Ateneans who never say die

What do Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan have in common? They are basketball legends whose names and games shall forever be etched in history. They are true sportsmen who know how to win and how to accept defeat.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has perhaps the most awesome accomplishments in basketball history. Kareem, who was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor and later converted to Islam (Kareem Abdul Jabbar means noble, powerful servant) grew up in New York City. He was the tallest among the kids at Harlem and was considered a freak. He ruled basketball in college at UCLA. He also became NCCA star. Kareem followed a strict physical regimen ahead of its time at the NBA. No younger player can keep up with him.

He practiced yoga, martial arts and meditated before every game to reduce stress. His famous "sky-hook" trademark has never been duplicated by any player. He was a private person who avoided the press and was often misunderstood. Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley, who coached Abdul Jabbar for eight seasons in Los Angeles, once said in a toast recounted in Sports Illustrated, "Why judge anymore? When a man has broken records, won championships, endured tremendous criticism and responsibility, why judge? Let’s toast him as the greatest player ever." When he retired, Kareem left basketball as the games’ all-time scorer. "He’s the most beautiful athlete in sports," Magic Johnson another basketball legend said of Kareem.

Wilt Chamberlain was the most formidable offensive force basketball has ever seen. Wilt is always on top of the list when people are asked to name the greatest basketball players. He can score and rebound at will despite fouling tactics from opposing teams. He was the only NBA player to score 4,000 points in a season. He retired as the all-time record holder in career points with 31,419, which was later surpassed by Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan. During his heyday, some rules of the game were changed like widening the lane, instituting offensive goaltending and revising rules governing in-bounding the ball and shooting free throws. Wilt was so huge at 300 pounds that at one time in his game, a basketball opponent tried to fake a shot four times and Wilt remarked, "That’s enough" and his opponent stopped.

He was called Big Dipper by his friends who would see him walk through their doors and just dip his head. When he retired, Wilt coached pro-level basketball. He also acted in the movie Conan the Barbarian.

Larry Bird was a superstar player. He was everything a basketball player could be – a scorer, a passer, a re-bounder, a defender, a team player and a performer. He was a deadly shooter and could shoot even with eyes closed. He also played tough that he would leap into the crown for loose balls. Larry inspired teammates to excel. He was a team player who thrived on pressure. He was also a perfectionist and idolized by fans and colleagues alike. His last-second heroics like his famous lay-ups never ceased to amaze his followers.

Larry retired from basketball because of a painful back. He did some commercials and appeared in a few films including Michael Jordan’s Space Jam.

Jordan redefined the NBA basketball superstar. He is the greatest player of all time. He is a phenomenal athlete who combines grace, speed, power, artistry, intelligence and a competitive desire. Even NBA superstars are one in saying that Michael is the greatest player. Magic Johnson said, "There’s Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us." Larry Bird called him "God disguised as Michael Jordan. "

In his 13-year career as NBA player, Earvin Magic Johnson has accomplished what every player would dream of. He was an all-around player who inspired the term triple-double in basketball’s lexicon. Basketball aficionados were in awe of him because of his passing skills. When defenders expected him to pass, he shot. When they expected him to shoot, he passed. He was a happy guy who played basketball not because of money, fame or success but because he was happy playing the game.

Ok, it’s not always winning basketball games. Even the best of the best lose. But not everyone is gallant enough to accept defeat. Being gallant in defeat is one of the outstanding characteristics of Ateneo cagers JC Intal, Macky Escalona, Doug Kramer and Coach Norman Black. JC, Macky and Doug are co-captains in the Blue Eagles team that bravely fought the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers. The trio displayed courage, discipline, hard work and passion as they fought ferociously the UST Tigers. JC is the high dunking forward who was awarded Best Player of the UAAP by the Press Corps. Macky is the feisty point guard, while Doug gave the winning shot in the Game 1 of the finals. At the UAAP Press Corps awarding ceremony, JC came with his parents Narciso and Bituin Intal.

JC remembers everything that happened that fateful night when his team was defeated by the UST Tigers. Especially the two big shots he missed.

"But I could not imagine we would lose," he says. "Given the same situation, I would still take that shot. I have done those shots in practice. I’ve also made them several times in the game. But on that fateful night it just didn’t work." JC never regrets what he had done. He says he will always remember game three of the championship. "I will remember every second of it," he adds.

And they look forward to the next game, where, again, they will play their best. That to me is what separates the Ateneo players from the rest.