Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem, 39, 142, 165, 185, 197, 226
Aberdeen, Stu, 57–61, 72, 92–94, 115, 133
Abuse, by mother, 11–12, 36, 291–292
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury. See Knee injury
Alcohol use, 105, 108, 124, 152, 153–155, 170–174, 183, 186, 291–292
Ali, Muhammad, 299
All-America Boys Basketball Team, 71
Allen, Lucius, 165
All-Pro, 197
All-Stars, xix
Eastern Conference NBA, 284
1983–1984 season, 225–234
youth league, 37–40
American Basketball Association, 60, 139, 142
Analysis, in playing, 5, 14–15, 24–25, 44–45, 195, 209, 307–310
Anger, as fuel for performance, 23, 42
Anthony, Carmelo, 298–299
Arizona State University Sun Devils, 56, 61–62
Ashworth, Doug, 99
Auburn University Tigers, 91–94
Auerbach, Red, 190, 235, 283–284
Avenue Kings (gang), 12–13, 37
Bad Boy era, 235–236
Barkley, Charles, 284
Barnett, Dick, 211
Basketball
analytical thought in, 24–25
complementary skills needed, 178–179
early love of, 4–5
experimentation in, 14–15
game toughness needed, 84–86
as inner-city game, 4
as refuge, 23
retirement from, 287
Basketball Hall of Fame. See Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Bates, Billy Ray, 185
Bavetta, Dick, 157–159
Bearden, Romare, 293–294
Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, 32–33
Benson, Kent, 240
Bird, Larry, xix, 146, 174, 190, 197, 205, 226, 235, 248, 254–256, 258–260, 283
Blair, Bill, 221–222
Boe, Roy, 143–144
Boeheim, Jim, 132–133
Boston Celtics, 13, 146, 174, 235, 248–260
Boston Shootout (1972), 70–72
Bouie, Roosevelt, 132
Boys High School, 45
Bradley, Bill, 211
Broadcasting work, 292–293, 297–298
Brown, Chucky, 286
Brown, Hubie, xxii, 132, 200–201, 207–213, 225, 229–230, 232–233, 236, 238, 241, 243–246, 252–253, 258, 261, 262, 264–266, 283
Bryant, Kobe, 298
Brykalski, Bob, 83
Butler, Jack, 56
Byrnes, Marty, 132
Campbell, Bruce, 70
Career statistics, 311
Carr, Kenny, 70
Cartwright, Bill, 212, 221, 229, 234, 238, 241–242, 245–247, 252–253, 258, 261
Casey, Dwane, 113
Catchings, Harvey, 177
Celtics. See Boston Celtics
Challenges, benefits of, 21, 40
Chamberlain, Wilt, 39, 230, 240
Cheeks, Maurice, 179, 205, 223
Childhood
birth of Game Face, 3–15
first basketball competition, 16–17
first tournament win, 17–18
standing up to father, 33–35
transformative experiences, 16–21
youth basketball leagues, 35–46
See also Father; Mother
Circle defense, 250–252
Claytor, Truman, 113–114
Cleveland Cavaliers, 143
Clifton, Nat Sweetwater, 299
College life. See University of Tennessee Volunteers
Colleges, recruitment by, 57–66
Collins, Doug, 147
Comeback, from knee injury, xix–xxvii, 267–283
Conditioning, 43
Condon, John, 233
Consensus All-American, 116
Continuous passive motion (CPM) machine, 269–271
Cook, Darwin, 222
Cooper, Wayne, 189
Costas, Bob, 285
Cummings, Pat, 229
Cunningham, Billy, 147
Dallas Mavericks, 185, 226–227
Daly, Chuck, 54, 240, 242, 244, 286
Dantley, Adrian, 139, 182, 226
David Letterman Show, 231
Davis, Walter, 116–118
DeBusschere, Dave, 64, 144, 200, 211, 278, 283, 300
Defense, understanding, 308–310
Demic, Larry, 185
Detroit Pistons, 144–145, 156–159, 235, 237–247
Detroit Silverdome, 238, 240, 243
Divorce, 292–294
Donoher, Don, 56
Dorsey, Jack, 90–91
Douse, Ernie, 45
Drew, Billy, 132
Dr. J. See Erving, Julius (“Dr. J”)
Dumars, Joe, 284
Dummett, Mike, 279
Eastern Conference NBA All-Stars, 284
Eibeler, Paul, 56–57
Ellis, Maurice (“Bo”), 56
Emmy awards, 298
Emotional therapy, 291–292
Emotions, balanced, 42, 102–103, 108
Ernie and Bernie Show, 69–101, 110, 111, 124, 222
Erving, Julius (“Dr. J”), xix, 45, 124, 142–150, 175–176, 178–179, 185, 192, 197, 205, 218, 223, 226, 235, 237, 259
Erving, Turquoise, 150
Fast Break (movie), 161–169
Father
detachment of, 5, 7, 8, 24, 69, 299
inflexibility of, 9
lessons from, 18–19
meeting of Thelma Brown, 6
standing up to, 33–35
upon leaving for college, 72
work ethic of, 8
Fatherlessness, 37
Finestone, Jerry, 77
Fingers, dislocated, 236–237
Fishburne, Laurence, 168
Ford, Phil, 118
Fort Greene, 12
Fort Hamilton High School, xxii, 47–66
Fort Hamilton Tigers, 47, 49, 53, 56, 69
Free, World B., 147, 188–189, 191
Fulfillment, longing for, 9, 11–12, 24, 32–33, 35, 73, 124, 152, 154–155, 174, 291–293, 302–303
Game Face
birth of, 3–15
Gervin, George (“The Iceman”), xix, 197, 226–228
Gillespie, Dizzy, xxi
Givens, Jack, 88, 99, 111, 114, 128, 129
Golden State Warriors, 187–191, 193–194, 197–203, 311
Gordy, Berry, 166
Great Migration, 5
Grevey, Kevin, 89, 99, 111, 112
Griffin, Luke, 57
Grunfeld, Ernie, 57–58, 61, 75–78, 81–83, 87, 91, 97–99, 113–115, 118, 123–124, 128, 130–131, 134–137, 200, 206, 222, 300. See also Ernie and Bernie Show
Guthrie, John, 91
Hackett, Rudy, 184–186
Half-court scoring grid, 307–310
Half-moon backboard, 13–14
Hall, Dan, 89
Hall, Joe B., 89, 95, 100, 113, 114, 127, 130
Hall of Fame. See Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Hardship exemption, 124
Harlem, 6
Haskins, Merion, 113
Hawkins, Connie, 45
Hayes, Elvin, 231
Heroin addiction, in community, 23–24, 37
High School Basketball Illustrated, 54
Hill, Armond, 13
Hill, Wilburn, 13
Hirsh, Artie, 56
Holland, Brad, 185
Holland, Joe, 114
Holloway, Condredge, 65
Holzman, Red, 200
Honors
Hall of Fame, 311
during teen years, 53
NBA, 311–312
University of Tennessee Volunteers, 312
See also Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Houston Rockets, 172, 193–194, 227
Hudson, Ken, 70
Hughes, Langston, 299
“I love you, son,” 302
Indiana Pacers, 184
Jackson, Mike, 74, 83, 99, 110, 112, 114, 128, 131, 134, 136
Javits, Jacob, 33
Jazz. See Utah Jazz
Jewison, Norman, 25
Joe Louis Arena, 243, 244, 248
Johnson, Earvin (“Magic”), xix, 197, 199, 226
Johnson, George, (“Big Hands”; “Hands”) 53, 55, 143, 179
Johnson, Joe, 85
Jones, Charles, 179
Jones, K. C., 226
Jordan, Eddie, 143, 156, 159, 179–180
Jordan, Michael, 146, 284, 285
Kansas City Kings, 183, 194, 198, 200, 264
Kaplan, Gabe, 53, 160, 161–168
Keaton, Buddy, 32
Kennedy, Robert F., 33
Kentucky Colonels, 200
Kentucky Wildcats. See University of Kentucky Wildcats
Kern, Ken, 47–48, 55, 58, 63, 69, 92
Kindel, Ross, 132
King, Albert, 219–223
King, Amina, 294–299
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 299
King, Shana, 293–299
King, Thelma Brown. See Mother
King, Thomas, Sr. See Father
King spots, 307–310
Knee injury, xix–xxi, 94, 106, 261–267
Knee injury, recovery from, 267–283
Knicks. See New York Knicks
Konchalski, Tom, 53–58, 61, 70, 93, 125
Kupchak, Mitch, 118
Kupec, C. J., 85
LaGarde, Tom, 118
Laimbeer, Bill, 236, 238–240, 246
Lanier, Bob, 156–159
Leavell, Allen, 231
Lee, James, 127
Levingston, Cliff, 240
Lindsay, John, 33
Lloyd, Lewis, 231
Loneliness. See Fulfillment, longing for
Los Angeles Clippers, 13
Los Angeles Lakers, 139, 146, 174, 194
Loughery, Kevin, 137, 142, 144–145, 151–152, 157, 159–160, 169, 172–173, 177–178, 180–181, 182, 222, 284
Lucas, John, 139, 191, 193–194
Lucas, Maurice (“The Enforcer”), 139, 192
Madison Square Garden, 64–65, 205–206, 213, 241, 298
Malone, Karl, 284
Malone, Moses, 172, 194, 197, 205, 223–224, 232, 235, 237
Marital counseling, 297
Marriage
domestic issues, 297
first, 292–293
second, 293–299
McCann, Roger, 176–177
McHale, Kevin, 190, 235, 248, 250, 254, 256, 259
Mears, Ray, 58, 61, 70, 72, 83, 87, 89–101, 103–104, 111–112, 126, 127, 129, 132–133, 135–136
Meditation. See Visualization
Meminger, Dean, 153
Michigan State Wolverines, 85–86
Mieuli, Franklin, 187, 197, 201–203
Milwaukee Bucks, xxii, 137, 183, 200, 235
Mistakes, 185. See also Rookie mistakes
Mitchell, Mike, 71–72
Moncrief, Sidney, 226
Monroe, Earl (“The Pearl”), 15, 64, 174, 211, 300
Montreal Summer Olympics, 115–117
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
All-Tournament games (1972), 72
Boston Shootout (1972), 72
high school, 53, 54, 57, 70, 72
Summer League, 187
Mother
abusive behavior of, 11–12, 36, 291–292
declining health of, 299–301
labor and sacrifice of, 11
meeting of Thomas King, Sr., 6
passing of, 303
thriftiness of, 10
upbringing of, 5
upon leaving for college, 72
Movie career, 161–169
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 299–300
National Basketball Association (NBA)
as a business, 144
decision to turn pro, 118
drafted by New Jersey Nets, 137
honors earned in, 311–312
life after, 291–303
mental adjustment to, 145–146
1977–1978 season, 145–152
1983–1984 post season, 235–260
retirement from, 287
return to, after injury, 280–287
teams played on, 311
Natt, Calvin, 180–181
NCAA Consensus Award, 116
Nelson, Don, 281
Newell, Pete, 185–186, 187, 251–252
New Jersey Gems, 171
New Jersey Nets, 125, 137–152, 156–160, 169, 172, 175–181, 235, 298, 311
New York Knicks, 174
beginnings with, 205–211
Boston Celtics vs., 248–260
captain of, 211
contract extension negotiation, 262
Detroit Pistons vs., 237–247
honors with, 312
improvements in, 211–213
New Jersey Nets vs., 220–223
1983–1984 season, 225
offer sheet, 199–201
Philadelphia 76ers vs., 223–224
return to, after injury, 280–283
strategy of Hubie Brown, 232–233
teammate complaints, 217–218
years played on, 311
See also Knee injury
Nissalke, Tom, 182
North Carolina Tar Heels, 118
O’Brien, Larry, 177
O’Koren, Mike, 57
Olajuwon, Hakeem, 232
Oliver, Gerald, 81
Orr, Johnny, 85–86
Orr, Louis, 132, 206, 227, 245, 247
Parents. See Father; Mother
Parish, Robert, 190, 226, 235, 248, 255, 259
Parks, Rosa, 299
Paxson, John, 262
Philadelphia 76ers, 139, 144, 146–150, 174–180, 198, 205, 223–235
Phillips, Mike, 88, 111–114, 127–129
Pippin, Scottie, xxii
Poitier, Sidney, as role model, 25–26, 142
Police, help from, 154
Police harassment, 103–104, 107–109, 118–119
Pollak, Bill, 137–139, 160, 183, 197, 199, 203, 262, 267
Pollin, Abe, 284
Porter, Terry, 143
Portland Trailblazers, 139, 147, 174, 198, 207, 262
Powers, Richie, 177
Prejudices, 89, 103–104, 107–109, 118–119
Preparation, 163, 195–196, 307–310
Princeton Tigers, 13
Psychology books, love of, 24–25, 52, 105, 174, 307
Pyatt, Mike, 56
Racial tensions, 49–51, 70, 89, 103–104, 118–119
Ratner, Bruce, 296–297
Ratner Group offer, 296–297
Ray, Clifford, 188
Restoration Eagles, 32–33, 40–46, 53–54
Retirement, 287
Reynolds, Gil, 32–33, 40–46, 48, 53–54, 70, 79, 103, 209
Richardson, Michael Ray, 200, 203
Rikers Island, 43
Rivers, Doc, 13
Roberts, Lester, 32, 37–40, 41, 53, 57, 65, 70
Robey, Rick, 88, 99, 111, 127–129
Robinson, Oscar, 175
Robinson, Truck, 212, 218, 221, 234, 242, 260, 261
Rodman, Dennis, 236
“Rolls-Royce Backcourt,” 64
Rookie treatment, 146
Rookie years (New Jersey Nets), 138–152
Rushmore, John, 45
Sabo, Andy, 57
Sampson, Ralph, 231–232
San Antonio Spurs, 71
San Diego Clippers, 194
Sands Junior High, 22–31
Sapp, Marvin, 299
Saunders, Mike, xxii, 236, 243, 265
Savoy Ballroom, 6
Scholarship packages, 62
School busing, 47–48
Scoring to win, 307–310
Scott, Norman, xxii–xxiii, 236, 267–269, 273, 278, 286
“Season of Ascension,” xix, 225–234
SEC Player of the Year, 116
Self-destructive behavior, 139, 155, 170–174, 291–292. See also Alcohol use
Self-pity, 266
Seventeens (drills), 43
Sex, casual, 155, 174, 291, 292
Short, Purvis, 189
Shue, Gene, 147
Shumate, John, 156
Simpson, Ralph, 177
Single-game elimination format, 132
Skills, complementary, 178–179
Skinner, Al, 177
Smight, Jack, 165
Smith, Larry, 192
Southeastern Conference, 110
Southern California Summer Pro Basketball League, 184–186
Sparrow, Rory, 221–222, 225, 229–230, 238, 240–241, 250–252, 258, 282–283
Spirits of St. Louis, 184
Stalmaster, Lynn, 161–162, 169
Stamina, 28–31
Statistics. See Career statistics
St. John’s Health Center, 183
Strategy, importance of, 44, 307–310
Strom, Earl, 258
“Suicide” drills, 43
Summer Pro League, 184–186
Sweitzer Ron, 279
Syracuse University Orange, 131–135
Ten-and-twos, 173
TENS unit, 269
Therapy, emotional, 291–292
“Thick and Thin” (Ernie and Bernie), 76
Thomas, Isiah, xix, 226, 236, 238–241, 245–248
Three-man-weave drill, 173
Three-on-ones, 128
Three-on-three, 27–29
Tomjanovich, Rudy, 172
Toone, Bernard, 56
Townsend, Billy, 32
Townsend, Robert, 168
Triple team, 254
Tucker, Trent, 246
Tyler, Terry, 70
Tynberg, Mike, 56–57
UCLA Bruins, 185
University of Alabama Crimson Tide, 114–115
University of Dayton (Ohio), 63
University of Georgia Bulldogs, 90–91
University of Kentucky Wildcats, 87–90, 94–100, 110–114, 125–130
University of Tennessee Volunteers
Auburn University Tigers vs., 91–94
dropping out, 136
Ernie and Bernie Show, 69–101, 110–111, 124, 222
game toughness needed, 84–86
happy times at, 74–77
high school transcript problems, 92–94
honors earned at, 312
painful times at, 100–101
personal difficulties at, 102–109
personal successes at, 102
response to first failing assignment, 77–78
Syracuse University Orange vs., 131–135
University of Alabama Crimson Tide vs., 114–115
University of Georgia Bulldogs vs., 90–91
University of Kentucky Wildcats vs., 87–90, 94–100, 110–114, 125–130
Vanderbilt vs., 131
See also Aberdeen, Stu; Mears, Ray
US Supreme Court, integration and, 47
Vanderbilt University, 131
VanDeWeghe, Kiki, 185–186
Vincent, Jay, 230
Virginia Military Institute, 133
Visualization, 25, 29–30, 97, 126, 257–258, 263–264
Volunteers. See University of Tennessee Volunteers
Walker, Darrell, 225, 231, 239–241, 254, 256–257
Walt Whitman Housing Projects, 5
Washington, Kermit, 192
Washington Bullets, 174, 211, 284–286, 311
Webster, Marvin, 254, 258, 261
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 82
Westphal, Paul, 218
Wilkes, Jamaal (“Silk”), 188
Wilkins, Dominique, 146, 259, 300
Wilkins, Gerald, 282
Williams, Buck, 220–222
Williams, Jimmy (“Bug”), 132
Williams, Ray, 225, 227, 230, 233, 242, 253–255
Williamson, John (“Super John”), 175–176, 178–180
Winning, 307–310
Wisconsin Badgers, 83–84
Wooden, John, 165
Wulk, Ned, 56
Youth leagues, 35–46