Basketball Historian, Collector, Analyst, "Dribbles & Scribbles" Writer, Player Evaluation & Training

USA
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Bob Pettit, who just passed away at 93. Whenever the Final Four was in New Orleans, or when LSU was in one, I’d look for Pettit in the stands & approach him at halftime with items I’d have tucked in my folder for him to autograph.
2
1
27
585
Some good Bob Pettit trivia… he was the color commentator with Dick Enberg TV broadcast for the 1968 “Game of the Century” UCLA vs. Houston at The Astrodome.
65
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Michael Sweetney, a DMV area prep standout that starred at Georgetown, who recently passed away at age 43. He also played for the NBA Knicks & Bulls.
22
414
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Cornelius Cash (Bowling Green, NBA), who recently passed away at age 74. During the Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar High School run to the state tournament in 1971 the broadcaster would say, “Cash from the corner is like cash in the bank.”
1
15
584
Today’s Treasure from my collection: I tip my cap to the investigator who was able to decipher executive Lawrence Frank’s notes in the LA Clippers NBA salary cap circumvention case. Based on the signature I obtained from Mr. Frank when he was an NBA Head Coach, that’s impressive.
5
241
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Bill Hewitt, who recently passed away at age 82. I inked Bill back in his playing days in the late 60’s & early 70’s. Decades later when I upgraded to Sharpie autographs on his basketball cards Bill sent me this thoughtful note.
5
296
Today’s Treasure from my collection: I was very pleased to see Gonzaga Coach Mark Few inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Several years overdue, but he’s in. Now waiting for Marques Johnson & coaches Steve Fisher & Dick Motta to get the recognition due them in Springfield.
11
390
I think NBA should have a “Field of Dreams” regular season game in one of old buildings from league origins that’s still standing (i.e. 69th Regiment Armory in NYC). The league could spruce up as a community service project & play game there, smaller crowd, but big TV audience.
171
283
5,556
394,513
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Don Nelson, who passed away at 86. Nellie had a remarkable career as a player & innovative coach. Impersonating his unique free throw style in my make believe NBA games played on my childhood driveway court was always interesting.
1
2
16
1,163
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Happy 93rd birthday to Arlen “Bucky” Bockhorn, U of Dayton hoop legend & NBA backcourt partner of the great Oscar Robertson with the Royals. I was fortunate to grow up around Mr. Bockhorn in Dayton, OH (his son David my high school teammate).
1
2
13
1,310
Today’s Treasure from my collection: This weekend is Hoopfest in Spokane, WA. Decades ago I might have put a 3 on 3 team together as I once did for the Gus Macker or Main Courts in Laguna Beach tournaments. Here’s a ‘91 Hoopfest promotional flyer autographed by John Stockton.
1
15
541
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Summer is basketball camp time. I recall the teaching stations on outdoor courts at Don Donoher camp in Dayton, Ohio. Although we didn’t have Bill Bradley, we did have Bill’s 1970 Knicks teammate Don May showing & telling us the fundamentals.
8
426
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Congratulations to the NY Knicks & Jalen Brunson on the 2026 NBA crown. It’s nice to see when the standards & values of the game are passed down to the next generation.
1
10
499
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Stacey King, who recently passed away at age 59. Stacey played in the 1988 Final Four for Oklahoma & won 3 NBA titles with the Bulls. The 1990 NBA Hoops cards set, Stacey’s here, included the player’s college stats on the back.
1
3
22
763
Today’s Treasure from my collection: 50 years ago today June 4, 1976 was a memorable day. I turned 18, had my high school graduation ceremony at NCR Auditorium in Dayton, Ohio & made it home for the end of the Suns @ Celtics 3 OT classic (this SI cover came out a few days later).
1
5
260
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Rick Adelman, who passed away at age 79. From his college playing days at Loyola Marymount to NBA coaching, he had a 50 year career in the game. Here Rick is pictured playing for the San Diego Rockets early in his NBA career.
3
9
104
2,768
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Carey Scurry (great basketball name!), who recently passed away at age 63. When I lived in Phoenix in the 80’s I used to get there early for layup/dunk lines when the Jazz were in town due to him and Darrell Griffith.
1
4
337
Today’s Treasure from my collection: 5/17/76 Fifty years ago today the ABA graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, which would turn out be the last hurrah for the league. This classic image captures the colorful nature & coolness of the ABA, with Dr. J & Chuck Williams in action.
8
32
2,050
Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Brandon Clarke, who recently passed away at age 29. I first noticed him at San Jose State & then his stardom at Gonzaga. For me he ranks right up there for being a “quick jumper”, meaning not having to gather or even take a step.
2
7
830