For me it was Jerry West honestly. This was in the late '60's like 1968 or so. He was a shooting guard for the Lakers I think- not the point. The games were on CBS I think and tape delayed. So I would watch these incredible games that it seemed like the Lakers always lost to the Celtics. Jerry West was this heroic, but tragic figure. He would have these incredible games and they would lose the series. I think he won one championship. After losing a series, I read that he would be really down for along time. He was so gifted, but could not get that ring for so long. I remember years later hearing Bill Russell of the Celtics say that he hoped that Jerry West found some happiness. I think West is a terrific GM, but I really do not like the guy. West would light it up in these games for 35 points or more. There would be overtime- but He could never win a series. Later in the early '70's I really enjoyed Walt Frazier and the Knicks. They were so much fun to watch. More light hearted than all that tragedy with Jerry West. Jerry West got he hooked on basketball. The guy never gave up. His tenacity was impressive. So much sadness.....
Hakeem! Geez, you people! Did you know the "dream shake" works for a guard, too? That guy took more punishment and STILL delivered than any "star" I can remember. That ethic defined his greatness. I think Maxwell set the hook for fandom, though. That guy was quite a show.
I played some ball & watched a game every coupla weeks in the 80's, but I happened to have just moved to Phoenix the year they traded for Barkley. I liked Barkley before but rarely got to see him play. Maybe the 1 or 2 games they played a Texas team and the All-Star game (which doesn't count). Now I was in a position to watch him 2 or 3 times a week. Still hated the Suns, but I tell you that season that Barkley had was amazing. Now of course I'm hooked. Watch 2 or 3 games a week & play 3 times as often as I used to. Always loved the Rockets a bond I used to share w/my dad, but it was that one season of Barkley's opened my eyes. Sorta like when you have an epiphany & all of a sudden GET Jazz (music not those Mormon whiners)
Claud Riley from Texas A&M and Rob Williams from UH were the first two players that I first started keeping up with on a reguar basis after I watched them in a Texas High School all stars vs the U.S. High School all stars in the late 70's. They were all star (different high schools) teammates and I was pissed when Claud went to A&M instead of UH but I kept up with him. I started listening to the Rockets games on the Radio with my grandfather even before that but the year that Rob Williams lead the Cougars to the final four was the first time I can remember getting rabid about the sport.
Damn, there's a blast from the past!!! I was at Sam Houston State the same time Riley was at A&M. Four of us (basketball junkies) drove to A&M, walked into the gym and who do you think was in there? Riley and (Vernon)? Perry. We asked if they wanted to get a game going and they said sure and laughed. A couple other guys showed up and we played 4 on 4 for a couple of hours. It was a blast, Riley was 6'9" and was amazing, he could dribble like a guard. Perry (who went on to play for the 76ers) was 6'8" could shoot lights out. They were only half-assing it but you could see just how good they were. Robert Williams was a hell of a player. Remember the big showdown against Greg Kite's Madison team in 1979 at Hofeinz Pavillion?
Playing ball against Claud Riley? Damn that would have been fun...embarrassing but fun I always thought he would make it big in the NBA but things just never panned out for him. I loved watching Williams play. That guy had some serious skills. I always thought he was better than Clyde in college but he just went down the same track as guys like Roy Tarpley.
