Apparently this was posted at NBA.com a while ago but somehow I missed it. Anyway, click on the link below to hear Pete Vecsey reminisce about some of his favorite moments as a beat writer:
Peter Vecsey: Favorite Teams He Ever Covered
Vecsey, who was the best man at Julius Erving's wedding, talks about covering the 1974 New York Knicks, the 1974 New York Nets (who Erving led to the ABA title) and the 1977 Philadelphia 76ers (who Erving led to the NBA Finals). Vecsey also discusses the 1978 NBA Finals, having the opportunity to observe the early days of the Showtime Era and traveling with Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.
I met Vecsey for the first time at a game in Indiana a couple years ago. We talked about some of his experiences covering the ABA and then he asked me an interesting question: "Who has been your toughest interview?" I thought about that for a moment but had not really had a serious problem with anyone so that's what I told him. Vecsey's quick reply: "You haven't been around long enough." Perhaps, but my approach to interviewing players and coaches is kind of like what Yoda told Luke Skywalker when Skywalker asked him what was in the "Dark Side Cave": "Only what you take with you." Just like Yoda told Skywalker that he did not need his weapons, when I interview someone I do not expect (or bring) hostility.
Pete Vecsey's Favorite NBA/ABA Moments
