Originally, I planned to start my new summer series The Pickup Diaries today. However, I couldn't in good conscience ignore the passing of Manute Bol.
Read about him...especially his activism. Seriously.
If you weren't following the NBA in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it's hard to describe Manute Bol. Manute wasn't a great player -- although, as Neil Paine of Basketball-Reference pointed out, he was one of the most prolific shot blockers in league history -- but he was unlike anything anybody had seen before. It was part cultural phenomenon, part freakshow. And I don't mean that in a negative way. It's just that you couldn't not stare at Bol. I watched him play the Pacers twice in person, and I was transfixed (although Manute didn't log many minutes).
I mean, the dude was nearly eight feet tall. He once blocked four shots on a single possession. He even drilled six three-pointers in a single half (against the Phoenix Suns...of course).
Like I said, he was unlike anything anybody had seen before. And we'll never see anything like him again.
Read about him...especially his activism. Seriously.
If you weren't following the NBA in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it's hard to describe Manute Bol. Manute wasn't a great player -- although, as Neil Paine of Basketball-Reference pointed out, he was one of the most prolific shot blockers in league history -- but he was unlike anything anybody had seen before. It was part cultural phenomenon, part freakshow. And I don't mean that in a negative way. It's just that you couldn't not stare at Bol. I watched him play the Pacers twice in person, and I was transfixed (although Manute didn't log many minutes).
I mean, the dude was nearly eight feet tall. He once blocked four shots on a single possession. He even drilled six three-pointers in a single half (against the Phoenix Suns...of course).
Like I said, he was unlike anything anybody had seen before. And we'll never see anything like him again.
Labels: Manute Bol
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It was always an incredible sight watching him nail 3-pointers with such ease.
Still, though, even *I* could easily make out Manute Bol as he ran down the court. His freakishly tall, lanky body reminded me of a daddy long-legs spider and he trotted from one end to the other.
Their height gives them unique gifts when it comes to basketball, and you can only think that a catastrophic injury is just around the corner. I mean, the guy was 7'7." To put that into perspective the hoop is only 10' high. He could easily reach over the rim flat footed. Yet he was only two hundred and twenty-five pounds. Less than LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and only a handful of pounds over the likes of Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant (Yao is a much 'healthier' 310 lbs, but his foot might as well be amputated).
Looking at his career numbers, it's amazing that he had more blocks than defensive rebounds. That's never happened before (at least not anyone with at least 1 block per game, according to basketball reference)!
From what I've read/heard of him, he was a good man, supporting his country. He'll be missed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_bad_(expression)
In the meantime, here's Ty Lawson's brilliant championship plan: "I heard if u hit a kardashian u win a championship.. Kim k holla me!!! I need ya for 17 min"
Ty "17 minutes" Lawson, everybody, for your Basketbawful enjoyment.
17min is well over the average...
Paulo Coelho says 11 minutes is average, so 17 min is 50% better than the average dude.
As for me, I've found 0:30 to be more than enough time. OK, 1:15 if you include foreplay.
What?
WV: jetoll- I'm a jetoll over that @$$!!
(I think those 3's from Bol are just insane.)
It would have to be longer than 17 minutes, and there must be video.
I don't think Ty would be able to last 17 minutes with Rob. He's too much man for anyone to handle for 10 minutes, let alone 17.
I always liked Manute as a player, and for his ability to laugh at himself, like in this SNL classic.
I didn't know much about his humanitarian work until I read a book about a Sudanese refugee last year (What is the What, in case anyone is wondering) and Manute Bol was mentioned a few times for his charitable efforts. I was curious and looked up some articles about Manute and was amazed by what I found. The guy spent ALL of his money and worked tirelessly to help out his troubled homeland- it's really something to be commended. Sad that he died so young.
He was a great NBA story, and he will be missed.