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
I share a nickname with the Cowboys. No, I am not known as All-American. Although I was a third-team All-American. The Cowboys play in “Big D,” and I was known by that moniker. The comparison ends there. I honed my skills in another “D-town.” I grew up and played college ball in Motown. You could use those blue-collar roots to characterize my career. Professionally, I played two sports. I spent parts of two seasons “on the bump” near the Dan Ryan. I made my name, though, near Penn Station. Yeah, the first six years the NBA named its All-Defensive award, I was first team. Twice, I played on NBA teams that won the championship. In the decade of the 70s, that was not easy. Think about it. In the 70s eight different teams won the NBA title. Only two clubs won the title more than once. I played on won of those clubs. I averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game for my career. I have a spot in Springfield.
Who am I?
Played for the Knicks…was a pitcher…nicknamed “Big D”…don’t know…Wally?? I wasn’t alive in the 70’s, but that’s not an excuse. I have no excuses this week. I have the time, just don’t know the answer…
It’s gotta be Big Dave DeBusshere … a stalwart on those great Knick’s teams with Clyde Frazier, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley and of course Earl the Pearl Monroe. He pitched briefly for the White Sox … hence the Dan Ryan Expy hint.
Played in Chicago – Comiskey Park right off the Dan Ryan Expressway – baseball for the Sox? Played in NYC – Penn Sta is the basement of MSG – basketball for the Knicks? The first of the two-sport athletes – Dave Debuscherre, though I might add that Chuck Connor (The Rifleman of TV fame) almost beat him to it.
Looks like Wally and I agree. I had NO idea where Dave grew up or played collegiality. Didn’t I mention him recently on The Pine? I think it was for the WAI of Walt “Clyde” Frazier. The 1973 Knicks must be a Casey-favorite!
PS: I am headed to the Dan Ryan tomorrow morning on my way to help my daughter and family move to Sioux Falls, SD. I think that touches on Alaska, but someone tried to convince me it is part of the lower 48. We shall see!
Not even close, Pete 🙂
Well at least I90 is a bit better paved than the AlCan Highway (I hope)!
Dave Debusschere it is.
Great conversation by all.
Yes, Pete did mention Debusschere a couple of weeks ago – kinda delayed this WAI?.
Don’t know if the ’73 Knicks are a favorite or the STORY of the ’73 Knicks and 70s NBA in general. That was a great decade in the NBA.