Little Hurt 22/11/2023 NBA
We do not talk about religions, we do not talk about nightlife, we write on the day of the 68th birthday of James Edwardsbetter known in his NBA years as “Buddha” They say the nickname was thought of because of his mustache. It is not easy to find a representation in sculpture or painting with a mustache of the spiritual teacher who taught the path to nirvana. He is not represented with hair on his face, in fact he is usually seen without hair on his entire head…
James Edwards was a very good offensive center in the 70s and 80s, he also played in the 90s, as he was active until he was 40 years old, but in recent seasons he completed rosters without prominence, he already had few jumps left in those knees. He gave time to many things in the American competition, but with little luster in our European or Spanish vision of those years. He scored more than 15 points per game, he had good post moves, he played in the pre-showtime Lakers, in the ni fu ni fa Pacers or in some problematic Suns at a good level, they were not very winning franchises while he was there, on the other hand he did not defend a lot.
When the twilight of his career seemed to be beginning to arrive, he was suddenly transferred from Phoenix to Detroit, which was where the most electrifying games of the decade that was beginning, the late 80s and early 90s, were being played.
That piano was carried by people like Laimbeer, Rodman, Mahorn, Salley, but they needed concert artists to play it, they used to be the point guards and guards, but the strange quiet man with the mustache was someone with long fingers and sensitivity in the wrist. Even though he was 2.16.
Los Bad Boys They ended the luxury of the Lakers and postponed the dictatorship of the Bulls for a few years. But “Buddha” was whatever you want except a bad boy. In three seasons there he went from 5 points per game (his lowest mark in 10 seasons as a post player to 14.5 points at the end of 98-90, the second ring. Being a starter alongside Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, The Worm and Bill Laimbeer. Almost nothing…
And not only that, James Edwards with his famous fade away towards the baseline was Detroit’s best interior scorer that championship season only behind Isaiah and Dumars. They say the only player in the entire league who knew how to block that shot was Michael Jordan…It was a secret skill, but Michael was the best not only because of his attack.
Those years of blows, fights, crossed statements, not shaking hands while losing and hidden anti-Air plans were the opposite for him. His calmness, posting, scoring, fine footwork on the post, little bye bye and shaking hands at the end even in the unfortunate elimination of 1991. Maybe that’s why, this yes, Ricky Mahorn y Vinnie Johnson They nicknamed him Buddha, undaunted by all the madness that was in and around the Motown team, the engines roared but his stoic mustache did not move.
Precisely the “Microwave” Vinnie Johnson He was the one who rescued him, already very retired, to take him to work not selling appliances but in a small car sales empire. Buddha needed to work, he did not profit from so much other people’s glory. Or he squandered it, who knows.
He left the Pistons at the age of 35 and before hanging up his boots he was in the Clippers, in the Lakers again, in Portland and in the 72-10 Bulls in 1996, a fantastic squad that he helped in 28 regular season games. with which he earned the right to receive a third NBA championship ring. He was 40 years old and it was the perfect ending for a player who averaged more than 12 points per game and who did not make much noise despite having quite an impact.
Buddha in his life would perfectly hit you with a well-pointed shot, balance the negative forces or give you a second-hand car. In the first, he proudly looks three reminders of being an NBA champion. Although most don’t remember him.
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2023-11-22 17:05:32
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