#Pete Maravich Larry Bird

[garudabluffs]

Pete Maravich Said Larry Bird Is The Best NBA Player In 1987: "He’s Not The Best Shooter, He’s Not The Best Scorer. He’s Just The Very Best."

"It is often forgotten though, that Maravich finished his career with the Boston Celtics in 1980, so he got to play alongside Larry Bird for a little bit. Maravich was impressed by what he saw and years later in 1987, just a year before his tragic passing, he stated Bird is just the best there is in the league."

READ MORE Pete Maravich Said Larry Bird Is The Best NBA Player In 1987: "He’s Not The Best Shooter, He’s Not The Best Scorer. He’s Just The Very Best." (msn.com)

[fruitbasketball]

the middy is just a higher percentage shot and if i had paige’s efficiency and effectiveness on that dribble pull up i’d exploit the shit out of it too. it’s also the hardest to guard since bigs have to come out and leave the screener and her defender gets caught over or under the screen. also paige’s movement off the ball and use of screens is some of the best i’ve seen from anyone especially the screens she’s really smart with how she uses them to get to her spots. imo paige is a kobe disciple in terms of the midrange and caitlin is a steph disciple in shooting 3s. obviously they both can do a lot of things on the court and take things forms the best but like their bread and butter scoring areas i’d say are comparable to those two. tho i’d say caitlin plays more iso like kobe and paige moves off ball and uses screens more like steph

oh my gosh anon whoever you are please dm me and we'll be friends PLEASE

yeah guarding it is so hard ESPECIALLY because guarding paige means facing uconn screens and those are no fucking joke

ur so right about that kobe/paige bit like his work in the mid range still is so unique in the game i feel like very few people exploit the mid range like he did. i think that if she could pick up that little one leg fade he used to do she'd be picture fucking perfect from there

i think the obvious comparison with caitlin and the shots she takes are like steph, dame, larry bird, pete maravich, etc. but i always want to compare her to klay because i think her jumper + release are more textbook like his are. i do think that when you're looking at them in a larger context of the construct of their teams, the caitlin/steph comparison is hands down so accurate

but the way paige moves around screens and reads the court and facilitates and passes, i see so much of steph in her. i've never watched caitlin's game and thought of kobe, but i'm gonna watch for that now

[mjordan-nba-nhl]

LIST OF NBA PLAYERS WHO SCORED 60 OR MORE POINTS IN A GAMES OF NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Wilt Chamberlain - 100 points (March 2, 1962)

Kobe Bryant - 81 points (January 22, 2006)

Wilt Chamberlain - 78 points (December 8, 1961)

Wilt Chamberlain - 73 points (January 13, 1962)

Wilt Chamberlain - 73 points (November 16, 1962)

David Thompson - 73 points (April 9, 1978)

Wilt Chamberlain - 72 points (November 3, 1962)

Elgin Baylor - 71 points (November 15, 1960)

David Robinson - 71 points (April 24, 1994)

Donovan Mitchell - 71 points (January 2, 2023)

Damian Lillard - 71 points (February 26, 2023)

Wilt Chamberlain - 70 points (March 10, 1963)

Devin Booker - 70 points (March 24, 2017)

Michael Jordan -69 points (March 28, 1990)

Wilt Chamberlain - 68 points (December 16, 1967)

Pete Maravich - 68 points (February 25, 1977)

Wilt Chamberlain - 67 points (March 9, 1961, February 17, 1962, February 25, 1962, January 11, 1963)

Wilt Chamberlain - 66 points (February 9, 1969)

Wilt Chamberlain - 65 points (February 13, 1962, February 27, 1962, February 7, 1966)

Kobe Bryant - 65 points (March 16, 2007)

Elgin Baylor - 64 points (November 8, 1959)

Rick Barry - 64 points (March 26, 1974)

Michael Jordan - 64 points (January 16, 1993)

Joe Fulks - 63 points (February 10, 1949)

Elgin Baylor - 63 points (December 8, 1961)

Jerry West - 63 points (January 17, 1962)

Wilt Chamberlain - 63 points (December 14, 1962, November 26, 1964)

George Gervin - 63 points (April 9, 1978)

Wilt Chamberlain - 62 points (January 14, 1962, January 17, 1962, January 21, 1962, January 29, 1963, November 15, 1964, March 3, 1966)

Tracy McGrady - 62 points (March 10, 2004)

Kobe Bryant - 62 points (December 20, 2005)

Caramelo Anthony - 62 points (January 24, 2014)

Stephan Curry - 62 points (January 3, 2021)

George Mikan - 61 points (January 20, 1952)

Wilt Chamberlain - 61 points (December 9, 1961, February 22, 1962, February 28, 1962, November 21, 1962, December 11, 1962, December 18, 1962)

Michael Jordan - 61 points (March 4, 1987, April 16, 1987)

Karl Malone - 61 points (January 27, 1990)

Shaquille O'Neal - 61 points (March 6, 2000)

Kobe Bryant - 61 points (February 2, 2009)

LeBron James - 61 points (March 3, 2014)

James Harden - 61 points (January 23, 2019, March 22, 2019)

Damian Lillard - 61 points (January 20, 2020, August 11, 2020 )

Wilt Chamberlain - 60 points (December 1, 1961, December 29, 1961, January 26, 1969)

Bernard King - 60 points (December 25, 1984)

Larry Bird - 60 points (March 12, 1985)

Tom Chambers - 60 points (March 24, 1990)

Allen Iverson - 60 points (February 12, 2005)

Gilbert Arenas - 60 points (December 17, 2006)

Kobe Bryant - 60 points (March 22, 2007, April 13, 2016)

Klay Thompson - 60 points (December 5, 2016)

James Harden 60 points (January 30, 2018)

Kemba Walker - 60 points (November 17, 2018)

Damian Lillard - 60 points (November 8, 2019)

James Harden - 6p points (November 30, 2019)

Bradley Beal - 60 points (January 6, 2021)

Jayson Tatum - 60 points (April 30, 2021)

Karl-Anthony Towns - 60 points (March 14, 2022)

Kyrie Irving - 60 points (March 15, 2022)

Luka Dončić - 60 points (December 27, 2022)

Damian Lillard - 60 points (January 25, 2023)

[personal-reporter]

Gli altri sport: Pete Maravich

Tutti lo chiamavano Pistol Pete, per le sue capacità, la creatività nel gioco e l'abilità nel palleggio, e divenne una leggenda nel mondo del basket americano... Peter Press Maravich nacque ad Aliquippa il 22 giugno 1947 e dopo essersi fatto notare per le sue abilità durante la high school, nel 1966 decise di entrare all’ Università statale della Louisiana, perché l'allenatore della squadra era suo padre  Press. Ma le regole dell'epoca proibivano  alle matricole di giocare nella squadra principale dell'università, così Maravich segnò quasi 50 punti a uscita con la squadra delle matricole, che si esibiva nelle partite  prima di quella titolare. Dopo aver assistito alle esibizioni di Pete, il pubblico tornava a casa e non rimaneva  alle partite dei titolari, che durante quella stagione vinsero solo tre partite. Nei tre anni successivi, Pete segnò 44,2 punti a partita, superò i 50 per 28 volte, e realizzò un massimo di 69 contro Alabama nel 1970, mentre The sporting news lo nominò giocatore dell'anno e vinse il prestigioso Naismith Award. Il giovane giocatore non vinse nulla di importante con la squadra, che non era  ai suoi livelli, ma i suoi 3 667 punti, realizzati in tre anni e senza il tiro da tre punti, ancora oggi sono uno dei record della NCAA. Nel 1970 entrò nella NBA, con gli Atlanta Hawks e, come terza scelta assoluta del draft NBA 1970, segnò oltre 23 punti a partita nella sua stagione da rookie. Dopo quattro stagioni Pete passò ai New Orleans Jazz, dove fu uno dei migliori giocatori della lega, con il suo gioco ricco  di entrate controtempo, passaggi dietro alla schiena, ma anche concretezza e un solido tiro da fuori. Nel 1977 realizzò 68 punti contro i New York Knicks, e vinse la classifica realizzatori con 31,1 punti di media. Nominato come parte del miglior quintetto NBA nel 1976 e nel 1977, Pete chiuse la carriera nel 1980, giocando mezza stagione a fianco di Larry Bird nei Boston Celtics. Il suo grande talento individuale non venne mai premiato da una grande squadra, così chiuse la carriera senza titoli ma. con 15 948 punti, resta al 118º posto nella lista dei giocatori con più punti segnati nella NBA. Ritiratosi per un infortunio alla gamba, Pete si interessò religioni e pratiche orientali, dallo yoga e l'induismo, fino al macrobiotico, convertendosi negli ultimi anni della sua vita al Cristianesimo. Il 5 gennaio 1988, mentre giocava una partita nel ginnasio di Pasadena, dopo che era stato invitato da un giornalista, Pete Maravich morì a soli 40 anni per un infarto. Una serie di analisi successive svelarono che in realtà Pete aveva una malattia congenita mai diagnosticata, infatti non aveva l'arteria coronaria sinistra. Pete venne inserito nella Basketball Hall of Fame nel 1987 e fino ad oggi resta il più giovane di sempre ad aver avuto questo onore, mentre in Louisiana gli è stato intitolato il palazzetto dello sport dell’università. Read the full article

[datphillyboinah]

Larry Bird EXPLAINS How Good Pistol Pete Maravich Was | REACTION

[nbamayne]

[petnews2day]

Rookie Larry Chicken as soon as excoriated Pete Maravich when each have been Celtics

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/pet-news/bird-news/rookie-larry-chicken-as-soon-as-excoriated-pete-maravich-when-each-have-been-celtics/?utm_source=TR&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230&utm_campaign=social

Rookie Larry Chicken as soon as excoriated Pete Maravich when each have been Celtics

Per Cornbread, Maravich handed to Chicken as the long run star discovered himself shortly double-teamed. “We come to the timeout, and Pete Maravich says to Larry, ‘Larry, Larry, they’re double-teaming you,” stated Maxwell. “‘You possibly can’t drive up these form of pictures.’ Larry appears up and goes, ‘Should you have been any rattling good, they […]

See full article at https://petnews2day.com/pet-news/bird-news/rookie-larry-chicken-as-soon-as-excoriated-pete-maravich-when-each-have-been-celtics/?utm_source=TR&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230&utm_campaign=social #BirdNews

[zanimljivaekonomija]

SAOPŠTEN NBA TIM POVODOM 75 GODINA LIGE

Njujork, 22. oktobar 2021 – Ovaj tim je sastavljen od igrača koji su osvojili ukupno 158 NBA šampionata i 730 puta su odabrani u NBA All-star selekciju, kombinovan je sa 110 KIA NBA nagrada za najkorisnijeg igrača i Bill Russell NBA MVP nagradu u finalu. Postigli su više od 1,5 miliona poena.

Ovo su samo neka od kolektivnih dostignuća igrača koji čine NBA tim sastavljen povodom 75. godišnjice, što je objavljeno preko TNT-a i ESPN-a od 19. do 21. oktobra kada je liga najavila svoju jubilarnu 75. godišnju sezonu.

NBA tim izabran povodom 75. godišnjice su izabrali članovi panela koje su činili sadašnji i bivši NBA igrači, treneri, generalni direktori i rukovodioci timova i lige, legende WNBA i sportski novinari. Od glasača je zatraženo da izaberu 75 najvećih igrača u istoriji NBA bez obzira na poziciju. Panelisti nisu rangirali svoje izbore. Sadašnjim i bivšim igračima nije bilo dozvoljeno da glasaju za sebe.

Kao rezultat nerešenog rezultata prilikom glasanja, tim za 75. godišnjicu ima 76 igrača. Ključni momenti ovog tima uključuju:

·         Jedanaest aktivnih igrača imenovano je u tim za 75. godišnjicu: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul i Russell Westbrook.

·         Svih 50 članova NBA tima za 50. godišnjicu, imenovanih 1996. godine, izabrani su i u tim za 75. godišnjicu.

·         Tim za 75. godišnjicu uključuje četiri igrača koji su 1951. godine igrali na prvoj NBA All-Star utakmici (Paul Arizin, Bob Cousy, George Mikan i Dolph Schayes), prvog dobitnika KIA NBA nagrade za najkorisnijeg igrača (Bob Pettit za 1955-56. sezonu) i prvog dobitnika Bill Russell NBA MVP nagrade u finalu (Jerry West za finale NBA 1969).

·         Bill Russell se priključio Cousy-u, Mikan-u i Pettit-u koji su kao jedina četiri igrača imenovani u sva četiri NBA jubilarna tima: tim za 25. godišnjicu (imenovano 10 igrača), tim za 35. godišnjicu (imenovano 11 igrača), tim za 50. godišnjicu i tim za 75. godišnjicu . (Tim za 25. godišnjicu bio je jedini od četiri tima koji nije dozvolio uključivanje aktivnih igrača u to vreme.)

·         Šest internacionalnih igrača iz šest zemalja i teritorija izabrano je povodom 75. godišnjice u tim: Antetokounmpo (Grčka), Tim Duncan (Američka Devičanska ostrva), Patrick Ewing (Jamajka), Steve Nash (Kanada), Dirk Nowitzki (Nemačka) i Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigerija).

·         Pet NBA legendi koji su ambasadori jubilarne 75. godišnje sezone deo su tima za 75. godišnjicu: Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, Nowitzki, Pettit i Oscar Robertson. Predstavljajući različita doba istorije lige, ambasadori će se pojavljivati tokom sezone 2021-22 i imati značajno prisustvo na NBA All-Star 2022 u Klivlendu.

Tim odabran povodom 75. godišnjice NBA lige je naveden u nastavku po abecednom redu, a prati ga spisak učesnika u glasanju. Glasanje je tabelarno prikazala nezavisna računovodstvena firma Ernst & Young LLP. Za profile igrača svakog člana tima za 75. godišnjicu kliknite ovde i posetite NBA.com/75.

NBA TIM ZA 75. GODIŠNJICU

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Clyde Drexler

Damian Lillard

Scottie Pippen

Ray Allen

Tim Duncan

Jerry Lucas

Willis Reed

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Kevin Durant

Karl Malone

Oscar Robertson

Carmelo Anthony

Julius Erving

Moses Malone

David Robinson

Nate Archibald

Patrick Ewing

Pete Maravich

Dennis Rodman

Paul Arizin

Walt Frazier

Bob McAdoo

Bill Russell

Charles Barkley

Kevin Garnett

Kevin McHale

Dolph Schayes

Rick Barry

George Gervin

George Mikan

Bill Sharman

Elgin Baylor

Hal Greer

Reggie Miller

John Stockton

Dave Bing

James Harden

Earl Monroe

Isiah Thomas

Larry Bird

John Havlicek

Steve Nash

Nate Thurmond

Kobe Bryant

Elvin Hayes

Dirk Nowitzki

Wes Unseld

Wilt Chamberlain

Allen Iverson

Hakeem Olajuwon

Dwyane Wade

Bob Cousy

LeBron James

Shaquille O’Neal

Bill Walton

Dave Cowens

Magic Johnson

Robert Parish

Jerry West

Billy Cunningham

Sam Jones

Chris Paul

Russell Westbrook

Stephen Curry

Michael Jordan

Gary Payton

Lenny Wilkens

Anthony Davis

Jason Kidd

Bob Pettit

Dominique Wilkins

Dave DeBusschere

Kawhi Leonard

Paul Pierce

James Worthy

NBA  TIM ZA 75. GODIŠNJICU - UČESNICI PANELA

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Tim Duncan

Jack McCallum

David Robinson

Marv Albert

David DuPree

Brian McIntyre

Bill Russell

David Aldridge

Wayne Embry

Ann Meyers

Bob Ryan

Sam Amick

Julius Erving

Yoko Miyaji

Bill Simmons

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Patrick Ewing

Earl Monroe

Sam Smith

Steve Aschburner

Walt Frazier

Steve Nash

Stephen A. Smith

Charles Barkley

George Gervin

Rachel Nichols

Marc Spears

Rick Barry

Russ Granik

Dirk Nowitzki

Erik Spoelstra

Howard Beck

Becky Hammon

Shaquille O’Neal

John Stockton

Dave Bing

Elvin Hayes

Robert Parish

Hannah Storm

Sue Bird

Ernie Johnson

Candace Parker

Sheryl Swoopes

Carol Blazejowski

Magic Johnson

Chris Paul

Isiah Thomas

Mike Breen

Sam Jones

Bob Pettit

Rod Thorn

Doris Burke

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Rudy Tomjanovich

Jerry Colangelo

Steve Kerr

Gregg Popovich

Peter Vecsey

Doug Collins

Bob Lanier

Shaun Powell

Bill Walton

Cynthia Cooper

Kara Lawson

Ahmad Rashad

Rick Welts

Bob Costas

Lisa Leslie

Willis Reed

Jerry West

Dave Cowens

Nancy Lieberman

Tim Reynolds

Michael Wilbon

Billy Cunningham

Zach Lowe

Bill Rhoden

Lenny Wilkens

Stephen Curry

Jerry Lucas

Pat Riley

James Worthy

Clyde Drexler

Jackie MacMullan

Oscar Robertson

Jeff Zillgitt

[kicksaddictny]

NBA's 75 greatest players of all time: The complete list

As a basketball fan, I’m pleased with this list. Do you feel this list is official or ..?

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo 3. Nate Archibald 4. Charles Barkley 5. Bob Cousy 6. Dave Cowens 7. Kevin Durant 8. Julius Erving 9. George Gervin 10. Hal Greer 11. James Harden 12. Elvin Hayes 13. Jerry Lucas 14. Moses Malone 15. Kevin McHale 16. George Mikan 17. Steve Nash 18. Dirk Nowitzki 19. Hakeem Olajuwon 20. Bob Pettit 21. Willis Reed 22. Oscar Robertson 23. David Robinson 24. Bill Russell 25. John Stockton 26. Paul Arizin 27. Rick Barry 28. Larry Bird 29. Wilt Chamberlain 30. Clyde Drexler 31. Tim Duncan 32. Patrick Ewing 33. Walt Frazier 34. Kevin Garnett 35. John Havlicek 36. Allen Iverson 37. Magic Johnson 38. Sam Jones 39. Michael Jordan 40. Karl Malone 41. Robert Parish 42. Chris Paul 43. Scottie Pippen 44. Bill Sharman 45. Isiah Thomas 46. Nate Thurmond 47. Wes Unseld 48. Bill Walton 49. Jerry West 50. James Worthy 51. Ray Allen 52. Carmelo Anthony 53. Elgin Baylor 54. Dave Bing 55. Kobe Bryant 56. Billy Cunningham 57. Stephen Curry 58. Anthony Davis 59. Dave DeBusschere 60. LeBron James 61. Jason Kidd 62. Kawhi Leonard 63. Damian Lillard 64. Pete Maravich 65. Bob McAdoo 66. Reggie Miller 67. Earl Monroe 68. Shaquille O’Neal 69. Gary Payton 70. Paul Pierce 71. Dennis Rodman 72. Dolph Schayes 73. Dwyane Wade 74. Russell Westbrook 75. Lenny Wilkens 76. Dominique Wilkins

[smoothborescattergun]

Post made with Random Question Generator, for no reason. I need to complete some information about myself.

Have you ever stayed at a really nice hotel? I never was in the hotel.

How many different places have you lived? Three. First one is the place where I lived shortly and I don't remember anything because I was "porridge-eater".

What would you like to see less of in the news? I don't watch and read news. What can I say? That bullshit is happening all the time. Nothing new.

Have you seen any famous works of art? In reality? No. In internet? Yeah.

How often do you go to the cinema? Once in year? I wish I could visit the cinema much more times than one.

What have you bought today? (11.12.21) I bought only some two-color pencils and ice cream because I haven't eat ice cream for 6 months since the surgery.

(I didin't copied that question but it was something about back to books I've read before) If I start to think about these sad parts of these - I won't. I only back to my favourite moments that I marked with index tabs. B. Dickinson's What Does This Button Do? is just full of these.

Do you have a favourite shop? Webstores. Then Dráčik in Trutnov.

Which sportsmen and women do you admire? Larry Bird? Maybe because of the kind of beauty he represents. But also John Havlicek, Pete Maravich and Bill Walton. (I got weird taste in men, I think.)

Who did you last talk to on the telephone? I even don't remember when I called last time. 100 years ago?

[basketball-lifer]

All-Star Weekends: The Greatest and the Most Memorable

The NBA has the best when it comes to All-Star festivity compared to other leagues of American Sports. Since the 50s, the NBA All-Star concept evolved and even with the arrival of the flamboyant ABA, it just allowed for more creativity. Here I don’t mean the Slam Dunk Competition or the 3-Point Competition but rather I’m talking about the NBA All-Stars vs ABA All-Stars matches that happened in 1971 & ‘72 

1972 NBA All-Stars: UNIONDALE, NY - MAY 25: The NBA All Star Team during introductions from left to right: Bob Love #11, John Havlichek # 17, Connie Hawkins #42, Paul Silas #22, Dave DeBusschere #44 (injured and did not play), Wilt Chamberlain #13, Bob Lanier #33, Archie Clark #21, Nate Archibald #16, Oscar Robertson #1, Gail Goodrich #20 and Coach Elgin Baylor versus the ABA All Star Team at the Nassau Coliseum on May 25, 1972 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Randy Brooke/Getty Images) 

1972 ABA All-Stars: UNIONDALE, NY - MAY 25: (L-R) ABA Coach Al Bianchi, George Thompson 320, Don Freeman #26, Jimmy Jones #15, Ralph Simpson #43, Artis Gilmore #54, Mel Daniels #31, Rick Barry #24,Roger Brown #35, Julius Erving #32 (Dr J), Dan Issel #44 and Willie Wise#42 of the ABA All Star team line up during the introductions prior to the game against the NBA All Star Team at the Nassau Coliseum on May 25, 1972 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Randy Brooke/Getty Images)

The short lived clash of the leagues on an All-Star level may have played an important role in bringing both closer to the point of merger and with it came the flamboyance that was severely lacking in the 70s NBA

Since the leagues merged and with the start of Magic-Bird era in 1979, the new talent with veterans like Dr. J, Kareem, Moses, ensured that every year’s All-Star weekend became a highlight reel on it’s own. As exciting as NBA Finals but on a friendlier tone (not the watered down complicated version we see today where players let each other dunk and the East vs West rivalry has been replaced by individual superstars rivalries) 

The Peak, however, was reached in the 90s and here are two weekends that will always stand out in NBA All-Star Weekend history:

1997 All-Star Weekend:  

It’ll be remembered as the Golden All-Star Weekend due to NBA’s Golden Jubilee but also because of: 

Gathering of NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time

47 out of 50 Greats gathered at Gund Arena. The three who weren’t able to attend were: Pete Maravich (d. 1988), Shaquille O’Neal (knee surgery) and Jerry West (ear surgery)

Michael Jordan recording 1st ever triple double in ASG History (no one had a triple double before him, not even Big O)

The upset in the game happened because of injuries of five All-Stars: Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning but their injuries would pave the way for All-Star debut of Chris Webber and Kevin Garnett. I guess this is how life works 

Glenn Rice (All-Star MVP) broke two ASG records that night: most points in a quarter and most points in a half

Allen Iverson was the Rookie All-Star MVP while Kobe Bryant set the record for the most points in Rookie All-Star Game history. This was destiny telling us that these two would dominate the league in the next decade  

1998 NBA All-Star Game: The Crown Jewel

In my opinion, the 1998 NBA All-Star Game will always stand out as the most important from a historical standpoint. It was not like Magic Johnson’s 1992 All-Star Game nor was it like Michael Jordan’s in 1996

This game would put the Greatest Laker of All-Time in the making, Kobe Bryant against possibly the Greatest of All-Time: Michael Jordan but to know the greatness of an event, you have to read the signs:

Michael’s last All-Star Game in which he also won the All-Star MVP trophy

Larry Bird’s first ever All-Star game as a Head Coach

Kobe’s first ever All-Star game 

And all of this took place in the city known as Mecca of Basketball with the location being Madison Square Garden 

End Note

All Star games from the 80s till early decade of 2000s were pure magnanimity on display from the NBA under the late David Stern but the 1997 All-Star Weekend and the 1998 All-Star Game were a part of a Divine plan of more greatness to come in the league  

[whereamazinghappens-nba]

PLAYERS

Aaron Gordon

Al Horford

Al Jefferson

Allen Iverson

Amar'e Stoudemire

Andre Drummond

Andre Iguodala

Antawn Jamison

Anthony Davis

Austin Rivers

Avery Bradley

Bam Adebayo

Baron Davis

Ben Simmons

Ben Wallace

Blake Griffin

Bradley Beal

Brandon Ingram

Brandon Jennings

Carmelo Anthony

Cedi Osman

Charles Barkley

Chauncey Billups

Chris Andersen

Chris Bosh

Chris Paul

Christian Wood

CJ McCollum

Clint Capela

Damian Lillard

D'Angelo Russell

Danilo Gallinari

Danny Green

Darren Collison

David Robinson

DeAndre Jordan

DeMar DeRozan

DeMarcus Cousins

Dennis Rodman

Dennis Schröder

Dennis Smith Jr.

Derrick Rose

Deron Williams

Devin Booker

Dikembe Mutombo

Dion Waiters

Dirk Nowitzki

D. J. Augustin

Doc Rivers

Donovan Mitchell

Draymond Green

Dwight Howard

Dwyane Wade

Elfrid Payton

Enes Kanter

Eric Gordon

Evan Fournier

Frank Ntilikina

Gary Payton

George Hill

Gerald Green

Gerald Wallace

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Gilbert Arenas

Goran Dragic

Gordon Hayward

Greg Monroe

Hakeem Olajuwon

Hassan Whiteside

Iman Shumpert

Ja Morant

Jae Crowder

Jamal Crawford

Jamal Murray

James Harden

James Worthy

Jason Kidd

Jaylen Brown

Jayson Tatum

Jaxson Hayes

Jeff Teague

Jeremy Lin

Jermaine O'Neal

Jimmy Butler

JJ Redick

Joel Embiid

John Stockton

John Wall

Jordan Clarkson

Jose Calderon

Josh Smith

J. R. Smith

Julius Erving

Julius Randle

Jusuf Nurkic

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl Malone

Kawhi Leonard

Kelly Oubre Jr.

Kemba Walker

Kent Bazemore

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kenyon Martin

Kevin Durant

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Love

Klay Thompson

Kobe Bryant

Kristaps Porzingis

Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Lowry

Kyrie Irving

LaMarcus Aldridge

Larry Bird

Larry Johnson

Lauri Markkanen

LeBron James

Lonzo Ball

Lou Williams

Luka Doncic

Magic Johnson

Malcolm Brogdon

Manu Ginobili

Marc Gasol

Marcus Morris

Marcus Smart

Markelle Fultz

Markieff Morris

Michael Carter-Williams

Michael Jordan

Mike Bibby

Mike Scott

Monta Ellis

Montrezl Harrell

Nate Robinson

Nicolas Batum

Nikola Jokic

Nikola Vucevic

Pascal Siakam

Patrick Ewing

Pau Gasol

Paul George

Paul Millsap

Paul Pierce

Pete Maravich

P. J. Tucker

Rajon Rondo

Rashard Lewis

Rasheed Wallace

Ray Allen

Raymond Felton

Reggie Miller

Richard Hamilton

Ricky Rubio

RJ Barrett

Robert Covington

Rodney Hood

Rudy Gay

Russell Westbrook

Sam Cassell

Serge Ibaka

Shaquille O'Neal

Stephen Curry

Stephon Marbury

Steve Nash

Steven Adams

Tacko Fall

Taj Gibson

Terry Rozier

Tim Duncan

T. J. Warren

Tony Parker

Tracy McGrady

Trae Young

Tristan Thompson

Udonis Haslem

Victor Oladipo

Vince Carter

Wilson Chandler

Wilt Chamberlain

Xavier McDaniel

Zach LaVine

Zion Williamson

[junker-town]

The NBA’s 75th anniversary team includes 76 players

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Here’s who made the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.

The NBA has been hyping up its list of the 75 greatest players in league history as it starts its 75th season. After weeks of teasing the players who would be included, we now have the full list. It’s actually 76 players because of a tie.

The list is not ranked. It of course includes legends of the game like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Bill Russell. It also includes a number of active players, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard. Every MVP winner in league history is on the list with the lone of exception of Derrick Rose, who is the league’s youngest MVP ever.

Players that were snubbed for the list include Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Kyrie Irving, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, and Dikembe Mutombo.

Here’s the full list of the NBA’s top 75 as it was announced.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Ray Allen

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Carmelo Anthony

Nate Archibald

Paul Arizin

Charles Barkley

Rick Barry

Elgin Baylor

Dave Bing

Larry Bird

Kobe Bryant

Wilt Chamberlain

Bob Cousy

Dave Cowens

Billy Cunningham

Stephen Curry

Anthony Davis

Dave Debusschere

Clyde Drexler

Tim Duncan

Kevin Durant

Julius Erving

Patrick Ewing

Walt Frazier

Kevin Garnett

George Gervin

Hal Greer

James Harden

John Havlicek

Elvin Hayes

Allen Iverson

LeBron James

Magic Johnson

Sam Jones

Michael Jordan

Jason Kidd

Kawhi Leonard

Damian Lillard

Jerry Lucas

Karl Malone

Moses Malone

Pete Maravich

Bob McAdoo

Kevin McHale

George Mikan

Reggie Miller

Earl Monroe

Steve Nash

Dirk Nowitzki

Hakeem Olajuwon

Shaquille O’Neal

Robert Parish

Chris Paul

Gary Payton

Bob Pettit

Paul Pierce

Scottie Pippen

Willis Reed

Oscar Robertson

David Robinson

Dennis Rodman

Bill Russell

Dolph Schayes

Bill Sharman

John Stockton

Isiah Thomas

Nate Thurmond

Wes Unseld

Dwyane Wade

Bill Walton

Russell Westbrook

Lenny Wilkins

Dominique Wilkins

James Worthy

[hooptaiwan]

When the Game Really Became a Game   獨裁鐵幕後的哀愁

坎特（Enes Kanter）捲入土耳其政治鬥爭，竟被取消護照還身負當局拘捕令，更慘遭指控為武裝恐怖組織一份子，事實上NBA歷史上這不是頭一遭有球員因為政治因素成為犧牲者，來自專制國家前蘇聯的沙波尼斯（Arvydas Sabonis）和北韓的李明勳過去都是血淋淋的例子，當籃球比賽不再是籃球比賽，而是赤裸的權力遊戲，徒留下的是遺憾嘆息。

文：陳元廷

冷戰悲歌

2013年夏天，多曼塔斯（Domantas Sabonis）決定接受提議，拜訪岡查加大學（Gonzaga University），對方安排了同樣來自歐洲的波蘭籍中鋒卡諾夫斯基（Przemek Karnowski）率先在下榻飯店接待，之後一連串遊覽當地環境的行程則是由隊上後衛史塔克頓（David Stockton）負責。

史塔克頓準備一張照片向多曼塔斯證明，自己父親，也就是名人堂後衛約翰（John Stockton），最喜歡的一件T恤是1992年時巴塞隆納奧運上獲贈、傳奇樂團《死之華》所贊助的立陶宛國家隊款式，他轉達道：「父親總是告訴我，你爸爸就算已經幾乎不能在場上恣意活動，還是位偉大球員，更是個傳球天才。」

岡查加教練團準備一份簡報給多曼塔斯，裡頭提到學校幾個月前才幫助長人歐林尼克（Kelly Olynyk）以首輪第13順位進入NBA，他們有信心在其身上複製同樣成功模式，此外也提到多曼塔斯面框與背框兼修的打法很容易就能可以適應球隊戰術體系，多曼塔斯暗自下定決心，赴美就讀岡查加是自己實現NBA夢想的最好選擇。

公認是歐陸最偉大中鋒的父親沙波尼斯卻有些猶豫，他在多曼塔斯身上看到自己當年球場上身影，從不否認這位家中最小的男孩具有其他兩位兄弟所缺乏的籃球天賦，���過沙波尼斯認為祖國立陶宛球員過去前往美國挑戰大學籃壇往往失敗作收，且多曼塔斯當時接受培訓的西班牙職籃隊伍更允諾將開給他三年合約，但每次父親詢問兒子看法時，後者答案從未改變，他的籃球生涯下一站已經鎖定岡查加大學。

多曼塔斯出生時正是父親終於來到世界籃球最高殿堂——NBA的那年，當時已經31歲的他心中非常清楚：「如果這時候我還不把握機會，那麼這輩子肯定不可能體會到在NBA競爭的滋味，這感覺就像剩下最後一發子彈一樣。」當時的他卻也傷痕累累，各式各樣腳傷摧殘下，昔日優雅的巨人如今場上姿態彷彿陷入泥濘般寸步難行，立陶宛直到1990年才脫離蘇聯統治，此前蘇聯國家隊多次罔顧沙波尼斯復原進度，就連遭遇阿基里斯腱斷裂如此嚴重的傷勢，也強迫他提前復出征戰國際賽事，日後檢視過沙波尼斯腳部X光片的NBA隊醫曾說：「光憑X光片上頭顯示的狀況，沙波尼斯根本符合申請殘障車位的資格了。」

17歲的沙波尼斯赴美參加友誼賽時，一度力壓日後成為NBA狀元的山普森（Ralph Sampson），他的面框進攻能力和奔放的傳球創意足以與華頓（Bill Walton）相提並論，無窮低位單打威力則被視為比尤英（Patrick Ewing）更具潛在發展性，「健康的沙波尼斯是無所不能的，他擁有柏德（Larry Bird）和馬拉維奇（Pete Maravich）般細膩的技術，體能就跟賈霸（Kareem Abdul-Jabbar）一樣出色，他還擅長投三分、組織策應，還有帶球推進，當初我們早該想出個計畫把他綁架來美國。」日後成為球評的華頓指出。

事實上沙波尼斯過去的確曾有機會，以全盛之姿和美國最頂尖的籃球選手互相抗衡，路易斯安那州大（註：簡稱LSU）教練布朗（Dale Brown）1986年就想出一個看似瘋狂無比的計畫，希望邀請21歲的沙波尼斯入隊。

由於過去職籃選手是無法參與國際賽事，明��人都曉得蘇聯為了保留沙波尼斯參與1988年漢城奧運資格，不可能讓他在此之前先���入NBA，美國大學校隊就成為折衷方案，且美國總統雷根（Ronald Reagan）和蘇聯最高領導人戈巴契夫（Mikhail Gorbachev）1985年才於日內瓦進行冷戰期間最具歷史性的高峰會談，發表宣言中包括雙方日後將積極推展體育交流，布朗的突發奇想並非全然缺乏支持。

寫給雷根總統的信中，布朗強調沙波尼斯可望扮演如同突破黑白種族藩籬的棒球巨星羅賓森（Jackie Robinson）一般角色，也提議他可以分別在莫斯科的克里姆林宮和紐約的自由女神像前簽下象徵意義十足的入學意願書。遭到雷根婉拒後，布朗仍不死心，聯絡上並說服在與蘇聯關係深厚的美國富豪哈默（Armand Hammer）出手相助，對方允諾將安排他與戈巴契夫會面，但哈默卻在布朗到訪莫斯科時染上一場大病，最終人生地不熟的布朗只能無功而返。

布朗把最後希望寄託在一位就讀密蘇里大學（University of Missouri）新聞系的學生楊努勒薇休絲（Rima Janulevicius）身上，出身立陶宛移民家庭，從小就被灌輸同鄉間應該互相幫助的觀念，她對這不尋常的提案欣然應允。

楊努勒薇休絲不惜來到舉辦FIBA世界錦標賽的西班牙，千方百計設法與沙波尼斯取得聯繫，後者告訴前者他的確對加入LSU籃球校隊有興趣，卻也指出蘇聯方面不可能答應，同時他也一口回絕執意赴美的可能，害怕這麼做會讓家人朋友陷入生命危險，楊努勒薇休絲不死心，幾個月後再到阿根廷，意圖再度遊說到此參加世俱盃的沙波尼斯，這次球隊教練拒絕讓兩人碰面，聲明沙波尼斯已經答應1988年漢城奧運前會繼續留在國內受訓。

沙波尼斯巔峰身手於是永遠被隔絕於鐵幕之內、無緣西方世界，漢城奧運時宰制美國隊中鋒D．羅賓森（David Robinson）的表現成為絕響，此後同樣出身立陶宛的國家隊隊友馬修里昂尼斯（Sarunas Marciulionis）於1989年獲准挑戰NBA，沙波尼斯卻因飽受傷勢困擾，自認以此狀態無法應付NBA等級賽事而忍痛放棄。

而從馬修里昂尼斯身上或許可以一窺沙波尼斯先前面臨的艱困抉擇，他得知隨身英文翻譯數位���戚被送到西伯利亞勞改營，才終於相信對方不是蘇聯派來的間諜，該名翻譯不只得數次被迫陪KGB（註：蘇聯情報單位）一起「兜兜風」，接受讓他下車時鼻青臉腫的一連串拷打，因為若乖乖就範以錢解決問題，日後對方只會越加需索無度，最後他以翻譯美國情色刊物和錄影帶作為替代方式。協助馬修里昂尼斯的西洋棋王卡斯帕羅夫（Garry Kasparov）則曾語重心長道：「你要不就是成為立陶宛最富有的人，得以享受自由追尋夢想，否則你就是淪落到西伯利亞去。」

兒子們私底下透露，他們會小心翼翼避免讓沙波尼斯看到自己巔峰時期比賽片段，因為那些畫面帶給沙波尼斯無比煎熬與痛苦，二兒子圖提（Tuti）解釋：「假如我跟多曼塔斯和他三人獨處時，他會問，『如果我當初早點來到美國呢？』儘管他對外總是堅持對自己生涯沒有遺憾。」

將近三十年過後，沙波尼斯在多曼塔斯就學的文件上簽字同意，親自於立陶宛籃協記者會上公佈這項消息。多曼塔斯談到父親當初如何看待自己加入岡查加的決定時，指出：「我想他給了我很大的自由。」這是1986年當時的沙波尼斯所沒有的奢侈。

北韓的麥可

1997年5月，綠色箱型車行駛於加拿大幽靜的田野，車門外幾行大字表明「七呎十吋的李麥可專用座車」，為了讓他成功塞入車內，車後只留下一個座位，官方歷史紀錄顯示最高NBA球員為七呎七吋的穆雷桑（Gheorghe Muresan）和寶兒（Manute Bol），換言之這位「李麥可」若果真能夠如願以償，他將一舉打破兩位前輩的紀錄。「李麥可」除了難以置信的身高數字，還有個同樣出人意料之外的出身，本名李明勳的他來自朝鮮半島獨裁一方的北韓。

北韓政權儘管一直以來都視美國為頭號大敵，這卻絲毫沒有影響高層領導人對於NBA的喜愛，美國方面第一次見識到此弔詭情況是在1991年時雙方於華盛頓進行會談時，一次用完晚餐後一行人來到北韓代表旅館房間，其中為首的一位官員李根（Ri Gun）忽然打斷美方代表史薛梅爾（Gene Schmiel）閒談，說：「我的天啊！��然已經晚上八點，芝加哥公牛比賽也差不多開打了。先安靜一會吧，我們廣告暫停的時候再談。停！喬丹（Michael Jordan）和公牛準備出場了，我想看看皮本（Scottie Pippen）傷勢復出後表現如何。」

史薛梅爾大概作夢也無法預測到，自己接下來時間竟然不是和北韓官員爭論國際政策，而是自己支持的克里夫蘭騎士和公牛比較起來到底佔有哪些優勢，或者NBA究竟該不該開放區域聯防這種資深球迷才會觸及的議題。史薛梅爾發現李根對聯盟當前動態瞭如指掌，無論球員綽號或是數據都相當熟悉，對方指出這是因為自己常有機會和最高領導人——金正日一起觀賞公牛球賽的緣故，史薛梅爾甚至在寫給政府內部的備忘錄中，強調：「面對北韓外交官員，最好的破冰方式就是聊聊喬丹或公牛近況如何。」

顯然美方非常認真看待史薛梅爾所給予的建議，2000年時國務卿歐布萊特（Madeleine Albright）成為史上首位到訪北韓的美國政府首長，隨行的北韓議題資深顧問卡林（Bob Carlin）回憶：「比起一瓶威士忌酒或迷你自由女神像，我們希望找到更有意義的禮物來送給金正日。我想剛拿到這顆我們準備的喬丹簽名球時，他其實有些措手不及，但你可以感受到他反應過來後顯得很開心，這表示我們是經過一番深思熟慮後才找到這樣贈禮。」

根據北韓內部報導，這顆喬丹簽名球和巴基斯坦送的珍珠盒、古巴送的鱷魚皮手提包、辛巴威送的疣豬標本和俄羅斯送的高級獵槍共同陳列於金正日紀念館一隅，日後甚至傳出南韓廠商三星為了提倡朝鮮半島應該和平共處，還有意邀請喬丹本人造訪北韓，可惜遭到拒絕。而之後金正日的接班人——金正恩同樣繼承父親熱愛NBA的性格，2013年招待羅德曼（Dennis Rodman）和數位退役球員拜訪平壤。

李明勳九零年代在亞洲國際賽事表現不俗，1991年神戶亞錦賽上曾對菲律賓繳出單場55分成績，1993年雅加達亞錦賽帶領北韓拿下亞軍，且不但場均26.8分榮登得分王，更勇奪該屆錦標賽MVP。不過李明勳真正受到美國籃球圈矚目，來到台灣參加1996年瓊斯盃，面對由一級學校大學生組成的美國隊���陣中像得分後衛普羅菲特（Laron Profit）、小前鋒麥克勞德（Roshown McLeod）和大前鋒傑克森（Randell Jackson）日後都成功進入NBA，他個人攻下27分，從此打響本身知名度。

礙於美國設有《禁止與敵國貿易法》，北韓方面決定先透過加拿大協助李明勳訓練，再藉由各個管道設法進行交涉，希望找到替代方案讓這位北韓長人有望亮相NBA。過去曾經執教高中時期賈霸、當時移居加拿大的教練唐納休（Jack Donohue）負責李明勳備戰NBA重責大任，他回憶：「以當時已經快三十歲的年紀來說，他當然已經不可能成為很好的NBA球員，但我相信假如是上場十到十五分鐘的替補角色，他應該能夠表現得很出色。」

短短兩個月時間，李明勳進步十分顯著，NHL冰球聯盟渥太華參議員的戈登柏格（Loren Goldenberg）督促下，他從最初240磅增加到280磅，體脂肪比率也從18％下降到15％，垂直起跳高度由12英吋來到16英吋，蹲舉重量也從95磅一舉攀升到260磅，戈登柏格強調：「一開始的他體能糟透了，我從來沒有看過像他進步這麼神速的運動員。」一位設法讓美國政府對李明勳敞開大門的律師柯尼（Michael Coyne）補充：「之後人們常說姚明是投籃很厲害的長人，但假如是比投籃的話，我不認為李明勳有輸的可能，我們常常一群人在旁邊看他練習，十幾分鐘過去他都沒有錯失一球。他有著教科書般投籃姿勢，射程甚至可以遠及三分線外。」一位NBA球探則直言，肯定有球隊願意簽下李明勳，因為高度是絕對教不來的，而他只需墊腳尖就可以手摸到籃框。

不過美國政府對於李明勳投入NBA卻始終抱持敬而遠之態度，一位官員甚至強調：「我不在乎你怎麼說，就算你在他身上漆上條紋，說他是頭斑馬，我們也不會讓他進到美國來。」美方也特別對李明勳薪水必須繳回北韓感到相當感��，數個月後一次美國、中國、北韓和南韓針對朝鮮半島局勢談判時，美國將李明勳能否加入NBA列為斡旋籌碼之一，據聞此舉徹底激怒金正日，日後就算美方改變立場、持開放態度，北韓政府也拒絕讓NBA球隊接觸李明勳。

美方的北韓議題資深顧問卡林日後評論道：「我不認為當時我們的作法是夠聰明的，正值北韓方面積極想要���善對美關係的時候，他們真的很想向美國社會大眾證明，過去存在的敵意已經逐漸平息，所以他們願意讓李明勳來NBA效力。」李明勳來到加拿大備戰NBA的決定也受得到金正日支持，他取的英文名字「麥可」也為了致敬後者最喜愛的球星——喬丹。

可惜李明勳這趟加拿大行並未成為雙方交流的起點，只留下幾則讓西方世界嘖嘖稱奇的軼事，例如他身邊無時無刻都跟著保鏢，接觸李明勳的人都得到警告，如果意圖不軌的話，保鏢是格殺勿論、絕不留情。又或者，唐納休教練起初以為李明勳腳步不穩是舊傷所致，細查後才發現是他一直以來都試著把22號的腳塞進19號的鞋裡，但直到唐納休叫女兒偷走李明勳舊鞋，他才肯換成合適尺碼的新鞋。

此外，唐納休更印象深刻的是，李明勳隨行一位北韓教練因為生重病，不得已只能讓他先搭機返國，沒想到登機前這位教練竟死抓著通道扶手不放，且不停大聲尖叫、堅持不肯離開，最後處置方法是趁其回旅館時在食物下安眠藥，半沉半睡下才好不容易讓他乖乖搭上飛機返回北韓。

「我以為我要是可以打NBA，應該對促進北韓和美國友好關係很有幫助，但我的努力卻是帶來相反效果，他們希望拿我當作政治操作的棋子，所以我只好放棄這個夢想。身為籃球員，我只想測試我的實力到哪裡，錢或政治等其他因素都不是重點。」李明勳1998年底接受CNN採訪時說，他自此西方世界眼中銷聲匿跡，直到金正日2011年去世後舉辦盛大隆重的喪禮，觀眾赫然發現轉播鏡頭出現一位鶴立雞群的高個子，才又想起這位七呎十吋的李麥可。

土耳其之殤

雷霆長人坎特一般給予外界相當正面的形象，和亞當斯（Steven Adams）組成「八字鬍兄弟（Stache Brothers）」，拍攝各式各樣搞笑的照片或短片，今年四月份又在《The Players' Tribune》網站發表文章，大力讚賞衛斯布魯克（Russell Westbrook）領袖風範。可是其祖國土耳其的政府當局近期聲明中，竟指控坎特是武裝恐怖組織一份子，不僅取消他的護照還發布拘捕令，似乎完全違背所有球迷對這位土耳其大個子的認知。

一切衝突實際上有跡可循，去年坎特父親透過土耳其官方支持的媒體，指出兒子遭到宗教領袖葛蘭（Fethullah Gulen）���腦，更說出「我為有這樣一個兒子向所有土耳其人和總統致歉，假如我早知道事情發展會到這個地步，當初就不會帶他美國參加籃球營，讓他的籃球天賦被外界發掘」如此激烈言論，家族成員甚至強調不承認肯特是其中一員，本人也在得知此消息後，把姓氏從肯特改為葛蘭。

此外退役NBA球員特克魯（Hedo Turkoglu）同時也以土耳其籃協主席官方身份，強調：「兩年前，我就說過他腦袋不正常，他如今行為證實我的話，他就是個叛徒，我向上天祈禱不要讓任何人養出像他這樣的兒子。」

時間來到今年五月，坎特為了基金會公益活動走訪亞洲，一晚於印尼時經紀人半夜兩點半叫醒了他，警告說當地警方正在尋找他們一行人，經紀人獲得線報透露印尼政府接到土耳其當局通知，聲稱坎特是「危險人士」。坎特連忙趕在半時後坐上計程車，搭乘凌晨五點二十五航班離開。

但是這趟驚魂之旅並未結束，他轉機過境羅馬尼亞時被海關人員告知護照失效，最後靠著NBA官方與奧克拉荷馬州政治人物動用關係，才藉由聯邦政府協助其平安返回美國，坎特於紐約召開記者會時表示：「假如他們把我遣返到土耳其，你們就再也聽不到我的消息了。」

「這一切背後主因很簡單，誰如果膽敢反對土耳其總統，他就會試著對付那個人。」坎特解釋，他更重砲批評土耳其總統埃爾多安（Recep Tayyip Erdogan）是「我們這個世代的希特勒」。接著，事情發展益發失控，坎特父親在土耳其被逮捕的消息傳出，坎特這才透露去年父親和家族是為了自保，才公開切斷彼此關係，還補充說許多無辜的土耳其家庭都因為參與葛蘭的宗教慈善運動面臨政府迫害，自己也已經很久沒有跟土耳其家人聯絡，害怕因此連累他們入獄。

要了解坎特目前捲入的這場政治鬥爭風暴，首先必須對土耳其建國歷史有粗淺認識，過去專制王朝時期的鄂圖曼王朝推行所謂「政教合一」政策，意即君王不但是享有帝國統治權的蘇丹，也居領導伊斯蘭世界的哈里發之位，不過隨著歷史推演，鄂圖曼勢力衰微且西化趨勢銳不可擋，最終促成土耳其共和國的建立，國父凱末爾（Mustafa Kemal Ataturk）企圖徹底切斷政治與宗教間連結，此現代化路線雖取得一定成功，卻只是某種程度上略為消除伊斯蘭教對社會的巨大影響力。

凱末爾追隨者並未替土耳其帶來繁榮與穩定，該國近代政局動盪不安，發生數次軍事政變，九零年代遭逢經濟危機，通貨膨脹問題嚴重，對外與庫德族人關係緊張，對內像是強迫女性不可配戴傳統頭巾的政策也得到強力反彈，一連串內憂外患下促成改革勢力崛起，埃爾多安與葛蘭就是其中兩大要角，事實上兩人都曾因為被控顛覆政權而入獄。

初期埃爾多安與葛蘭互相合作可說是再合理不過，埃爾多安作為政治人物，除強調經濟建設外更主打親伊斯蘭教政策來拉攏選民，他的太太往往配戴傳統頭巾大方出席公眾場合，其所創立的正義與發展黨（註：簡稱AKP）很快就贏得大眾支持取得政權；葛蘭身份是宗教領袖，倡導開放且現代化的伊斯蘭教，接受現代科學並積極慈善活動，他提出「服務奉獻（Hizmet）」宗旨，在世界各地有伊斯蘭教徒的地方廣設學校，鼓勵信徒進入公部門對社會作出貢獻。

葛蘭運動表面看似大愛無私，卻被指控背後蘊藏巨大陰謀，《紐約客（The New Yorker）》引述知情人士說詞，指出葛蘭信徒大量滲透司法審判系統，形同影子政權，因此儘管葛蘭本人1999年就移居美國，沒有人懷疑其影響祖國政局的能耐。接著發生土耳其軍方中部份人士推翻埃爾多安政權計畫外洩事件，埃爾多安獲得葛蘭幫助，透過司法審判系統大幅整肅異己，其中甚至包括羅織證據消滅政敵。

雙方聯盟沒有維持太長時間，葛蘭派人士逐漸把矛頭改對準昔日合作對象的支持者，以查緝貪腐名義希望扳倒對方，就連埃爾多安也被指控收賄，察覺大事不妙後開始向土耳其大眾宣稱一切都是葛蘭的操弄，從此造就維持至今的水火不容情勢。2016年七月，土耳其發生武裝政變，埃爾多安驚險逃過叛軍拘捕，大難不死的他發動毫不留情的反撲行動，不僅其眼中的幕後首腦——葛蘭派人士遭殃，任何有絲毫牽連者一概連坐，且被視為恐怖份子。

即使葛蘭派人士堅稱，前述武裝政變根本是埃爾多安自導自演，目的是為了鞏固自身政權，並且取得正當名目以利實行高壓統治，不爭事實是埃爾多安發動的大清洗行動，根據《紐約時報》調查已經有14萬人護照被判無效、七萬人被��留、四萬人入獄，更封鎖除官方許可外其他傳媒管道，幾乎社會各個層面都受到巨大衝擊，更令人憂心的是，埃爾多安於近日一次關鍵公投勝出，外界預估大權一把抓現象只會越演越烈。

目前當然沒有任何證據顯示，坎特與葛蘭派人士陰謀有實際牽連，合理推斷他只是尊崇葛蘭宗教上善意主張，其雖然被土耳其官方通緝，美國當局卻也明白該國敏感局勢，除非對方能夠提出明確鐵證指出坎特涉嫌顛覆政府，否則遭遣返回國的機率近趨於零，護照失效的問題同樣不如乍聽下嚴重，靠擁有的綠卡就能自由往返美國和加拿大兩地，不至於妨礙NBA賽季進行。

「籃球是我的工作，我不是政治人物也不是記者，但我的身份給了我發聲管道，我希望藉此幫助只因為表達自己立場與信念就平白無辜受罰的土耳其人。」肯特透露，他的出發點崇高而值得讚揚，更顯得埃爾多安派和葛蘭派近年的政治惡鬥不惜犧牲無辜土耳其人的醜惡。

【完整內文刊登於美國職籃雜誌2017年七月號】

https://www.facebook.com/HoopTaiwan/?fref=ts

[dickiebhee]

Was Steve Nash Good?

Was Steve Nash Good?

Some idiot female, clearly ready perform felatio on Russell Westbrook because of her avatar, sent out this little piece of inanity:

https://twitter.com/Soslamy23/status/1076909230446252034

So I, in terror of being #MeToo’d and having my Twitter account suspended had I responded in the, er, “appropriate” manner, I simply replied with this logical observation:

https://twitter.com/DickieBhee/status/…

[petnews2day]

Rookie Larry Bird once excoriated fellow Hall of Famer Pete Maravich when both were Boston Celtics

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/pet-news/bird-news/rookie-larry-bird-once-excoriated-fellow-hall-of-famer-pete-maravich-when-both-were-boston-celtics/

Rookie Larry Bird once excoriated fellow Hall of Famer Pete Maravich when both were Boston Celtics

It might surprise some younger fans to learn that the tenures of Boston Celtics Hall of Famers “Pistol” Pete Maravich and Larry Bird overlapped for a season on the storied franchise both played for, Maravich signing on for a swan song to his storied career just as The Hick From French Lick’s got started in the 1979-80 NBA season.

And as is not that unusual, the two basketball legends butted heads a bit at first, going at it in the heat of a game after a play did not go the way one thought it ought to according to teammate and Boston legend in his own right Cedric Maxwell.

Speaking to NBC Sports Boston about a recent on-court kerfuffle between the Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra, Jimmy Butler, and Udonis Haslem, Maxwell recalled a similar incident going down between Bird and Maravich.

Per Cornbread, Maravich passed to Bird as the future star found himself quickly double-teamed.

“We come to the timeout, and Pete Maravich says to Larry, ‘Larry, Larry, they’re double-teaming you,” said Maxwell. “‘You can’t force up those kind of shots.’ Larry looks up and goes, ‘If you were any damn good, they wouldn’t be double-teaming me.’”

“This is one Hall of Famer to another,” he added. “I was in shock.”

“Later, they talked and worked it out. Guys get into each other’s face all the time, but it’s not as public as that was,” continued Maxwell, referring to the Heat kerfuffle.

“You’ll see that all the time with players, especially if you’re competitive.”

Most Hall of Famers are by nature, and while Spoelstra may be headed to Springfield at the end of his coaching career, we have to imagine it was a shock of an entirely different order for Maxwell to have witnessed.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire