Remembering Bill 1

Whenever I think of Virginia sports these days, I think about my brother Bill’s frequent telephone calls regarding the prospects and outcomes for U.Va. athletic events. Although Bill was a big fan of football and men’s basketball, he was interested in many other sports, too.

I am very happy that my brother wanted to keep up with both the teams that generate revenue for U.Va. athletics and the achievements of the teams composed of students who came to U.Va. because their athletic prowess allowed them to pursue academic interests, even though they had little prospect to benefit financially from the contributions to U.Va. sports once they completed their studies. Bill really seemed to enjoy watching young women and men display their savvy and skill on courts and fields, even though they had little or no chance to go to the big leagues, to earn $1,000,000 for their athletic accomplishments after they graduated from school.

I miss my brother

Some time between the end of August and the beginning of September, my brother Bill died. I think about him very often, and it has been something about which I’d like to record my observations and opinions. However, I am reluctant to make all of those opinions and observations public. So, I have this compromise: I shall post a few reflections here, and keep the rest of my thoughts private with my family and friends. You’ll see my reflection as “Remembering Bill.”

NBA HoF candidates

Karl Malone should be an obvious choice for induction into the (US) Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this coming summer. He’s the 2nd most prolific scorer in NBA history for staters. After Michael Jordan’s induction in 2009, it’s fitting that one of his greatest rivals during their careers is now eligible and should be among those inducted.

But, another candidate captures my imagination: Mr. Jordan’s teammate Scottie Pippen. Taking nothing away from Mr. Malone, I’m pleased to see Mr. Pippen among the nominees. I understand that Mr. Pippen is also an obvious choice for first-ballot induction. I simply want to note that, in my book, he’s one of the few guys who could have a chance at winning a 1-on-3 half-court game against NBA players when he’s the one. He had great defensive abilities both up and down the size scale. And he could score, too.

To be sure, there are other deserving nominees: Dennis Johnson, Oscar Schmidt, Jim Valvano, and (especially) Tex Winter. Visit the Naimsmith Hall of Fame. See Scott Howard-Cooper’s article about nominees (with a great photo of Mr. Malone and Mr. Pippen) on the NBA site.

HB, Representative Chisholm

On this day in 1924, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was born in Brooklyn (NY, US). Not just because she was one of those “firsts” (first Black woman elected to the US Congress), but because she was a strong advocate for many important groups (minorities, women, and children) and issues (education, reduced military spending), she deserves our recognition. Listen to her speak eloquently on some of these matters by jumping to The Visionary Project.

Link to the Wikipedia entry about Ms. Chisholm

HB Origin of the Species

Time for a reminder that today is the anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. As noted in previous years (2006, 2007, 2008), one can get a copy for free for the U.Va. Library.

Let’s talk about health care

I am very glad that the US Senate has agreed to have a public discussion of a plan to provide health care coverage for the citizens of the United States. As do many of my fellow citizens, I do not agree with each and every aspect of the current bill, but I am glad to have something that achieves important goals for my country.

If the USA is to be a world leader, we must ensure that our citizens are capable of accomplishing new, important tasks—inventing, creating, reproducing—and being healthy is a critical part of it. Moreover, ending exploitive actions by health insurance entities (today’s equivalent of Teddy Roosevelt’s trusts) will help the US be more competitive, too.

Give the US a sensible health-care policy, and it will be in a better position. Let’s have the debate. Let’s figure out how to make it a good policy, regardless of political affiliation.

71 jewel

On this day in 1960 Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers scored 71 points in a National Basketball Association game against the New York Knicks, hitting 28 2-pointers and 15 free throws. The Lakers won 123-108 on the Knicks’ home floor, basketball mecca, Madison Square Garden.

As a pre-adolescent wanna-be basketball player who had recently moved to Los Angeles, these high-scoring events were markers. The previous year, Mr. Baylor had scored 64 points in a single game, but this 71 was something special. At the time it was, of course, the most points ever scored in an NBA game. Since then, only three players (Wilt Chamberlain, 5 times; Kobe Bryant and David Thompson once each) have ever scored more points in a game.

Later that season or the next, I attended a game the Lakers played at Los Angeles State College, away from their usual home location of the LA Sports Arena. I remember the announcer introducing the starting line ups: “And, at forward, number 22, Elgin, 71-Jewel, Baylor.” I referred to the use of “jewel” in an Feb 2008 post about an article on Mr. Baylor’s career; this note serves as further explanation for that reference.

Links for the NBA’s player profile and the Hoopedia page about Mr. Baylor’s career. Link to my earlier post.

WordPress 4 iPhone

So, I downloaded this WP app for managing a blog from the iPhone, and this is my first test of it. Although many reviews on the iTunes app store reported concerns about the app, I haven’t encountered them.

I was able to connect on first try. I can navigate pretty readily. I’m experiencing no problems with comments.

To be sure, I would like to be able to use landscape for typing. Also, it would be nice to have a few common mark-up commands. At least I can type the raw commands…I trust.