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From the 96-97 SI NBA Preview, Shaq sounding off on a few things: -Thought he shoulda been 96 All-Star Game MVP (fact check: true) -Liked Hakeem but felt that Ewing & Robinson were aloof -Also said that Ewing, Robinson & Zo "cry to the refs" when he overpowered them

The 82-83 76ers were great but they outperformed their point differential (60-22 expected record). Their SRS is 4th for PHI (behind 66-67, 67-68 & 80-81). Though they were 12-1, they are 3rd in franchise in net points in the playoffs behind 66-67 & 20-21(!).

Excerpt from "Tales From The 76ers" @gordonwjones and Pat Williams tackle how good the 82-83 76ers were: -David Dupree thinks they were best ever -McCallum calls them "perfectly constructed" -Nellie was impressed by the playoff run -Neil Funk goes w/the MJ Bulls

Cartwright's senior year at USF in 78-79, the Dons went 22-7 & were ranked 12th. They were a 4 seed and lost to 1 seed UCLA in 2nd round. Billy Reid, Wallace Bryant & Guy Williams all had brief NBA careers. USF hasn't won an NCAA tourney game since.

Bonus Hollander POTD Bill Cartwright. SF C was drafted 3rd overall in 79 by NY scored 20+ ppg 1st 2 yrs. Declined & had injuries the next few yrs. Traded to CHI in 88 & clogged the lane for 5 yrs (& 3 titles). Used sharp elbows to KO opponents. Solid player w/a weird jumper.

Flashback to the haircut that Hollander did not appreciate: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGqi...

Hollander POTD Chris Mullin. St John's star was drafted 7th in 85 by GS. Struggled early then rededicated himself & was a star from 88-93. Spent 3 yrs chasing ring in IND before retiring after final yr w/GS 01. Dream Teamer & HOFer. Per bio "might have worst haircut in the NBA."

The moves paid off a bit. ATL improved by 10 games, going 56-26 in 96-97 & were 3rd in D & 4th in Net rating. They won a tough 1st round series v DET before losing 4-1 to MJ & the Bulls. Alas, ATL's attendance remained 27th in the NBA.

From the 96-97 SI NBA Preview, ATL: -Went all in signing Mutombo that summer -Laettner was energized by finally playing on a good team -Wilkens goal was to get Steve Smith to shoot more -ATL had 3rd lowest attendance in 95-96 & hoped Mutombo & Co would get fans excited

Collins scoring 30 pts in Game 1 of the 77 Finals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONyA...

Bonus Hollander POTD Doug Collins. Illinois St G was 72 Olympic star & 1st pick by PHI in 73. Great scorer but only played 58+ games 3x. Still was a 4x all-star had 21 ppg in 75-76. Hurt leg in 79 + barely played before retiring in 81. Later coached & did TV work. Excitable guy.

Wedman in 79 v BOS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u2R...

Hollander POTD Scott Wedman. Colorado SF was drafted 6th by KC in 74. Spent next few years as key option, peaking at 19 ppg in 80-81 & 2x all-star. Signed w/CLE in 81 + had health issues. Good bench guy in BOS til injury ended career in 87. Great shooter. Per bio a "zoo lover."

Manu closing out the 05 Finals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtIT...

Hollinger POTD Manu Ginobili. Argentinian SG was drafted 57th by SA in 99. Stayed in Europe til 02 & was great. Pretty good as a rook in SA & became a 2x all-star. Per bio, his "hands are incredible" and stripped dribblers with ease. HOFer and still quite underrated.

Bradley in 73 giving a graduation speech at St Peter's in 73:

Bradley in 73 giving a graduation speech at St Peter's in 73:

Bonus Hollander POTD Bill Bradley. Dollar Bill was a star at Princeton. Drafted 2nd by NY in 65, took 2 yrs as Rhodes Scholar before debuting in 67. Solid SF scoring w/16 ppg peak, 1x all-star. Fit NY system very well. Retired in 77 & later a senator from NJ. Didn't dress well.

Lewis v Houston in 89: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWzh...

Hollander POTD Reggie Lewis. Dunbar High grad was drafted 22nd by BOS from Northeastern in 87. After 1 yr on bench, blossomed into star. Scored 18 ppg from 88-93 & was all-star in 92. Good all-around player who defended well. Tragically died young in 93. RIP.