More NBA greats

The Freeman Sports surveyed Sports personalities on their choices of the greatest NBA players of all time.  Well, here’s some more of the hoop legends that should be included in the list. George Mikan and Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers, John Havliceck, Bob Cousy and Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics, Walt Frazier and Willis Reed of the New York Knicks. George Gervin of the SA Spurs, Pete Maravich (New Orleans Jazz), Portland’s Bill Walton, Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks, David Thompson of Denver Nuggets  and Elvin Hayes of the Washington Bullets. Like most of the fans, my number one pick is Michael Jordan.

You are the champions

“We Are the Champions” by Freddie Mercury and the Queen is undoubtedly the most played song in sports awarding ceremonies.  Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, two remaining members of the band, guitarist  Brian May and Robert Taylor, together with American Idol’s  Adam Lambert, performed virtually.  The trio recorded a new version of “We are the Champions” retitled, “You Are The Champions” and dedicated to the frontliners.  Proceeds of the recording will be going to the WHO Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. May said he lost a good friend who was like a brother to him to the virus last week.

Black Mamba

Ever wondered why Kobe Bryant was called Black Mamba? Well, we all know Kobe was one of the most lethal players in the NBA, just like the African snake, Black Mamba.  This snake’s bite releases a venom powerful enough to kill up to 200 humans. A member of the cobra family, the Black Mamba grows to about 14 feet long the inside of the snake’s mouth is black, thus the title Black Mamba, which is considered the world’s deadliest snake.

Did you know? Ken Norton

Will be remembered as the boxer who broke Muhammad Ali’s jaw on March 31, 1973.  Norton from San Diego was a former U.S Marine who turned pro in 1967 and won 29 of his  first 30 professional fights.  Three months earlier, Norton had fought in front of 700 spectators for a purse of $300.  Norton emerged with a split decision against Ali.  Six months later, they fought again with Ali winning a close decision after he won the last and final round.  Then in 1976, Ali and Norton fought for the third time in Yankee Stadium.  Again, it was a close fight with the outcome decided only in the last round, as Ali salvaged the win.  Norton retired in 1981 with a 42-7-1 ring record.  In 1975, Norton tried his luck in the movies, notable of these film roles was in the movie Mandigo where he played a slave.  A struggling young actor was taken in as an extra in the film.  One year later, that “extra” rocketed to stardom in a boxing movie of his own.  His name, Sylvester Stallone and the film, Rocky. Norton died of congestive heart failure in Nevada in 2013.  He was 70 years old.