What an amazing array of loser point guards that we have enjoyed over the years. Another vote for Reefer! He could dance like Ali in the ring and would take sheet from anyone.
Not many remember we drafted John Lucas No.1 in 1976 and he was perfect for us. Then we signed Rick Barry as a FA and the commissioner got to chose the price. Guess what and or who the price was? John Lucas and ca$h. Does this "screwed by the league office" story ring a bell? Anyways, the first time we had John Lucas was "the PG who was here for too short a period." With him, we had a pretty sweet team.
I clicked Sura for a sec then saw Cassell, seeing his name just got me thinking what could have been. Losing Cassell and Horry for Barkley was just heartbreaking.
Sura, Cassell, Lucas, and Brent Price were 3 pt guards whose lost might have cost us a ring. Lucas in 86 would have made a big different in the finals I think, and Cassell...well he was traded to get Barkeley, but Price was hitting 3's like a monster when he went down. With Hakeem, Clyde, and Charles Price was wide open and we were rolling. Don't think Price would have made a difference against Utah that year? And Sura...hard to imagine how things wouldn't have been different with a healthy Sura.
Yep, got screwed there.. and also when the Commish vetod the Barkley signing as a free agent because he felt that a deal had to been discussed before the FA season had started. So, Barkley signs with PHX and we trade Sam Cassel, Robert Horry, Chucky Brown and Mark Bryant. Losing to one major piece and two good role players in our championship years. But get this, this was the same year that Shaquille O'Neal was filmed having lunch in LA with Jerry West before FA were allowed to talk to any other teams. Guess who O'Neal signed with that year?.... yep, LA... Another **** job by Stern. But that's another thread entirely... sorry....
And it's not even limited basketball. The Astros to the AL? Really? Whenever Houston is subject to the whims of a league offices in the Northeast, Houston loses.
Oh, BTW, Sura was at the end of his career also... Had a chance to DJ for a surprise for him, he was a very cool individual.