:10—Needless to say, and of course I could give you all the answers you’re looking for, but that would be too easy, and you know how you are about second guessing me, all because I said “your” Pittsburgh Steelers would beat the Houston Texans in the first round last year (lost 30-6) and would have beaten the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round…a brother makes one bad call and you never let him live it down!? (wait . . . what, one…C’mon Neal, get real).
:09—Anyway, just to keep y’all off my back and to reintroduce you to your local legends, here’s what the following PITTSBURGH PROS had to say about the NBA Finals. I should point out, they are all Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League Hall of Fame Inductees as well. RON CARTER, MYRON BROWN, JENNIFER BRUCE, and KIRK BRUCE. Be advised, all these former Pittsburgh Great Ballers were asked the following questions. #1. Who did you pick to win the NBA Finals and why? #2. How do you feel about Jalen Brunson of the Knicks? #3. How do you feel about Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs? #4. How did you feel about the coaching? #5. Should De’Aaron Fox have gone for the layup or ran out the clock in game 4!?!?
:08—First up, “Rockin’ Ron Carter, Perry H.S. grad, VMI (Virginia Military Institute) legend and all-time greatest player, former draft selection and team member of the World Champion L.A. Lakers. “I picked San Antonio to win because of their youth, then realized their youth would be their downfall. I will tell you this. Having played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the greatest center in NBA history, and arguably the greatest basketball player of all time at any level…when Wemby puts on 50 pounds of muscle and continues to get his footwork training from Hakeem Olajuwon, he will be unstoppable! I give the coaching a C-, but he’ll get better. And yes, De’Aaron Fox should be shooting those foul shots right now. As for Jalen Brunson, he gives 110 percent at all times, and that’s what you want from your team leader.”
:07—“Flyin’ Myron” Brown, a standout player at Sto-Rox High School out of McKees Rocks, went on to become a Hall-of-Fame player and all-time leading scorer at Slippery Rock University, drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and on to a fabulous career overseas in the European League. “To begin with, I am not a big fan of today’s NBA…glorified 3-point shooting, no one in the low post, and no inside game whatsoever. As for Brunson, I see him as a combination of James Harden and Luka Donic, a lot of ball-handling and shooting a low percentage. Most importantly, as it relates to coaching, I expect coaches to put the best players on the floor and other “professional” players in the locker room should expect and want the same thing. That clearly didn’t happen with the Spurs. For those reasons, and some others, I didn’t have a selection.”
:06—It’s really not necessary to state the obvious, but since some of you folks have a tendency to forget your basketball history, please be reminded that Jennifer Bruce was a star player at Carrick High School, on to Pitt where she became the University’s all-time leading scorer for both the men’s and women’s divisions. That being said, she would have clearly been a first-round #1 draft selection in the now WNBA. Her greatness preceded the coming of the league by a few years. “I had the Spurs. I liked the Spurs and Wemby as well. At least in the beginning. But some of Wemby’s actions, comments and attitude toward the media kind of changed my position on him. And it really bothered me when he walked off the court without shaking hands. But he’s still young. As for coaching, I thought the Spurs did a really bad job in not taking advantage of the Knicks’ mistakes, most especially using the shot clock to their advantage…for example, not letting the possession clock run down before jacking up a 3. All that being said, I started to gravitate to the Knicks. Their attitude as a team and Brunson’s chilled demeanor. I know he’s listed at 6’2″, but I think it’s more like 6’1″. But regardless, he brings it!”
:05—Kirk Bruce has the honor of being the older brother of Jennifer. (Well, honor might be a bit much, but Jennifer makes me say things…) Anyway, Kirk was a high school star at the old South Hills High School. He went on to Pitt where he ascended to star status with the great Billy Knight, when the team went 25-4 and onto the East Regional Finals of the NCAA Tournament. Bruce was drafted by the Utah Stars of the ABA, after which he returned to his alma mater to have a great administrative and women’s basketball team coaching career. “I had the Knicks from the start. They had a veteran team with the most experience and they were on a great run. I knew Brunson was a great player in college, but he got even better and became a relentless scorer. As a player and a coach, I understand the importance and the future of Wemby. But he’s got to get stronger and he has to stay off the floor, getting stronger will fix that. As for coaching…OMG, San Antonio, are you familiar with a double team? Get in it…and stay in it!”
:04—I agree with all the above. Just to add, I had the Spurs for no good reason, after all, I’m a Lakers man. And for some reason, I just didn’t like the Knicks, but I like them now…well just a little bit. But I think it was my hope, like many others, to see Wemby become a super-super star! But it’s early and he’ll only get better.”
:03-—That being said, I don’t know who’s going to the bench and how they’re going to make it work. But Dylan Harper must be your starter next year, and yes, mistakes were made. But for me… #1. Wemby should have been on OG Anunoby taking out the ball, make it hard to inbound. #2. When the other team you’re beating by 29 points goes on a run, call a timeout, foul somebody, fake a heart attack, but just stop the run. #3. Come on, De’Aaron Fox, you learned in ninth grade that you don’t need the bucket when you have the lead. You just run the clock out. C’mon Mannnn!
:02—Set your calendar for this now! The Mid-summer Nite Gala at LeMont Restaurant, starring Winston Carter —R&B guitar legend, jazz singing sensation Katie Simone, and the world-acclaimed, legendary Kenny Blake, and presenting The 2026 Delores J. Neal Memorial Celebrating Women Awards, including dinner, nationally acclaimed Pittsburgh Black artists, Super Bowl auction and vendors. Friday, July 24, 2026. Show starts at 6 p.m. sharp. Stay tuned, more details to follow!
:01—Last and most importantly, tickets still available for the 52nd annual Willie “Pops” Stargell Pittsburgh MVP Awards and Connie Hawkins League Hall of Fame Inductions, Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Comfort Inn Penn Hills.
:00—GAME OVER.