Advertisement - scroll for more content
George Karl: I’ve been around hoops for 50 years and I’ve seen a lot of incredible players, including Connie, Julius, Michael, Tim, Shaq, KAJ, Kobe and LBJ. But, at this point, I’m thinking Jokic may be the best player I’ve ever seen play basketball.
ESPN: What role do you think you have played in influencing that next generation of the versatile big man on court, players who can shoot, dribble, be playmakers? Chris Webber: I think when you talk about big men who were versatile, it was Magic Johnson. That first came to me. Of course, Connie Hawkins. Of course, Mr. Finger Roll, Mr. Ice [George Gervin]. But when you looked at like a 6-9 guy ... When I was in high school, they wouldn't let the big guy be in the middle for 3-on-2 drills. And I remember fighting and asking, you know, could I be in 3-on-2 drills or playing with the guards, playing 21 where I had to shoot outside and the guards had to shoot inside. Once I saw Steve Smith and Derrick Coleman -- in my opinion, Steve, with the [hesitation move], and him being seven foot, Derrick, being probably [in the] top four most versatile powerful forwards to this day. I just studied the game, man. I just wanted to be [one of] the greats.
Marc J. Spears: Deandre Ayton is the first Suns player with 20 points and 10 rebounds in NBA playoff debut since Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins in 1970 vs Lakers (Hawkins had previously made his playoff debut in the ABA). @ESPNStatsInfo
“Elgin should be the model,” Erving said in an interview Monday, also mentioning the influence of Connie Hawkins. “He should be the poster man.” Before he became Dr. J, Erving was a Baylor fan, so much so that he describes his first encounter with Baylor — many years after he was mesmerized by what he saw on the screen — as “mouth-dropping.” “He was definitely an innovator and ahead of his time,” Erving said. “The driving and the versatility and the dexterity, — that was an art form. He’s one of the guys, if you want to ask the question about playing in today’s game, he would fit right in with today’s game. No question about it.”
Justin Kubatko: Christian Wood has recorded nine straight 20-point games dating back to last season. Excluding those who made their pro debut prior to the NBA's draft era, the only undrafted players with a longer such streak are Hall of Famers Moses Malone, Neil Johnston, and Connie Hawkins. pic.twitter.com/72PkF65n6l
Advertisement
Former Suns forward Connie Hawkins has died at the age of 75, his family confirmed to 12 News' Bruce Cooper Friday night. Hawkins played for the Suns from 1969-1973, averaging 20.5 points, 9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game for Phoenix.
Advertisement
Connie Hawkins also got a pink slip this summer. The Hall of Fame forward, stricken with cancer several years ago and rehabilitating at home since, was taken off the Suns' books. Naturally, they'd love to use him occasionally for team appearances and would pay him. Prior to becoming ill, The Almighty Hawk had been doing community work for the Suns and showed up at the office on an irregular basis. For that, I'm guessing, he might've pocketed 50 or 60 large.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement