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This week marked the 25th anniversary of Kermit Washington�s infamous one-punch re-arrangement of Rudy Tomjanovich � which effectively ruined the playing careers of both. A just-released book by John Feinstein, along with the anniversary itself � has introduced perhaps the NBA�s ugliest incident ever to a new generation.
The situation is reset as follows. Back in those days, �basketbrawls� were far more common � and far more dangerous than fights that occurred far more frequently in those days in hockey as well. Obviously, hoop players were far bigger and were combating on hardwood, as opposed to trying to keep their balance on ice skates. Many remember an incident during an NBA Finals series during that era where Sixer �Man-Child� Darrell Dawkins attempted to mix it up with a Portland Trail Blazer, only to see enforcer/power forward Maurice Lucas get into a boxing stance � staring right into the dagger�s of Double D.
When the Houston Rockets played the LA Lakers on the night of December 9, 1977 � it must be remembered that the extra-cirriculars started with a tussle at center court between Rocket reserve center Kevin Kunnert and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jabbar had just returned to the Laker line-up after being involved in nearly as frightening an incident as what would occur with Kermit-Rudy T. On Opening Night of the 1977-78 season, the Lakers opened by playing the Bucks in Milwaukee. That was a noteworthy game for two reasons. Just two seasons before, Kareem had asked for a trade from the Bucks, citing among other things that he did not feel as comfortable in Milwaukee as he did in New York (where he grew up) or Los Angeles (where he played collegiate ball). For the record, Midwest Milwaukee has had a notorious record for being a segregated city in terms of black/white affairs � a theory which in some respects remains today.
Kareem, did get his wish and was traded to the Lakers, but the Bucks did not come away empty handed, receiving quality players and draft picks in return. However, Milwaukee did have the league�s worst record in 1976-77, and thus got the #1 draft pick that season, which was used to draft Indiana All-American C Kent Benson. Thence, Benson made his Association debut that night against Jabbar. About four minutes into that game, Benson throws an elbow that inadvertently lands in the bread-basket of Kareem, and leaves him doubled over as play continues. With assorted laughs/heckles emanating from the Milwaukee crowd, Jabbar catches his breath � then proceeds to throw a blind-sided one punch knockout that concusses Benson and knocks him out of the game, while Jabbar is ejected. However, it would be Jabbar who would miss much more time as Benson as X-rays taken the next day revealed a broken hand.
Which brings us to December 9, with the sensitive Jabbar now getting into it with Kunnert. At this point, Kermit Washington decides to play enforcer and takes issues with Kunnert into his own hands. At this point, things get out of control when Rudy-T comes towards Washington at a full-sprint. Kermit turns around just in time to throw a haymaker as Tomjonavich arrives. So we have Rudy running in one direction at a high rate of speed, while Kermit�s fist comes at an even higher velocity � and much like a head-on car wreck, the results were devastating.
According to the Feinstein book, Kermit never did have a violent persona, despite growing up in a tough inner-city background. Washington took advantage of his athletic scholarship, and did very well in academically in college � and today is involved in many charitable endeavors. However, Washington heavily paid the price for his one punch. He would be suspended 60-days and would never again play for the Lakers. Kermit would bounce around several organizations before calling it quits several years later. Rudy-T�s career would not be the same neither, as he missed the remainder of that season before returning in 1978-79, now donning protective headgear. Rudy would never again be the prolific scorer he was before 12/9/78 � and would leave the game three years later.
Both Rudy T. and Kermit Washington would find success, but also setbacks following their playing days. Rudy has become one of the more successful coaches in Association history, and had led the Rockets to two World Titles. However, Rudy has also had to overcome a drinking problem which he has only been able to conquer in recent years. Kermit has long had aspirations of coaching at the NBA level � but has been squashed mainly because of the public relations hit that would had occurred with any team that would hire him.
Thanks in large part to the Feinstein book, Kermit and Rudy have actually gotten together in recent days for the first time since 12/9/77 � and for the most part have forgiven each other. It has taken a long time, but the Kermit/Rudy story proves that sometimes the hatchet can be truly buried. Let�s hope both find peace, happiness, and success in future endeavors. BCS AND THE HEISMAN Now on to my two favorite perennial topics, the Bowl Championship Series and the Heisman Trophy. I�m still trying to figure out why I�m supposed to be so outraged about the BCS. Although actually, I can go without the whole thing altogether. In a perfect world, the Big Ten and Pac Ten Champions should also meet at 1:45 Pacific Time at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains � regardless of ranking or the need of �a True National Champion�. Myself, I would perfectly be fine with Ohio St. doing battle with Washington St., while Miami cements its National Championship by routing Oklahoma 58-12 in the Orange Bowl. That said, I�m glad that a Big Ten team finally cracked it�s way into the title game. The BCS thus avoids controversy in the only way possible � with just two undefeated teams left standing. Zero or one team � there is controversy. Three or more teams, there�s also controversy. However, there is indeed controversy with the other three BCS games. First, why does the Orange Bowl get Miami while Oklahoma goes out West. Again, the earth is simply out of alignment with anything other than a Big Ten/Pac Ten matchup in Pasadena, immediately followed by an Oklahoma or Nebraska appearance in South Florida. And then there�s USC�s automatic �wild card� status, based on ending up in the Top four of the BCS standings. That�s fine until you realize that they lost to Kansas St., who also finished 10-2 and was ranked sixth. Not to mention K-State�s fans travel much better than USC, an argument that seems to work just fine for Notre Dame. Strength of schedule in the end vaults the Trojans over K-State. I guess I can see at least part of that. Some are also questioning #16 Florida State�s qualifications, although I disagree. Just as I said last year, win a major conference � you�re in. Unless you wanted to eliminate the ACC as an automatic qualifier and go with just five automatic bids. That I would consider a mistake since there is at least as much talent/depth in that conference (see Maryland, Clemson, Gerogia Tech, etc) as in the Big East. One final thing, I�m for making the BCS the first round of a three-tier tournament. Just as long as Big Ten/Pac Ten play in Pasadena. You can then seed the other six teams any way you like. The winners of those bowl games then advance to a Final Four format, which means all of three extra games. Just don�t come crying to me when the latest Miami tailback phenom sees his draft value plummet after tearing an ACL in one of those two extra games. And then there�s the Heisman, and for the second straight season it simply depends on your tastes. Willis McGahee is the latest flavor of the week after rushing for 205 yards and six scores in a 56-45 win over VaTech. If predecessor Clinton Portis is any indication I would put him on any NFL team right now. But then again, Navy�s QB rushed for seven this past weekend as well, we could vote him in while we�re at it. Iowa�s Brian Banks got props this week after being named AP Player of the year. Everyone on the West Coast is gushing over USC�s Carson Palmer while people out East are stuffing the ballot box for Penn State�s Larry Johnson � who finished with 2,015 rushing yards. Of course about 1,500 of those were in the final two games v. Indiana and Michigan St. � who should both apply for membership in the MAC right about now. Now that LJ�s stock has skyrocketed the Bears can draft him in the first round, then witness LJ getting fatter, then averaging 3.2 yards per carry while playing himself out of the league after three years. My vote is exactly the same as last year. When in doubt, go with a QB who�s won 34 games in a row � so Ken Dorsey gets my vote, which get discounted in the Hootie Johnson-like world of the Downtown Athletic Club. But then again, a throwback pass to Dorsey was intercepted by VaTech, the same play that was Eric Crouch�s ticket to the Heisman� JUNCTION BOYS, THE SEQUEL???
To translate the medical jargon, Rudy T suffered a dislocated skull and had spinal fluid dripping into his mouth. After asking the Houston trainer �if the scoreboard fell on him� � Rudy actually wanted to return to the game, he had been 9 for 14 from the field before the incident. The trainer tries to explain to Rudy, that he needed to go to the hospital � and now. Rudy (holding a towel to his face) then confronts Kermit in the runway leading to the Laker�s locker room � and the two nearly come to blows again, but it was thankfully broken up. Any further blows on Rudy T. may had very well been fatal. Meanwhile, a highly regard surgeon is pulled out of a black-tie dinner somewhere in LA and summoned to meet Rudy at the ER.
RUDY T'S PLAYING CAREER WOULD NOT BE THE SAME AFTER 'THE PUNCH'
In one of the better heel-turns in quite sometime (next to Tom Glavine becoming a New York Met), Dennis Franchione doesn�t even allow the blood to dry from the whacking of R.C Slocum to bolt Alabama�s probation-ridden program to return to Texas, accepting the Texas A&M gig � with a nice salary bump to go along with it. Meanwhile, Crimson Tide nation had a hissy-fit, with one report having Tide players smashing pictures of Franchione around the football training facility. Good story, even if it�s just that.
FRANCHIONE'S FACE TURNS FROM CRIMSON TO MAROON...
Of course, this is exactly the opposite career path, that one Bear Bryant took � another angle that is a jolt to Tide fans. But then again, it does beg an interesting scenario. Could Denny possibly take another page out of the Bryant playbook this coming summer??? That would be taking the top 115 candidates out to the Texas Outback for some unsanctioned 14-hour practices (with the NCAA not looking, and sans drinking water) in Denny�s own version of a crappy reality TV show. And maybe if he�s lucky someone will make a TV movie out of it 50 years from now. The last 35 still ambulatory will be able to make the trip back to College Station to open the season. Hopefully, John David Crowe will be among them just so the Aggies will at least be able to finish 6-6 once again.
