"The Athletic" article on 83-year old Jack McKinney (Westhead's predecessor)

 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> General Basketball Discussion Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
UKUGA
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 703
Location: 22033

PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 6:57 am    Post subject: "The Athletic" article on 83-year old Jack McKinney (Westhead's predecessor)

https://theathletic.com/437812/2018/07/19/the-memories-may-be-lost-but-jack-mckinney-once-briefly-the-lakers-coach-remains-an-inspiration/

Worth a subscription . . .


Quote:
He​ no longer​ remembers the bicycle​ accident.

That’s a good​ thing,​ right?

With​ a foggy​ brain comes​ foggy​​ recollection skills. So Jack McKinney, 83-year-old Post Traumatic Brain Injury sufferer and newest resident of the Juniper Village at Naples (Florida) assisted living and memory care center, lacks the ability to replay the morning of Nov. 8, 1979.

He does not remember that, at the time, he was the recently hired head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, plucked from the Portland staff to replace Jerry West and guide a team headlined by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a rookie from Michigan State named Earvin. He does not remember that the 10-4 Lakers had an off day; does not remember that he and his assistant, Paul Westhead, were scheduled to meet up for a game of tennis in Palos Verdes; does not remember pulling out the red-and-white Schwinn La Tour II from his garage.

He does not remember approaching the intersection of Whitney Collins Drive and Stonecrest Road; does not remember tapping the breaks and having them freeze; does not remember soaring over the silver handlebars and crashing headfirst into the concrete.

He does not remember arriving in a coma at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance.

He does not remember being a John Doe.

He does not remember his wife Claire, sobbing at his bedside.

He does not remember having to step aside from coaching.

He does not remember Westhead taking over and leading the Lakers to the NBA title.

He does not remember learning via a call from his son that Los Angeles had fired him.

He does not remember the ensuing Showtime dynasty that could have—should have—been his legacy.

He does not remember.

Any.

Of.

It.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
UKUGA
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 703
Location: 22033

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:24 am    Post subject:

Does this crowd even know who Jack McKinney is?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
AirKobe8
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 8586

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 4:52 am    Post subject:

I read about his story on Jeff Pearlman's "Showtime". Sad stuff.
_________________
www.lakersbrasil.com
Fan site made by me and others, dedicated to posting Laker news and articles in portuguese.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
UKUGA
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 703
Location: 22033

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:28 am    Post subject:

AirKobe8 wrote:
I read about his story on Jeff Pearlman's "Showtime". Sad stuff.




there's an older, Sports Illustrated article out there, with much more detail about everything that went down.

can't find it right now, but it's really quite a tale.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
JohnDoe
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 14 Jun 2018
Posts: 128
Location: Shenzhen, China

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 12:51 pm    Post subject:

UKUGA wrote:
AirKobe8 wrote:
I read about his story on Jeff Pearlman's "Showtime". Sad stuff.




there's an older, Sports Illustrated article out there, with much more detail about everything that went down.

can't find it right now, but it's really quite a tale.

_________________
"Less is more."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
lakersboy
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 8518
Location: Left coast

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:58 pm    Post subject:

That changed history. Pat Riley likely wouldn't have the achievements he does today if not for this accident.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Basketball Fan
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Posts: 24741

PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:48 am    Post subject:

lakersboy wrote:
That changed history. Pat Riley likely wouldn't have the achievements he does today if not for this accident.


After watching Winning Time this is completely accurate.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
lakez34
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 24 Apr 2001
Posts: 6077

PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:16 pm    Post subject:

https://vault.si.com/vault/1980/05/19/the-way-things-turned-out - Good related article from back in the midst of the season when this all went down.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> General Basketball Discussion All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB