OT: Old school Knicks

[greenknight]

Gotta tell this story I was watching old school Knicks game 83 or 84 playoffs against pistons. Hubie Brown & young Rick Pitino asst. Brought me back to HS watching the Knicks..my mother walks in who knows absolutely nothing about sports looks a TV w/o skipping a beat and says Hi Hubie....perplexed my jaw dropping I'm like how do you know who that is...she says her sister dated Hubie in HS and she was friends with him. I'm like and why do I not have Knicks Tickets

Watching the actual game I saw 1 3 pt shot taken...95% of shots 15ft & in and come to the conclusion none of those guys could play in today's NBA

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Funny! I have a similar story.

When I was youngster, our family was watching a Jets game in the 70s. The camera catches Walt Michaels on the sideline. My mother, who I must admit was a big football fan, sees him and says something like, "It's Walt! What a nice guy!" I immediately say, "How do you know him?" Growing up, she explained the Michaels' house was caddy-corner from my mother's house in Swoyersville, PA.

Walt was a year younger than my mother. She said everyone in the neighborhood and in school called him Sam back in the day. She couldn't remember why. She dug out her high school yearbook and, sure enough, he signed it Sam. She was also quick to point out for how nice "Sam" was, his younger brother Lou (who had a good NFL career; 4th pick in 1958 NFL draft) was a real jerk, often saying he thought his poop didn't stink.

 

[greenknight]

Funny stories

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

1987 my sophomore year in HS I look up in the stands and Hubie Brown was at the game watching. His son Brendan Brown? played for Delbarton.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Hubie recruited a high school teammate of mine to William & Mary.

 

[CollegeSenior]

Great story.

But wow. Your 90ish mother can glance at a TV and instantly recognize the 50 year old version of Hubie Brown from 40 years ago as the guy who dated her teenage sister 70 years ago. Wow.

And a huh. Over all those many years it never came up that your aunt used to date him. The times were so different . “Oh yeah. That. I never told your that?” Today there’d be a social media trail hundreds of pages and photos deep.

 

[Friend of 112]

1987 my sophomore year in HS I look up in the stands and Hubie Brown was at the game watching. His son Brendan Brown? played for Delbarton.

Brendan Brown

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Brendan Brown

that's terrible

 

[greenknight]

Great story.

But wow. Your 90ish mother can glance at a TV and instantly recognize the 50 year old version of Hubie Brown from 40 years ago as the guy who dated her teenage sister 70 years ago. Wow.

And a huh. Over all those many years it never came up that your aunt used to date him. The times were so different . “Oh yeah. That. I never told your that?” Today there’d be a social media trail hundreds of pages and photos deep.

No this was in 83-84 my mother died many years ago. I was watching old school game the other day and brought back that memory seeing Hubie Brown and no I wouldn't know my mother's sister dated Hubie Brown back in HS. Had no idea. As a matter of fact one of my best friends since 1st grade, I had no idea his mother grew up with my mother & her sister was my mom's best friend. Found this one put as a single playing golf in summer of 9th grade. Had my RC baseball hat on and got matched up with his uncle who asked me if I knew him after he saw my hat. He asked me my name to tell his nephew. As soon as I told him he Said my mom's name. It was her best friends husband. Played gold with him & his buddy who also grew up with my mom every week after that

 

[HeavenUniv.]

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[greenknight]

Here's another 1. I've gone to 1 knicks game in my life...about 9 yrs old with my dad. We were a fews rows from the top of the Garden...everyone around us on all sides was smoking weed on top of regular cigarettes. You could barely see the floor thru all the smoke. My father was yelling at everyone. Come on I have a small kid here.
When we were leaving, we were in our car next to pistons bus. Out walks Bob Lanier with a full length fur coat down to his ankles with his arms around 2 women walking to team bus. Last I saw he was kissing one while the other one was hanging all over him on the other side. I was like 7 or 8 ft from him so I got a nice look

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Here's another 1. I've gone to 1 knicks game in my life...about 9 yrs old with my dad. We were a fews rows from the top of the Garden...everyone around us on all sides was smoking weed on top of regular cigarettes. You could barely see the floor thru all the smoke. My father was yelling at everyone. Come on I have a small kid here.
When we were leaving, we were in our car next to pistons bus. Out walks Bob Lanier with a full length fur coat down to his ankles with his arms around 2 women walking to team bus. Last I saw he was kissing one while the other one was hanging all over him on the other side. I was like 7 or 8 ft from him so I got a nice look

Lanier was a nice guy. Back when the Nets played at the RAC I met him a few times.

Get a load of this memorable story... before a Nets/Pistons game, my friends and I were in the lobby of the Marriott hotel (now Delta) in Somerset to get some autographs. The Pistons were staying there. As could be expected, we wanted Lanier's autograph the most. All the players, coaches, and staff walked through the lobby and then outside to the team bus...except Lanier. The bus left for the RAC without Lanier. We figured he must have made other arrangements to get to the arena. We were disappointed not to see him.

However, a few minutes after the bus leaves, Lanier comes down from his room. We tell him the bus left without him. He replied, paraphrasing, "You gotta be kidding!" We were all going to the game after leaving the hotel. My friends (brothers Jim and Chris) asked Lanier if he wanted a ride in their car to the arena. He said, "Absolutely." So they drove Lanier to the RAC. Lanier was known for being a chain smoker. He lit up in my friends' car on the short drive. The next day, Jim, Chris, and their parents went shopping together. Jim and Chris had to explain why the car smelled like smoke...lol

 

[greenknight]

Lanier was a nice guy. Back when the Nets played at the RAC I met him a few times.

Get a load of this memorable story... before a Nets/Pistons game, my friends and I were in the lobby of the Marriott hotel (now Delta) in Somerset to get some autographs. The Pistons were staying there. As could be expected, we wanted Lanier's autograph the most. All the players, coaches, and staff walked through the lobby and then outside to the team bus...except Lanier. The bus left for the RAC without Lanier. We figured he must have made other arrangements to get to the arena. We were disappointed not to see him.

However, a few minutes after the bus leaves, Lanier comes down from his room. We tell him the bus left without him. He replied, paraphrasing, "You gotta be kidding!" We were all going to the game after leaving the hotel. My friends (brothers Jim and Chris) asked Lanier if he wanted a ride in their car to the arena. He said, "Absolutely." So they drove Lanier to the RAC. Lanier was known for being a chain smoker. He lit up in my friends' car on the short drive. The next day, Jim, Chris, and their parents went shopping together. Jim and Chris had to explain why the car smelled like smoke...lol

Haha that's great. We had 2 sets of season tickets front row at the RAC for the Nets. 2 right exactly at the mid court line and then 2 next to Superfan more towards the baseline. He was funny for the 1st 3 or 4 games but was an annoying *** after that. Remember it like yesterday he had like light brown distressed dingo boots stood up and stomped his feet all game, swung around a rubber chicken and heckled the refs relentlessly. He had a bag of props. I knew 1 refs name only because it seemed like this dude did ever Nets game....think his name was O'Donnell and Suoerfan heckled him by name the whole game

Best seats ever our feet were basically right on the baseline. Memorable moments Rick Barry stepping on my chest saving a ball and Mike O'koren coming up and talking to me every game. Mike Newlin was a lights out shooter shame he didn't have a 3pt line

 

[PiscatawayMike]

@greenknight honestly, I should write a book about the Nets when they played at the RAC from 1977-81! I have dozens of great/hilarious/interesting stories I could share. I attended well over 100 games during the four seasons. I only missed one home game in 1978-79, the only season the Nets made the playoffs when they played in Piscataway.

I got autographs of hundreds of players (including all-time greats such as Abdul-Jabbar, Erving, Maravich, Bird, etc.), most of which I still have. When Bird played at the RAC as a rookie on Halloween 1979, I gathered up a bunch of ticket stubs because I figured they'd be worth something someday. I was right! I've already sold a few. I have one posted eBay right now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1669508666...neIMqNrNx6U1gm/mDtEehyFbpA==|tkp:BFBM1vKX-c9l

I remember Superfan very well! I agree that his act got old pretty quick... but Warner Wolf loved him! Whenever he went to the videotape to show highlights of a game at the RAC, he'd ALWAYS show Superfan and say, "...and Mr. G was at the game!"

Actually, the 3-point shot was in existence when Newlin was on the Nets. The NBA instituted it for the 1979-80 season. Boston's Chris Ford was credited with making the first one on 10/12/79 (Bird's NBA debut). The Celtics only attempted three 3-pointers in the game. Bird and Cowens missed the other two.

BTW, Jake O'Donnell is the ref you're thinking of. He did ref a lot of Nets games!

 

[greenknight]

@greenknight honestly, I should write a book about the Nets when they played at the RAC from 1977-81! I have dozens of great/hilarious/interesting stories I could share. I attended well over 100 games during the four seasons. I only missed one home game in 1978-79, the only season the Nets made the playoffs when they played in Piscataway.

I got autographs of hundreds of players (including all-time greats such as Abdul-Jabbar, Erving, Maravich, Bird, etc.), most of which I still have. When Bird played at the RAC as a rookie on Halloween 1979, I gathered up a bunch of ticket stubs because I figured they'd be worth something someday. I was right! I've already sold a few. I have one posted eBay right now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/166950866669?_skw=larry+bird+rutgers&itmmeta=01JSZS5Z4VPZB0A4KVJW4SE0SZ&hash=item26df0c0eed:g:ObIAAOSw9i9m1oZp&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1c2ns1q9CwUYTnVkrR5CY9cufd1d17phOpeLnszrTPrJXwHN7clmPVK6JWtBmJKXTjDlgAyDrbFOhWtn/jC2CBbXoYRWY5JUxB+6IbVG2kh+Tz85Frht+BU2AM8iHd3nMGFKssaK0hfRNOY62zAnmeJQ695dnSKl9Rdyeo4DnZmyE3CXK06OkkNEYSM4CLHB44uA+Q8vd80tv6TPsJuEh4pi67gFGzCC2olmu6jyIwbbghYanqaz+GAJqucjSSvkhaLtsI6eNZlrR0vcpfJneIMqNrNx6U1gm/mDtEehyFbpA==|tkp:BFBM1vKX-c9l

I remember Superfan very well! I agree that his act got old pretty quick... but Warner Wolf loved him! Whenever he went to the videotape to show highlights of a game at the RAC, he'd ALWAYS show Superfan and say, "...and Mr. G was at the game!"

Actually, the 3-point shot was in existence when Newlin was on the Nets. The NBA instituted it for the 1979-80 season. Boston's Chris Ford was credited with making the first one on 10/12/79 (Bird's NBA debut). The Celtics only attempted three 3-pointers in the game. Bird and Cowens missed the other two.

BTW, Jake O'Donnell is the ref you're thinking of. He did ref a lot of Nets games!

100% Jake O'Donnell Suoerfan heckled him to no end. I forget his name but got a lifesize poster of some white guy that was 7'2. Remember he had a beard. His name was Rich Kelley. Man those seats were great but sat on HS bleachers. I can say for 2 yrs we had front row season tickets. When we to Byrne Arena we got moved pretty midway up so we canceled seats

 

[PiscatawayMike]

100% Jake O'Donnell Suoerfan heckled him to no end. I forget his name but got a lifesize poster of some white guy that was 7'2. Remember he had a beard

Great story behind that one... Rich Kelley growth poster promotion night! A life-sized poster of the 7-footer. One big problem: the Nets traded Kelley the same day of the giveaway!

 

[Friend of 112]

...I forget his name but got a lifesize poster of some white guy that was 7'2. Remember he had a beard

Rich Kelley - who got traded to Phoenix mid-season before the poster was distributed. I believe the poster was a 84" (+/-) growth chart
I was actually hired to put stickers on the posters for when they were distributed later that season. The stickers said something to the effect "By the time I get to Phoenix, I might be 8 foot tall".

 

[greenknight]

Rich Kelley - who got traded to Phoenix mid-season before the poster was distributed. I believe the poster was a 84" (+/-) growth chart
I was actually hired to put stickers on the posters for when they were distributed later that season. The stickers said something to the effect "By the time I get to Phoenix, I might be 8 foot tall".

Haha found it a little before you. I had it on my wall and measured myself against it. Markered it up as I grew

 

[greenknight]

Rich Kelley - who got traded to Phoenix mid-season before the poster was distributed. I believe the poster was a 84" (+/-) growth chart
I was actually hired to put stickers on the posters for when they were distributed later that season. The stickers said something to the effect "By the time I get to Phoenix, I might be 8 foot tall".

Walk down memory lane.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Rich Kelley - who got traded to Phoenix mid-season before the poster was distributed. I believe the poster was a 84" (+/-) growth chart
I was actually hired to put stickers on the posters for when they were distributed later that season. The stickers said something to the effect "By the time I get to Phoenix, I might be 8 foot tall".

That's right! I remember that sticker being on the poster! So he had to have been traded before the giveaway night.

Did you work for the Nets?

 

[greenknight]

The Gman, Roger Phegley also used to come up and talk to me. Loved Super John Williamson. Darrell Dawkins was fun to watch, Cliff Rob

 

[greenknight]

That's right! I remember that sticker being on the poster! So he had to have been traded before the giveaway night.

Did you work for the Nets?

Now that you said that multiple times remember the sticker I was like 12. I even got to take a shot in warmups. Forget who gave me the ball to shoot

 

[PiscatawayMike]

The Gman, Roger Phegley also used to come up and talk to me. Loved Super John Williamson. Darrell Dawkins was fun to watch, Cliff Rob

During the fall semester (Sept-Dec 1986) of my senior year at Rutgers, I interned in the Nets public relations department at the Meadowlands. What a blast! Dawkins (R.I.P.) was one of a kind. I have some great stories from that four-month period, too!

 

[Friend of 112]

That's right! I remember that sticker being on the poster! So he had to have been traded before the giveaway night.

Did you work for the Nets?

Not at that time - I was still in grammar school. I knew their on-site ticket manager at the RAC and helped him (along with some others)... so many paper cuts from re-rolling them up!

During the fall semester (Sept-Dec 1986) of my senior year at Rutgers, I interned in the Nets public relations department at the Meadowlands. What a blast! Dawkins (R.I.P.) was one of a kind. I have some great stories from that four-month period, too!

Did your internship have you covering at their training camp at Princeton?

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Not at that time - I was still in grammar school. I knew their on-site ticket manager at the RAC and helped him (along with some others)... so many paper cuts from re-rolling them up!

Did your internship have you covering at their training camp at Princeton?

I didn't spend much time in Princeton. One time I did have to go there was to get on the team bus for a preseason game in Hershey vs. the Bullets. The only time in my life I was an official scorer. I was responsible for minutes played, rebounds, and blocked shots.

I'll never forget the date (10/12/86) because it was the night of Dave Henderson's huge HR for the Red Sox. The game was on the TV in the press room.