Rick Barry article on the struggles he overcame

[Da_Realist]

Here is a very interesting article on Rick Barry and some of the struggles he had to overcome during and after his career. It's fairly long (9 pages) but well worth the read if you have the time.

Rick Barry
1983 Issue of Sports Illustrated

[Scott Pippen]

Fantastic article and very nice read.

[Biddy77]

interesting read.

there was another SI article a few years later talking about barry and the four sons who played professional basketball. it touched a lot on their relationships with him, and not surprisingly, his personality issues came up in that article as well.

[Al Thornton]

wow he seems like a dick

[1987_Lakers]

Bill Russell worked with Barry on CBS's pro basketball telecasts in 1980-81. During the fifth game of the NBA championship series between Boston and Houston a picture of Russell from the 1956 Olympics was shown on the air, and Barry joked about Russell's "watermelon smile." Barry insists that he had no idea that the comment had racial overtones. As soon as he learned it did, he called Russell to apologize. Neither Russell nor anyone else interviewed for this story thinks Barry intended any slur. But, beyond that, Russell won't talk about Barry. When asked about him, Russell's immediate reaction was his trademark, a rich, high-pitched cackle. For half a minute.

wow

[HisJoeness]

SI Vault ftw.

[StephenDedalus]

Barry seems like a good dude. Too bad this society is so damn pc that no man can speak his mind anymore.

I'm sure if a black guy said the same stuff as Barry no one would care.

[1987_Lakers]

haha, I just realized that article was written by Tony Kornheiser.

[Da_Realist]

Bill Russell worked with Barry on CBS's pro basketball telecasts in 1980-81. During the fifth game of the NBA championship series between Boston and Houston a picture of Russell from the 1956 Olympics was shown on the air, and Barry joked about Russell's "watermelon smile." Barry insists that he had no idea that the comment had racial overtones. As soon as he learned it did, he called Russell to apologize. Neither Russell nor anyone else interviewed for this story thinks Barry intended any slur. But, beyond that, Russell won't talk about Barry. When asked about him, Russell's immediate reaction was his trademark, a rich, high-pitched cackle. For half a minute.

wow

Found it! Here it is...

Rick Barry insults Bill Russell

[OldSchoolBBall]

Found it! Here it is...

Rick Barry insults Bill Russell

Wow, you could tell Russell was very upset there. He totally clammed up, plus check his face.

[Lone Laker]

Found it! Here it is...

Rick Barry insults Bill Russell

The look on Bill Russell's face is priceless. Rick Barry is lucky Bill didn't get up and walk out on him.

[DCL]

he didn't just say watermelon smile. barry called russell "a fool with the watermelon smile." damn. that's mad disrespect. even wilt gave russell a lot of respect. the thing with barry was that he probably didn't even know he was being an assho!e. that's how he still is now, clueless on how he rubs people the wrong way. nobody wants to work with a guy like that. rick barry is just a d!ckhead.

[Da_Realist]

he didn't just say watermelon smile. barry called russell "a fool with the watermelon smile." damn. that's mad disrespect. even wilt gave russell a lot of respect. the thing with barry was that he probably didn't even know he was being an assho!e. that's how he still is now, clueless on how he rubs people the wrong way. nobody wants to work with a guy like that. rick barry is just a d!ckhead.

I have a feeling that clip won't make a month before it's yanked off of Youtube.

[Rake2204]

Bill Russell worked with Barry on CBS's pro basketball telecasts in 1980-81. During the fifth game of the NBA championship series between Boston and Houston a picture of Russell from the 1956 Olympics was shown on the air, and Barry joked about Russell's "watermelon smile." Barry insists that he had no idea that the comment had racial overtones. As soon as he learned it did, he called Russell to apologize. Neither Russell nor anyone else interviewed for this story thinks Barry intended any slur. But, beyond that, Russell won't talk about Barry. When asked about him, Russell's immediate reaction was his trademark, a rich, high-pitched cackle. For half a minute.

wow

Just now, while watching the '88 dunk contest, I heard Barry refer to Jordan's second semi-final windmill as "The Chinese Superman" because he was slanted to the side a little.