BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
What’s wrong with this picture?
LeBron James plays for the Cavs but you have no problem with him in a Yankee baseball cap. He wears it despite the fact he's never been seen (to my knowledge) with a cap of of his hometown Indians. On the other hand you have issues with John Wall in a Cowboys jersey at the recent Washington-Cowboys match? That’s good ol Stephen A. Smith the walking contradiction. Wall plays for the Wizards in Washington D.C. is there some requirement he root for the cities NFL or MLB team? Sorry Smith and NFL fans does he have no freedom of choice?
Impossible these days
You ask what’s impossible, the ability to produce multiple college basketball championships, it existed in the ’50’s, ’60’s and ’70’s. Once we move into the 1990’s till the present only two teams have been able to accomplish the feat. The chief reason once there were no early entry players they remained in school for four years. That’s how Tennessee A&I (Tennessee State), Kentucky State were able to accomplish it at the NAIA level.
As for Division I it was San Francisco (‘55-‘56), Cincinnati ‘62-’62, UCLA (’64-’65 and ‘67-’73). Later Duke (’91-’92) and Florida (‘06-‘07) would become repeat NCAA Champions. It’s my belief we are producing more basketball talent than ever for the most part one year is about all we can hope for with any program. Even academic Duke and Vanderbilt have been impacted by NBA early entry. Yes I do lament for the old days a time when dynasty teams could be built. Today John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats might come closet to a dynasty but even they have been unable to win back to back championships
You thought it was LeBron
Those under the age of say 45 or so probably believe LeBron James is the most famous basketball player from Akron (OH). They believe he is personally responsible for placing the City of Akron on the basketball map. Paux faux it didn’t occur in the manner you might believe. Two legendary players were from Akron and they preceded LeBron by at least three or four generations. Get this they were teammates for a short period at Akron’s Central High School. How great were they you ask, both are enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Older of the two is the late Gus Johnson a 6-6 230 pound forward. The term “power” forward might have been added due to his physical play. Johnson was more than physical he could also shoot and rebound the basketball. He was the 10th pick in the 1963 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets (Washington Wizards). His ten year career would see him selected an NBA All-Star 5X and 2X All NBA Defensive First Team and 4X All NBA Defensive Second Team. His battles with Knicks forward Dave DeBussechure were stuff of legend.
Johnson’s Gus’s numbers over the course of his career were 16.2 ppg and 12.1 rebounds. He died of brain cancer in 1987; in 2010 he was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. Johnson’s teammate was the late Nate Thurmond a 6-11 235 pound center/power forward. Thurmond was the third pick in the first round of the 1963 draft. He was chosen by the San Francisco Warriors although Wilt Chamberlain occupied the center position. The first year he played back-up to Wilt along with playing the power forward position.
In his second year Wilt was traded to the 76ers which allowed Thurmond to move to the center position. Thurmond could score but he was more known for rebounding and defense. Kareem Abdul Jabbar says of all the centers he faced during his NBA career Thurmond played him toughest. He spent most of his years with the Warriors although he was a member of the Bulls and Cavs. While a member of the Bulls in an OT game against the Hawks Thurmond scored a quadruple-double. He registered 22 points 14 rebounds 13 assists and 12 blocked shots.
His career numbers are equal 15 points and 15 rebounds for his 14 years. 7X NBA All Star, 2X All Defensive First Team, 3X All Defensive Second Team. Thurmond was selected the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1985 he would be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. Leukemia took Thurmond’s life in 2016. There you have it two of Akron’s basketball greats not named LeBron. Want more information on Johnson and Thurmond be sure to check them out.
Where did they play?
I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion NBA talent is located all over the basketball map. Talent will be located no matter the size of the school its location or the conference. Several had successful careers that led them to be added to the hall of greats the Naismith Hall of Fame a few years after retirement. This list is certainly not intended to be complete just a number from memory. Rebounding machine and defensive specialist Dennis Rodman played his college ball at Southeastern Oklahoma State. Elgin Baylor a 6-5 forward could often out leap taller opponents he attended Seattle University.
North Carolina Central sent Celtic great Sam Jones into the hall. The Syracuse Nats would draft rookie Chet Walker from Bradley University, he would become a star for the 76ers after the team move to Philadelphia. Pepperdine University’s campus is known for its beauty but the school also sent Dennis Johnson into the NBA to the Sonics and later the Celtics. All have been enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame which proves no matter where you play you college ball your talent can take you the hall of champions the Naismith.
