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.
Dad and I did St. Joseph’s proud. Yeah, Rick and Brent Barry won the N.B.A. title as did Bill and Luke Walton, but my dad and I were the first father and son duo to complete that feat. Ironically, dad only played one year in the Association, and I played on a team that won the title in my first season. I played another ten years after that. I was the ninth pick of the draft. I played with a great team. You probably know all the guys: “The Kangaroo Kid,” “The Jet,” Hal and “The Big Dipper.” You figure with all those great players a rookie like me would have to wait his turn. But I played in all 15 playoff games averaging 16 minutes a game. I stayed three and a half more seasons with that team before I was on the move. Traded to the Bulls for a first round pick. End of that year I went to Cincinnati for Charlie Paulk. Two seasons later the Royals moved to Kansas City-Omaha, and I was sent to Houston for Jimmy Walker. I eventually shuffled off to Buffalo, back to Chicago and another tour at Kansas City to end the career. I finished second in field goal percentage one year. The guy who was first that year was the leading scorer on that championship team of my rookie season.
Who am I?
Given the “Jet”, “Big Dipper” and Hal, this player (the son) must’ve played on the late ’60s Philadelphia 76ers with Chet Walker, Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer. I believe Billy Cunningham was also on that team, which won a title in this guy’s rookie season. So who is this guy? And who’s his nearly famous dad who must’ve won a title when the peach baskets were up and they jumped center after every hoop? (Ok … maybe it wasn’t THAT loooooong ago). Anyway, I have to noodle this while getting ready for work. Meanwhile, maybe Pete can swoop in and nail this one. He is, afterall, our pre-’60s expert 🙂
Boy … you guys are a big help!
OK … given my Chicago roots, I’ve been racking my brain trying to come up with the Chicago Bulls connection to this former 76er … other than Chet Walker … and I came up with the name Matt Goukas. Goukas was a bench/role player for some of those Chet Walker-Norm VanLier-Jerry Sloan Bulls teams in early ’70s, but the problem is that I’m not sure he played for the Sixers … but I am sure he coached the Sixer in the ’80s. Since the Sixers seem to have a habit of making former Sixers their coaches, I’m gonna guess that Goukas played for them as well.
That’s all I’ve got on this. I have no idea if Goukas’s father preceded him in the NBA, or if he played for St Joes … so if that’s the case, we’ve all learned some NBA trivia today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On another NBA championship topic: LeWho? One of the “best ever”? I’ll be a monkey’s uncle if Michael Jordan ever scored less than 10 points in a playoff game, especially a game as important as last night. Way not to show up, LeBron … thank you! 🙂
Related to this … I recall we were debating here on the Pine a year or two ago who the “best player in the NBA” is (now). Kobe, Lebron, Duncan and DWade were all popular nominees … but I vaguely remember voicing a preference for DWade. Boy that guy comes to play! The bigger the game … the more he tends to show up. Forget the 32 points … i was amazed how he was helping on defense and soaring for blocked shots. Great effort … and with the skills to match.
From my Penn State days, I remember Matt Goukas having a strong Philadelphia connection, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re correct, Wally. (I actually haven’t looked it up, yet)
Does Dirk Nowitzki now belong in that conversation…or, will he if Dallas beats Miami?
Chas, I think Nowitzki is one helluva pure shooter … probably one of the best ever in the game. Certainly, he’s the reason Dallas is even playing in the championship round and if they win it, I’m sure he’ll end up as the Finals MVP. All around though, not a good defender and a so-so rebounder and passer. Good leader, esp as he’s matured. As you can tell, I’m luke warm on the suggestion that he’s in the conversation … But okay … i’ll go there if Dallas wins the title.
For the record, if the question is asked today, Duncan is definitely out and Derrick Rose is … knocking on the door. IMHO, of course 🙂
I suppose if we want to use one playoff run to evaluate a player’s greatness. Considering Dirk as the best would require some long-term memory loss. In 12 seasons, Dirk and the Mavs have won a grand total of 12 playoff series. Don’t forget the pair of first round exits late in the last decade. He has more 3pt. attempts than offensive rebounds for his career. A 7footer who takes more three-point attempts than gets offensive rebounds? Or a 7-footer who has never averaged double-digit rebounds for an entire season?
In comparison, Yvan Cournyer had a GREAT playoff season for the Canadiens back in the late. I’m not sure Cournyer was ever considered the best.
Dwyane Wade is and has been for several years the best pure basketball player in the league. LeBron and Kobe have elevated their statuses based upon superior athletic skills. If you take away the lane and do not allow LeBron to dunk, you eliminate 6-8 points per night. Dunking is a feat of athleticism. Curling off a screen, catching, squaring and making a decision is a basketball move. LeBron has improved in this area as has Kobe, but Wade has always had those skills.
I could not remember Goukas’ name, but i would concur; it is he. I don’t remember him as a St Joe’s Hawk but I do have vague memory of his dad being an NBA’er, tho no recollection of what championship team.
Matt Guokas (and that is spelled correctly) is the answer. The younger Matt Guokas to be exact. The younger Matt Guokas played on a pair of Jack-Ramsey led St. Joe’s teams that made Sweet Sixteen appearances in the mid 60s. He then came off the bench for the ’66-’67 Philadelphia 76ers. The elder Guokas played on the ’46-’47 Philadelphia Warriors team which won the title. There was also a brother/uncle, Al Guokas, who played a couple of seasons in the N.B.A..
Casey … with regard to Dirk Nowitzki … I was just trying to focus on the question “Who is the best in the league RIGHT NOW?” Your points are absolutely valid for the career perspective, but I think if Dallas wins the title, Dirk’s probably in the discussion … but not a front-runner… he is lacking on the defensive end.
Yeah, I get it. With all due respect, using the most recent accomplishments to decide “best in the league’ takes on a ‘flavor-of-the-week” appeal. And just because LeBron is not along the same lines as MJ does not mean he is not the best in the league right now. That being said, Wade is the best.
No argument here … for once 🙂
Uh oh…this is the big one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stdi-1tIUhM&feature=related