Oh how we forget.

On TNT, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said Indiana Pacers reserve Lance Stephenson shouldn’t have given the choke sign when LeBron James missed a free throw Thursday night in Game 3 against the Miami Heat.

The Heat lost, 94-75, before winning Game 4 Sunday to even series at 2-2.

In clip below, you’ll see at the :57 second mark Larry Bird miss two free throws in a loss to the Sixers in the 1985-86 season. Julius Erving hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer off a jump ball Barkley tipped to him.

It’s a great play by Barkley, huge shot by Dr. J., but guess who’s giving the choke sign after rebounding the second Bird miss.

Oh Charles.

Up next for Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics? An familiar rival. The Philadelphia 76ers./AP Photo.

Whenever these two teams met in the 1980s, it was classic.

Bird vs. Dr. J. McHale vs. Barkley. Moses vs. Parish.

Go back even further to the 1960s. Legends emerged.

Wilt vs. Russell. Havlicek vs. Greer. Jones vs. Walker.

On Saturday, the Sixers and Celtics will renew their rivalry in the Eastern Conference semifinals as the two teams haven’t faced each in the postseason since 2002 when the first round was still a best-of-5 series.

Boston won 3-2.

Who will take this series and likely face Miami in the conference finals?

Go Green.

Read the rest of this entry »

This picture is hanging on my wall. Check out the fro people. Dr. J. was one of the all-time great leapers, period.

These guys did more than just jump out the gym.

They made you go, “Oh lawd” like the late Bernie Mac used to say.

We’ll always miss you, Bernie.

Anyway, these guys had crazy hops and did things that no one else can duplicate. You got guys who can dunk, but can they have the hang time, elevation and do so with a forcefulness?

That’s the definition of a leaper to me.

So before continuing, you know the routine people.

These guys are not on my list: Kenny “Sky” Walker, Dee Brown, Harold Minor, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin (he may be in the future if he stays healthy), Larry Nance, Steve Francis, Kobe Bryant, J.R. Rider, Josh Smith or Gerald Green.

So with that being said, let’s get to it.

Read the rest of this entry »

I hear ya’ll talking and yapping.

LeBron. D-Wade. Superman (Dwight Howard). They’re high risers.

Before them, Jordan, ‘Nique (Dominique Wilkins) and Clyde the Glide soared through the sky.

BUT before them, Dr. J. owned the NBA stratosphere.

He put the D in dunking, the R in originality and the J in just too good to be true.  So take a ride with me back in time and check out how Julius Erving did his thing.

By the way, just look past the short shorts. I heard the ladies liked them like that back in the day.