Steve Aschburner

Senior writer, Photo-bombed Wilt, '97. Raised KG from a Timberpup.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

A scrum to be preserved years later in avatar fame on social media... https://t.co/yIJyoUKTus

[NBA History @NBAHistory]

Even 24 years after retiring from the @NBA Wilt Chamberlain commanded a huge media presence at #NBAAllStar (1997, @NBA at 50, Cleveland)

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

@PeterVecsey1 @Shadow1117 @justlookup21436 I get it, Peter. But I’ve always thought it was a little goofy to induct someone into a HOF multiple times, as this, that or the other thing. You get your big moment on stage in Springfield, you’re in, right?
Do any of the other sports Halls dole out add’l enshrinements?

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

@MikeVorkunov From back in the day.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

@coopmavs @NBA Got the story straight from Nellie 40 years ago.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

Met, started writing about and more important learning about the NBA from Don Nelson 40+ years ago in Milwaukee. An original, from mastering mismatches to playing “point forwards” to wearing those fish ties. https://t.co/9Bce1fOvJy

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

The tie. The shoes. The crafty innovator.
The legend. 🥲

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

Met, started writing about and more important learning about the NBA from Don Nelson 40+ years ago in Milwaukee. An original, from mastering mismatches to playing “point forwards” to wearing those fish ties. https://t.co/9Bce1fOvJy

[Brad Townsend @townbrad]

Thank you to DMN editors for rescuing my favorite Don Nelson story from the archives.

Love and Basketball: The Nelson family's journey, fueled by Don Nelson's iconic NBA career https://t.co/Y0o2x8T4GY via @dallasnews

[WiltStats @WiltStats]

Don Nelson's locker room interview after Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals.

Fresh off hitting one of the most famous miracle shots in NBA history—a clutch foul-line jumper that bounced off the back iron before dropping in.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

Just one of the fascinating stories Nellie shared back in the day.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

Cut my NBA teeth around Don Nelson and his overachieving (but not quite bejeweled) Milwaukee Bucks teams of the 1980s. He was innovative, competitive, irascible, headstrong and fun-loving, in addition to being one of the league's legendary coaches and lifers. RIP.

[Marc Stein @TheSteinLine]

Hall of Famer Don Nelson, three-time NBA Coach of the Year and five times a champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, has died at age 86.

The family has issued this statement:

“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family. Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”

[WiltStats @WiltStats]

In December 1978, the Chicago Bulls tried to recruit 42-year-old Wilt Chamberlain out of retirement—to be a backup center and tutor for Artis Gilmore.

"In our search for a back-up center, we’ve left no stone unturned... Wilt and Artis would be unbelievable."

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

@coachswarmka @Mike_Alpert @Super70sSports Voted for T. John for HOF every chance I got. He’s not Koufax but he’s deserving of the Hall.

(BTW, the worst sort of honor or award to get is the posthumous one. Should have been in by now.)

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

And yet, nobody loves Goliath.

[WiltStats @WiltStats]

In Sept 1975, Wilt Chamberlain saw two workers struggling to wheel a heavy dolly out of an MSG elevator.

Wilt grabbed the rope and casually lifted the load into the corridor like "a baby in a stroller."

"I never saw anything like that. This is an 800 pound load.” — MSG Worker

[Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1]

@AschNBA @mookiewilson86 Great column, Steve. I’ve never been a fan of general managers who hired assistant coaches. That should be left up to the head coach. I doubt Costello liked the idea either. It was probably one of the reasons Larry resigned.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

@PeterVecsey1 @mookiewilson86

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

@PeterVecsey1 @mookiewilson86 Nellie considered it.

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

I’ll say it louder for those in the back of the room: Tommy John should be in the Hall of Fame. 288 wins and pioneered the surgery that has literally changed baseball history. And a good man on top of it all. God bless you, TJ.

[Steve Aschburner @AschNBA]

I’ve seen this guy before.

[WiltStats @WiltStats]

Prime quotes from Wilt Chamberlain at the NBA Top 50 in 1997:

• "Shaq is powerful, just like I was. But it ends there."

• "Rodman? I’m not impressed with his 17-rebound average."

• "Alton Lister? I’ve seen him try to play. It makes me think I can still go out there."

[The Skippers View @TheSkippersView]

Jeff Passan noted that Ty Cobb is in the Hall of Fame, while Barry Bonds is not.

Here is your yearly reminder of all the lies you were told about the great Ty Cobb. (thread below)

[Jim Miloch @podoffame]

Only 4 big men have dropped 70+ points in a game.

David Robinson was the first to do it after Wilt.