by the old Supersonics logo)

 

[captain-janeway]

Yeah, their championships were always important because I needed to replenish my well worn championship tshirts.

There was a different play that was shown where Wiggins was hurt on a rebound under the basket (somewhere with 4 to 6 minutes left) where LB used his "arm bar" to box Wiggins out. Showed him grabbing his ribs afterwards. Again did not look like anything unusual.

Lol just noticed this. I have an utterly obscene number of those teeshirts collected from 30 years of season tix. Drove me nuts that they only came in large so they're knee length on me. My favorites are from the We Believe years. Love the lightening bolt logo