apbr.org

[rlee]

Memory Lane: A mid-game swap
by John Lewis
phillyburbs.com

Two things happened between the start of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 123-117 win over the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 8 and the completion of the game, which happened on this day, March 23, 1979.

Obviously, there was a protest that was lodged and upheld, which caused the last 17:50 of regulation play (plus two overtimes) to be erased from the record books. Here’s what happened: After picking up his third, fourth and fifth fouls in quick succession, New Jersey’s Bernard King went after an official and drew his second technical foul of the game. So long, Mr. King.

Nets’ coach Kevin Loughrey then had a midcourt meltdown of his own and was promptly teed up twice. So long, Mr. Loughrey. The 76ers’ Doug Collins went to the line and converted what turned out to be a nine-point play and Philadelphia went on win, 137-133. The teams combined for 10 technical fouls, including eight by New Jersey.

The Nets appealed the result because of “an unjustified excess of technical fouls,” and the NBA ruled that the game was to be replayed as part of a March 23 doubleheader. It was resumed right after King’s ejection, with the Sixers ahead, 84-81, and 5:50 left in the third quarter. The Nets surged ahead, 99-96, but the 76ers, bouyed by Bobby Jones’ 12 fourth-quarter points, prevailed.

New Jersey’s John Williamson — who had 42 points before the replay — still led all scorers with 34 points. Julius Erving’s 32 led the Sixers. Bobby Jones had 19.

The other thing that happened? On February 7, the Nets traded Eric Money and Al Skinner to the 76ers for Harvey Catchings and Ralph Simpson. Catchings, who was scoreless in the game for the Sixers, scored eight points for the Nets. Simpson had none for the Nets and eight for the Sixers, and Money — who else remembers Sixers’ announcer Dave Zinkoff intoning “that’s two for the Money!” — scored 23 for the Nets and four for the Sixers.

According to NBA.com, this was the only time in league history that players played for different teams in the same game.

[Coach]

Great stuff! Nothing like the 76ers-Nets games. I wish that wouldv'e been more of a rivalry (location, location, location). I recall watching a game between Philly and NJ in the Meadowlands on a Friday night then driving down to Philly the next night to see the second of a home and home.

What great memories/names the article mentions-

Supa J, Harvey Catchings, Eric Money, Ralph Simpson, Al Skinner, Bobby Jones! And my favorite coach of all-time, Kevin Loughery! "LA-23" was a famous set play often called by Loughery for Supa J and then later for Michael Jordan in Chicago.

And of course, Zink! I loved that guy. What a great voice!

Loved his announcement of Julius Erving during player intro's.

Always liked hearing, 'Mix-Makes' after a Steve Mix basket. He always put an emphasis on Moses Malone when the big fella scored a bucket.

I can't recall the exact words but I remember someone fouling out of a game and Zink read an essay to him..."Mr. so and so, you have exceeded your limit on personal fouls. By the writing of the rules of the game you are asked to leave..." Not exactly those words but along those same lines. Maybe we have a forum member who recalls???

[rlee]

http://sportsprof.blogspot.com/2008/03/memories-of-dave-zinkoff.html

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121828/index.htm

http://quietclown.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/think-of-the-zink/

[mtamada]

I have never attended any NBA games in Philadelphia, but even just hearing them on radio and TV and overhearing Zinkoff's announcements, I got a good sense of what he contributed to the atmosphere ... surely the best NBA PA announcer of all time.

The 76ers Harvey Pollack has also been doing statistical yearbooks for decades that had stats that no one else reported (or probably even recorded).

Hmm, best PA announcer, best statistical yearbook author, what else: best play-by-play announcer: the Lakers' Chick Hearn by a longshot.

Best organist: probably Chicago's Nancy Faust (known more for playing at baseball games, but she also did Bulls games for awhile).

Best color commentator? No idea.

Best mascot: probably Phoenix's Gorilla (and for non-NBA, the San Diego Chicken).

Best food: haven't been impressed by the food at any NBA arena (unlike some baseball park food, which can be good).

[Keith Ellis]

My favorite organist was the person who used to play a song that sounded like Bennie & the Jets at the Omni in Atlanta during the Pistol/Sweet Lou days. Every so often I still think I hear somebody playing that song during an NBA game, but not nearly as well.