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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Interviews Bill
Sharman: "I couldn't have asked for a better profession"
Bill Sharman: I didn’t really think about it as it was happening. Once we got to about 20 wins, I knew it was part of something special. Then, it kept growing and ended at 33. There have been a lot of great teams since but it’s harder and harder to win that many in a row with so many great players these days. All it takes is one great game by a player on one given night and their team can win. I don’t know if it will ever be broken. You are credited with inventing the game-day shootaround. How receptive were players to the idea? BS: It’s funny, I was told a lot of players would be against it. Then, when I was hired by the Lakers in 1971, I had heard that Wilt Chamberlain liked to stay out late and he probably wouldn’t want to get up in the morning for a shootaround. I had a talk with Wilt and explained how I thought it would help the team. He said, ‘I don’t like waking up early but I’ll try temporarily.’ Fortunately, we won a lot of games that year and Wilt bought into it. I don’t remember him missing too many shootarounds, maybe only two. You’re still a consultant to the Lakers. Do you still have the same joy you had when you were playing or coaching? BS: I was very fortunate that I was paid for something that I loved to do. Not many people can say that. I couldn’t have asked for a better profession in life. The players today make so much money but I was happy making what I was making. I had a love for the game, which I still have today. You were the coach of the Cleveland Pipers of the Old American Basketball League in 1961-62. Your team, which was owned by George Steinbrenner, won the championship. What was that experience like? BS: I didn’t know much about him when I got the job. I had heard he was tough on people. Fortunately, we were having a good year and he was very charming. If you lose, I don’t see him as being the type who is charming. I enjoyed my experience working for Mr. Steinbrenner. What’s your opinion of today’s players? BS: First of all, it’s hard to keep all the teams straight with free agency. There are so many great players and their athleticism is incredible. I wish more players took more time to learn things like free-throw shooting. It seems as if players don’t take as much time to practice. I wouldn’t leave the court until I made a certain number of shots in a row. What does it mean to be inducted as a player and a coach? BS: It’s great. Being only one of three people to be inducted as both is remarkable. I’m very honored and very lucky to have been a part of basketball my whole life. I’m so happy to be here to be inducted as a coach. I never expected this. Andy Jasner is a Philadelphia-based freelance writer and a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com Tell us what you think about this interview. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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