Got in my car coming home from school a little while ago and heard Dave Debusschere had died today of a heart attack.
I almost feel like someone in my family died.
As I type this right in front of me on my office wall is a picture of the "5 great Knick legends".Earl is going up for a layup,Frazier,Reed and Lucas are all dribbling the ball,and for the 1st time I'm looking at Dave and realize his picture is really not true to form.He's dribbling too. But his picture should be of him taking that famos jump shot or in a defensive stance.
What a player he was.I know there are some of you here that remember him and others that never saw him play.
He played in 5th gear every time he laced his sneakers up.A defensive player that would shut down opposing players.
I see Elgin Baylor and Debuss going head to head.
I remember when Detriot traded him to the Knicks.I was so upset.I loved Walt Bellamy and Butch[Howie] Komives.
But after seeing old # 22 play in his 1st games I saw how wrong I was.
I loved Bells.And to this day I can still imatate Bells shooting his FT's.With his ass so big and his funny shot.How could the Knicks trade their top center away. But Dave fit right in with Red's plans.
Dave and Bill Bradley became such popular fan favorites.Then you throw in Dick Barnett and Clyde and the rest was history.
One summer when I was working Dave Cowens Basketball Camp Havileck was the guest speaker.I remember him saying Bradley was the hardest person he has ever guarded in the NBA because no one ever moved w/o the ball better.And Dave Debusschere by far was one of the greatest defensive people to ever play the game.
Before I married my wife I would test her on the starting 5 of the Knicks.That was a pre-requiste to getting married.We would always joke about it.A few yrs later in the movie "Diner" the girl had to answer 100 Colt questions.I wasn't that bad.
I have a lot of good memories of Dave D.In my mind I can the Knicks playing the Bullets and good old power fd Johnson trying to jam it on Dave. I see the Knicks passing the ball so precisely around the court and Dave catching it in the corner and shooting it all in one motion.I see a "swish"and him never missing.
Today the Knicks lost a great person.Someone who I idolized and respected growing up.
I don't think I can compare anyone today to dave debusschere.
But I'll never forget Marv Alberts voice and how he said his name after scoring. " Debusschereee from the top of the key.......................swish
I almost feel like someone in my family died.
As I type this right in front of me on my office wall is a picture of the "5 great Knick legends".Earl is going up for a layup,Frazier,Reed and Lucas are all dribbling the ball,and for the 1st time I'm looking at Dave and realize his picture is really not true to form.He's dribbling too. But his picture should be of him taking that famos jump shot or in a defensive stance.
What a player he was.I know there are some of you here that remember him and others that never saw him play.
He played in 5th gear every time he laced his sneakers up.A defensive player that would shut down opposing players.
I see Elgin Baylor and Debuss going head to head.
I remember when Detriot traded him to the Knicks.I was so upset.I loved Walt Bellamy and Butch[Howie] Komives.
But after seeing old # 22 play in his 1st games I saw how wrong I was.
I loved Bells.And to this day I can still imatate Bells shooting his FT's.With his ass so big and his funny shot.How could the Knicks trade their top center away. But Dave fit right in with Red's plans.
Dave and Bill Bradley became such popular fan favorites.Then you throw in Dick Barnett and Clyde and the rest was history.
One summer when I was working Dave Cowens Basketball Camp Havileck was the guest speaker.I remember him saying Bradley was the hardest person he has ever guarded in the NBA because no one ever moved w/o the ball better.And Dave Debusschere by far was one of the greatest defensive people to ever play the game.
Before I married my wife I would test her on the starting 5 of the Knicks.That was a pre-requiste to getting married.We would always joke about it.A few yrs later in the movie "Diner" the girl had to answer 100 Colt questions.I wasn't that bad.
I have a lot of good memories of Dave D.In my mind I can the Knicks playing the Bullets and good old power fd Johnson trying to jam it on Dave. I see the Knicks passing the ball so precisely around the court and Dave catching it in the corner and shooting it all in one motion.I see a "swish"and him never missing.
Today the Knicks lost a great person.Someone who I idolized and respected growing up.
I don't think I can compare anyone today to dave debusschere.
But I'll never forget Marv Alberts voice and how he said his name after scoring. " Debusschereee from the top of the key.......................swish
