Rumors

Magic Johnson: "Anthony Edwards is the most exciting player to watch in the NBA. If you look at him and you look at Ja Morant, they’re probably the two. And then, of course, Kyrie. Those three can just put on a show. You watch them, and you’re like, ‘Whoo!’ But when Anthony Edwards said this summer, ‘Oh, nobody’s ever been as athletic as me in this league. Nobody could jump like me,’ I was like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you talking about?’" "Don’t attack all the old-school guys when you haven’t done your homework. First of all—Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. Dr. J. Clyde Drexler. David Thompson, even before all of them! They could all fly. So slow down, bro. Slow down. That’s why I had to hit him with the reality check. I said, ‘Look, man, talk to me when you’ve won something.’ You show respect. That’s all—just show respect. I don’t go at nobody. That’s not who I am. But if you attack us, like, ‘Oh, the game wasn’t exciting back then,’ then I gotta come back at you."

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If Bridgeman’s name sounds familiar, it should. The 8th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft—in which Hall of Famer David Thompson was selected first—the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Bridgeman in the deal that sent Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers. Bridgeman went on to have a formidable career as a sixth man, long before the league handed out an award for the role. Following his retirement after 12 seasons—including 10 in Milwaukee—in which he never earned more than $350,000 as a player, Bridgeman built a fast-food empire that included more than 500 Wendy’s, Chili’s and Pizza Hut franchises at its peak in 2015. Then, in 2016, Bridgeman sold most of his restaurants for an estimated $250 million and used the proceeds to become a Coca-Cola distributor with a territory spanning three states. Over the last eight years, Bridgeman has grown his bottling business’ revenue almost threefold to nearly $1 billion in 2023. Today, Forbes estimates that Bridgeman has a net worth of $1.4 billion. “He didn’t waste his time just thinking about the game of basketball,” LeBron James says of Bridgeman. “He’s always had a business mindset. “

Forbes.com

Thompson arrived at the Atlanta airport and then-Hawks coach Cotton Fitzsimmons picked him up to take him out to eat. It didn’t exactly turn out to be what Thompson had in mind. “He took me to McDonald’s,’’ Thompson told The Denver Gazette. Yes, the Hawks were competing with the Nuggets to sign Thompson, a swingman who had led the Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA title and was the unanimous National Player of the Year in 1975, and what he got was a Big Mac, fries, soft drink and apple pie. “Maybe Cotton had a time crunch and that’s why we ended up there,’’ Thompson said of Fitzsimmons, who died in 2002. “I had already been thinking that I probably would go to Denver, but that kind of sealed it.”

denvergazette.com

Entering the NBA draft on May 29, 1975, Thompson knew he would go No. 1 to the Hawks, who had won a coin flip with the Los Angeles Lakers for that selection. He was helping out at a Rhode Island basketball camp hosted by Providence College coach Dave Gavitt when the official word came of his selection. “I got a call from my agent,’’ said Thompson, referring to Larry Fleisher, who died in 1989. “There wasn’t much fanfare around the draft like there is now. But it felt pretty good to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. That was a big deal.” At that point, Thompson already had been talking to the Nuggets, who were confident of getting his rights from the Squires after his selection in the ABA draft earlier that month. He already had been to Denver for a visit.

denvergazette.com

“I was interested in Denver then because of Larry Brown, Doug Moe and Carl Scheer,’’ Thompson said. “I knew all those guys from when they were with the Carolina Cougars. I liked Larry. He had a good personality. I was like a hippie back then, and he would tease me about wearing bell bottoms and clogs and stuff. So, I was acquainted with those guys and their style of play. And then, of course, they also had Bobby Jones.”

denvergazette.com

MOST EFFICIENT 70 POINT GAMES IN NBA HISTORY: Luka Doncic tonight — 73 PTS // 91.2 TS% Damian Lillard (2/26/2023) — 71 PTS // 80.4 TS% Donovan Mitchell (1/2/2023) — 71 PTS // 78.9 TS% David Thompson (4/9/1978) — 73 PTS // 78.0 TS% Kobe Bryant (1/22/2006) — 81 PTS // 73.9 TS%

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Doncic's 73 points are tied for the fourth most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, Kobe Bryant's 81-point game and Chamberlain's 78-point game. Chamberlain tallied 73 points twice, while David Thompson did it once.

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Matt Williams: Today is the 1st day with multiple 60-point games since April 9, 1978: David Thompson had 73 points George Gervin had 63 points There have never been multiple 65-point games on a single day in NBA history

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On Thursday, Meadowlark and Backstage Media announced a new documentary about NC State and Denver Nuggets legend David “Skywalker” Thompson. The film will be directed by Nelson George, who most recently directed the HBO Willie Mays documentary Say Hey, Willie Mays! Here are some quotes from George and Meadowlark CEO John Skipper about their appreciation for Thompson.

Awful Announcing

“Watching David Thompson on TV, when he starred at North Carolina State, was my introduction to the beauty of above the rim basketball,” said George. “His professional career coincided with the ABA/NBA merger and the transformation of the game. I am honored to be part of introducing his vital legacy to the current generation of basketball fans.” “David Thompson was my favorite player growing up and I still believe he is a candidate for the best non-center college basketball player of all time,” said Meadowlark CEO, John Skipper. “It is a labor of love to have the opportunity to participate in telling his remarkable story.” “My fondest basketball memories are of David Thompson, whether it was watching him lead NC State to the title in 1974, sneaking into Denver’s McNichols Arena to see him defy gravity or conversing with Michael Jordan about his idol’s greatness, said Backstage Managing Partner, John Marvel.” “There is no better time than now for an audience to learn the legend of David Skywalker.”

Awful Announcing

We’re still too far out for a release date or outlet to be announced. However, as the release notes, 2024 is the 50th anniversary of NC State’s 1974 NCAA Championship, so I wouldn’t be surprised if next March is being targeted for the doc’s release.

Awful Announcing

Harrison Wind: Nuggets legend David Thompson is taking the First Shot tonight ahead of Nuggets-Heat Game 5.

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Adam Mares: Just Denver Nuggets legend David Thompson rocking the Jokic MVP shirt. h/t Nuggets Reddit

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Marc J. Spears: Blazers star Damian Lillard shot 21-29 (72%) from the field. He's the 4th player to score 60 points on 70% FG pct in a game in NBA history, joining: - Wilt Chamberlain (4x) - Karl Malone (Jan. 1990) - David Thompson (April 1978) @ESPNStatsInfo

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