Hate the NCAA conference realignments and miss the old geographic days. Loved the Dirk coverage and am looking forward to your HOF coverage. Cannot believe that the Stein fam was not at Toyota on Sunday.
Great piece, Mark. I gave up on college hoops several years ago -- working at two D1 schools and Calipari at UK having killed my love for the game -- but I'm with you in mourning the old conferences. Conferences like the WAC seemed so exotic when we first got cable, and my dad and I loved staying up to watch late games together, digging through Street & Smith to see who UTEP's best player was.
On a related note, D-Wade was responsible for breaking my heart when Marquette knocked out top-ranked Kentucky which had one of my favorite teams ever. I still believe that if Keith Bogans wasn't hobbled with a bad ankle, UK would have won. Props to Wade for rising to the occasion, though!
Reader Benjamin Hiller just pointed out to me that Bill Russell isn't included in that Pau stat with the blocked shots because they didn't keep track of blocked shots throughout his career. I always need to remember to mention that for Russell and Wilt. A shame we don't have their rejections on record.
One of my lingering & favorite memories of D-Wade doesn’t really involve any on-court basketball activities, at all.
During his final game in Miami, his son, Zaire, got on the PA system and announced his dad, one last time. When he said, “From Robbins, Illinois...6’4” guard...MY DAD...Dwyane Waaaaaaaaaade,” I got, unexpectedly, a little choked up.
Part of it was the acknowledgment, that a career of someone that spanned most of my adult life, was now ending. But, also, it served as a moment for fans to also give thanks to his family for all their sacrifices in sharing their dad with us.
As someone who knows how fleeting life can be with their dads, sometimes it’s easy to see these players just for their exploits on the court. But, the legacy they leave behind at home is far more important to me than what they left on the court.
Here’s to D-Wade’s Hall of Fame Career, as well as all the newest enshrinees in the 2023 Hall of Class. It has been a tremendous privilege to watch their careers from start to finish. 🙌
Hate the NCAA conference realignments and miss the old geographic days. Loved the Dirk coverage and am looking forward to your HOF coverage. Cannot believe that the Stein fam was not at Toyota on Sunday.
Great piece, Mark. I gave up on college hoops several years ago -- working at two D1 schools and Calipari at UK having killed my love for the game -- but I'm with you in mourning the old conferences. Conferences like the WAC seemed so exotic when we first got cable, and my dad and I loved staying up to watch late games together, digging through Street & Smith to see who UTEP's best player was.
On a related note, D-Wade was responsible for breaking my heart when Marquette knocked out top-ranked Kentucky which had one of my favorite teams ever. I still believe that if Keith Bogans wasn't hobbled with a bad ankle, UK would have won. Props to Wade for rising to the occasion, though!
Reader Benjamin Hiller just pointed out to me that Bill Russell isn't included in that Pau stat with the blocked shots because they didn't keep track of blocked shots throughout his career. I always need to remember to mention that for Russell and Wilt. A shame we don't have their rejections on record.
Re: D-Wade...
One of my lingering & favorite memories of D-Wade doesn’t really involve any on-court basketball activities, at all.
During his final game in Miami, his son, Zaire, got on the PA system and announced his dad, one last time. When he said, “From Robbins, Illinois...6’4” guard...MY DAD...Dwyane Waaaaaaaaaade,” I got, unexpectedly, a little choked up.
https://youtu.be/t608ZpVQPYw?t=47
Part of it was the acknowledgment, that a career of someone that spanned most of my adult life, was now ending. But, also, it served as a moment for fans to also give thanks to his family for all their sacrifices in sharing their dad with us.
As someone who knows how fleeting life can be with their dads, sometimes it’s easy to see these players just for their exploits on the court. But, the legacy they leave behind at home is far more important to me than what they left on the court.
Here’s to D-Wade’s Hall of Fame Career, as well as all the newest enshrinees in the 2023 Hall of Class. It has been a tremendous privilege to watch their careers from start to finish. 🙌
Good tale, Greenroom Mamba
Duncan didn’t make 17 consecutive playoffs?
He didn't play in the playoffs one year due to injury. 1999-2000 season. That stat came straight from the Spurs so that's why he wasn't listed.
Thanks Marc
The real Showtime Lakers were wildly more interesting than this TV version.
That's the part that's so vexing. The Showtime Lakers need no embellishment. Just tell those stories!
Exactly!
Go Spurs Go!