Basketball from a fans perspective
An eventful day
Kansas and Missouri witnessed significant basketball events on Saturday. One media source is claim it was a 51 game home losing streak while another says it is 54 games. Whatever the Jayhawks saw their home winning streak come to an end losing in OT 92-89 against Iowa State. Across the State Line Mizzou managed to slip past Arkansas 83-78 winning for the first time in 13 games.
The Rock
Warren Armstrong was the best ever high school basketball player Kansas City ever produced. That’s a bold statement considering this is 2017 and Armstrong was in high schools in the early to mid 1960’s. Graduating from Central High School in 1964 he headed to Wichita State to further his education and basketball skill. Armstrong stood 6 feet 2 inches and was a solid 205 pounds; there might be a question if he lifted weights with his muscular build. one writer indicated ”He (Armstrong) could fly“. We see NBA and college players block shots off the backboard frequently nobody had seen it accomplished at the high school level.
The 1963 regional’s Armstrong would demonstrate his skill in a game against St. Joseph Central one of their guards stole the ball and was racing toward his basket intending to score. Armstrong retreated down the court in pursuit of the St. Joe player, as he went up for the lay-up Armstrong pinned the ball against the backboard and pulled it down the crowd went wild. In this game Kansas City Central was losing to the team from St. Joe and you could see the anger in Armstrong’s face. Armstrong drove the lane went up and jammed the ball two-handed surrounded by three St. Joe Central players. From that point on the outcome of the game was no longer in question.
Armstrong would go on to play at Wichita State establishing a number of scoring and assist records. He would become 3X All Missouri Valley Conference 1966-1968. Most thought the name change to Jabali meant he’d become a Muslim, the term is Swahili for ‘Rock’ and that’s what he was. In 1968 the Knicks drafted Armstrong in the 4th round of the draft. It’s easy to understand why he chose the ABA Oakland Oaks. The Knicks had 2nd year man Walt Frazier, Dick Barnett and Butch Komives already on the roster. Armstrong would have played but likely in a reserve role so he would chose to sign with the new ABA. Just a few of his accolades in the ABA:
ABA Rookie of the Year 1969
ABA Playoff MVP 1969
ABA Champion 1969
ABA All Star 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974
ABA All-Star Game MVP 1973
Knee problems would cause Jabali to retire after a brief seven year career however his accomplishments in that time are the stuff of legend. Hall of Fame player Rick Barry said this about his teammate; “No doubt, he’s one of the best guards I’ve ever played with-----or against.” His coach with the ABA Floridians Bob Bass said; “He’s the biggest 6-2 guy I’ve ever seen” a testament to Jabali’s leaping ability. Warren Jabali was more than basketball early on he was accused of being an angry black man which was untrue.
Jabali was socially conscious at a time most athletes may have been fearful of repercussions. No athlete taking *&#@5 courses he took a full load and graduated from Wichita State. After his playing career was over honors continued to come his way. He still holds the record for the highest single game scoring mark in the Interscholastic League Fieldhouse. In 1985 Jabali was elected to the Shocker (Wichita State) Hall of fame, in 2008 the basketball court he ruled at the Interscholastic League Fieldhouse was named in his honor.
Jabali would become a physical education teacher after his playing days a role he relished mentoring young students in South Florida most had no idea of his previous life as an ABA player. In 2016 his name along with other veterans was placed in consideration for the Naismith Hall of Fame. Warren Jabali a man who was more than basketball died in his sleep on July 13, 2012 at the age of 65. This is but a thumbnail sketch and certainly much more could be mentioned regarding the “Rock”, you can seek out other sources. One in particular is Remember the ABA.com an excellent starting point.
The Skyhook
My friend Eric asks my take on the skyhook and why nobody shots it anymore. A number of college and NBA players shot the hook but Kareem perfected it. Its difficult to believe standing 7-2 young Lew Alcindor was bullied as a child. His growth spurt coincided with his basketball prowess first at Power Memorial High School in New York City and later at UCLA. There is no doubt in my mind Alcindor could have been drafted out of high school. At that time there was no early entry players had to be complete four years of college. He would enter the NBA as Alcindor but later become Muslim and with that changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar. As for the shot, the skyhook he perfected was unstoppable and he was able to shot it from any spot on the floor.
At a spindly 230 pounds the shot couldn’t be blocked so opponents began to muscle him attempting to move him outside his comfort zone. Probably the most infamous incident was the blow Kareem delivered on the Bucks Kent Benson after being elbowed in the stomach. In addition to being ejected and fined Kareem broke his hand in the altercation. Since retiring from the game he’s coached BIG MEN attempting to teach them the skyhook. There are other factors the evolution of the NBA and de-emphasis on post play has caused the shot to no longer be in vogue. There is hope, Laker rookie Ivica Zubac from Croatia is practicing the skyhook. The 7-1 Zubac is trying to make the skyhook his go to move. With Kareem’s coaching perhaps we’ll witness the shot once again in the NBA.
