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| | Tuesday, June 19 Chat wrap: George Gervin | |||||
An All-Star 12 of 14 seasons, Gervins total of 20,708 career points placed him 19th on the NBA's all time scoring list. His career scoring average of 26.2 ppg ranks sixth best on the NBA's all-time list, and his combined ABA and NBA career point total of 26,595 ranks eighth best in basketball history. Among guards, Gervin's combined point total places him second behind Oscar Robertson. The San Antonio Spurs' all-time leader in points, games played, field goals made, and attempted, free throws made and attempted, steals, Gervin is one of seven players to score 2,000 points in six consecutive NBA seasons. The MVP of the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, Gervin's scoring talents guided the Spurs to five Divisional titles in nine years. A five-time All-NBA First Team selection (1978-82), Gervin spent two years at Eastern Michigan, where he earned All-America honors following his sophomore season.In winning the closest individual scoring race in NBA history on April 9, 1978, against fellow Hall of Famer David Thompson, the "Iceman" established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in his era. In the final game of the season, Gervin scored 63 points to nip Thompson by just .06 points. One of only three players in NBA history to win four or more league scoring titles (1978, 1979, 1980, 1982), Gervin enraptured fans for 14 ABA/NBA seasons with the Virginia Squires (1972-74), San Antonio Spurs (1974-85) and Chicago Bulls (1985-86). Be sure and catch Gervin on ESPN's 2-Minute Drill on Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you missed Gervin's June 19 chat, an transcript follows:  George Gervin: Hi everyone. I'm here and ready for your questions. Let's get started.
stayce nixon (norfolk): Who in the NBA today reminds you of yourself when you where in the league? George Gervin: I think Steve Smith with Portland may be the guy that is the closest to me because of his size and he can shoot and take the ball to the basket and he doesn't play much defense either:)
K.C.,Syracuse, N.Y.: Hey Ice, You have the greatest nickname of all time. Where did you get your nickname from? George Gervin: I got it with the Virginia Squire when I played with Julius Erving and Roland "Fatty" Taylor. I got the nickname from "Fatty" Taylor who said I got 30 points every night without breaking a sweat. He said I was Ice.
Scott (Indianapolis): George - congratulations on coaching the Detroit Dogs to the ABA 2000 title this year. What were your impressions of the new league, and do you think its has the legs to survive? George Gervin: I really enjoyed coaching the team and my son George Jr. I had a blast and how we won was a thrill. We won the last 14 of 16 games and it was neat because the guys realized you have to play as a team to win a championship.
As far as whether the league will survive. That will be determined when tere is a big meeting at the end of the month. I think it is a great opportunity for these young kids to stay here in America and play and get a little money to do it. It is a good idea. But will it survive? I won't know until after the meeting. Alex (Baltimore): What are your thoughts on the current Spurs' team? What do they have to do to rebound from their horrible loss to the Lakers in this year's playoffs? George Gervin: That was a sad occasion for all us Spurs fans. They didn't play up to their abilities. I think they will make a few changes and get some guys that can penetrate, score and pass the ball. They really need someone who can score off the dribble that will make it easier for David and Tim. That is what they are missing.
Jordan (Mt. Laurel): Did you really have a rivalry with David Thompson or did he just happen to be the guy in second place all the time? George Gervin: We did have a rivalry. We were both from the ABA and he was a big-time scorer like me. Once I got the first scoring title, he really motivated me to be a NBA scoring champ. So we did have a special competition and I didn't mind him being second.
Pineapple (Honolulu): Mr Gervin, If Shaq wasn't around, who would you build your team around? George Gervin: I would go after Kobe Bryant as my 2-guard. Mark Jackson running the point. Tim Duncan as my power forward. I would have a guy like Abdur-Rahim from Vancouver at small forward. In the middle it would be Mutumbo. So I have scoring and defense on both sides of the ball and that would be hard to beat me.
Tupelo, Ms: George why do the players shoot so bad in the NBA today? Where are the Junior Bridgemans, Walter Davises, Freddie Brownes, and George Gervins? George Gervin: We are all too old right now but we sit around and ask the same thing. I think it is becaiuse the guys in the league don't work as hard today. I used to shoot 500 balls every day. So I was ready to make the shots when it counted.
Also, I think there are more athletes in the league now and not as many skilled players like we had in the 70s and 80s. We had more love for the game. Marlon Lexington, Ohio: Ice, what do you think about the recent influx of high school players? It seems that today's younger players aren't as fundementally sound as players in your era. George Gervin: That is a touchy subject. But these kids are talented but they may not be wise enough. I got into the draft when I was 18, so I may be the wrong guy to ask. What is the difference between a kid earning money out of high school by getting a regular job or by playing basketball? I don't have a problem with it.
With that said, I would like to see the league develop a program to help guide these young kids through their careers. Whether it be money management or making sure they get an education. We need to push that on our kids -- "it's not how much money you make, it's how much you keep". You only know that if you are educated. Tracy (Memphis): When you played with MJ in Chicago, did you see in him the phenomenon that he has become? George Gervin: When I played with him in '86, I saw the drive he had -- a love for the game. He played hard in practice and in the games. I knew he would be someone special. He had all the ingredients to become what he is today. So yes, I did see the potential in Jordan.
Randall (Lawrence, KS): We all know Micheal Jordan is competitive, but do you think his possible comeback is hurting the game by taking the spotlight away from the younger players? George Gervin: Personally, we all have our turn. People ask me if I am going to return and I just tell them I had my turn. Michael's choice to come back is his own. I would rather see him comeback as a coach. I think he would be a great coach and he could give more to the younger players and the fans by being a coach. I would hate to see him comeback and play and not be as great as he once was. It makes you wonder if he is lonely or what. I love him as a ballplayer and a friend. I would hate to see him become like Ali, I think he went one round too many.
Chattanooga: The last game of the 1978 season seemed somewhat mared to me. I know your team wanted you to win the scoring title and they fed you all night. Did the opposing team just sit back and let you score? Did that game have any meaning other than who won the scoring title? George Gervin: It all depends on how you look at it. If you are a fan, some may have a problem with it. But as a ball player, my team wanted it for me and the other team didn't. It was a special thing between me and my teammates. It takes a lot to get your teammates to feed me the ball. I was excited that my team wanted me to win. It is significant in the relationship I had with my teammatets to get my first scoring title.
pedro CA: Iceman, what is the the most memorable game in your career and why? George Gervin: The one I just talked about. Scoring 63 points in 33 minutes. Just doing that because my teammates wanted me to have it. I learned David Thompson scored 73 earlier that night as his team fed him the ball. My team didn't want him to take it away from me. I loved the game and that is how I scored baskets.
That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the support now and in the past. I appreciate it all and I enjoyed doing this chat.
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