But, the fella I liked wa Joe Fulks. The closest one to him is Rick Barry. Gottlieb was never accused of being a pacifist when he coached basketball. He admits he was tense and did his share of shouting at players, officials and anyone within earshot. It's different, but I still enjoy it.
Basketball is a wonderful game.
Someday, Eddie Gottlieb will no longer be associated with the NBA and the league will be a lot poorer because of it. Bill Fitch has been named to coach the Eastern Conference team when 17 NBA stars have a six-game exhibition tour during June in Hawaii, Japan and Korea. Boston's Tommy Heinsohn will guide the Western Conference squad. Playing for the East will be Austin Carr, Bob McAdoo, Dave Cowens, Don Nelson, Bill Bradley, Calvin Murphy, Rudy Tomjanovich, Phil Chenier and Tom Van Arsdale. On the West team are are Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Gail Goodrich, Cazzie Russell, Sidney Wicks, Geoff Petrie, Dick Van Arsdale and Spencer Haywood.