'77 Blazers
The hub was the center...Bill Walton...the UCLA grad was at the top of his game...the best passing big man, ever...did I say ever?...his college coaching was done by Johnny Wooden...and graduated to the legendary Jack Ramsay...in PDX...he led this team to run and pass like no other, now or since...I mention the coach, Dr Jack...cuz he had the style, grace, players, and the brains to make this team work as one...I marveled at it...
We would have parties at our house as the games were being played...raucous ones, if my memory suits me...it was THAT big a deal..and yes, that much fun...hey, you couldn't get tix to 'em...the rest...the starters...Maurice Lucas, Lionel Hollins, Dave Twardzik, and Bobby Gross (with Bill)...individually would not scare anyone, collectively the best team....ever...
Anyway, they were honored at last nite's Blazer/Laker game in the PNW...and the pixel crew, i.e. the 1st woman one, Doris Burke...gave up their mikes to Walton and Hollins...ha ha mistake...Bill just went on and on...during the play of the game...even...but, for us Blazer groupies, it was a fun peak at the past...
Fact is, the team that followed the next year...was intact...and even was better...rolling thru the competition like never before...until...Bill Walton suffered a foot injury...which would hamper his hoop's life from there on...a malady that affects them huge 7 footer guys...and, altered the impact of the team...
The Trailblazers have had some really good teams since...especially, during the Rick Adelman's ( member of the that '77 team) era...if it were not for this certain guy in Chi-town...Michael Jordan...I would be talking about 2 or 3 more championships...we were the brides maids...dang...
And for a while now...PDX has been so so at best...went thru some extreme times...however, the fan support has NOT wavered...much to the delight of ownership...it is the pride of Portland and of Oregon...it's true...
Finally, the current edition is coached by a dude who was mentioned quite often in the George Karl book I'm reading...he was the ace and top assistant to George for quite a long time...never got a shot as being the boss...at long last got the Atlanta one...then at Milwaukee...Terry Stotts...his big one is this Blazer gig...supposedly, he is a defensive wizard...hmmm...really?...
Other stuff...
I have been aware of presidents in power...well, since the 60's...I suppose...but this one has had more written about him than ANY of the past...daily, even hourly...in the 1st week...I'm not saying anything about what, or why...just that he gets every move analyzed...like no other...
So enjoyable to get out to the links yesterday (the reason for no blog)...walked the course...and hit my driver as well as I ever have...but..my the rest of my bloody game...stunk...isn't that the way it is for us hacks?...something is always haywire...ha ha...
As much as I enjoy the Celebrity Apprentice...I must say that Arnold is no where close to DJ Trump as the boss...some might say, that DJ should return and give up his day job...ha ha...well, it appears that half of the country does...especially, dem women...
OK...pundits...quit with this ridiculous banter about the 'great' UCLA Bruin team...not only did they get beat by the Ducks...then Arizona, and now...gulp...the Trojans...wake up blokes...
The passing of one of the funniest and most entertaining ladies...Mary Tyler Moore...a TV icon, for sure...sad to post this...
The Farmer's kicks off today...most of the eyes will be on the return of the one and only...and as the other Pros say...needed...Tiger Woods...out at Torrey...we have tix and are going on Saturday....now, he has to make the cut...is that negative thinking?...well, just turn on to the Golf Channel...they'll have it all there...
The kids roll into town tonite...gonna get some more golf in...both at the course and out at TP...fun, huh...
Comments