September 26, 2006 2:04 pm  |  85 Comments

Just How Old Is Larry Brown?

What the basketball landscape was like in 1785…

by Lang Whitaker

Russ sent me an email this morning noting a line in today’s NY Post story about Larry Brown moving his family from Connecticut to Philadephia.

As the Post says…

“Brown’s children, L.J., 11, and Madison, 8, attended the exclusive Philly school founded in 1785 while Brown coached the Sixers and even during Brown’s first season in Detroit.”

Now, I didn’t even know basketball had been invented in 1785, but if Larry Brown was alive, he was probably involved with the game. And since ESPN.com is randomly focused on the NBA in 2010, I thought we should look the other way.

Other things that happened in 1785, which Larry Brown may or may not have been involved with:

• Coal gas first used for illumination.

• Two men cross English Channel by air via hot air balloon, powered solely by Charles Barkley.

• The dollar is unanimously chosen as the monetary unit for the United States. By Mark Cuban.

• Isiah Thomas mismanages East Indian Trading Company funds.

• Longtime Lakers assistant Tex Winter born.

• Vince Carter strains hamstring.

• First draft of the US Constitution penned by Chad Ford.

• Shawn Kemp begins comeback attempt.

• OJ Mayo begins high school.

• Portland TrailBlazers announce plans to rebuild while making their roster more responsible to the Portland community.

• Dick Vitale proclaims George Washington first-team All-Diaper Dandy.

• Atlanta Hawks suck.

• LeBron James averages 31, 7 and 6; Cavs lose in second round of Playoffs.

• Darko Milicic begins developing low post game.

Anything I forgot? That’s what the comments are for…

  • Add a Comment
    • Digg
    • del.icio.us
    • Facebook
    • Google
    • StumbleUpon
    • TwitThis
    • Yahoo! Buzz
    • Print this article!

This story is filed under: Blogs, NBA, The Links

Read more like this in: Tags:

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:20 pm
    Larry Brown denounces slavery. Tells Confederacy to “play the right way….”

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:21 pm
    Patrick Ewing invents traveling.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: Sep.26 at 2:21 pm
    This might be your best work yet, Lang.

  • Hype Posted: Sep.26 at 2:22 pm
    Oh you didn’t mention Stephen A. Smith quickly took over Paul Revere’s legacy by screaming “QUITE FRANKLY, the British are coming!”

  • Tom Jackson Posted: Sep.26 at 2:23 pm
    Jeff George named Atlanta Falcons starting QB by head coach June Jones.

  • Hype Posted: Sep.26 at 2:24 pm
    Isaiah Rider was arrested.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:24 pm
    Eddie Griffin invents lotion. Promptly cited for indecent exposure.

  • Derms Posted: Sep.26 at 2:24 pm
    Kevin Willis was the first pick of the draft taken right above Robert Parish.

  • Ron Posted: Sep.26 at 2:25 pm
    There’s no way Larry Brown can come to Philly and not be involved in the coaching of the team. Coaching is in his blood. I can see him joining the front office and as soon as a team he can coach is put together, he will pull a Pat Riley and force Mo out so he can take the team back to glory.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:28 pm
    Danny Ainge invents phrenology. Rick Pitino ensures angry fans “Larry Bird is not walking through that door….” Boston Tea Party ensues.

  • Hype Posted: Sep.26 at 2:29 pm
    Wedgie Evans developped his thirst for grabbing balls.

  • Tom Jackson Posted: Sep.26 at 2:30 pm
    Dikembe Mutumbo turns 30, eats many cookies in celebration.

  • Jake Appleman Posted: Sep.26 at 2:34 pm
    Chris Morris uses a feather and ink to make a trade request on his wooden shoes.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:37 pm
    Bill Walton discovers strange plants growing in Jack Ramsay’s backyard.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:43 pm
    ‘Whips’ and ‘Chains’ take on entirely different context….Harriet Tubman and fellow “rebellious slave” Larry Johnson establish underground railroad….Marcus Camby demands a stipend for less tattered clothing….

  • Joe Posted: Sep.26 at 2:50 pm
    Michael Jordan walks into a Casino Kobe Bryant flew to Colorado.

  • Noah Doucette Posted: Sep.26 at 2:53 pm
    Team USA wins gold at FIBA…raptors draft a PF…Grant hill plays 70 games…

  • SteveSmith#8 fan Posted: Sep.26 at 2:57 pm
    Penny Hardaway was going to change the game.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 2:58 pm
    Slavery abolished. When asked for comment, Rasheed Wallace concedes “Both teams played hard… Wait a minute, one team actually played ALOT harder than the other…..has anyone seen Bill Walton?”

  • Sam Rubenstein Posted: Sep.26 at 2:58 pm
    Larry Brown leads confederacy team to colonial league finals. Leaves team to rebuild faltering Iriquois tribe basketball program.
    Cliff Robinson discovers fountain of youth located inside of strange shaped plant.

  • Hype Posted: Sep.26 at 2:59 pm
    David Stern & Tim Duncan arrived to Earth from the distant planet of Cybertron.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 3:07 pm
    Last known update to Russ and Khalid’s blogs….

  • Sam Rubenstein Posted: Sep.26 at 3:08 pm
    Benjamin Franklin is labelled by the media as “The Next DaVinci.” He spends his whole life complaining “I’m not the next Davinci, I’m the first Ben Franklin.”
    He never lives up to expectations. Thomas Edison later meets the same fate.

  • marcel mutoni Posted: Sep.26 at 3:11 pm
    Al Gore invents the Internet.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 3:17 pm
    Betsy Ross teaches Allen Iverson to braid hair.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 3:19 pm
    Shaquille O’Neal caught trying to escape thanks to an ‘anonymous tip’…..

  • Mr. N Posted: Sep.26 at 3:21 pm
    Sam Casell lands on earth, where he hastily begins his studies to master both the mid range jumper and choreographing his bojangle-jangle dance with the native indians.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 3:23 pm
    After brief introduction through mutual friend Damon Stoudamire, Oliver Miller and George Washington Carver discover the mulitude of possibilities for the peanut.

  • Ryan Posted: Sep.26 at 3:45 pm
    Magic Johnson “attains” the HIV virus 9 years after drafting the “declaration of independence” from his wife.

  • Lang Whitaker Posted: Sep.26 at 3:50 pm
    Max is en fuego.

  • Max Airington Posted: Sep.26 at 3:55 pm
    Max is just bored. I noticed that yours are accurate to the date though. Nice touch. Wikipedia much?

  • Ron Olesiak ( referee ) Posted: Sep.26 at 3:56 pm
    Terry Porter’s hair started to go bald….
    then
    Tim Legler won a 3-point contest
    then
    Manute Bol starting shooting 3’s for Don Nelson’s old Warriors teams

  • Nick Martinez Posted: Sep.26 at 3:59 pm
    -Pat Riley barters hair gel from Native American trading market.
    -Phil Jackson affiliates with anti-estblishment, promises to never harbor bad feeling towards “his people.”
    -D. Wade gets up 8th time.

  • Lang Whitaker Posted: Sep.26 at 4:01 pm
    They didn’t have Wikipedia in 1785. Unless Larry Brown invented it.

  • Ryan Posted: Sep.26 at 4:01 pm
    After his unprecedented success and first retirement following the French and Indian War, and his stunning comeback to win the Revolutionary War, George Washington announces a second retirement, insisting he is “99.9% sure” he will never serve again. Yet he returns to the military again, this time as leader of a ragtag Virginian militia, but he never quite recaptures his old magic thanks to age and his refusal to fix his aching wooden teeth. This ultimately results in a third, and final, retirement.

  • albie1kenobi Posted: Sep.26 at 4:04 pm
    stephon marbury declared “Give me liberty or give me death” to the Dolan, who granted both wishes with an wnba team and Isiah Thomas.

  • Steve Posted: Sep.26 at 4:42 pm
    Jim Thorpe complains to his coach about practice: “We’re talking about practice, man!”

  • Dallas J. Posted: Sep.26 at 5:31 pm
    Louis XVI of France signs to a law that a handkerchief must be square and jerseys must be tucked into shorts. Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries travel from Dover, England to Calais, France in a hydrogen gas balloon,
    later discovered to be Tony Parkers head inflated with ego. (hate, hate hate) Dick Bavetta founds the Royal Institution for Blind Youth. Zach Randolph pens “Les 120 journées de Sodome”

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Sep.26 at 5:58 pm
    Dammit, I should have used this for my own blog. And I was wondering why no one responded to my e-mail. Good stuff.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Sep.26 at 6:02 pm
    As for events:
    • Boston Garden built by Red Auerbach.
    • Dr. Jack Ramsay actually earns doctorate.
    • Moses Malone parts Schuylkill River.
    • Reggie Miller begins pre-game shooting for 1984 season.
    • America wins Revolutionary War, loses World Championships.

  • Bigfootnick Posted: Sep.26 at 6:03 pm
    Central powers lose to the Allied powers in World war I. When asked at a post-war conference why he lost the war, German chancellor spews, “…We’re sitting here, and I’m supposed to be the franchise leader, and we’re talking about practice. I mean listen, we’re sitting here talking about practice, not a war, not a battle, not a fight, but we’re talking about practice. Not the war that I go out there and die for and play every day like it’s my last but we’re talking about practice man. How silly is that, man?

  • James Chan Posted: Sep.26 at 6:22 pm
    Grant Hill last seen healthy.

  • Nacho Posted: Sep.26 at 7:10 pm
    The warriors last made the playoffs Allen Iverson invents practice, then quickly denounces it and wonders why everyone keeps talking about it Allen Houston, Chris Webber, and Penny Hardaway discover the wonder that is microfracture surgery Robert Horry last missed a game winning shot

  • Nacho Posted: Sep.26 at 7:26 pm
    George Washington in full minuteman garb hops aboard a warship with a huge “Mission Accomplished” banner in hand, then proceeds to rally the troops to his accusations that the native americans are hinding weapons of mass destruction. Later to which was proven untrue.

  • J Posted: Sep.26 at 7:34 pm
    Shawn Kemp’s first child was born

  • Nacho Posted: Sep.26 at 7:40 pm
    Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase, “once you go black, you never go back”

  • marcel mutoni Posted: Sep.26 at 7:55 pm
    isiah rider invents weed

  • t dot j. Posted: Sep.26 at 10:10 pm
    refs actually call real games, not award fouls to superstars *cough wade cough*.

  • kdubb Posted: Sep.26 at 11:10 pm
    After being drafted to a Canadian team, George Washington refuses to come and signs a deal in a town, which would later be named Houston.

  • Ruben Posted: Sep.26 at 11:26 pm
    Larry Brown discovers how to play the right way.

  • Boing Dynasty Posted: Sep.26 at 11:27 pm
    Cadillac comes to terms with Playboy TV, and Vasaline, to put out the 07 Escalade EXT Eddie Griffin eddition.

  • Andrew Posted: Sep.26 at 11:42 pm
    NBA player arrested for carrying weed onto horse drawn wagon NBA player arrested for taking gun onto wagon (actually take that back everyone one carried back then - good times!!!) Wally Sczerback makes history by being first person to wear sunglasses inside Vlade Divac flops Atalanta Hawks draft a swingman

  • Paolo Posted: Sep.27 at 12:03 am
    It was the last time Allen Iverson whole-heartedly dished out an assist

  • beej Posted: Sep.27 at 12:21 am
    Vlade gets tagged by Mule cart, promptly flops on cue.

  • Ekam Posted: Sep.27 at 12:58 am
    Larry Brown is the gayes coach ever
    he suks hes prob 99 years old cas it looks liek hes been trying to win rings fo lik 30 years and the other 60 is wen his shorts were up to his dick and his jersey was too small

  • Paolo Posted: Sep.27 at 3:01 am
    1785 was the last time Karl Malone won anything

  • Paolo Posted: Sep.27 at 3:01 am
    1785 - the year Isiah Thomas started to learn how to manage a team, or anything for that matter

  • JK_light Posted: Sep.27 at 3:02 am
    Jeff Hornacek is touchin himself while shootin freethrows

  • Nads Posted: Sep.27 at 3:16 am
    Craig Ehlo losses to Michael Jordan in a game of backgammon

  • TKJC Posted: Sep.27 at 3:20 am
    Larry Brown robs the Knicks the right way.

  • nacho Posted: Sep.27 at 3:20 am
    Stunner glasses were first begun to be worn at night, people then proceeded to get stupid and dumb. jim jackson played for his 8th nba team. The last time a team from the atlantic division won a championship. the last time people thought that grant hill was just like mike…..only better

  • Karma Posted: Sep.27 at 3:35 am
    Doctors with help from tracy mcgady develop new treatment against back spasms…
    wilt chamberlain started on his great conquest….
    a young boy hangs the first documented poster up on his wall featuring shawn bradley, but for some reason there is another name at the top??

  • cantgetneerme Posted: Sep.27 at 4:38 am
    kobe bryant becomes arrogant ball hog

  • Logan Posted: Sep.27 at 5:59 am
    michael olowokandi gets dunked on by a barnyard animal during the halftime show of the all star game

  • German Reignman Posted: Sep.27 at 6:31 am
    1785 - after being confronted with the statement “Project America is not what it`s cranked up to be”, european leaders invent the excuse “well, that is only because we didn`t send our best people, otherwise ….”

  • Brian Posted: Sep.27 at 6:52 am
    George Washington signs with Wizards after being promised by Abe Pollin that “they’ll name the town after you!”. Allan Houston demands the same from the Rockets.

  • Nads Posted: Sep.27 at 6:56 am
    This is sort of like Conan’s “In the year 2000″

  • RM # 0 Posted: Sep.27 at 7:04 am
    Chris Kaman started growing his hair

  • RM # 0 Posted: Sep.27 at 7:12 am
    and the christies met each other

  • Karan Posted: Sep.27 at 7:29 am
    Rasheed got a T

  • Wong Posted: Sep.27 at 7:42 am
    My Milwaukee Bucks last win a game, under sophomore sensations Lew Alcindor and George Washington.

  • Kostas Posted: Sep.27 at 9:00 am
    Gregg Popovich starts benching Tony Parker after missed shots, declaring “L’equippe c’est moi”. 4 years later, the angry French masses storm the AT&T Center, hang Pop, pull out Duncan’s plug and establish democracy. Upon hearing their chants “Give Tony some burn!”, Jackie Christie asks herself why they wish him a sunburn.
    King Stern IV raises the luxury tax; 13 teams, led by the Clippers, declare their independence and join the ABA. Isiah stays loyal to the crown and signs Calvin Booth for 6 years and 54 million.
    The Raptors draft an undersized Corsican point guard with “upside”. After getting torched by big guards on D, he returns to Europe and decides to conquer it. He is beaten in 1812, but 3 years later he presents a new jersey number and declares “I’m back”. His final season is less successful and ends in a defeat by the Waterloo Allies.

  • Blue Posted: Sep.27 at 10:00 am
    Most of us were slaves of Jason Williams’ ancestor, Whit Eman…

  • Franchise Posted: Sep.27 at 10:32 am
    I’ve been reading “The Links” for about 4 years religiously. Being a military guy and all ya need something to brighten your day first thing. Never been compelled to post but that first Max comment is hilarious!!

  • Big Al Posted: Sep.27 at 10:50 am
    Slaves are forced to play 5 on 5. Grateful for the time away from picking cotton and getting ‘whupped’. Slave1:”It sho is nice to be playing in this gym, out da hot sun”. Slave2: “Magine how funs it would be if we actually gots paid fo dis.”

  • Ron Posted: Sep.27 at 11:08 am
    Aaron Burr accuses Shaquille O’Neal of being a hindrance on his career and challenges Shaq to Duel. Later Shaq is exiled to gain world dominance in the Cuban Province of Miami while Burr is left in solitude to score 35 ppg.

  • RudX Posted: Sep.27 at 11:59 am
    Mohawk young rodshaman smokes pipe, starts jumping trees to grab beehives.

  • Jamison Posted: Sep.27 at 12:05 pm
    Karl Malone was hunting for Indian girls.

  • Jamison Posted: Sep.27 at 12:05 pm
    John Stockton’s knickers were too short.

  • Kevin Posted: Sep.27 at 12:21 pm
    Oliver Babcock travels to Brazil to recruit inexpensive labour for the family farm. Upon arrival, he sees a giant man working the docks named named Roberto Arajuo, constantly fumbling with the crates and dropping them into the sea. “That’s my guy” says Oliver. Roberto responds by walking into a pole.

  • Simply Turrible Posted: Sep.27 at 8:06 pm
    At the first Congressional session of the year, someone from the audience throws a tankard of hemp ale, which happens to smack Ron Artest in the head. Artest promptly climbs into the stands and rips some guy’s powdered wig off, touching off a melee that lasts for over fifteen minutes. After order is finally restored, a drunk-ass British dude runs onto the Senate floor, mumbling something about how “this is my colony”. Benjamin Franklin runs from all the way across the room and knocks the guy the f**k out.

  • Bigfootnick Posted: Sep.27 at 8:13 pm
    - Prohibition begins; Vin Baker and Jerome James start the sobriety walk in protest.
    - Naismith hungs peach baskets from pole and on first possession, proceeds to ’slam’ ball through basket over outstretched arms of Shawn Bradley. Artist captures moment in sketch and becomes first Slamadamonth ever.
    - League bans Michael “Oprah” Sweetney from wearing a corset.
    - Antoinne Walker invents triple tier wedding cakes. asked why he loves the triple, responds,” because there are no 4’s!”

  • simon Posted: Sep.27 at 10:34 pm
    Myung posts a bulletin at the town hall, promptly followed by several more.

  • Drolfe Posted: Sep.27 at 11:15 pm
    On the Slam website, the Player’s Ball section is reported to be ‘coming soon’.

  • AdSense Money Maker Posted: Apr.15 at 8:45 am
    AdSense Money Maker Do you know how to make money from AdSense automatically? You don’t!? I’ll teach you how!

Comments