The First Basket November 12, 2008
Posted by hoopmasters in 1.Tags: First Basket, Jewish Basketball, Jordan Farmar, Red Holzman
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Recently I read a review, in the Los Angeles Times on, “The First Basket” which documents the early stages of organized basketball. While reading this review I had to reflect back my basketball experiences as a black kid growing up in Rockaway New York. I learned very early on about northern-segregation, which was more based on economics and religion, than on the more southern issue of race. Race was a factor, but not as much as it was in the South. The North was more sophisticated. Outside of the Redfern Housing Projects there were conclaves of Jewish and Irish communities.
It was on the basketball court where we all came together, be it at Beach 116th street, Beach 9th street or at school. The game was above the segregation of race, culture, religion and economics. We just all loved to play.
The real binding factor for all of us was the knicks. Lead by head coach Red Holzman, a tiny, but powerful Jewish coach of the best team in the world. The knicks won the championship in 1970 and again in 1973, and while Clyde, Reed and Bradley had a lot to do with it, we all knew the Jewish coach, was most responsible to building a team and taking us to victory. We would watch the games and then all talk about them the next day at school. When the knicks won the championship in 1970, it was like we all did.
The one footnote is that the NBA itself was segregated, and blacks were not allowed to play unit 1950, when Nat “Sweet Walter Clifton” and Earl Lloyd were signed to NBA contracts.
I haven’t seen the “The First Basket,” but look forward to seeing it this weekend. Read the Times review here.
Film showing locations:
LOS ANGELES: THIRD THEATER ADDED
OPENS IN LOS ANGELES ON NOVEMBER 14TH AT LAEMMLE’S MUSIC HALL IN BEVERLY HILLS,
LAEMMLE’S TOWN CENTER IN ENCINO, & LAEMMLE’S FALLBROOK 7 IN WEST HILLS
Director David Vyorst will appear for Q & A at the following LA area screenings:
Saturday, 11/15
Laemmle’s Music Hall – 7:20 PM
Sunday, 11/16
Laemmle’s Town Center – 1:00 PM
Laemmle’s Fallbrook 7 – 2:45 PM
Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 – 5:00 PM
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