Associated Press
The NBA notebook …
Tonight’s game against Phoenix marked Charlotte’s league-high 26th home game, setting up a brutal closing stretch of 24 of 39 on the road, including two West Coast trips and 10 sets of back-to-back games.
But that kind of travel is nothing to Bobcats coach Larry Brown ó when he compares it to his days as a player in the ABA.
Brown recently told a story of how his Oakland Oaks moved to Washington for the 1969-70 season.
“They kept our schedule ó the West Coast schedule,” Brown said. “So we played a Saturday home game in Washington and flew across the country and played a Sunday afternoon game in Los Angeles about four times.
“Now that was when you really lied to your legs.”
Brown said they also played a handful of “home” games in San Jose, Calif., during that season.
“So instead of playing Saturday and Sunday in Oakland and San Jose, we were playing Saturday in Washington and Sunday in San Jose,” Brown said. “It was amazing.”
Teams sometimes played four games in four nights in that fledgling league. Players had to fly commercial, carry their own bags and even wash their own jerseys.
“And some guys didn’t do a very good job,” Brown recalled. “I remember guys would shower with their uniforms on and scrub them down.
Brown said one of the worst culprits was teammate and future NBA coach Doug Moe.
“Doug had a red, white and blue uniform,” Brown said, “that turned one color.”
ALL-STARS
ORLANDO, Fla. ó He was the first to dress as Superman to win a dunk contest.
He’s now the first player to get 3 million votes from fans.
Yes, the All-Star game is fast becoming Dwight Howard’s personal showcase. The Orlando Magic center ó who leads the NBA in rebounds, blocked shots and double-doubles ó got a record 3,150,181 votes to lead this season’s All-Star team.