I really wish I had somebody to talk to about some of the books I read; Niko has no clue and Nina doesn’t care. Wait, I do have someone to talk and it’s myself and I have a place to write about it also.
So, the book I just finished was an autobiography called “I Came as a Shadow” by John Thompson.
I only knew John Thompson as the head basketball coach at Georgetown University and some of the players who played for him; Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutumbo, and Allen Iverson. I have a Charlotte Hornets shirt with the number 33 for Alonzo on the back. I wanted Muggsy Bogues, but his wasn’t offered, so I got Alonzo instead and I would say good choice! I don’t even own any San Antonio Spurs shirts with players names and numbers on them. The reason I purchased that shirt is because it was when the Charlotte NBA franchise got there original name back; the Hornets. When the New Jersey Nets became the Brooklyn Nets, I got myself a Brooklyn Nets shirt. I would love to find a San Francisco Warriors shirt.
Back to the book…
I had no clue he was born in Washington, DC and witnessed a lot of racism up close and personal throughout his life.
I was very impressed with his upbringing, his education, his voice (speaking up for himself and others and protecting his players), his brief 2-year NBA career (which netted him two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics; he was Bill Russell’s backup) and how his coaching career got started and finished.
I didn’t realize that several former San Antonio Spurs players played at Georgetown; Reggie Williams, David Wingate, Jaren Jackson, and Sleepy Floyd.
