It seems like a millennium ago, a Sunday night radio sportscaster named Bill Stern, signed off “It’s one for the Ages”
A charismatic miracle of
basketball enchantment was the once New York Knicks and Boston Celtic player,
migrating to the Chicago Bulls with a Celtic assistant coach, now the Bulls
head honcho..
Metamorphosing from a journeyman
point guard, to a 16 point hero, to tie the regular game with the Knicks, and a “no quit” state of mind, the frenzied
fever in 3 overtimes, to take a three-one lead , the stage going back to the
Garden, a day or two later..
II
Nate (the Great) Robinson found
his niche, on the same hardwood floor that graced the likes of Michael Jordan and
Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, his twin brother... John Paxton, Steve Kerr from
downtown.
“No quit “Nate, The Bulls down by 16, thirteen ticks left on the
game clock, when Nate took over like a
scrub’s role, out to enlighten the masses. “
“We live for moments like
these.”
Ties the score...Nate dribbling&dishing, swishing all of
the half court.....his transcending, his brain neurons calibrating with #42....
baseball’s Jackie Robinson’s hand and eye coordination.
“Mercy Mercy, Nate” the Nets ran two players at
him,ala the Harlem Globetrotter touch, Nate elevating, splits the defense.
Spins out of the trap, finds the open man. With a Roman
Coliseum like pass at a charging bull.
III
“A win for God’s Glory” I live for moments like
these......fourth quarter, the Knicks ‘w”slipping away... Nate Robinson on
fire, the Nets fatigued. The almost 4 hour game into 143-134 Nate the Great’s
transcending romp.
IV
Historically, the Ucla Joe E Brown field: Jane Withers, the
comedienne living above Sunset
Boulevard off Westwood Boulevard, Wilbur Johns, the
basketball coach&athletic director, recruiting John Wooden, the Indiana
State All American. Reviving the basketball program...all JW’s merging with Ed Pauey’s
Holy Grail ....Pauley Pavilion. On what was once Joe E Brown field.
V
What hath this pumpkin frenzy? 3 sudden deaths in the Windy
City.. The Bull fans
their vibes setting
the stage unto Boston’s parquet, twenty four hours later. An overtime victory
over the Knicks.
The on the brink
Celtics “w”, three games to one, the playoffs going back to the Big Apple.
“A win for God’s glory. I live for moments like
these”
The City that never sleeps, April 29, 2013
