Maurice Cheeks may not be talked about when discussing the greatest point guards in the history of the game; but today while researching him I thought about all the times he kicked ass on the court for 11 years with the Doc, Charles Barkley and Andrew Toney. Cheeks helped in leading the 76ers during their run in the 1980’s. (He played his last four years with the Knicks, Nets, Hawks and Spurs) What came to mind was while he was the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers and he gave a much-needed assist to a performer before a game.
To me, Cheeks was a guy who his teammates loved playing with. He was unselfish, defended and pushed the ball in transition. In a day where players rarely pick up their man full-court, Cheeks always hounded his man bringing the ball up the floor from baseline to baseline. I’ll never forget watching him at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. Even though he played for the enemy, we respected his game. I was able to get his autograph one day before a Knicks game. My friends and I were outside the Statler hotel, right across the street from the Garden and when Cheeks came out he was real cool to us.
Former NBA coach John Killilea once said of Cheeks: “He doesn’t try to lead a team, he directs them.”
-Coach Finamore
Hoops135@hotmail.com
Tags: basketball, Madison Square Garden, Maurice Cheeks, NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Point Guard, Sports, Statler Hotel
