Re: UPCLOSE

[JOzersky@aol.com]

UpClose was great.  The brain still has all his marbles, and it was a great
half hour. the highlights:

Asked who the greatest player of all time was, Red didn't hesitate:  "You
gotta say Michael Jordan."  He said he used to say Russell, and pointed out
that statistical arguments could support Jabbar, chamberlain, etc., but that
no one has had the kind of pressure Jordan has.

On players then v. now.  "I don't want to hear that they're bigger, stronger,
faster, smarter, whatever."  He said skills develop, but that the
fundamentals are still what matter.  Main difference is "now there are more
of them."  He could make up three teams of great players from the NBA in the
sixties, whereas now he could make five or six teams.  But he pointed out
that he beat the Dream Team with a club made up of Russell, Chamberlain, and
Jabbar, Pettit, Baylor, Erving, somebody else, and at guards robertson, west,
havlicek, and cousy.

Gen X selfishness is directly attributable to agents.

He never thought we could get Pitino; heaped praise on Gaston for being
willing to spend to win and get pitino, who Red says is the best.  Indirectly
criticized Riley for being inflexible and autocratic, and so wearing out his
welcome in five years.  asked what the main thing he would tell a first time
head coach:  you've got to treat players like people.  You've got to
communicate.

Said again how much he liked I-verson as a person.

Old competitive fire's not gone:  asked about Lenny WIlkens, Red hastened to
point out that it took lenny three more years to get more wins than it took
him.  As if Lenny had had the reins of the most dominant team in sports
history!

i'll right more when i remember.  those are the highlights.