Rebound Magazine

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

ALL-STAR 2015 | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1 4TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

A Q&A WITH

LENNY WILKENS

ALSO INSIDE: LEGENDS OF THE COURT JOE CALDWELL, “HOT ROD” HUNDLEY, ALL-STAR WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, Q&A WITH CHAPTER PRESIDENTS AND MUCH MORE!

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ALL-STAR 2015 | Volume 4 Issue 1

MAGAZINE

FEATURES 10 14 24 26 37

Legends of the Court: Joe Caldwell Legends World Sports Conference All-Star Weekend Schedule of Events Lenny Wilkens Harlem Globetrotters ABC’s of Bullying Prevention

DEPARTMENTS Basketball 101: 20 Charity Stripe Woes We Made This Game 26 Lenny Wilkens 30 “Hot Rod” Hundley Chapter Updates 42 Las Vegas Chapter 45 Detroit Chapter 46 Chicago Chapter 48 Dallas Chapter 50 Atlanta Chapter

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Health & Wellness 53 REXALL Partners with the NBRPA

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Fish Talks All Star Weekend— Matt Fish Welcome to NYC All-Star Weekend— Arnie D. Fielkow NBRPA Newsroom Community: Giving Back Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic Forever Legends

Rebound Magazine

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FROM REBOUND MAGAZINE

FISH TALK Here it is, the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend in New York! The Big Apple is in the spotlight again as New York City plays host and celebrates the greatest game ever created: basketball! The best basketball players in the world are playing at the grandest venues, Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center, where their extraordinary talents will be on display for all to see. With so many exciting things to do, NYC rolls out the red carpet for basketball fans worldwide that are congregating to honor and recognize those that play the game and those that made the game.

As a member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, and a former Knicks player, I am very excited to return to New York. My wife, Rebecca, and I will enjoy the numerous activities put on by the NBRPA. We embrace the opportunity to give back to the community and make new memories with both old and new friends.

Always looking for ways to help former professional athletes, I am happy to bring Rebound into its fourth year of existence. This issue features the Legends World Sports Conference in Cancun, the Jerry Colangelo Hall of Fame golf tournament, a schedule of events, Chapter updates, and unique member opportunities.

In Cancun, Rebound partnered with The Laser Spine Institute to offer back pain relief to our membership, at the cost covered by health insurance and nothing more. As a member, you receive the highest level of care and service.

In New York, Rebound joined with Talk2Legends to offer revenue generating opportunities. They have created a state of the art digital video platform that needs to be seen to be believed. It pays directly into your bank account at the click of a button. Simply set your schedule and your price and get paid.

Contact Rebound for these and many other opportunities.

MattFish@ReboundMagazine.com DanKlaudt@ReboundMagazine.com

Rebound Magazine

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MAGAZINE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NBRPA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 | ALL-STAR 2015 NBRPA REBOUND MAGAZINE PUBLISHER/CEO Matthew Fish mattfish@reboundmagazine.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Dan Klaudt danklaudt@reboundmagazine.com ART DIRECTOR Kate Tressler kate@katalystgraphicdesign.com CONSULTANT Larry Pond lpond2@cox.net WRITER Michael Vayan MichaelVayan@reboundmagazine.com Bob Huhn BobHuhn@reboundmagazine.com SALES EDITORIAL editorial@reboundmagazine.com WEBSITE/IT danklaudt@reboundmagazine.com ADVERTISE advertise@reboundmagazine.com NBRPA PRESIDENT/CEO Arnie Fielkow STAFF Paul Corliss, Brian Gaughan, Excell Hardy Jr, Erin Miller, Charese Williams NBRPA BOARD MEMBERS Otis Birdsong, Chairman of the Board Thurl Bailey, Vice Chairman Marvin Roberts, Treasurer Steve Hayes, Secretary Robert A. Elliott, Past Chairman Dr. George W. Tinsley Sr., Past Chairman Rick Barry, Director Spencer Haywood, Director Dwight Davis, Director Johnny Newman, Director Nancy Leiberman, Director Eldridge Recasner, Director

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Rebound Magazine

© SPORTS MEDIA MARKETING LLC 3317 S. Higley Road, Ste 114-224 Gilbert, Arizona 85297 P 480-586-6941 WWW.REBOUNDMAGAZINE.COM REBOUND is a trademark of Sports Media Marketing, LLC

FROM THE NBRPA PRESIDENT NBRPA Members, Partners, Supporters, and friends: Welcome to New York City for All-Star Weekend!

Few cities, if any, can match the rich basketball tradition of New York City. So many of our Members –Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tiny Archibald, Kenny Anderson, Bob Cousy, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, Albert King, Bernard King, Chris Mullin, Dolph Schayes, Lenny Wilkens and hundreds of other Legends – honed their games on New York playgrounds.

Even more of our members donned Knicks, Nets or Globetrotters uniforms while racking up buckets and dishing out dimes. And who can forget that our Association was founded here in 1992 and called New York home for 20+ years.

Like so many of our members that came from this beautiful metropolis, the NBRPA has grown and evolved from humble New York roots. With a record-high 700+ members, a unified Board of Directors, a growing chapter program and a talented, experienced corporate staff, the future is now for the NBRPA. This organization is asserting itself as a leading member of the basketball community in America and our cornerstone partners – the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) – are behind us as we expand our programs and offerings. But as our organization builds, we’ll never forget where we came from and this a weekend to celebrate that New York heritage.

For those of you that made the trip to New York this weekend from out of town … thank you! We are so happy to have you join us as our basketball family returns to its birthplace in celebration of the game we love. And for our local NBRPA Members … thank you for welcoming us back into this amazing city. New York’s basketball legacy shines brighter than a Broadway marquis and we are all privileged to bask in that glow as our Legends reconnect and enjoy the company of old teammates and rivals alike during this very social and socially responsible All-Star Weekend.

It’s only fitting that this weekend’s events touch all five of the New York City boroughs.

Our Legends will be volunteering in schools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. We will watch today’s greats make history this weekend on the Nets home court at the Barclays Center and in the Knicks legendary Madison Square Garden.

And most of all, we will honor our Legends’ past and legacy here in New York – returning to deep roots and remembering our members’ role in helping make this game what it is today.

Every All-Star Weekend is significant, but this return to New York City is special. I am personally grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the NBRPA’s basketball legacy with all of you.

Yours in basketball, Arnie D. Fielkow President & CEO

JOE BARRY CARROLL

CHAMPION FOR JUSTICE

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FROM THE NBRPA NEWSROOM

he Atlanta Braves and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights will partner for the Delta Air Lines Champions Luncheon where NBRPA Member Joe Barry Carroll will receive the Hank Aaron Champion for Justice Award at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2 at Turner Field’s 755 Club. The award is given to outstanding individuals who have made a lifelong commitment to overcoming industry obstacles and inspiring future generations.

Awardees will also participate in a panel discussion on the role of athletes in challenging discrimination and societal barriers. An on-field award ceremony will occur at 7:15 pm prior to the Braves’ game.

Carroll, the seven-foot-tall No 1 overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft, played professionally for eleven years with NBA totals of 12,455 points, 5,404 rebounds, 1,264 assists and 1,122 blocked shots, which included a career high average of 24 points in the 1983-84 season.

At the age of 26, Carroll established the BroadView Foundation to financially support and participate in organizations and programs that serve lower socio-economic groups and individuals in communities of color. In addition to establishing college scholarships, Carroll and BroadView have funded afterschool programs, elder care, Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Task Force for the Homeless, The Georgia Innocence Project, and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR station. He also serves as a board member of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA).

“I am naturally flattered by this award, but in a larger way, I feel that the Atlanta Braves and Center for Civil and Human Rights are not only recognizing my contributions to the community and the Georgia Innocence Project, but more precisely the incredible work that GIP is doing in their movement to free innocent men and women, (poor and mostly of color), from unjust incarceration,” Carroll said after learning he would receive the award.

In 2013 Carroll expanded his support of The Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) by fully funding the annual salary of a full-time office manager.

In 2014 he dedicated the proceeds of his memoir, “Growing Up … In Words and Images” (2014) to fund GIP and other selected nonprofit entities. “Growing Up” is a 270-page coffee table book that uses Carroll’s original paintings and his unique southern literary style to explore his journey growing up as the tenth of thirteen children to become a seven-foot-tall NBA player, wealth advisor, philanthropist, painter and writer.

Copies of “Growing Up … In Words and Images” will be presented as gifts at the luncheon.

The 2014 Hank Aaron Champion for Justice awardees include: Joe Barry Carroll, retired NBA All Star; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; Edwin Moses, former track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; and Reverend C.T. Vivian, civil rights legend and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

For more information visit www. civilandhumanrights.org/Act/EventCalendar/ index.html.For more information about Joe Barry Carroll and “Growing Up … In Words and Images” visitwww.joebarrycarroll.com. R Rebound Magazine

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Q&A WITH JALEN ROSE

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NBRPA’S NEW AMBASSADOR The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only alumni association comprised of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players, announced the appointment of former NBA and collegiate basketball standout and current ESPN/ ABC analyst Jalen Rose as the organization’s official ambassador. In his new role, Rose will assist the NBRPA in shaping its programming to assist former players in life after basketball and serve communities.

Rose will also serve as an official spokesperson for the organization and help introduce the organization and its benefits to other former players.

In the spirit of Jalen’s jersey No. 5 and his emergence onto the national landscape as a member of the University of Michigan’s storied Fab Five, we sat down with Jalen for five questions about his new role.

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“I’m a member of the NBRPA and was truly humbled when they reached out to me about being an Ambassador. This organization was founded by NBA greats Oscar Robertson Dave Cowens, Dave DeBusschere, Archie Clark and my godfather, former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, more than two decades ago and I am excited to help carry out their goal of assisting former players in life after basketball.

I look forward to serving as a spokesperson and advocate for an organization I truly believe can have a positive effect on the basketball community.

Thank you to NBRPA President & CEO Arnie Fielkow, as well as Chairman Otis Birdsong and the entire NBRPA Board of Directors for this great honor and opportunity.”

“In my opinion, the toughest challenge is waiting to prepare for retirement when you walk off the court. Basketball needs to be treated like the amazing sprint it is, but you need to prepare for the marathon of life.

Build a support system early on and have a plan. Players need to find a way to stay current and relevant to parlay their experience into other opportunities. Finding time to be accomplished off the court is also important so that you can carry on your legacy.

“It’s important to note that the NBRPA isn’t just open to former players – current players are also eligible to join and take advantage of all the programs offered to help players in transition. The NBRPA partners

How did this relationship come about and why did you choose to give back to the NBRPA as the organization’s new official Ambassador?

The NBRPA carries a mission to assist former players in their transition from the playing court into life after the game.

What is the toughest challenge players face when they leave basketball?

FROM THE NBRPA NEWSROOM directly with the NBA and National Basketball Players Association on many projects that are designed to make transition form the court into the so-called real world as seamless as possible.”

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What kind of programs and services would you like to see the NBRPA offer former players to assist in transition?

“First and foremost, players shouldn’t wait until they retire to join the NBRPA … they should start paying membership dues now so they can take advantage of the various programs and networks. Anything can happen, don’t wait until after your last season, this will make the transition that much smoother.

“NBRPA Members are offered comprehensive resources to assist with career development, continuing education, business & financial literacy, legal research and health & wellness.

Best of all, these programs are all free as part of membership.

“The NBRPA already offers tremendous resources such as transitional training seminars and 1-on-1, customized support for those who are interested in going back to school to earn their degree. I would like to work with the NBRPA to create additional programming that would provide assistance for players looking to establish fiscally responsible foundations so they can give back and explore group insurance plans for those who need them. It is also crucial to help the players stay current and active so that they can continue to benefit off the NBA brand that they helped build.”

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The NBRPA’s second mission is to serve communities and youth through basketball.

How well do the Association’s community initiatives line up with your own philanthropic projects?

“As part of its charitable mission, the NBRPA works to enhance communities and promote basketball through grassroots youth events in

the United States and abroad. The organization has worked to fulfill this goodwill mission in the Middle East, Haiti and urban America – rebuilding public courts to provide a safe place to play, visiting schools, hospitals and rec centers and conducting dozens of free youth clinics annually – inspiring kids with stories of wins, losses, sweat and strength.

“These initiatives sync perfectly with the Jalen Rose Charitable Fund, which focuses on grants to develop education and sports programs in my hometown of Detroit and other communities in need. In addition, my personal focus on educating young people is well-aligned with the NBRPA. The NBRPA’s Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund provides opportunities for former players and their families to access higher education, while my greatest philanthropic undertaking to date – the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy – is an open enrollment, public charter high school on the Northwest side of Detroit that provides a leadership-focused education that engages and inspires youth to achieve at the rigorous level necessary to ultimately graduate with a college degree.”

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What are your long-term goals as it pertains to serving the NBRPA?

“Just as it’s the NBRPA’s long-term goal, in conjunction with the NBA and NBPA, I want to help make transition for former players as seamless as possible. I want to help equip my peers with the tools for success in life after the game.

“I hope to be an asset to the NBRPA by helping them build up their membership (targeting current and retired players), increasing brand awareness as well as developing new initiatives that members can benefit from as the organization continues to grow. I’d also like to see more retired players engaged in their community by giving back in a capacity that they are passionate about.” R Rebound Magazine

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written by Bob Huhn

Joe Caldwell: Against All Odds 10 Rebound Magazine

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oe Caldwell has been called the “Curt Flood of professional basketball”.

Like Flood, who was a Major League All-Star baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals, Caldwell contested his league’s reserve clause, helped create free agency for future probasketball players and paid a huge price for doing so.

Joseph Louis Caldwell was raised in poverty in the tough Watts ghetto of Los Angeles.

The first time he played organized basketball was in junior high school and it didn’t take long for the athletic Caldwell to learn that basketball could be his way out. He played so well at John C. Freemont High School he was named to the Parade All American High School team.

Caldwell was all set to attend UCLA, but because of the school’s academic requirements he was not accepted. While playing summer ball at UCLA representatives from Arizona State University literally came on the campus and swept Caldwell away and drove him to Arizona.

“I told them I didn’t want to play In Arizona. Too damn hot,” Caldwell said. “When I get there, talk about a cultural shock from an all-black environment to an all-white environment. I walked around a campus and wondered what I was doing here. The coyotes were chasing the jackrabbits and both of them were walking.

LEGENDS OF THE COURT It was so hot. I was waiting for someone from UCLA to say something but no one said anything. Not one word. It was like I fell off the face of the earth. So I stayed here and don’t regret it one bit.”

old came out of the cotton fields of Texas, to California to a foreign country and you are playing for the United States of America and look at all of the guys who didn’t make it. I was very proud.”

It was a struggle for Caldwell academically but he worked hard and remained eligible. “I had to burn the midnight oil. I had to study because I couldn’t say five words and put them together to make sense. I had to learn how to read and write and apply myself,” Caldwell said.

Following his collegiate career was selected by the Detroit pistons in the first round of the draft. In his rookie season he averaged 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was named to the All Rookie team and the All Defensive Team.

Caldwell exhibited such athletic ability that following that season the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League offered him $17,000 to switch sports. The amount was $3,000 more than the Pistons were paying him but he decided to stick with basketball.

While in Tempe, the Sun Devils had a great deal of success and the 6’5” Caldwell earned the nicknames “Jumping Joe” and “Pogo Joe,” because of his incredible leaping ability and the fact the he once jumped over a Lincoln Continental.

He continued to excel on the hardwood. He was the first player chosen for the goldwinning 1964 Olympic team, a team that easily won in Tokyo and might be more notable for those who didn’t make the squad. Hall of Fame players, Willis Reed, Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham and Walt Frazier were all left off the club.

“The Olympic team to me is probably the all-time, all-time. None of my other accomplishments would ever reach that because of what it stood for,” Caldwell said. “You are representing the United States of America. I am 20 years

Mid-way though the next season, the 1965-66 season, Caldwell was traded to the St. Louis Hawks.

There he joined a veteran team with such standout players as future Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, Lou Hudson and Zelmo Beatty. The players and coach Richie Guerin were in sync and all got along great but to say that Caldwell and some of his teammates had issues with management and owner Ben Kerner would be a huge understatement.

According to Caldwell he negotiated a two-year deal worth $57,000 plus a $20,000 home loan. He never received Rebound Magazine 11

The then 26-year –old Caldwell had his best season of his career averaging 21.1 points per contest and was named to the All- Star Team for the second time. He was also voted by the fans their favorite player for the second consecutive season.

During the 1970-71 season Pistol Pete Maravich, the all-time leading collegiate scorer, signed what was at the time the largest contract in professional basketball, a five-year deal for $1.9 million. Caldwell claims that one of the Hawks owners, Tom Cousins, verbally agreed to a fiveyear $1.85 million pact with Caldwell but the owner later reneged. This infuriated Caldwell and he quit basketball and began working for a carpeting manufacture company. Caldwell would be paid by the company 15 percent of the yearly profits which were more money than he was getting from the Hawks who had moved to Atlanta before the 1968 season. the loan and feels that Kerner did not have any intention of giving him the loan. The owner just wanted Caldwell to sign the contract.

“We didn’t use agents then and it was like feeding a baby to a lion. They had all the knowledge, they had all the numbers. They knew everything. You could put what I thought I knew in an eye of a needle,” Caldwell said.

“When signing the contract I noticed there was nothing about the loan. He (Kerner) said that the NBA won’t accept it that way. What did I know?

Twenty four hours later he said to me “What am I a damn bank?” When I walked out he said.

“Always remember, get it in writing.”

Following the 1967-68 season, a campaign in which the Hawks were one of the best in the league as they registered a 56-26 record, Caldwell decided to hire real estate negotiator, Marshall Boyer, to represent him during salary negations. At that time the use of an agent in the NBA was prohibited, however Boyer did manage to secure the budding star a salary of $60,000.

Twice the amount of what Caldwell made the previous season.

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While working there Ted Munchak, the owner of the American Basketball League expansion team Carolina Cougars reached out to Caldwell and asked to him to play for his club and said that he would pay him whatever he wanted.

Caldwell and Boyer negotiated a contract that they thought was iron tight, however the NBA had a reserve clause stating that any player that jumped from the NBA to the ABA had to sit out for one year. Caldwell contested the clause and won a decision in federal court. Allowing Jumping Joe to become a free agent and jump to the ABA and sign with Carolina.

Even though Caldwell won that case he never received a dime and feels that was the beginning of the end. “That is when I was kicked out of basketball. I won every time but that was the end. All because of challenging the clause,” Caldwell said. “The contract spoke for itself. You put it in writing, you gave it to me, you signed it, I signed it and the courts agreed.” Caldwell did play for four more years in the ABA earning AllStar honors in two of those seasons. To this day he is still fighting to get his settlement.

When Caldwell looks back he is proud of his accomplishments.

He is proud that some of the best players who ever played the game. Players like Jerry West and Julius Erving praise Caldwell and talk about what a great player and tough defender he was.

LEGENDS OF THE COURT

Despite the accolades he is not sure if today’s players are aware of what he went through and how he sacrificed for future players. “Players today don’t know what I did or they don’t give a damn.”

Caldwell said.

Now the 74-year –old Caldwell lives close to the ASU campus and attends as many Sun Devil games as he can. There he is remembered as one of the all-time great players and cordially takes time to greet all of the many fans that stop him to say hello and thanks for the memories.

He has been inducted to the ASU and Pac 10 Hall of Fames and his ASU Jersey was retired.

He also enjoys watching his grandson, Marvin Bagley III play high School basketball.

Marvin, a 6’10” freshman is already considered by many to be the best high School basketball player to play in Arizona. And after more than three decades since Caldwell arrived on the ASU campus and admitted he could not put together five words to make sense, he preserved and earned his college degree. R

Joe Caldwell for the Atlanta Hawks goes up for a layup against a Sonics

defender in 1969.

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Legends World Sports Conference Cancun • Recap N

BRPA Members: We had a wonderful weekend of learning, networking, sharing, giving back and celebrating in Cancun, Mexico for our Legends World Sports Conference, August 22-24. Thanks to all you who joined us for a truly successful event that was attended by more than 200 members, guests and partners.

Highlights of the weekend included a charitable youth basketball clinic held in conjunction with the Mexican Basketball Federation and local professional club Pioneros de Quintana Roo, special time with both key NBA and National Basketball Players Association leaders, workshop sessions from experts in a multitude of subjects from all over the country, the unveiling of a new NBRPA recruitment video and redesigned web site and, above all else, fellowship between NBRPA Members, guests and partners.

In addition, the NBRPA presented two special awards to members for their work in the community and on behalf of the organization.

Presented by founder Archie Clark, Emmette Bryant was awarded the NBRPA Service Award and Major Jones was presented the Community Service Award … congratulations Emmette and Major!

Thank you to our Board of Directors and all of our members for their continued support.

This is an exciting time for the NBRPA and this past weekend showcased our organization’s continued growth.

Yours in basketball, Arnie Fielkow President & CEO 14 Rebound Magazine

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BASKETBALL 101 CHARITY STRIPE WOES written by Michael Vayan

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ery recently the Kentucky Wildcats, the undisputed #1 college basketball team in the country, paid a visit to the unranked Texas A&M Aggies. No one gave the Aggies a fighting chance against the Wildcats who entered the game undefeated and virtually untested. This Kentucky team was so good and so deep some were wondering if they could beat some NBA teams. A&M had other ideas. After all was said and done, they had nearly achieved the seasons greatest upset in college basketball. However, as well as the Aggies played, they came up short in a 70-64 double overtime loss. It was evident that Kentucky had a bad game and was lucky to have escaped with the win. One statistic saved the Kentucky Wildcats the embarrassment of losing to a previously unranked opponent: Free Throw Percentage. Texas A&M 53%, Kentucky 71%.

After a spectacular effort filled with exciting plays and lead changes, A&M comes up short primarily because they failed at the line. Kentucky, on the other hand, saved a mediocre performance by succeeding at the line. The distinction between succeeding at the free throw line and failing has won and lost many basketball games.

The foul shot has existed nearly as long as the game itself. The first rules of the game simply allowed points for fouls, and since baskets were only worth one point, fouling became a serious game changing infraction. Although not included in Dr James Naismith’s original rules, the free throw was adopted as a way to keep the game civil as well as assigning more appropriate value to the seriousness of a personal foul. The first foul shots were paced off at twenty feet and counted as a field goal. Beginning in 1895 the foul line was shorted to 15 feet, and the following year field goals were counted as two points while a free throw was worth one point as it stands to this day.

Although the basic rules remain today as they did over a century ago, there have been significant rules changes in the NBA due to nature of the game and its players. For instance the first foul lane was only six feet wide. Prior

BASKETBALL 101

to the 1951-52 season the lane was widened to twelve feet to help neutralize the 6’ 10” George Mikan, and again widened to 16 feet due to the overwhelming domination of Wilt Chamberlain.

Chamberlain is also responsible for the rule where a player must stay behind the foul line while a free throw is in flight. This came as a result of his technique of standing a few steps behind the foul line, tossing the ball at the goal, then after two steps he jumped to meet the ball in midair and he dunked it. It is strange to imagine today but early NBA rules eliminated foul shooting during the last three minutes of a game to discourage intentional fouls and rough play. Another early rule called the ‘3 to make 2 rule’ allowed for a fouled player to shoot three free throws to make two points. Other rules changes include allowing a player to shoot or tip a rebounded foul shot directly back into the basket as opposed to coming down on the court with both feet first then shooting a rebounded free throw. In the early 80s a rule was enacted forbidding faking a shot during a free throw. The three-point basket spawned the 4-point play in 1979, which allowed a free throw after a foul committed on a made three pointer. Before the 1994-95 season this rule was expanded to allow a player to shoot three free throws after a missed three point attempt while being fouled.

Although the rules pertaining to when and why a foul shot is allowed have changed, the basic fundamentals have remained constant all these years later. The foul line is still 15 feet away and the basket is still ten feet tall, the basketball is still 9 ½” in diameter and the basket is still 18” wide. Given over a hundred years of unchanged height and distance, the rate at which a professional player makes these shots is as varied as the players themselves. Historically speaking, guards are typically a team’s best free throw shooters. There are exceptions to this rule: 6’7” Forward Rick Barry held the best free throw shooting percentage for many years before being bested by guard Mark Price. Dirk Nowitzki is also a forward, and at seven feet tall is one of the best free throw shooters in NBA Rebound Magazine 21

There are also those who define the rule in the opposite way. Some of the worst free throw shooters in NBA history are also some of the best players. Wilt Chamberlain, widely considered one of the very best to ever play the game, shot at an awful 51% from the line in his career. Ben Wallace is more known for his defensive prowess by being named named Defensive Player of the Year four times. He shot under 42% from the line in his career, an all-time NBA career worst.

Dennis Rodman, also one of the best defensive players in history shot a full 16% better from the line than Wallace and was still only a 58% shooter from the line.

Chris Dudley is not considered one of the best players in history but in his day he was a good shot blocker and rebounder. However, Dudley’s woes from the line are legendary. On one fateful evening in 1990 he missed 13 straight free throws which is still the record for consecutive misses. During the same season he shot under During the 2008-09 season Jose Calderon, a guard 32% from the line. Incredibly, this is not the for the Toronto Raptors, made 151 out of 154 free record for lowest free throw percentage for throws for a 98% success rate. a season. During the 1998-99 season Olden Polynice shot just a hair under 31%. Of late, Houston Rocket Dwight Howard is recognized history. 6’11” Center/Forward Jack Sikma shot as a very poor free throw shooter. Although he an incredible 92% from the line in the 1987-88 began his career in 2006 with the Orlando Magic season. Guard Rajon Rondo is also an exception shooting over 67% in his first season, he has to this rule. His career free throw percentage never shot better than 60% for a season since. hovers in the low 60% range, well below the He’s shot below 50% twice and is on pace to average for his position. challenge that dubious distinction again this season.

Of course there are those who define the rule such as guard Steve Nash whose career free throw percentage of 90% is in the top three for a A defensive strategy devised by Don Nelson, coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, where a player career in NBA history. Other guards such as Ray would deliberately foul a notoriously bad free Allen, Reggie Miller and Calvin Murphy are all throw shooter was first implemented against in the top ten career list, with Murphy shooting Dennis Rodman. The idea was to foul the player over 95% in the 1980-81 season. During the with or without the ball and send him to the line 2008-09 season Jose Calderon, a guard for the in hopes of limiting scoring opportunities for his Toronto Raptors, made an incredible 151 out of team. This strategy became known as ‘Hack-a154 free throws for a 98% success rate. Several Shaq” as Shaquille O’Neal was very erratic from players have shot free throws at well over 90% for a season such as Larry Bird, Mahmoud Abdul- the line. This strategy was successful in that it kept Shaq from dominating on offense as well as Rauf, Spud Webb and current Phoenix Suns taking advantage of his struggles from the free coach Jeff Hornacek who shot an even 95% in throw line. the 1999-2000 season.

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It is advantageous for a team as a whole to shoot well from the ‘charity stripe’ though not deemed necessary to win championships. However, a team must compensate for these shortcomings by excelling in all other aspects of the game, and hope a game, as often happens, does not come down to a free throw contest. This can be reduced to the age old argument of which is more important: fundamentals or talent.

Obviously Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal more than compensated for their struggles from the line by being the most dominant players at their position. The same can be said on the defensive side of the

BASKETBALL 101

ball about Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace. A player may not shoot himself out of the league from the line but skill at the line can be a feather in the cap of any player who does it well.

It has been said there is really no good reason to not shoot at least 70% from the line, yet that goal is just a fantasy for many players. The prevailing theory about inconsistent or even consistently bad free throw shooting is that it is merely a mental hurdle many players cannot overcome. Whether it is a matter of physical fitness, as a player experiences varying levels of exhaustion during a game, or if the intensity of the moment simply overwhelms the

routine at the line, a basketball player’s struggles at the line is hard to define. If a basketball player can consistently calm his body and his mind to a degree that he feels confident in sinking the free throw, he can be a great asset, especially in close games.

As the outcome of the recent Kentucky/Texas A&M game is absorbed by time as just one of those huge upsets that got away, it can be noted that even as top-ranked Kentucky had superior talent, superior bench and superior coaching, it was their superior free throw shooting that ultimately won the game. R

Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Arena on March 7, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 93-87.

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NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

ALL STAR WEEKEND

BKN•NYC FEBRUARY 11-15 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015 Time

Event

TBD

Duke and Duchess of the Dunk New York Chapter Event

Locations Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 Time 10:00am - TBD 2:00pm - 6:00pm 4:00pm

Event New Board of Directors Orientation Legends All-Star Lounge/NBRPA Registration Check Presentation to Our Children’s Foundation

4:00pm - 6:00pm

All-Star Game & Brunch Ticket PickUp

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Board of Directors/Spouses/Partners Night at the Theatre - The Harlem Rens

8:00pm - 11:00pm

NBA Welcome Party (Invitation Only)

Locations TBD Marquis Ballrooms (A, B & C - 9th Floor) 527 West 125th Street TBD St Luke’s Theatre 308 W.46th St Hammerstein

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 Time

Event

Locations

8:00am - 11:00am

NBRPA Board of Directors Breakfast & Meeting

9:00am - 5:00pm

NBA Day of Service

10:00am - 6:00pm

Legends All-Star Lounge/NBRPA Registration

4:00pm - 6:00pm

All-Star Game & Brunch Ticket PickUp

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Legends Welcome Reception/ Black Month Celebration Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors

Astor Ballroom (7th Floor)

9:00pm - 11:00pm

BBVA Rising Stars Challenge*

Barclays Center

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TBD TBD Marquis Ballrooms (A, B & C - 9th Floor) TBD

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015 Time

Event

8:00am - 11:00am 9:00am - 3:00pm

Locations

NBRPA Legends Breakfast with Athletes In Action Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors Publicolor Service Project in Honor of Tiny Archibald & Dolph Schayes

10:00am - 6:00pm

Legends All-Star Lounge/NBRPA Registration

11:00am - 1:00pm

All-Star Game & Brunch Ticket PickUp

2:00pm - 6:00pm

New York Chapter Basketball Clinic

TBD 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Broadway Ballroom (South - 6th Floor) DeWitt Clinton High School Bronx Marquis Ballrooms (A, B & C - 9th Floor) TBD Riverbank State Park Harlem

NBRPA Board of Directors Meeting with Commissioner Family/Marriage Counseling Session Presented by Athletes in Action

3:45pm - 5:30pm

Spirit Tasting Presented by RPAG

8:00pm - 11:00pm

State Farm All-Star Saturday Night*

TBD Wilder (4th Floor) Wilder (4th Floor) Barclays Center

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 Time

Event

Locations

10:00am - 1:00pm

16th Annual Legends Brunch (Invitation Only)*

8:00pm - 11:00pm

66th NBA All-Star Game*

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Madison Square Garden

TIMES & LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ALL EVENTS (*) Ticket Required to attend

Legacy Change Rebound Magazine 25

LENNY WILKENS WE MADE THIS GAME

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WE MADE THIS GAME The 64th NBA All-Star Game will be held jointly in Brooklyn and Manhattan this year as a celebration of New York City basketball. Lenny Wilkens, the only individual to ever be elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times (as a player, as a coach, and as a member of the 1992 Dream Team) was born and raised in Brooklyn. Wilkens shares his passion for the game, his New York roots, his playing career, transition into coaching and eventually life after basketball in this Q&A with NBRPA’s Matt Misichko.

Let’s go back to 1952-1953 … you’re a 15-16 year old growing up in Brooklyn. Where are you playing basketball, who are you playing with, and what game are you guys playing?

I’m actually playing on various playgrounds.

Madison Street Park was the one I played on most because it was right in my neighborhood.

I had just started to play some PAL basketball, 4-on-4, just starting to learn the game.

But the playgrounds we played at – Kingston Park, Madison Park, and Nanny Goat Park in Red Hook – they were full on Saturdays because that was the day the college players came into town.

You really had to be able to play to get on the court. Early on, I didn’t get into those games, but as I started to improve I was able to get into some of those games.

If you didn’t know the game – if you didn’t pass, if you didn’t know how to defend – then they weren’t going to let you play. There were always big crowds watching, and it was a lot of fun.

When you were growing up, did you have a basketball player you idolized?

The guy I admired was Jackie Robinson because I was a baseball fan. I played a lot of baseball and softball growing up. As I got into basketball, there were guys in the neighborhood that I thought were pretty good that I looked up to. There was a guy who lived right around the corner from me named Vinnie Cohen. He played at Syracuse University and he was an AllAmerican.

During your playing days, what person helped you most improve your game in different aspects?

I had encouragement from a local pastor in our parish. Father Tom Mannion encouraged me that if I really wanted to get better at basketball, then I had to work at it. So I started to REALLY key in on my skills. Also, a guy named [17-year MLB veteran and Wilkens’ high school basketball teammate] Tommy Davis really pushed me.

During high school, I went out for the freshmen team. They took 15 guys, and I was the 15th.

[Coach] Mickey Fisher only played 8. So I started going to the playgrounds more. I started to join gym periods to play against the varsity players.

The competition on the playgrounds – there were guys like Jake Jordan, Jimmy Daniels – these guys were good players. As I started to improve, they let me play more and more and more. Zeke Clemons used to encourage me by telling me I was the worst defensive player he ever saw. That gave me motivation to get better at the game.

I remember the time I realized I was getting better. We were on the playground on one of those Saturday games. I was guarding Vinnie Cohen. I took the ball off of him, went to the basket, scored, and then blocked his shot.

He got very upset and pushed me into the basketball pole. I definitely got the message.

From that point on I realized that I was starting to get better. Then Tommy Davis encouraged me to come out for the school team again. I did, and that was my senior season. I made the starting five.

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When you were playing, what did you learn at that time that helped you most when you went into your coaching career?

Everybody can do what you can do.

I remember I was sitting with [former University of Washington head coach] Marv Harshman. One time he told me “Because you can make that play, anybody can make that play. You’re gonna have to show them or find a way to teach them.” It was a hell of a point.

You were a player-coach with the Seattle Supersonics. Why or why not do you think that model could be used in today’s NBA game?

It can’t work because we have guys who come into the NBA early. They don’t have the experience that we had. Most of us played four years of college. In today’s game, some players play one year in college and then come into the NBA. So today, there is a lot more teaching, explaining and showing.

And that’s what I realized my last year as a playercoach. I had spent too much time explaining, showing, teaching video, stuff like that. I don’t think you can do a good job at both today. That was a novelty at the time.

I was lucky because being a point guard. I’m partial – I think guards know the game better because they have to run the show – they have to make the play and know where everybody is and should be. Today, with the young guys, all the time that you put in, I don’t think you could do a credible job.

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From that point on, I started realizing that I was going to have to do a whole lot of explaining, teaching, showing, and breaking down video because that was a very good way of doing it. You could show: “All right, here it is, take a look at it guys. Here is where we can be better.” Those are the things I learned as a player that you’re going to have to spend time to explain and sell it to the players. When you do that, guys buy in and I think that they’ll learn it faster.

Who is your all time starting five?

That’s hard because there are so many great players. We, as players, know not every player gets the credit that he should.

We see that. I’ve had the good fortune of coaching guys in All-Star Games, and then the Olympics in 1992 and 1996. For me, I don’t think I could pick a starting five. There are so many guys that were so talented. It was a privilege to play with all of them and coach them.

What is your most memorable victory as a player or as a coach?

As a player there are a lot of memories, but one in particular stands out. When I was a rookie [in 1960 with the St. Louis Hawks], we were playing against the Lakers for the Western Division title. We were down 3 games to 2 in a seven game series,

WE MADE THIS GAME

and we’re playing in L.A. There were about 15 seconds to go in the game. We had the ball and set up a play for Bob Pettit. He missed the shot and the ball came right to me. I was going to take the ball to the basket, but Elgin [Baylor] and Jerry [West] both came over and fouled me.

Now I have to go to the line. And back then, it’s 1-and-1. It’s not two shots. I had to make both shots because we were down by one. I made them both and we won the game. We came home to St. Louis and beat the Lakers to win the series.

We played the Celtics for the NBA Championship.

But that was a memorable game because after that, I always felt I could make free throws. I didn’t care what the circumstances were.

Currently, how do you spend your time during retirement?

I did some consulting. I consulted with the Korean National Team a couple years ago and that was fun. They had never gotten higher than seventh place in the Asian Games, and we got them in the Gold Medal game. That was fun.

Today, I do appearances and speaking engagements for the NBA and USA Basketball.

I miss coaching, games – especially during the playoffs. Still, I do watch games all year. It’s in our blood. I have a big golf tournament every year. I get a lot retired players to come to that, including Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, and Charles Barkley. Those guys come and spend a few days and they really help me.

Can you tell us about the Lenny Wilkens Foundation for Children?

The Lenny Wilkens Foundation for Children raises funds for the Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle. A lot of people don’t have health care. The Clinic provides it, and it’s just great. It’s wonderful because I’m passionate about young people and I want to give them a chance.

Is there contact information for the Foundation?

Donations for the Lenny Wilkens Foundation for Children and more inquiries regarding the Foundation can be emailed to lenny@lennywilkensfoundation.org. R

Rebound Magazine 29

“HOT ROD” HUNDLEY

Hot Rod Hundley #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against the Syracuse Nationals circa 1961 at the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse, New York.

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R

WE MADE THIS GAME

odney Clark Hundley has always loved the game of basketball. Ever since his days growing up in Charleston, West Virginia, ”Hot Rod” not only excelled at the sport but was a fan favorite at every level on and off the court.

During his playing career he always battled on the court and off the court he worked hard to become one of the top broadcasters ever.

Now-a-days Hundley is facing another battle.

The 80-year-old Hundley has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Hundley’s talent on the hard wood was evident at an early age. While attending Thomas Jefferson High School in Charleston, he set the state scoring record with 441 points a season.

In his high school career he averaged 30 points a game and set the state’s four-year scoring mark in just three years. He was named to the All American squad and received numerous college scholarship offers from many of the top collegiate basketball programs in the country.

He decided to stay close to home and attended West Virginia. He donned the Mountaineer uniform from 1954 to 1957. During that time he led WVU to their first three NCAA tournament appearances. The school’s best year was in 1956 when they were ranked fourth. Hundley led the team with 26.6 points per game and 13.1 rebound per contest.

As a Laker, Hundley culminated 3,625 points, 1,420 rebounds and dished out 1,455 assists and was named to two All-Star teams. Following the 1962-63 season, the 28-year-old Hundley was forced to retire because of knee problems.

Hot Rod didn’t stay idle for long moving into the broadcast booth first in Los Angeles and then with the Phoenix Suns. During that time he was alongside future Hall of Fame announcers Chick Hearn in Los Angeles and Al McCoy in Phoenix.

“When I started with the Suns He was my first color announcer and he was absolutely one of the best,” McCoy said. He was just an ideal analyst and Hot Rod had a great ability of getting in, make a statement concerning game and let me get back in plenty of time. I always say Rod Hundley taught me a lot about the game and about what happens after the game because Hot Rod would not object to having a good time and we had a lot of great times together.”

The numbers that Hundley posted at West Virginia are still some of the best in the school’s history. He became the fourth player in NCAA history to score more than 2,000 points in a career, finished with an average of 24.5 points per game and was a two-time All American selection.

Following his days on the campus at Morgantown Hundley was the top overall pick in the NBA by the Cincinnati Royals. The Royals traded his rights to the Minneapolis Lakers. He played for the Laker franchise in Minneapolis and when they moved to Los Angeles for six years.

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WE MADE THIS GAME In 1974 Hundley became the voice of the expansion New Orleans Jazz. The broadcasts were simulcasts on both TV and radio so Hot Rod reached a vast audience.

When the team moved to Utah in 1979 Hundley followed. Because of his voice, knowledge of the game, energy, enthusiasm and catch phrases like “You got it to Love it baby,” and “from the parking lot,” when a player hosted a long range shot Hot Rod became one of the most popular people in franchise history.

32 Rebound Magazine

“He was a character and became the voice of the Jazz and whenever you heard his voice there was something going on with the Jazz, former Jazz player and assistant coach Jeff Hornacek. “It is the voice that sticks out and he has his sayings. I know when I first got there he said,” Horney for three,” and got all kinds of flack for that. They said you can’t say that on the radio and in typical Hot Rod fashion the next game when I made a three he said, “Horney for three, Horney for three, Horney for three about five times.”

Following the 2009 season, after 3,051 games Hundley retired. In those 35 years of broadcasting Hundley earned many accolades including winning the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He also has been inducted into the Utah Broadcast Hall of Fame and the West Virginia University Hall of Fame. His number was also retried by the university.

Hundley now lives in Gilbert, Arizona. He is 80 years old. R

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Rebound Magazine 33

NBRPA’S SECOND ANNUAL DAY OF CARING A NATIONAL SUCCESS

“

I send out my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who participated in the Day of Caring. From all accounts the event was a huge success and brought tons of positive comments throughout the country. Hopefully, we can continue to do this type of work to bring joy to children and those less fortunate.

“

D

ozens of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players participated in the NBRPA’s Second Annual Day of Caring, visiting with young patients at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on December 8. As part of the Day of Caring, Northern Trust made a $5000 donation to the NBRPA and the Children’s Miracle Network.

For the Second Annual Day of Caring on December 8, NBRPA Legends visited seven hospitals in the following markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami and Rick Barry New York City.

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“I was fortunate enough to attend our Detroit Day of Caring event and it’s always

heart-warming to watch our Legends give back to children,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. “Thank you to Northern Trust for supporting this very worthwhile annual day of philanthropy and thank you to our chapter leaders and members for taking the initiative to give back.”

Details for each Day of Caring event, including participating NBRPA Members, are highlighted below:

Detroit: The NBRPA’s visit to

Detroit’s Beaumont Children’s Hospital served as the day’s “flagship” visit and included a Day of Caring press conference and check presentation from Northern Trust to NBRPA and Children’s Miracle Network leadership. NBRPA Members

COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK

participating in the Detroit event included NBRPA Ambassador Jalen Rose; NBRPA Founder and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing; and Detroit Chapter Members Derrick Coleman, Willie Norwood, Charlie Edge and Charles Turner.

NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow also participated in the Detroit event.

Atlanta: Dale Ellis, Harold Keeling, and Theo

Ratliff visited Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

All three visited numerous patients and also participated in stained glass painting project with young patients. Harold’s project came out so well that he took it home with him.

Chicago: Emmette Bryant (dressed as Dr.

Suess’ “Cat in the Hat”), Jeff Sanders, Bill Wennington, and La Rue Martin Jr. went to Lurie Children’s Hospital. Mary Flowers (31st District) of the IL House of Representatives also attended the event. Emmette was a hit right when he came out in costume, as many children migrated to him downstairs in the lobby area. The day ended in the cafeteria area, where many children, families, and employees were able to meet and greet with the Chicago Chapter members.

Houston: Major Jones, Moses Malone, Steve Hayes, Harvey Catchings, Reggie Dixon, Kevin Loder, Allen Leavell, Willie Foreman, Howard Smith, Ricky Pierce, Chris Morris, and Reggie Slater visited Texas Children’s Hospital. Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, Behind the Bench teamed up with the chapter and included participation from Renee Jones, Sandra Short, Shelby Francis, Candace Ford, Aericka Dixon, and Pam Cobb. The group went to the children’s game room and played games while passing out mini-basketball and taking pictures. They also visited patients in their own rooms.

including a beautiful rendition of “Jingle Bells.”

Jerome Williams brought the Basketball Channel to document his chapter’s philanthropy.

Miami: Kenny Anderson held down the fort at the Miami Children’s Hospital. The former NBA All-Star took a toy wagon full of mini-basketballs and sticker books, drove it around the hospital and autographed items for each patient. During the day, Kenny and State Representative Cynthia Stafford went outside and shot baskets on a 6-foot hoop.

New York: Former NBA and local St. John’s Legend Zendon Hamilton visited Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

MEDIA The NBRPA received dozens of media requests for Day of Caring and also promoted our Chapters’ and Members’ dedication to service via social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Children’s Miracle Network, Northern Trust, each participating hospital, and many participating NBRPA members did a wonderful job capturing the day with pictures, tweets, and the #DayofCaring hashtag. In total, all partners associated with the Day of Caring have more than 2 million Twitter followers who received messages or pictures about the event. R

Las Vegas: Jerome Williams, Spencer

Haywood, Keith Starr, Ken Gardner, James “Hollywood” Robinson, Doug Lee, and Harold Minor had a wonderful time at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in Henderson, Nevada. The lively bunch took song requests from patients, Rebound Magazine 35

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COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK

THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS PRESENT: THE ABCs OF BULLYING PREVENTION

K

nown worldwide as the “Ambassadors of Goodwill”™, the iconic Harlem Globetrotters present, “The ABCs of Bullying Prevention,” in an effort to impact schools and communities around the world.

skills and humor – for a well-balanced program that informs and entertains. Teachers and/or administrators are also provided with program certificates to be distributed to the kids to take home after the program is presented.

The Globetrotters designed the program in coordination with the National Campaign to Stop Violence (NCSV). The program focuses on Action, Bravery, and Compassion, comprising the ABCs.

NCSV, a non-profit organization, firmly believes that young people, who think about their actions in the non-confrontational ways that this program extols, can create a culture where aggressive behavior is frowned upon and violence is thereby reduced. Kids frequently cite bullying as a cause of violence that they experience, and the rate at which kids are reporting this cause is increasing.

We hope that by reaching these kids early in their lives, they might be taught valuable lessons in character and empathy from the positive role models of the Harlem Globetrotters.

The program (approximately 30 minutes in length) targets 6-12 year-old kids and involves Globetrotter players discussing the three key words in the ABCs and tools that kids can use on a daily basis to reduce bullying. The Globetrotters equate what it means to be part of a team to how kids can offer support to one another to help stop bullying.

The important message of bullying and violence prevention is conveyed with participation from the kids – and the team’s signature ball handling

The Globetrotters bring “The ABCs of Bullying Prevention” to over 400 schools and youth/ community centers annually. Cities in which the program is presented will greatly hinge on the team’s touring schedule. R

Rebound Magazine 37

3rd Annual Jerry Colangelo Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Classic I

t was great to hang out again at the Wigam Arizona for the 3rd Annual Jerry Colangelo Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Classic. An event put on yearly by the Basketball Hall of Fame, the classic provides support for their non-profit museum, dedicated to the founder of the game and serves as caretaker for the history of basketball. Proceeds from events such as this provide the Hall of Fame funding to allow for proper preservation of its artifacts, enhancements to the visitor experience, provisions for effective educational programming for young people and promotion of the great athletes of the game along with their inspirational stories throughout the world.

As always, there was a Pairings Dinner that served as a great warm-up for what was a spectacular day of golf at The Wigwam’s pristine Gold and Patriot course. An impressive array of Basketball Hall of Fame legends arrived from throughout the country in support of the Naismith Hall of Fame. It was a great turnout where everyone enjoyed everything that Phoenix, Litchfield Park and the Wigwam has to offer. R 38 Rebound Magazine

COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK

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COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK

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NBRPA CHAPTER UPDATES Q&A WITH NBRPA LAS VEGAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT JEROME “JUNK YARD DOG” WILLIAMS 42 Rebound Magazine

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erome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams is the president of the NBRPA’s Las Vegas Chapter. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft.

Williams played nine years (1996-2005) in the NBA as a member of the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks. Since leaving the NBA, Williams established the JYD Project, which is a youth development program. He is also currently the head basketball coach at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, a high school that has produced a number of athletes who have gone on to play in the NBA. Williams recently joined LegendsofBasketball. com’s Marlissa Herring to discuss the progress of the NBRPA’s Las Vegas Chapter.

camp for kids with autism that is with Touro University and the JYD Project.

What’s new with the Las Vegas Chapter?

What are your goals for the Las Vegas Chapter?

Well, we’ve been mentoring the Finley Prep Pilots here in Henderson, Nevada. They have become a top seven team in the country this year. We also welcomed a new member in Mike Austin formerly of the Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and Orlando Magic. Right now we’re gearing up for our first community service event of 2014, which is a basketball

My goals for the Las Vegas Chapter is to really build a strong community brand that people in the community recognize and businesses like to affiliate themselves with. It’s a very slow process in building a non-profit and they’re not done overnight but, I know that through hard work, perseverance, and the national office, this chapter will be a

Why did you get involved with the NBRPA as a chapter leader?

I think Las Vegas (Chapter) has some potential with the amount of guys here that live in the community and retired here when their career and playing days were over. I just felt like it’d be a great city to have a retired players chapter because a lot of players visit here during the summer. You have the NBA Summer League as well as it (Las Vegas) being a hotbed for basketball with AAU’s and different leagues during the summers. So, I just felt that we needed a presence here to be able to help players.

strong one even though we don’t have a NBA franchise located in Las Vegas. We’re a little different and we have to set things up a little differently so we just have a little slower process.

What are upcoming events for the Las Vegas Chapter?

This summer we are looking to partner with the JYD project and other community partners in a golf outing. We’re looking forward to that but, we haven’t made any official announcements as of yet. That is something that is coming down the pike and we look forward to seeing a lot of chapters out here (Las Vegas) for that.

If other NBRPA Members in your area want to get involved in the Las Vegas Chapter, whom should they contact?

They should contact us at (702) 589-4657; we’d love to have them. We’re just a growing chapter, a young chapter, and we’re just helping out in the community and looking to build on all of our names and guys that have played this game. R Rebound Magazine 43

LAS VEGAS CHAPTER PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPMENT Sports Power Ambassadors Legendary Ball Stars Bill Alexson & Joshua Williams Community Based; India, Israel, China ProSource Apparel - T-shirts, Shoes etc Doug Lee, Chapter Sales Fundraising Based; Possible 1st Round Ballin/ Rebound Magazine - Sports Blog JYD/ Matt Fish, Phoenix Chapter Public Relations; Websites/ Blogs African Art Museum - Dallas Chapter Willie Davis, Public Speaking Educational Based; School Tours All Star Flyers - All Star Basketball International Group James Donaldson After School Programs in China Ultimate Hoops - Domestic Camps/ Clinics Scott Savor, Secrets in Sports Coaching Program; Lifetime Fitness The Basketball Channel - Larry Berger Jerome Williams, Branding Development Media Training- Content, Camps, Analysis; Bryan Burrell Financial Literacy - Wells Fargo Johnnie Williams In School Mentoring; Community Assist Program UPS Program LaRue Martin Community Volunteers

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A Detroit native, Willie Burton is the president of the NBRPA’s Detroit Chapter. He attended The University of Minnesota where he helped lead the Golden Gophers to the Sweet Sixteen (1989) and the Elite Eight (1990). In 1990, Burton was selected by the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Draft. He played nine years (1990-1999) in the NBA as a member of numerous teams including the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and the San Antonio Spurs. After leaving basketball, Burton went back to The University of Minnesota to complete his degree.

DETROIT CHAPTER

Q&A

WITH

CHAPTER PRESIDENT

WILLIE BURTON Burton recently joined LegendsofBasketball. com’s Marlissa Herring for a candid interview about the Detroit Chapter.

What’s new with the Detroit Chapter?

Well, We’re looking to expand in working with the three different school districts that we have here (Detroit) to work on mentorship programs with students as well as student athletes.

Why did you get involved with the NBRPA as a chapter leader?

I felt that there were opportunities for us (retired basketball players) to use our visibility to work within our communities here in the city of Detroit and bring a vast number of resources to assist the community.

What are your goals for the Detroit Chapter?

Our goals for the chapter are to be involved in community efforts and initiatives that will boost the community.

What are upcoming events for the Detroit Chapter?

We plan on having a golf outing, hosting fundraisers, and engaging with high school students as well as working with our city and state officials.

If other NBRPA Members in your area want to get involved in the Detroit Chapter, whom should they contact?

They should contact me at (313) 704-1968.

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Celebrity Gala: Golf

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& Youth Event

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NBRPA member Cincy Powell is the Dallas Chapter President.

Powell played professionally in the American Basketball Association for the Dallas Chaparrals after attending the University of Portland.

He averaged 18.3 points in his first season, along with 9 rebound per game. Cincy also represented Dallas in the ABA All-Star Game. He contributed to other teams such as: the Kentucky Colonels, Utah Stars, and Virginia Squires. In his overall career, Powell scored a total of 9,746 points.

WITH

Q&A

CHAPTER PRESIDENT

CINCY POWELL 48 Rebound Magazine

Q

: Have you always known that basketball would be a part of your life after your own basketball career as a player?

I thought so. I always thought basketball would be a part of my life. Not so much playing, but working with kids. Life after basketball has taught me to network and allowed me to meet people that I would have never met if I only played basketball professionally. I have met a lot of people and through those people, I was able to contact people that were able to get me into the business side of the game.

Q

: Do you think that your experience with leadership as a professional basketball player has helped you with other leadership roles?

I really think so; I think that athletics gives you leadership. From high school all the way to college, I was considered one of the leaders on my team and that was just naturally what I did. Different leadership comes from example.

Q

: What was the greatest part about being in the ABA?

The best part about being in the ABA was the ability to follow a dream that I had to play professional basketball and play at a level where my peers would respect me. I used to sleep with my basketball and I dreamed about playing professional basketball. I read all the sports magazines and when I could watch basketball on television, I would. I practiced and played basketball in most of my free time growing up.

Q

: How are you enjoying being President of the Dallas chapter?

I really enjoy it because it is all coming together with a lot of people’s hard work and time. It takes a lot of time to get something special like this off the ground. I have had help and support in order to get things going. We have a plan of reaching out to the community and doing things for the communities in order to get recognition and

DALLAS CHAPTER receive sponsors. We are utilizing social networks to help with fundraising and I am excited that the Dallas chapter is on its way.

Q

: What kind of responsibilities do you have being President of your chapter?

I consider myself to be Head Co-President because my philosophy in management is to include everybody. I take everyone’s recommendations and want lots of contributions. My job as the Head CoPresident is to make sure we operate efficiently. My main responsibility is to stay within the guidelines and to achieve all of our goals in a timely matter.

I manage the operations and communications of the chapter.

Q

: What is the most rewarding aspect of being involved with the National Basketball Retired Players Association?

It really is the comradery. Professional basketball players are naturally bound to each other.

Sometimes, I haven’t seen the guys I played with or against in 25 years, but when I see them it is like I saw them just yesterday. While we were playing, it was like we were a family. We would play a game and then go to another player’s home and have dinner. We’ve made a lot of laughs and friendships, some of our kids have grown up together, and it is those relationships we have fostered that make this association so great.

Q

: How did you find yourself involved in the National Basketball Retired Players Association?

I’ve been a member with the NBRPA for 7-10 years. I meet with the guys I haven’t seen in awhile and old associates across the country and we always look forward to those meetings together.

It’s just like a fraternity and we have a lot of fun being in the NBRPA; that’s why I like doing it. If you are a retired player, you should be involved with the NBRPA.

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Q&A

WITH CHAPTER PRESIDENT

DALE ELLIS

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NBRPA member Dale Ellis is Atlanta Chapter President. Ellis was the ninth overall choice for the Dallas Mavericks in the 1983 NBA Draft. He played for various NBA teams during his career after being a two-time SEC Player of the Year at the University of Tennessee.

During Ellis’ breakout season with the Seattle SuperSonics, he scored 2,253 points, breaking the franchise record of 2,251. In his overall career, Ellis played in 1,209 NBA games, averaged 15.7 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and held a .403 three-point field goal percentage.

Q

: What was/is your inspiration that motivated you to be a successful NBA player?

Q

ATLANTA CHAPTER

: Did you always know that you wanted to continue a career surrounding the game of basketball after your NBA career?

Yes, I did. Basketball is my passion. It was an easy decision to continue my career with basketball. I enjoy working with the kids and encouraging youth development. I like teaching simple life skills through the game of basketball.

I will always be active with basketball, because it is who I am.

Q

: What kind of responsibilities do you have being President of your chapter?

My inspiration that motivates me is the passion and love I have for the game. I’d do anything for athletics and the love for the game pushed me to be better.

I help the retired players transition from being in the NBA into retirement. I raise money and identify the needs and concerns of the community. My responsibility is to do what sees fit for the community. The chapter often times comes together collectively to figure out what the community needs.

Q

Q

: What is your most significant memory during your career in the NBA?

Competing for a championship with the Dallas Mavericks was the most significant part of my career, along with just being given the opportunity to play ball.

Q

: What do you like most about being the President of the Atlanta chapter?

The contacts I have made and the work I have done has allowed me to be back in the arena. I really love giving back. My life is about giving.

Knowledge and wealth is something you share – I give whatever I can give to others.

: What do you think makes a great leader on the court, as well as being the President of the Atlanta chapter?

Q

What makes a good leader is to lead by example on and off the court. A leader is being vocal and doing what is correct at all times. If you work hard at what you do, then you will achieve what you want to in your life. You have to go out of your way to be a good person and a good leader. I just try to do what is right at all times.

The most rewarding part of my role is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. I am given the opportunity to grab the attention of young people and give them insight about what they should be looking at and doing. Teaching youth to balance academics and athletics is very rewarding to me.

: What is the most rewarding aspect of being involved with the National Basketball Retired Players Association?

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52 Rebound Magazine

HEALTH & WELLNESS

NBRPA PARTNERS WITH CENTRAL REXALL DRUGS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP WILL INCREASE ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR NBRPA MEMBERS FROM INDUSTRY LEADER

T

he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, announced a new partnership with Central Rexall Drugs to assist NBRPA Members in diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. As part of this innovative new relationship, Central Rexall Drugs pharmacists will offer expedited customer service to NBRPA Members and attend Legends events to build lasting rapport that will lead to better treatment plans.

Beyond pain management, Central Rexall Drugs offers top-of-industry consultations for any medical condition being treated through prescription. As a patient-driven compounding pharmacy, Central Rexall Drugs has staff spread across multiple departments, each with specific roles and responsibilities. These teams include Patient Care Specialists, Patient Advocates and Prescriber Support specifically designated to work with prescribers at their request. To provide the best compounded medications to NBRPA Members, Central Rexall Drugs experienced pharmacists use superior bases and high quality pharmaceuticals.

“Treatment of chronic pain and other medical issues our members face is an essential benefit the NBRPA offers to improve overall quality of life after basketball,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. “Central Rexall Drugs is a full-service, top-of-industry leader in the pharmaceutical field and we look forward to working together in order to deliver this important health benefit to our members.”

In November 2014, Central Rexall Drugs earned the prestigious Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board’s Seal of Accreditation (PCAB). Central Rexall Drugs belongs to the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA), International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), and Good Neighbor network of pharmacies. These organizations validate a commitment to excellence of compounding operations, and providing patients and prescribers with the highest quality compounded medications. R

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54 Rebound Magazine

FOREVER LEGEND: CALDWELL JONES

C

aldwell Jones attended the 7:30 a.m. service at the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, on Sunday morning. After church, as he always does with his wife and three daughters, Jones went to brunch.

“We have a rule at the table,” his wife, Vanessa, said. “No cell phones. We either play cards, or we ask someone in the group to give a synopsis of the church message or I give a writing prompt and we all write a short essay.”

Caldwell Jones would be dead hours later after suffering a heart attack. He was 64. The former Trail Blazer nicknamed “Pops” by Terry Porter will be remembered for his time as a basketball player, but Vanessa would like, too, for you to know about his final hours.

“I give the writing prompt,” she said, “and everybody writes. Reading, writing, classical music, these were ‘us’ things.”

It was sunny and 77 degrees. And this is where Jones suffered the massive heart attack that took his life.

“Too sudden,” Vanessa said, “he was fine in church, and at brunch. Just a normal day. No reason to think anything was up. I miss him so much.”

She appreciates that people in Portland remember her husband from his time (19851989) in a Blazers uniform. He played for five NBA teams and four ABA teams, and was in uniform with the 76ers when Portland won their 1977 NBA championship.

Caldwell Jones #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers boxing out Cedric Maxwell #31 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1981 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Her husband had become an avid reader and was mentoring young children, who were learning to read. In fact, their three daughters — Zori (21), Maya (18) and Leah (13) — had all grown up with trips to bookstores and libraries with their father.

After brunch, Leah and her father would go to the library. They walked the aisles together.

They talked about authors, and adventures, and Caldwell wondered if maybe one day his youngest teenager might decide to write a book.

With her father’s approval, Leah selected a book with a pink cover, titled “Twisted.” It was book No. 9 in the “Pretty Little Liars” series by Sara Shepard. They checked it out with the librarian. It would be the last book they picked out together.

Hours later, on the golf course surrounded by their home’s subdivision in Atlanta, Caldwell Jones would be holding one of his golf clubs, taking practice swings on the course.

Rebound Magazine 55

IN REMEMBRANCE

Jones scored 10,000 points and had 10,000 rebounds in his NBA career. He was an All-Star, an all-defensive team player, and played 17 seasons.

In an interview I did with him before last Christmas, I asked Jones about growing up working on a farm, planting and harvesting cotton, with three other brothers (Charles, Will and Major Jones) who would go on to play in the NBA. “That farm was the way we survived,” he said.

“A lot of times you don’t know when you’re poor.

You don’t go to bed hungry, so you don’t know it. We ate three times a day, my mother fed us, it wasn’t until much later that I realized we were poor.”

In that interview, Jones talked about pickup games with his brothers in the family: “A lot of hard work. A lot of sweat. A lot of fun at the end of the games. We just played until we got tired.

We never said we’d play to 15, we just played until we couldn’t see anymore. We only had an hour or a couple of hours of sunlight left. The rest of the time we were in the fields.”

Caldwell talked about losing to the Blazers in that championship series in 1977: “They were the better team. We had the most talent, but they were the better team that year.”

Caldwell talked about coming to Portland near the end of his career: “Nobody ever sees the spare until it’s needed. I came to Portland to be that spare tire.”

Nobody who dies from a sudden heart attack gets to script the final hours of their life. But Caldwell Jones was with his family, attending church and at brunch that final morning. The library would come later. And orders went in during that final brunch on Sunday morning, and pencils went down. The question that Vanessa posed to her family was a simple one.

She asked, “If you could do one thing, and only one thing, every day for the rest of your life, what would you pick?”

56 Rebound Magazine

The group thought. Then began writing. Vanessa watched them.

Caldwell Jones had planted and picked cotton.

He’d played professional basketball. He’d always loved music, and reading, and was a man of faith. But his answer to that final prompt from his wife surprised everyone at the table.

Said Vanessa: “Caldwell had never been much of a golfer. He’d discovered the game late in life.

But you know, he wrote that he would play golf if that’s the only thing he could do. That’s what he would do every day for the rest of his life.” R Caldwell Jones #27 of the San Antonio Spurs rebounds against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1990 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

ANNOUNCES REBOUNDNETWORK.COM LAUNCH

Announcing the launch of ReboundNetwork.com.

We would like to take this opportunity to announce the launch of Reboundnetwork.com. Look for our first sports interview show “Conversations with Fish”, featuring Matt Fish. Relax and enjoy this personal look into the lives and careers of retired Basketball players as they reminisce about their lives before, during, and after playing in the pro’s. ReboundNetwork.com is available 24 hours a day on your pc, tablet or smart phone device. Look for additional programming as we explore the history of professional, and collegiate sports through various guest interviewers. Look for expanded programming to include local collegiate and professional sports.

So visit reboundnetwork.com to sign up to receive updates and personal announcements about future programming about the personal journeys of the professional players you love so much.

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