By Paul Casey Gotham
****Remember, try this without research. Release your inner James Joyce and show us your stream of consciousness as you decipher the answer.
How many N.B.A. players can you name from Albany State University? Before I mislead you, I need to mention that the school to which I refer is in the state crooned about for its “moonlight through the pines.” I know many of you pine riders might think of the capitol district of New York. After you get rid of my last name, that Albany State list gets pretty short. Yeah, three of my brothers went there, and we all played in the Association. I played more N.B.A. games than any of my brothers – almost twice as many. One of my brothers played on a team that won a title. Another brother earned the crown with a team in the A.B.A. Me? I like to think I contributed to a champion. Let me explain. I averaged more than 24 minutes per game for a team that lost three N.B.A. finals over six seasons . There was a loy of love around us. We had some pretty flamboyant characters with memorable nicknames on that team. One guy got a little carried away and permanently changed his name. He was never short on ego. My teammates grabbed all the headlines, and I grabbed rebounds and blocked shots. I earned first-team all-defensive twice. After we lost for the third time in the finals, I was traded. I went in one direction, and a future hall-of-famer went in the opposite direction. I got a chance to play on the same team with one of my brothers. The team I went to had also recently fallen in the finals. My former teammates got revenge. When it was done, I had played on five N.B.A. teams and four A.B.A. teams over 17 seasons.
Who am I?
3 NBA Finals losses in 6 years and characters with flamboyant nicknames? We must be talking about the Philadelphia 76ers. Daryl Dawkins (aka “Chocolate Thunder”) and World B. Free must’ve been this guy’s teammate. Okay, off to the showers … gotta think about this.
I’m thinking it’s Caldwell Jones. Another Jones … Bobby Jones …. came to mind as a defensive stalwart. But if we’re talking rebounds and blocked shots, it must’ve been the ~ 7 footer Caldwell. I have no idea about brothers and what college he went to … at this moment, I’m hoping it’s Albany!
I’m guessing the 76ers won the title after trading for Moses Malone … the HoFer.
I was going to say that Lloyd “All-World” Free would have to be the guy who changed his name, to World B. Free, of course. Wally already beat me to that, so I’ll just contribute his real first name.
Four brothers who all played in the NBA? The Alous of basketball? I would have thought that would have made this a slam dunk for Wally, but he doesn’t appear to know the brother angle. He might still be right with Caldwell Jones, for all I know.
Caldwell was one of the best defensive players I ever saw
and Charles was productive for my Bullets a few years
can’t recall Wil or Major as vividly
but still cool all four played pro basketball
funny fact = Moses Malone was traded for Caldwell and got that ring in Philly
Moses also led the Rockets to the Final and Major was his teammate
then Caldwell and Major were teammates with Houston
people forget Caldwell scored almost 20 a game in the ABA
WOW! I never even heard of the other Jones brothers!
Caldwell Jones is the answer. Wally – great job sniffing out that one.
3rd stone – good to see you on the Pine. Come back often. I post a Who am I? every Wednesday morning.
Chas – great contributions.
Pete- as always, thanks for the read.