The New York Sports Scene in 1999 and 2000
New York Sports in 1999 and 2000 was a special time. It is arguable one of the best periods of sports because each of the four major sports experienced success from a local team.
Basketball
Dishing Dave Dazzles Defenses
Dave Bing was an unassuming player. He did not believe that his ability to play was of the caliber of other high profile players selected by high profile schools although he was recruited by those schools. His talent was recognized by the coaching staffs, and they were disappointed when he chose to attend Syracuse, a lower profile school. He reasoned that he would be able to make a name for himself there. He worked hard to overcome adversity and honed marketable skills to detract from his deficiencies.
Boston’s Best Bet | Larry Bird
In 1978, Larry Bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Celtics Organization gambled on the youngster from French Lick. He was the sixth overall draft pick. Larry was drafted as a college student, attending Indiana State University. Despite being drafted into a professional basketball career opportunity, Larry went on to complete his senior year and continued to play basketball at the college level. The Celtics retained the right for him to join the team the following year. After being awarded several national collegiate basketball awards, Larry Bird relocated to Boston in 1979.
Hershey | Historic Home of the Hundred
Hershey, Pennsylvania was the home of an unparalleled contest between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks. On March 2, 1962, the Warriors and Knicks arrived ready to play. Less than 5,000 fans were in attendance to watch the un-televised game. Things began heating up during the shoot around. The 7’1” Wilt Chamberlain could not miss. Once the game began, it quickly became dictated by one fact: Wilt Chamberlain did not miss very often.
DeBusschere Ditched Detroit to Win
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Dave DeBusschere was born to play sports. He was a two-sport standout on the college level in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Wooed by college coaches across the nation, Dave’s abilities were on the radar from a young age. His decision to study in his hometown carried over into his professional play as well. The Detroit Pistons became his first employer in the National Basketball Association. DeBusschere’s performance during his first year was noteworthy, but it did not eclipse the season’s dominant performance by Rookie of the Year Terry Dischinger of the Chicago Zephyrs. DeBusschere’s 6’6” height enabled him to play with a powerful presence in the paint. Most of his
Walter Bellamy | Athletic Sensation
Walter Bellamy was a 6’11” athletic sensation. The ultimate highlight and recognition of Walt Bellamy’s professional basketball career came before he ever set foot on an NBA basketball court. Walt Bellamy was a member of the United States Olympic team that participated in the Olympic Games in 1960. Bellamy was the starting center for the undefeated team and he was awarded the gold medal for his efforts.
Consistent and Persistent Warrior | Patrick Ewing
In 1985, the New York Knicks selected a player from Georgetown University as their first pick in the first round. Positioning Patrick Ewing at center was a great investment for the Knicks Organization. Ewing injured his knee and sat out 32 games during his rookie year, but even with this setback, he logged 1,771 minutes of playing time during his first season and earned Rookie of the Year honors. This was a feat by no other rookie on the Knicks team since the 1964-65 season, when Willis Reed was named Rookie of the Year. Recovering nicely, Ewing’s total minutes played each season for the Knicks skyrocketed as his career continued. At the end of his fifth season, he had been on the court 3,127 minutes during the season playing a vital role in the outcome of each game that year.
The Best Celtic
In their long and storied history it is difficult to pick just one player in the franchise history and call them the best. You can make arguments in many different directions, but to me I can only judge what I have seen with my own eyes, and that is that Larry Bird is definitely the best Boston Celtic ever.
The Greatest Victories in Sports
What defines a great win in sports? I think more than anything it is the manner in which the game played itself out in relation to the expectations coming into the contest itself. When a team clearly exceeds what is expected of them to seize a championship which to me defines a great game. I have chosen a few of these games that I deem the best of all time. I would not need to find discount tickets online to watch these great contests unfold.
Why Coaching Sports is So Great
When you make the decision to get into coaching you will have a great opportunity to influence other people, teach the game you love, experience the thrill of competition, and help another individual realize their potential and you will be able to accomplish goals as part of a team that may be near impossible in society at large. One of the most important things that you can do is to have fun coaching and the rest will follow seamlessly. You will feel giddy like you bought tickets below face value to the Super Bowl.