Virgin Islands Pace
My Friend and College Teammate, Referee, Danny Crawford Witnesses Jordon's Last Steal
From Sports Illustrated pp40 June 22, 1998, photo by Charles Cherney, Chicago Tribune
     Most remember what takes place following this historic steal Michael Jordon makes on Carl Malone in the 98' NBA championship game. His signature jump shot at the top of the key which followed, was the game winner; with it he sealed his place in basketball history as perhaps the best to ever play the game. I remember it well. Not so much for the steal and the shot. See the referee standing in the background? That's Danny Crawford, Danny has gained a reputation as one of the best, if not the best official in the NBA. For this reason, in my opinion, he gets to call most of the key games, especially playoff games. Danny and I played together at Northeastern Illinois University back in the 70's. He played the point and it is him who I can thank for getting me the ball to make possible my 25-point average the year we set and still hold the school record for wins. Others no doubt perhaps are thankful for Danny's influence on their game, to name a few: Terry Cummings, Mark Aguirre, Sonny Parker and Isiah Thomas all successful college and NBA players, not to mention the hundreds of kids from the Chicago West Side.

     In yet at least two of my experiences in synchronicity, I remember watching NBA games on Sunday afternoons here in St.Croix at a favorite cafe. The sound was always off so one could not have the complete experience. On one occasion, I watched a game between the Lakers and Phoenix and Danny was the Ref. I could help but notice this one commercial, it was a Reebok piece where legendary ball players, not your NBA stars, but guys on the playgrounds, were featured. I see this guy stroking these long jumpers; it comes to me that I had seen it before but without sound. Now the voice-over is saying "talk about legends, you have to talk about Lamar Mondane". I am totally freaked out. Lamar Mondane is Danny's cousin! All of us ran games in the summer leagues of Chicago in the 70's on the same team.

     Here is another one. Knowing Timmy Duncan, of the San Antonio Spurs, from since he was a couple years old, I promised myself that I would see him play at least one game live during his rookie year. So I trip to Texas, meet my Friend Brenda in Houston and head for San Antonio. The Spurs are playing the Jazz in the playoffs. Brenda and I are in the nosebleed seats, I with Walkman and a great set of binoculars, am in heaven, so to speak. I get to see two games back-to-back. For the second game, same seats, I zoom in and guess who is calling the game? Danny. It had been over 20 years since I talked with him; I cannot wait until the end of the game so I can go and hook up with my college teammate. After the game, we work our way down to the floor with, Brenda my designated navigator, leading the way through security. I see my partner, we chat and suddenly I remember that I had brought along a old team photo pointing out that the guy standing behind me is Danny Crawford, NBA Referee #43. The photo is for Timmy with a message from the World's End gang here in St.Croix, its for him to make sure that when he has the chance, to let Danny know of our connection, like a "check my back kind of thing". What a reunion this was, of course Danny freaked when I pulled out the photo. This stuff happens to me a lot, usually during periods when I am having great long distance runs.

I love this game... 

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