Tags
Basketball, Brooklyn, Container Diaries, Holy Name, Point Guard, Schoolyard, Sports, Windsor Terrace
Outstanding documentary on Showtime, “NYC POINT GODS.” After watching it Friday night it had me thinking of the solid PG’s from our neighborhood back in the day.
Watching basketball in Holy Name boys schoolyard, whether it was 3-on-3 or a 5-on-5 fullcourt game you could always tell who the leader of the team was out on the court. Directing traffic, setting screens after passing or pushing the ball up the court in transition. The point guard in basketball is considered the floor general. Always looking to hit the open man. Sharing the ball. Making the extra pass. As a young player I wanted to shoot the ball from the outside more than pass the ball (bad deal). I look back and admire the guys who set their teammates up, passing the ball at the right time. On point, on target. I played with Ricky Ferro at Holy Name for a couple of years and he was the ultimate leader.
Alan Lang, Danny Conlan, Richie Deere, Dennis Walsh, Jimmy Maloney, Tito Martinez, Danny Piselli, Joe Santos, Gammie, John Godfrey, Artie Lee, Albert Esposito, Orlando Pabon, and Joe Farrell were other point guards who come to mind. (Forgive me if I missed anyone else, please drop a note and let me know)
Two of the best were Brian Keating and Edgar De La Rosa (pictured below); they were fantastic. Ha! You thought I forgot about them…Brian played at Xaverian and later at Siena. Edgar played at Bishop Ford and St. Francis College of Brooklyn. Brian was from 16th street, Edgar, Prospect Avenue. They were in the schoolyard often working on their game. They made their teammates better. Best of all, they were two good guys from good families.
What went into the making of these guys? Was it the coaching? Because Holy Name had terrific men teaching us the game. Was it their family? I always wonder, I mean I think I know, what makes a good point guard. It takes a special person to want to sacrifice shooting the ball. The mindset of wanting to make others look better is not often seen, especially between the four lines.
There were five major omissions from the documentary:
No mention of Vern Fleming.
No mention of Bob Cousy.
Needed Fran Fraschilla for information/stories on the players.
Peter Vecsey for info and stories too.
And, how can they leave out Ziggy from Brooklyn USA?
Those were the days my friend…
Hope all is well.
SteveFinamore@yahoo.com