When Salley tested Albom

Best-selling author Mitch Albom, a recent Manila visitor, should write something about Manny Pacquiao because the Filipino icon’s story is worth telling over and over again in the Detroit Free Press sports columnist’s style that is uniquely his.

During a conversation with the Philippine Star sports staff, Albom said he is inspired by the exploits of athletes, how they overcome the odds to win and how they struggle from humble beginnings to become world champions. He’s particularly enamored by underdogs, the sports stars who rise from rags to riches. Albom said he also writes about the fallen stars, how they drop out of the limelight and the challenges they face in a life after sports.

Albom said he’s watched lots of Pacquiao fights and commented on some on TV and radio talk shows. He’s done boxing stories on Tommy Hearns who’s from Detroit, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran. Albom described Pacquiao as “a freak of nature” because he’s a phenomenal fighter with fast hands and deadly fists.

Albom, 55, said he churns out a sports column for the Detroit Free Press only on Sundays now. He’s involved in music, charity and many other interests. But writing is in his system. His books have sold over 35 million copies all over the world. And he’s not done.

A story that Albom shared with The Star sports staff was his three one-on-one games with NBA veteran John Salley who stands 6-11 and was the Detroit Pistons’ first round draft pick in 1986. Because Albom likes to experience what it’s like to play the stars he covers, he arranged the “duel” with Salley. They agreed to play three games of up to 11 points each. Salley gave Albom a 10-0 lead in every game and the writer had first possession. In typical playground rules, the scorer retains possession.

In the first game, Albom surprised Salley by throwing up a shot before anyone could blink. The ball found its mark and Albom put one over Salley, 11-0. In the second and third games, Salley wouldn’t be outsmarted again. Albom never scored a point as Salley won, 11-10, 11-10. It wasn’t a case of Albom testing Salley but the other way around. Albom used to box in college but never went in the ring with a pro. He did try punting in football, keeping pace with an ultra-marathoner for two hours and running with the bulls in Pamplona twice. Albom said it was an “educational” experience.

Salley is six years younger than Albom and over a foot taller. He won two titles with the Pistons, one with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls and another with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Salley also played with the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors. After his NBA career, Salley became a media personality, hosting talk shows, appearing in movies and doing celebrity stuff.

Albom once wrote a column about Salley’s mother Mazie and how she used to work all day at the dry cleaners in New York to put food on the table for her son. It was Albom’s tribute to mothers who sacrifice and labor long hours to earn money for their children to find the light of a bright future. Salley will never forget what his mother did for him.

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Several individuals with experience in the PBA are now working for NBA teams. It’s a tribute to the PBA that former imports and coaches have found their way from the Philippines to the world’s No. 1 basketball league.

Take for instance former Talk ‘N’ Text import Darvin Ham who’s now an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks. Then there’s Maz Trakh who’s an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons. Trakh used to be in the Oklahoma City Thunder staff. In 2003, he was invited by Bill Bayno to serve as a coaching consultant with Talk ‘N’ Text. Trakh and Bayno go back to their coaching days together in the ABA and CBA. Bayno, who used to coach the Phone Pals, is now the No. 1 assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. Also on the Raptors staff is Jama Mahlalela who often visited Manila to conduct the Jr. NBA clinics for NBA-Asia.

Bob Thornton, who was a coaching consultant in the PBA like Trakh, is now an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies. Former PBA import Mark Sanford has joined the Grizzlies as assistant video coordinator/player development. NBA veteran Fred Vinson played for Carol Ann’s in the PBL and is now an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kenny Gattison, who played on the US team that lost to the Philippines in overtime in the 1985 Jones Cup finals, is an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns. Chip Engelland, an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, played on the Philippine squad that won the Jones Cup in 1985 and also saw action with Northern Consolidated in the PBA.

A high-ranking Filipina in the NBA is Marivic Lardizabal who is executive assistant of Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King and manager of basketball operations. She was formerly with the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. Only two former PBA imports are in NBA rosters – Henry Sims of the Philadelphia 76ers and Donald Sloan of the Indiana Pacers.