A basketball fan’s perspective

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

The Boston Strangler

He should be in the Naismith Hall of Fame, his name is Andrew Toney. As for the headline it’s the nickname given this former Sixer shooting guard due to the prolific scoring games he registered against the Celtics. Toney played in the NBA for 8 seasons but only 5 of them was he healthy but he was a lights out scorer for the Sixers during those years. Consider this fact, the starting lineup for the Sixers contained 4 hall of fame players. Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones. This quartet along with Toney was a juggernaut and would win the 1985 NBA championship thanks in part to the scoring ability of Toney, the question might be why is Toney a virtual unknown? The injury, although there were issues proving it to the medical staff of the Sixers he’d suffered stress fractures in both feet.

Toney was unable to exhibit his prior scoring ability on the court due to the injury, he would retire at the age of 30 and move to Atlanta where he began teaching elementary school. His issues with the Sixers medical staff caused a huge rift for him, bitterness kept him apart from any connection to the team. Toney would remain away from anything connected with the Sixers for 24 years only returning when the 1985 championship team was honored. His coach Billy Cunningham said, “He had a hall of fame career,” it, so did teammate Dr. J., He would have been enshrined in the hall of fame if not for the injury.” Charles Barkley says “He (Toney) was the best player he ever teamed up with.” Pat Riley said; “Toney was the greatest clutch player I’ve ever seen. I’m unsure if Toney is still teaching he’s 68-years old now, I’d bet money few of his students over the course of his tenure as an educator had any idea of his previous life.

I believe this is true

The Lakers have been my favorite NBA team for more years than I can count, I guess by now you are aware of this. Despite the fact I am a card carrying member of Laker Nation I’ve always had a second team. Another NBA team I root for except when they play my Lakers, I believe this is true. This subject is being discussed due to the recent NBA Finals, I was squarely in the Spurs corner for the Finals. I have a friend who is just like me a loyal member of Laker Nation, when I mentioned my love affair for the Spurs his response was quick.

“I can’t root for them (the Spurs), not with the history between the two teams.” He was referring specifically to the Tim Duncan/Manu Ginobili/Tony Parker Spurs. Those Spurs were always in an MMA match against the Kobe Bryant/Shaquille O’Neal/Rick Fox Lakers, later subtract Shaq’s name and replace it with Paul Gasol. Those were exciting playoff series between the two teams. For me that is the past, this is 2026 and old grudges no longer apply from this corner. I enjoy the skillful manner of play plus the mental aspects of Victor Wembanyama’s game. It’s not just a single player on the Spurs roster, it’s also Stephon Castle and I’ve added Dylan Harper to the list. I will have no problem rooting for them or the Lakers until they play one another.

Arena update

I thought it time to update you on developments regarding new buildings in the NBA. Earlier you might remember reading a report on the Continental Coliseum in Oklahoma City. This project is moving along smoothly and if there are delays I will attempt to update you, it has a planned opening of late summer 2028. As for other arenas this is the latest information I have available and we begin in San Antonio. The timeline for the Spurs to begin play in their new arena is the 2032-33 season, it appears from this outsider that the $1.3 billion arena will not be impacted by Project Marvel.

If you remember from an earlier reading Project Marvel is a major downtown redevelopment plan, the arena will be separated in some manner from the greater project. As was noted earlier Las Vegas will see an expansion team begin play by 2028, Las Vegas is different in that two proposals exists. One proposal is for a 21,000 seat arena while the other will seat 25,000 souls. The last update is in Philadelphia and the new home of the Sixers, this arena will be located in South Philadelphia rather than the original location in the Chinatown entertainment district. There are upgrades either begun or planned for existing arenas around the nation. What I find most interesting there are no plans to replace Madison Square Garden, the oldest arena in use first opened in February 1968.

12 championship rings

His name is never mentioned anytime all-time greats are discussed. It’s probably due to several factors, he wasn’t flashy and his scoring average was subpar, despite what you just read he was a winner. The late KC Jones arrived in the NBA with the Celtics, he brought along an NCAA championship and Olympic Gold Medal. He played in 8 Finals with the Celtics and was a winner in all 8 but wait there is more. Once he retired he added two championships as an assistant, he was the coach of Larry Bird’s two NBA championships.

When the counting was complete Jones had a total of 12 rings as a player and coach, a number few can touch. In addition he is a triple-crown winner, NCAA champion, won an Olympic Gold Medal and is an NBA champion. That’s a resume fare beyond what most might believe possible but he accomplished this. In addition to all the accomplishments detailed previously Jones has been enshrined in the College and Naismith Hall of Fame. That is quite a summary for a former player nobody ever discusses as an all-time great.