National Basketball Association grab bag

October 30th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanR

With the Association season looming, let’s peer around the Interweb for stories of basketball past:

The year is 1997 and Sports Illustrated’s Phil Taylor lists the best and worst tippers of the NBA. “No Tippin’ Pippen” nickname is spawned.

John Feinstein pens his brilliant work on The General in 1986 and includes this wonderful tidbit about the minutes preceding the 1984 Olympic championship game:

“Now Knight was ready to deliver some final words of inspiration. But when he flipped over the blackboard on which he would normally write the names of the other teams’ starters, he found a note scotch-taped to the board. It had been written by (Michael) Jordan: “Coach,” it said, “after all the shit we’ve been through, there is no way we lose tonight.”

The U.S. and A. (I like!) beat Spain 101-68 and Jordan is a baller even before he reaches the heights of the Assoication with the Bulls.

Youtube also brings us visual treats from NBA past:

Larry Bird in all his glory.

Tom Chambers defying gravity. And again.

Shawn Kemp pre-obesity. (Highly recommended. Some of his dunkatron 3000s are simply jaw-dropping.)

(Aside: My roommate has hockey on the tube. Some dude on the Blues just got whaled on by a Mighty Duck player during an on-ice fight. RAWK.)

So what, PostmanR played NES with Bird

October 16th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanR

Bill Simmons went ahead and played a little Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’07 with T. Woods himself. Of course Simmons lost in the few holes he was able to play against Woods, because, well, it’s Tiger Woods and he never loses to anyone, especially some dude who goes by The Sports Guy.

Well, remember that old NES game, Jordan vs. Bird? It had the 3-point contest, the dunk contest and the one-on-one mode? Well, yeah. I played with Larry Legend a few years back. True story.

Here’s what transpired:

PostmanR: Larry, why aren’t you in the slam dunk contest? Only Jordan is, what gives? And why can’t I complete any dunk? This game is frustratingly hard.

Larry: I like Mario a lot. And the princess.

PostmanR: In the 3-point contest, it looks like you’re shooting with one hand. Did you shoot with one hand when you played in the league?

Larry: No.

PostmanR: Then why do you shoot with one hand in the game?

Larry: You know, I sell cars now. I also am involved in with the Pacer organization. I am the president of basketball operations.

PostmanR: Oh, cool. So what’s the deal with the court in Jordan vs. Bird? It seems like it is indoors, but then there’s a brick wall in the back. Is it some sort of futuristic indoor/outdoor court hybrid?

Larry: One time I challenged Reggie Miller to a half court shot contest. They should make that into a video game.

PostmanR: How bout that commercial for McDonalds with MJ. Wasn’t it a horse game where you bet Big Macs or something? What was that like?

Larry: Big Macs are tasty. I also like quad stackers at Burger King. Did you know I have my own brand of wine?

PostmanR: OK, I think we’re done here.