Basketball from a
fans perspective
“We missed your best”
Julius “Dr J” Erving was discussing his career but took time to mention Connie Hawkins. The Hawk as he was nicknamed died at age 75 in October 2017. I titled this “We missed your best” for a series of unfortunate events in his life. He emerged from Boys High School in the Bed-Sty portion of Brooklyn and headed for the University of Iowa in 1960. He’d come out of New York City one of the most celebrated basketball players of that era. Then the roof caved in, Jack Molinas a good basketball player in his day might have been a better gambler. Molinas and others were involved in a point-shaving scandal with several players, Hawkins name was mentioned in the investigation.
Attorneys would later prove
Hawkins never shaved a single
point but was simply an acquaintance of Molinas, his guilt, Hawkins had taken a
loan from Molinas. When the news broke
of the scandal his scholarship at Iowa was revoked and he left during his freshman
year and later in the 1964 NBA draft he was given a life-time ban. The 6-foot 8-inch Hawkins would not soar in
the NBA as he hoped, he along with others began play in the fledgling American
Basketball League, the league only lasted 1 and ½ years before folding. He then became a member of the Harlem
Globetrotters from 1963-1967, in 1967 Hawkins began play in a new league the
American Basketball Association not to be confused with the ABL much
earlier.
Hawkins continued to
demonstrate his skill on the basketball court in the ABA but then a change
occurred of monumental proportions. Two
attorneys took up his case and decided to sue the NBA for banning Hawkins in
1964. The NBA decided it couldn’t win
the case and settled by paying him $1.3 million, the Suns won a coin flip with
the Sonics for his NBA rights. From
1969-1976 the nation was witness to the abundant skill and athleticism of the
Hawk, he was Dr. J. before there was a doctor.
Playing in the ABA with little national television coverage we didn’t
see much of him the years between 1964-1969.
Hawk’s NBA numbers look rather ordinary and fail to provide us proof of
his greatness. I’m sure in his heart of
hearts he was bitter at times but never publicly expressed his displeasure with
the NBA ban. In several ways we can truly say of Hawkins, “We missed your best.”
M.I.A.
The Nuggets Michael Porter Jr. will skip NBA Summer League play, he’s not the only rookie. Luka Doncic of the Mavs will also be missing in action too. Porter’s case might be due to his back surgery last winter as for Doncic the dude just might be plain tired. He’s played an extended busy schedule this season, in fact the initial news we received indicated Doncic wouldn’t be attending the NBA draft at all. Late Wednesday we learned he was flying into New York and would be present that evening. Doncic was all smiles at the time commissioner Silver announced his name as the 3rd pick in the first round by the Hawks. Later in the evening his draft rights were traded to the Mavs for the draft rights to Trae Young.
The Nuggets Michael Porter Jr. will skip NBA Summer League play, he’s not the only rookie. Luka Doncic of the Mavs will also be missing in action too. Porter’s case might be due to his back surgery last winter as for Doncic the dude just might be plain tired. He’s played an extended busy schedule this season, in fact the initial news we received indicated Doncic wouldn’t be attending the NBA draft at all. Late Wednesday we learned he was flying into New York and would be present that evening. Doncic was all smiles at the time commissioner Silver announced his name as the 3rd pick in the first round by the Hawks. Later in the evening his draft rights were traded to the Mavs for the draft rights to Trae Young.
I doubt it
Oklahoma’s roster listed Trae Young at 6 feet 2 inches in height and 180 pounds. The first figure is probably correct as for the weight issue I seriously doubt that. Hopefully the Hawks are not expecting him ready to lead the team. Despite being a lottery pick there are a number in the media that doubt his ability to move to the next level. They focus on his dwindling scoring and assist numbers toward the end of the season. A number in the media have decided he’s not that talented. I’ve yet to read or hear an NBA scout or coach claim Young can’t play.
Oklahoma’s roster listed Trae Young at 6 feet 2 inches in height and 180 pounds. The first figure is probably correct as for the weight issue I seriously doubt that. Hopefully the Hawks are not expecting him ready to lead the team. Despite being a lottery pick there are a number in the media that doubt his ability to move to the next level. They focus on his dwindling scoring and assist numbers toward the end of the season. A number in the media have decided he’s not that talented. I’ve yet to read or hear an NBA scout or coach claim Young can’t play.
In fact, one analyst predicted Young would have a good NBA career. He stated, “They won’t be able to throw all those junk defenses at him like they do in college.” I continue to be amazed by some of the comments I read, this one about Luka Doncic but it just as easily could have been Young. The question what position he would play, the response “Point bench.” I’m unsure of your view but how do you make that type of assessment regarding a player prior to stepping on to an NBA court. Perhaps we’ll find out Doncic and Young can’t play at the NBA level but doggoned give ‘em a chance to prove they can't
He turned down the NBA
Peewee Kirkland was making so much money selling drugs he turned down an opportunity to play in the NBA. Keep in mind this was 1969 and he was drafted by the Bulls he said; “Thanks but no thanks.” The 6-foot 1-inch Kirkland was reported to be the first player ever to do a 360 degree turn on a move to the basket. Kirkland was a Harlem (NY) legend, after high school he attended Kittrell College a 2-year black college (now closed) in North Carolina where he averaged 41 points a game. Kirkland would later attend Norfolk State along with former Bucks and Bullets forward Bob Dandridge. Kirkland teamed with Dandridge to lead the Spartans to a 25-2 record and 21-4 the following season, both times the team lost the NCAA Division II championship.
He would be caught convicted and sent to prison in 1971, later he served time from 1981 to 1988 both times in Federal Correctional facilities. From all indications Kirkland was never an abuser of drugs he was a dealer who enjoyed the life style and fame drug dealing brought him. Peewee is still with us, at age 73 he’s become a motivational speaker and travels the country speaking of life decisions in talking to youth groups throughout the country regarding the right path in life. I’ve never read or heard him regret he failed to play in the NBA. So, there you have the shorten version the life story of Peewee Kirkland, a guy who turned down an opportunity to play in the NBA not because he wasn’t talented enough.
