Lamar Battle

Former NJCAA basketball coach. Lamar's blog is .substack.com

[Lamar Battle @LamarBattle]

@ESPNNBA @wojespn Still waiting for the Celtics to make a mistake.

[AFRICAN & BLACK HISTORY @AfricanArchives]

On this date in 1917, stage, film and television actress, the late Isabel Sanford was born.

From New York City, Sanford's life story is the type that those in show business enjoy because it gives the struggling artist hope. After education in New York, she joined the Star Players (later the American Negro Theater) in the 1930s. Sanford worked with them until World War II started and the theater temporarily split up. After the war, Sanford had home obligations that put her career on hold. But her husband's death was inspiration for Sanford's dream.

With three children to support, she worked as a data processor by day and acted as she could in the evening and developed a life-long frugality about which she joked about. Sanford made it to the Broadway stage in James Baldwin's The Amen Corner, and, in 1967 was given her film debut by producer-director Stanley Kramer in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? In it, Sanford was the ever-loyal housekeeper of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Her role of the maid was in stark contrast to the supposed liberalism of Hepburn and Tracy characters in the film, here Sanford offered a grand performance in what might be the last of the great strong, humorless Black domestics, a practice in American films and TV until the Civil Rights era. Sanford appeared in the feature Pendulum (1969) as well as making appearances on The Carol Burnett Show from 1967-69 as a stock player in some skits.

She also appeared on episodes of Julia as a woman who berated Dihann Carroll to make sure the widowed nurse wasn't turning her son Corey into an “Oreo.” In 1971 came All in the Family. Sanford's role was, at first, recurring, but as the producers could use her as a friend to Edith, it increased. The Jeffersons followed, with Sanford winning an Emmy in 1981 for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, the first African-American woman to win in that category in the history of the awards. Sanford made guest appearances on other shows and specials and appeared in the 1979 film Love at First Bite. Other film roles include Lady Sings the Blues (1972) and Original Gangstas (1996).

Isabel Sanford will always be known as Louise Jefferson, yet throughout her career, Sanford said more with her eyes and with her impeccable comic timing than others did with words. Isabel Sanford died on July 12, 2004.

[Lamar Battle @LamarBattle]

@SportsCenter Born Celtic.

[Reb Brownell @RebBrownell]

Future teammates Julius Erving and Caldwell Jones going at each other in the ABA.

[Lamar Battle @LamarBattle]

@Balldontlie @wojespn Excellent pick up.

[Legion Hoops @LegionHoops]

Ty Lue:

“When you lose a guy of Paul George’s stature, instantly people think oh, they can’t win… I can’t wait to prove everybody wrong.”

(via @NotoriousOHM)

[Mike @ChiSoxFanMike]

Never in my life have I been more embarrassed to be a White Sox fan than today. This is far and away the worst loss I’ve ever experienced during my time. My wife just asked for a divorce and my kid went to the orphanage because they didn’t want to live with a White Sox fan.

[Mirin Fader @MirinFader]

Really honored to be included in this book alongside so many amazing writers. Thank you for including me!! 💜 CC: @ringer

[Doug Gottlieb @GottliebShow]

Then why didn’t they?
Zeke was a great player, but he just can’t help himself re MJ. So bitter. Maybe he shouldn’t have alienated Magic & Bird too.

[TD Nash @td_nash]

Who is YOUR all-time favorite college football running back?🧐🔥
#NCAAF

[Paul Knepper @paulieknep]

Rick Barry with the Oakland Oaks.

[Paul Knepper @paulieknep]

Norm Nixon at Duquesne

[Andy Roth @arhooptalk]

Mid 90's Centers
Hakeem
Shaq
Ewing
Robinson
Mourning
Mutombo
Smits
Divac
They didn't face a whole bunch of undersized 5's and small lineups. Just sayin' when you want to compare centers from today's era

[Mirin Fader @MirinFader]

This book is amazing. Highly recommend.

[FanDuel Sports @FanDuelSports]

It might've been LeBron and Steph's last time playing for the gold 🤕

What would you change on this roster for 2028? 🤔

[Only In Boston @OnlyInBOS]

Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey is retired league-wide, making him the only player in NBA history to receive that honor, as well as the third person in North American major professional sports to have their jersey number retired league-wide, behind Jackie Robinson and Wayne Gretzky.

[Bob Ryan @GlobeBobRyan]

RIP Al Attles. You know that phrase “Man’s Man?” That was Al Attles. Mr. Warriors, for sure. Stats did not convey his playing impact, and the guy could coach. His ‘75 champs were special. He was special. Best factoid: He was 8-for-8 the night Wilt dropped 100 on the Knicks.