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. Add to that the teachings of Myagi: patience. If you don’t get the answer right away, give your brain a chance to work if for no other reason than to stay in the discussion. You may not have THE answer, but you might prompt another reader by asking the right question.
Canisius College Golden Griffins in the National Basketball Association. Now there’s a topic. Let’s see. Some of you riders of the pine probably recall Al Masino. He played with the Hawks when they were in Milwaukee. Al also laced ’em up for the Rochester Royals and Syracuse Nationals. He played in a championship series. They lost to the Minneapolis Lakers. There were also Henry Nowak and Tony Masiello. Those Griffs were drafted but chose a career in politics. Nowak, or ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ as he was known, went on to serve in the House of Representatives. Masiello became the mayor of Buffalo. Johnny McCarthy played more games in the N.B.A. than any other Griff. He also was the first Griff to be a part of a champion. But I have more N.B.A. titles than any other Golden Griffin. It’s true. I was the first pick a the second round. I played with four different organizations in seven seasons. I am still the record-holder for career field goal percentage at Canisius, and I shot better than 43 percent in the Association. Yeah, I know. It’s no big deal. I scored more than 500 points against the big boys. You could say I knew my role. When on the court with Magic and James, it is prudent to feed them the rock. Still, I played in 10 of 18 games during one championship and eight of 24 in the other. I could have played more, but Kareem didn’t want to come out of the game.
Who am I?
Well, let me state the obvious; a back-up center for the Lakers of Kareem, Magic, and James Worthy. That’s all I got!
Plus he was a journeyman playing on 4 teams during his career. I am trying to think of the back up centers in the 80s and I keep coming up with Greg Kite who was the center for the Celtics. I know he isn’t the answer.
Nice Karate Kid reference Casey, but no amount of “wax on, wax off” will generate a correct answer from me on a basketball trivia question, even if I am doing crane style kung fu on a pier. Well, unless the answer is Meadowlark Lemon, and I’m guessing it ain’t.
Kurt Rambis pops into my head, but he was a forward (I think), not that much a journeyman, a starter (I think), and not a Griff. Kite is a good thought, but I think you are right; not him.
Where’s the Karate Kid refernece Bill? I’m missing that; and it’s one of my favorite flicks. I think I am once again suffering from my poor reading habits.
Oh, I see it now. I usually don’t read the “promo”, but I decided to look at it this time. Ah, Myagi-san knows best!
I’m drawing a blank on the Lakers’ backup center during that era too, although I’m wondering if this phrase means anything: “When on the court with Magic and James, it is prudent to feed them the rock.”
So, was this guy a play-making center? Probably reading into it, huh?
Guys … I’m out of town and only capable of a quick glance at this … I too thought of Kurt Rambis, but the name of Sven Nater also comes to mind as a back up for Kareem, but maybe that was in college? Dont know … that’s all I’ve got for now … gotta run … will check in later and see how we’re doing.
Wally, Sven Nater sounds like a good thought, but I don’t see him as Griff, but then I am not coming up with another college either. Chas, I thought about the “feed them the rock” thing, but I saw it as a way of saying this was a pass-first type player who knew his role was NOT a scorer. Maybe I am not reading ENOUGH into it.
Upon further reflection I DO have a college for Nater: UCLA. I think he WAS a backup at UCLA, but not to Jabbar; maybe The Big Redhead (Walton)? Don’t think he ever played for Lakers. Did he even play in NBA, or just ABA?
Sven Nater played in both the NBA and ABA, but since he went to UCLA, I guess he’s not the answer.
Pete: you’re probably right on with the idea that this is a pass-first type player.
I think Casey’s in depth knowledge of conferences such as the MAAC and A10 is once again going to allow him to hit us with a poser!
Mike Smrek was the answer to this week’s WAI. Great participation by all.
I know that name, but it would not have come into my memory unbidden!
This was a tough one, but I think Casey’s challenge has become to try and stump Wally, while giving the rest of us a chance. Must get boring for him when the same guy always has the answer, so adding a western NY angle makes it possible to fall into someone else’s wheelhouse…I suppose. Just speculating. I’m just taking notes for when I temporarily take over the WAI helm when we switch to baseball.
As I was telling Pete in a recent conversation, finding WAI topics has always been somewhat serendiptious. I read, and am either reminded of, or find someone I have forgotten about, and I go from there. My original intent with the WAI was to bring to light players, personalities and occurrences that may have been forgotten or overlooked. From there, my hope is that a discussion will unfold about the significance of any of those details.
Shrek?? He’s made a few movies. Good rebounder … wide gerth … tough to box out.