In the Midwest back in the day, one could generally only read about the mythical UCLA accomplishments. One didn’t see the weekend scores until the Monday newspaper. I think I saw Alcindor twice on TV. We might get to see the Bruins in the title games, and perhaps a couple of very late Saturday night Pac 8 contests on independent broadcasts (with Dick Enberg as the lead announcer).
The same with Walton’s era. The picture below was from a Walton cover story in one of the first Sports Illustrated’s that I’d subscribed to (I think it was half a year, 26 issues, for $4.99).
That sophomore season, their average margin of victory in that 30-0 season was 32 frickin points.
His junior year, setting the 61 game consecutive winning streak on a televised Saturday afternoon game at Notre Dame. Was able to see both the semi final and final that year, as the Final Four switched to its current Saturday/Monday format (east of the Mississippi only had the East vs Mideast semifinal televised before then). 21 of 22 in the finals against Memphis State.
Senior year, the 88 game win streak ends at Notre Dame after allowing the final 12 points, losing to NC State and David Thompson in OT.
Two games he mentioned more than any others afterwards.
All the injuries afterwards. And then, that magical year in Portland, beating Kareem and the Lakers in the West finals, winning the title game on a Sunday afternoon over the favored Sixers, after trailing 2-0. As a fan, that equals the three the Pistons garnered years later. I was even happy for Celtic fans that one year they won the title with him coming off the bench.
The four part special ESPN ran months ago was absolutely fantastic. I asked the wife to watch one episode just to please me, and she enjoyed all four as well.
The way he cupped his left hand under the ball on his jump shots, which were normally beautifully banked off the glass. And in the picture below, grabbing a rebound and already looking to where he was going to throw an outlet pass while still in the air, was a thing of beauty.
RIP to the 'biggest' Deadhead there ever was.
Topic: Celebrity death thread (Read 29002 times)
