By Paul Gotham
****Remember, try this without research. Make like Wally, and release your inner James Joyce. Show us your stream of consciousness as you try to decipher the answer
The list of NBA players from Central Michigan University is a short one. Let’s see there is Nate Huffman, Willie Iverson and Dan Roundfield to name a few. You can include me on that list. Roundfield actually scored more points in the Association than me, but I earned my keep. Fans booed when I was taken 14th overall. Cotton Fitzsimmons told the denizens of the cactus state they would regret those catcalls. I started my career taking the ball to the tin. My thunderous dunks earned me my first nickname. I came off the bench, but that didn’t stop me. I earned a spot in the All-Star game and second team All-Defensive. Eventually, I became a threat from long range. I led the league in 3s made and taken two consecutive years. I dropped 54 from behind the arc in the 1993 playoffs including an NBA-tying record of six in the game three of the finals.I finished my career hitting over 1,300 trifectas.
Who am I?
Ok … I’m working backwards on this one because the first couple sentences had me scratching my head. But when you’re talking the 1993 NBA Finals … you’re talking Bulls and Suns … and when you mention the Cactus State, we know that this long range bomber played for Phoenix. There were a couple sharpshooters on that ’93 Suns team …. Dan Majerle (sp?), Kevin Johnson, even Charles Barkley. Wasn’t Danny Ainge with them for a swan song? Anyway, we know that Barkely and Ainge didn’t go to Central Michigan … not sure about the other two. KJ wasn’t much of a dunker, but wasn’t Majerle’s nickname “Thunder Dan”? He had REAL good hops. I’m going with Dan Majerle as my answer. Being a Bulls fan saved me on this one … I remember those chan’ship years and details as if it were yesterday … cuz there’s not much else worthy of remembering 🙂
This is no fun if Wally is going to always have the right answer. I would have gotten that one too in a very similar fashion as Wally.
Wally,
If I could, I would give you a big ol’ pat on the back. But hey, you are in Alaska, and I am in Rochester, I tried stretching this morning and almost reached Orleans county – kinda proud of myself.
I appreciate your tireless commitment to the Pine over the last few months. Few know ( and I am not sure I even fully know) how truly busy you are – what with planning a move from Alaska to Houston in the coming months and marrying off your oldest – just to name a few. I admire the fact that despite your travels you still manage to check in almost daily. Beyond that, you continue to bring in new readers and people who comment. Thanks man.
Pete must be busy because I know he would contribute to the “stream of consciousness.”
Yes, Wally got the correct answer again. This Who Am I? was posted for four hours before Wally answered it.
Thanks for the kind words, Casey. Yes … you guys out east have a 4 hour head start on me. Let’s get crackin’ !
Busy I am, but I would not have challenged Wally on this one even if I had the time. It would have required research for me to come up with Majerle. My business has included many hours behind the wheel. My son moved from Chicago to VA in Feb/Mar (we helped him move). My daughter and family are moving from Chi to S.Dak next week (we have been babysitting and will help with that move when it happens). I have hit three NASCAR races in the past 6 weeks. Went to Portland, OR to visit my middle child (that was a FLY, not a drive), and have been in IN entertaining friends for the Blue Gold game. Have missed spending time on the Pine. Can admire Wally for fitting it in with all he’s got going. Unlike Dan, I feel that I have an unfair advantage over Wally because of time zone, so no excuses from me. When Wally gets a WAI, he earns it.
I did not mean to sound like I was saying anything about advantages.
I’m just as impressed with Wally as everyone.
I’ve known a couple of the last few and I guess I just wanted to participate.
Good job Wally. Much props.
I’m really feeling the warm-and-fuzzies … aw shucks … thanks, guys!
Opie … can you have Aunt Bea bake them all a special pie?
I’ll see what I can do. But don’t say anything. I’m in study hall right now. Teacher does not know I’m on the pine. I just can’t get enough of Pickin’ Splinters!