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West did not want Magic.
Posted by: SPQR on Nov 04, 2009 - 08:53 AM
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I have been reading the new book about the Magic-Bird rivalry: When The Game Was Ours.
One of the interesting things I ran across was that GM Jerry West was enamored of Arkansas guards Sidney Moncrief's all around game and prefered to make him the Lakers pick instead of Magic.
This does not really suprise me. Magic was kind of unknown territory, a six foot nine point guard, something never seen before. Moncrief was a terrific all around player on both ends of the floor, something that would really appeal to fundamentalist player West.
Jerry Buss, who was then in the process of buying the team told current owner Jack Kent Cooke that if he did not take Magic with that pick then the sale would be off. So all us Laker fans owe the estimable and far sighted Dr. Buss a huge thanks for drafting the greatest Laker and best point guard ever and creating Showtime with its nine trips to the final and five rings. We have so many other things to thank him for. He is truly a great, great owner.
West was not alone in his doubts about Johnson translating successfully to the NBA. A Michigan sports writer named Joe Falls wrote an article about why Magic would not excel in the pro game. He said he was too awkward, not good defensivly and did not have a good shot.
This article from a home town reporter incensed Magic and as with all great players, prompted him to redouble his practices and shooting drills. We all know how it ended.
Moncrief by the way went on to have a hall of fame career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He teamed with Bob Lanier and other good players to make them an eastern powerhouse who gave those great Boston and Philly teams fits and hard battles in the decade of the 80's, once knocking Birds Celtics out of the playoffs.
Speaking of Bird, his acerbic wit is well known. Here is a funny line he used back in college. He was getting the lions share of the press and glory while playing for his college team. Apparently some of the other players were jealous of the attention he was getting. He was asked about this. His response was: "I am jealous of those guys too. I am jealous that they get to play with me and I don't." - OUCH! What a classic line by Bird.
Also, we all know about Kobe's harsh work ethic. But that is the one common denominator with all the best of the best, along with talent. When Bird's Celtics were eliminated in the playoffs by Moncrief's Bucks, the next summer his workout regime included running five miles uphill, then riding a bike for another 20 miles. After this, he would go out and shoot 500 jumpers and 500 layups. All in the mid summer heat. Everyday. Sound like someone we know?
The DAY AFTER Boston beat LA in the 84 finals, ML Carr went to Birds house to continue the party they had had that night. No one had gotten any sleep. He arrived at 6am. Bird was not there. Carr waited around and eventually Bird came jogging up after one of his grueling runs. Carr asked him, "What are you doing?" Bird replied, "Getting ready for next year." Sound like someone we know? lol.
All the greats have that common thread running through them, don't they? They just never feel safe, never secure, always worry that someone else is getting an edge on them. It's why they are what they are.
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