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Subject: OT - Maunte Bol playing hockey?
Posted by: Guru
- [330592710] Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 11:36
Who'dve thunk it?
The 7-foot-7 former NBA shot-blocker agreed to terms Tuesday to play with the Indianapolis Ice of the Central Hockey League.
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| 1 | blue hen
Leader
ID: 710321114
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 11:38
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They announced this on SportsCenter. I can't wait to see this.
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| 2 | Mike D
Donor
ID: 4372378
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 11:40
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I always said he might have a future on the ice, and no one believed me.
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| 3 | Edgar
ID: 51055130
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 11:43
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Yeah cool.
Didn't you mention something about MJ playing baseball as well Mike D?
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| 4 | Tortfeasor
Donor
ID: 55912113
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 11:57
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Does "Maunte" Bol wear a red uniform, live in Canada, and ride a horse? ;)
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| 5 | T
ID: 418201314
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:03
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Manute lives in Hartford, escaped from his homeland where he alleges he was held captive after his basketball days and now pulls stunts like this and celebrity boxing (where he fought the "fridge") in order to raise money for people of the Sudan.
He is dirt poor and lives off of friends here in the U.S.
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| 6 | Mike D
Donor
ID: 4372378
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:05
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Edgar, good memory-----I said he'd be a serviceable AA Minor League Baseball player who would play best in the southeastern part of the US. Yup. That was me.
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| 7 | Hang Time @ Comp Lab
ID: 281011311
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:06
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I hear he doesn't even know hot to skate. WTF. :(
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| 8 | Hang Time @ Comp Lab
ID: 281011311
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:06
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*how
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| 9 | Edgar
ID: 51055130
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:22
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Mike I also thought you mentioned him having a good glove. However his atlethic capabilities seemed somewhat questionable as well as his stamina.
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| 10 | Mike D
Donor
ID: 4372378
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:37
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Nope, that was you who said that Edgar. ;)
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| 11 | roy2013
Sustainer
ID: 582201212
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 12:54
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The VMW (Vast Morning Wasteland) here in San Diego interviewed the GM of the Indianapolis team who "signed" Manute. They have a history of bringing in "celebreties" for laughs.
Last year they had Fridge Perry, guess they figured they should get the guy who kicked Fridge's @$$ in the boxing ring next.
They're having trouble finding shinguards and size 17 skates so Manute can take the ice. And he's been on skates twice before.
I suppose I'll just have to look for the highlights on ESPN, won't be able to see the whole game. But from the way the GM described it, seeing 20 seconds of highlights will be seeing all of Manute's action.
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| 12 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 369242111
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:03
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why is he doing this?
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| 13 | T
ID: 418201314
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:06
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youngbuck read the article that guru linked
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| 14 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 369242111
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:16
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to lazy, why dont you sum it up for me.
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| 15 | T
ID: 418201314
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:24
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Read post 5
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| 16 | YOUNGBUCK
ID: 369242111
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:27
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what did he do with all that money he made in the NBA?
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| 17 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 1832399
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:28
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Loose women.
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| 18 | Tortfeasor
Donor
ID: 55912113
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:32
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OK, one of two things:
1) No one got my mountie joke in #4, or
2) My joke wasn't funny.
Oh well.
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| 19 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 1832399
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:32
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I got it, but I'm still not sure why it's funny.
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| 20 | roy2013
Sustainer
ID: 582201212
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:34
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Got it, I'd give it a 6 out of 10 :)
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| 21 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:38
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Maybe they could just use him as a very long hockey stick.
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| 22 | Tree
ID: 599393013
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:41
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maybe they could just use lazy Youngbuck as his hockey stick.
Tree
do the Ft. Worth Texans still exist? heck, does the CHL still exist...
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| 23 | T
ID: 418201314
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:43
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I believe I read in an old article in a Hartford paper that he basically was robbed of his riches. When he got back to his homeland he was told to convert to Islam and became a govt official. Manute declined to convert so they imprisoned him or kept him under watch for awhile took all his worldly possessions and some of his Christian brothers and sisters were killed. After 9/11 he had a hard time getting back to the states but arrived sometime last April where he set up a foundation with the rest of his money.
Thats to the best of my recollection. I read the article in April so forgive me if its not 100% accurate.
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| 24 | T
ID: 418201314
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 13:52
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Well anyway, I think what he's doing is very noble. We always talk about athletes and human beings who do not help out those that are less fortunate and here's a guy who is less fortunate and is still doing everything he can for his country. If he were an American we'd all be praising him for being a good patriot, but because he's from another country we make tall jokes and try to ridicule him
thats my two cents
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| 25 | Tortfeasor
Donor
ID: 55912113
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 14:03
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Calm down T.
I agree that his efforts are very noble and that he has attempted to advance the interests of his countrymen (I have no idea how successful he's been--I read the same article you did, and I seem to remember that most of his efforts have been thwarted), but that doesn't mean we still can't make jokes about him.
After all, a 7'7, 220 pound guy who can't jump, who dribbles between his legs, and who makes behind the back passes is pretty funny. And he does subject himself to humorous ventures for his own profit (Celebrity Boxing, hockey).
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| 26 | Ref
Donor
ID: 28045169
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 14:07
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Haven't talked to him in a few years, but he's (was) the most gracious person when it comes to pro athletes. He struck me a very geniune person. Love his sky hooks from 3-point land!
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| 27 | Tortfeasor
Donor
ID: 55912113
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 14:10
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Forgot those Ref! Good stuff.
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| 28 | T
ID: 418201314
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 14:16
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When he played for the bullets he used to always play 2 on 2 before the game. It would be Manute and Muggsy vs 2 regular sized bullets. He was always playing to the fans and always having a good time. I miss him in the NBA.
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| 29 | Memphis Fan
ID: 36851518
Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 16:01
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I watched a Dateline (I believe) on him and he seemed like a very noble guy. I remember him saying that a considerable amount of money went to sneaking him back into the US and the rest id imagine went to his Sudan relief charity. During the interview I remember getting angry that he was going to do Celeb boxing, it seemed to trivialize his cause. I understand why he does it, just wish there was a different way.
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| 30 | culdeus
Donor
ID: 461027711
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 09:28
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Tree,
No,
Fort Worth Texans
Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Played in the Central Hockey League 1974-82.
Home ice : AG Carter
Honours : Won the CHL Play-off Championship in 1978
Yes,
The Brahmas are still playing for the CHL in FW.
I go out there some times. Cheap tickets, cheap beer lots and lots of fights.
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| 31 | Micheal
ID: 11935222
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 09:42
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He retired from in 1995 after averaging 4.2 rebounds per game and 2.6 points during his career.
That's more shocking than him boxing or playing hockey.
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| 32 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 87192619
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 10:25
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That he could get those rebounds, Michael?
Manute Bol was all about blocks. He was a blocking machine, and I remember guys going up against him and suddenly looking stupid by getting block by a standing Bol, or having to suddenly pass off or change the shot.
I also remember when he was recruited by Cleveland State University originally they were put on probably for violations. The original articles (from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, I believe) showed a guy who never played hoops before, but wanted to leverage his height into a college degree to help his people. Imagine CSU's surprise at getting an athlete who wanted to attend classes! They didn't know how to handle it.
pd
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| 33 | Micheal
ID: 12744225
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 10:48
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I confess that I hardly ever saw Bol play, but if they couldn't shoot over him, how can they rebound over him? I guess he was just in the right place at the right time 4X a game. Did he try to rebound and was just to uncoordinated to jump or was the shooting that good back in the late 80's and early 90's that there just weren't that many rebounds? If Mash can Average 5 and Francis can average 6, I figure someone who is only 29 inches from the rim could get at least 7 or 8 a game.
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| 34 | threespleens
Sustainer
ID: 32101923
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 10:58
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re post 18:
having seen 2 mounties after living in canada for over 20 years, i could really care less about jokes about mounties
we do get around on snowmobiles and snowshoes year round cuz it is so damn cold... har har
nice fawniks tho
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| 35 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 1832399
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 10:58
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No matter how tall you are, rebounding is all about reaction. If you're closer to the rim than everyone else, then you'll have to react to the bounce faster than everyone else. If you're a hair slower, the ball is already within the grasp of shorter players or players further from the rim. I haven't seen Bol play much either, but looking at his legs, my guess is that he was rarely able to get into optimum position, and then wasn't quick enough to step toward where the ball is headed to pull down the board. Also, without much vertical leap, I'm sure plenty of other big men were able to close most or all of the gap in reach simply by jumping.
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| 36 | Ender
ID: 52438315
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 11:18
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I beg to differ. Rebounding is all about positioning. Reaction is important, but if I have better position, I will get the rebound. You do have to react to the shot going up and then fight for position, but it's not like you can just react, go after the ball, and expect to be successful. Bol's stature and lanky frame make it very hard for him to box another player out. His legs are not terribly strong at all and don't allow him to push other players around.
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| 37 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 1832399
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 11:26
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You're right, positioning before reacting, Ender. I actually was going to delete that post and rewrite it but I've got a few things going on at work. Though I did point out that it's unlikely that Bol's legs often allowed good positioning. Also I should have said "if you're closer to the rim than everyone else [be it because you are taller or because you are in better position] you will have to react faster. Bol wasn't exactly a model for coordination.
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| 38 | Micheal
ID: 12744225
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 11:39
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Bradley at 7-6 has a career average of 7.3. We ridicule and clown him, but Bol makes his numbers look like HOF stats. When the ball hits the rim, it doesn't go straight down (unless the shooter has NO arch on it), so he had time to react. I really do not see how a 7-7 man cannot get more than 4 rebounds or 2 points a game if he plays 20 minutes.
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| 39 | Ref
Donor
ID: 28045169
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 11:52
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RE: 31, although it was a quote,
Bol played in the CBA in 95-96 and went head to head with Daryl Dawkins as they were both trying to get back to the NBA.
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| 40 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 210511410
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 11:55
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He probably didn't average more rebounds because he was taking away those shots in blocks. His rookie year (second year of organized hoops) he averaged nearly 5 blocks a game, and retired with over 2000 blocks (retired as the career leader, I believe, though now he's out of the top 5 or so).
It wasn't his job to rebound. Given his stature and skill level he got the most out of the game. I'd even argue that Dike is really a beefed-up Bol right now.
pd
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| 41 | T
ID: 418201314
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 12:29
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Manute first of all probably had no offensive rebounds in his career. His first 2 years on the bullets he would stand near half court and wait to play defense. When he went to Golden State Don Nelson tried to develop a 3 point shot which Bol would launch about twice a game. On defense when you go for blocks you tend to take yourself out of position for a rebound. If the shot did go over Bol's head he was not under the basket to grab the miss. In addition beefier big men could still push him out of the way for other rebounds and he also had Charles Barkley on his team to get rebounds when he played more significant minutes. I also don think he came that close to averaging 20 minutes a game especially throughout his entire career. Mashburn averages about 35-40 minutes a game Bol probably averaged closer to 10-15 minutes.
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| 42 | Hamid Toliyat
ID: 509533010
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 12:58
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Re #38: maybe he just played against Juwan Howard every game.
Manute Bol highlights:
15 blocks in a game (twice)
11 blocks in a half
8 blocks in a quarter (twice) - Here is the link
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| 44 | Tree
ID: 599393013
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 13:13
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Culd - thanks for the update. as a kid growing up in Ft. Worth, i used to escape to WCCW at Will Rogers, and Texans games in a broken down Arena. i was 9 when they won the CHL championship, so that made me a "fan for life", or at least for a few more years...
Tree
misses Bruiser Brody
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| 45 | KnicksFan
Donor
ID: 3974252
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 15:18
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Manute once hit 7 three pointers in a game. I remember seeing the highlights on NBA Inside Stuff. He had this weird two-handed over the head heave, but it worked.
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| 46 | Ref
Donor
ID: 28045169
Thu, Nov 14, 2002, 16:32
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The minor-league hockey team said Bol will be in uniform for Saturday's home game against the Amarillo Gorillas. The Ice said Bol, at 7-foot-7 and 225 pounds, might become the tallest player in professional hockey history. Bol, a 40-year-old native of Sudan, has never played hockey at any level.
``You can't teach size,'' Ice coach Ken McRae said in a statement. ``He can definitely help us in special teams. By putting him in front of the net on our power play, he can distract their goaltender and create an enormous screen for our players. As for the penalty kill, his blocking skills are well-known and not many hockey players can shoot a low wrister past 91 inches of body lying on the ice.''
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| 47 | darkside
Leader
ID: 5631179
Sat, Nov 16, 2002, 12:14
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Article about Bol's life and work:
Bol's 'greater cause'
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| 48 | Dan
Sustainer
ID: 0229323
Sun, Nov 17, 2002, 05:02
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Manute Bol hockey debut a bust
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