The NBA lock-out is over.
The abbreviated season starts December 25.
As a kid, my first experience with the NBA was a commercial filmed in the boys schoolyard at Holy Name and a commercial filmed in Bishop Ford’s gym. Not to mention the Los Angeles Lakers once held a practice at Ford.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Christmas night in 1976 when I attended the Knicks-76ers game at MSG. I had amazing seats. My mother’s friend Jerry worked at the Garden and at the age of 12, it was probably one of the best Christmas presents ever!
I’m hoping that some of the neighborhood historians can shed some light on the dates/years that these events took place (commercials and Lakers practice)
Oscar Robertson in the boys schoolyard with his Jordache sneakers commercial and Jo-Jo White at Ford with his Pro-Keds commercial.
Last but not least, I would love to hear about the Lakers at Ford.
There have been so many stories as to what actually happened?
Someone once said the Lakers stopped off at Henry’s Deli on Prospect Avenue.
I’m going to have to place a call to Ray Nash and get the story.
Respectfully,
Steve
Hoops135@hotmail.com
I was at the Oscar Robertson Jordache sneaker commercial shoot, and I’d place that in the summer of either ’82 or ’83. I remember the commercial was Robertson dribbling into the schoolyard with some kids following him, all wearing Jordache sneakers of course, and Robertson taking a jumpshot. They had to do a few re-takes before he knocked one down.
I also remember the Big O being a bit of a prima donna, not even giving a wave between takes to all the kids watching him and yelling his name. We repaid him by booing every time he missed a jumper and yelling that Frazier was better.
The Lakers were at Bishop Ford in 1973. They practiced at Ford when they were playing the Knicks for the NBA championship. This was back when the finals were played in May not late June !
The school was in session and from what I remember they might have practiced two days at most. Pat Rielly, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich and Wilt were some of the player on the Lakers. Don’t know about the Henry’s deli connection but if they liked some good ice tea that was the spot !
Thanks Danny…good stuff as usual.
I was always fascinated by hearing about the Lakers of the early 1970s, when they played the Knicks in back-to-back Finals,practicing at Bishop Ford. I had heard through the grapevine, some of them did stop at a Deli and one of the neighborhood guys, a kid at the time, approached them in awe. From what I’ve heard, Wilt was pretty cool and just hanging in the car that had enough room for his 7’1 frame but Jim McMillian, one of the younger Lakers and a Brooklyn native, gave the kid a bit of an attitude. I’m not sure exactly what happened in this interaction, but it would interesting to hear more.
Dave,
Interesting on the Lakers. Have heard something like that myself.
Jimmy Mac was a New Yorker, Columbia grad. Had a decision to make coming out of college; go to the Lakers or play for the Nets. That year 3 Ivy league players were drafted in the 1st round.
The Knicks and Lakers played three finals: 1970 Knicks won, 1972 Lakers won,
and 1973 Knicks won…….Everyobody talks about the first championship team for the Knicks but I always thought the second one was better , especially the bench…
Jimmy,
As for your opinion on which team was better, Harvey Araton wrote a book on the first team.
First team won 60 games, 1973 team won 57. Both teams were first in the league in defense. First team scored 115PPG, second finals team 105PPG.
I would take the 69-70 team. They set the standard and the trading of Walt Bellamy allowed Willis to play center fulltime. 18 game winning streak, which at the time was the longest in the league. Until LA’s 33.
That championship series vs LA in 1970 was amazing. When Willis went down, people thought LA was going to win. Then of course Willis in Game 7.
That first team had 6 guys in double figures, second team had 5. Willis clearly had a better season in 69-70. Both him and Clyde scored over 20per game. I’ll take Cazzie, Stallworth and Riorden from 69 off the bench.
Hey Red, Merry Christmas. I was actually at one of the Lakers practices at Bishop Ford in 1973. My brother Billy was teaching there at the time. They had Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor and of course Wilt. The miracle was that my mother let me take off from school to do up there. Actually palyed a game of horse with Flynn Robinson on one of the side hoops. Will never forget seeing Wilt in person. It was awesome.
Thanks Dan,
Great stuff.
Happy Holidays to you too.
The second team had Phil Jackson, Meminger, Jerry Lucas , and Barnett coming
off the bench. Much better backing up the starters.Lucas was a HOFer… Monroe, a Hall of Famer joined a more experienced Frazier in the backcourt. DeBusschere and Bradley had great years. When they beat the Lakers the first time, Wilt was still
recovering from a leg injury , the second time, he was healthy. Reed was slowed by injuries but he and Lucas made a two headed monster. I enjoyed both teams but I think the second team had a better bench but the first team’s starting 5 may have been slightly better because of Reed being in his prime….
Barnett was over the hill with the 2nd team. 36 years old. Played in 51 games and played 10 minutes per game. In the playoffs in 73 he only played 4 games in the entire playoffs. Barnett clearly had a better year during the 1st championship.
73 team of Lucas scored 9.9 PPG and grabbed 7RPG. Phil Jackson 8PPG in 17 minutes per game. Dean Meminger 5.7PPG in 18minutes.
Cazzie played 20 minutes per game and scored 11PPG. Stallworth scored 7.8 PPG and played 16 minutes per game and Mike Riorden played 20 minutes per game and scored 7.7PPG
Lucas did not earn HOF honors playing with Knicks, he was on the downside of his career with NY.
Wilt’s numbers were clearly better in 69 too. 21ppg and 22 rebounds in playoffs.
In 73 his numbers were way down, 10 PPG and 22 rebounds in playoffs.
69 team set the standard, I go with them as the better team.
My final point will be the 69-70 team sent Earl Monore and the Bullets and Kareem and Big O packing in the eastern conference finals. In the finals they faced Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain who were all hungry for a title and all three were among the greatest players ever. Willis was hurt in game 7, made 2 baskets. Clyde’s performance was amazing.
Fraziers stat line in that game was unbelievable. Not too many guys got the better of Jerry West.
Danny, and Willis got the MVP of the finals. Clyde went for 36 pts and 19 assists in Game 7.
Hi Red Merry Christmas,
I remember my Dad letting me take an afternoon off from school to go up to Ford to watch the Lakers practice. I remember being the only person in the gym with the occasional appearance of Ray Nash. I grabbed the ball rack when the players came onto the court and passed a ball to West, He took foul shots for about 15 minutes not missing many if any. Then Wilt came out, the biggest man I have ever seen in my life, I think I came up to his knees. About an hour later Happy Hairston came on to the court after being taped up and then watched them run their offense. It was interesting to watch their offense against the Knicks on TV. It was a great childhood memory. Thanks, Joe OB
Joe,
WOW, great to hear from you. Thanks so much for those memories.
Hope all is well with you. Happy Holidays.
Thanks for reading.