Maurice Evans

Tuesday12:01 a.m.

I was driving on Waterman today, on my way to meet friends for an after-work drink, when Maurice Evans called. I had been attempting to set up an interview with Evans, a guard for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, since last week. He called on an off day during the Magic’s Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, which the Magic trails 3-1 going into Tuesday night’s Game 5.

Evans, from Wichita Collegiate, has always been one of my favorites. He played to seasons at Wichita State before his relationship with Randy Smithson, then the Shockers’ coach, went south. Then Evans transferred to Texas, where he played before going on to the NBA. he has been with Minnesota, Sacramento, Detroit, the LA Lakers and Orlando during his career and has had his best season with the Magic, averaging 9.3 points per game.

Evans is a restricted free agent after this season and said he’ll entertain all offers, including those from Europe.

“I’d like to sign a long-term deal somewhere to finish my career,” he said. “I think I’ve definitely done some things this season to enhance my value.”

Evans moved into Orlando’s starting lineup midway through the season and has been there ever since. Not only does he contribute offensively, but he often draws the most difficult defensive assignment.

“I normally guard the other team’s shooting guard,” Evans said. “So, one night I might be on Kobe Bryant, the next night I might be on LeBron James or Tracy McGrady. Or I might draw somebody who isn’t quite as well known, like (Detroit’s) Richard Hamilton, who is a very tough guy to guard. There are no nights off, but that’s what makes it a lot of fun.”

Fun? Guarding players like Bryant and James is fun?

“Mentally, it’s a real challenge,” Evans said. “But you can’t back away from those opportunities.”

Evans said it has taken him a while to become the complete player he has become. He entered the NBA with the reputation as a scorer; his 22.6 points per game as a sophomore at Wichita State was one of the highest totals in the country that season.

He has never been a team’s first scoring option in the NBA, though, and has learned to accept his role. He is still capable, though, of having a big scoring night.

“I might score on a dunk, on a cut, on a three-pointer or on a one-dribble jump shot,” Evans said. “I think I have become a more complete player because I’m able to make things happen on the fly. I’m just as comfortable shooting the three as I am taking the ball to the basket.”

Evans will be 30 in November, so he is eager to see what happens during the offseason. With just a few years of earning power left in basketball, he’s looking for a multi-year deal that will pay him well.

That could mean, he said, going to Europe to finish his pro career. However, he’s hoping the Magic, or another NBA team, will step up and offer him a lucrative multi-year deal, something he hasn’t gotten yet during his vagabond NBA career.

When Evans, who played at Wichita Collegiate, called, I pulled my car over on a side street and jotted down notes on a blank sheet of paper I just happened to have in the car. I didn’t want to miss the interview.

He was polite and interesting to talk with.  It’s always amazing to me to watch these native Wichitans, whom I have followed since they were in high school, grow up. It’s nice that Evans has gotten a chance to play in the NBA and, with Orlando, to become a mainstay.

Here’s hoping his career lasts a few years longer.

“I think I’m in the prime of my career,” Evans said. “I can still do everything I want to do and I’m healthy. I’m still going strong.”

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Mother’s Day

Monday2:06 p.m.

Yeah, one day late. That’s really how I operate. I spent yesterday thinking a lot about my late mother, who passed away in 1990. She was, in many ways, the driving influence of my life. And I mean that in both a good and a bad way. I rebelled against her tremendously, yet there is no question I am more like her than I am my kind, gentle father.

Kind? Gentle? Not two words often used to describe me. My dad had everything to do with my love for sports and, especially, the St. Louis Cardinals. He was such a great guy and he could do anything. I have written about my father quite a bit in my years at The Eagle, but not so much about my mom. It was a complicated relationship, as many mother-son relationships are.  We spent a lot of time at odds. There were aspects to her personality that repelled me, honestly. Yet I am so much like her. I have her personality _ the good in her personality. And probably some of the bad, if I’m being completely honest with myself. I don’t like being completely honest with myself, really. I love lying to myself; and find that I often believe my own lies.

Anyway, I’m not going into great detail about my relationship with my mom. Frankly, that would be kind of weird to do on a blog, even though I know some people use these blogs to pour our their souls. Believe me, I’ve poured out my soul concerning my mother to every therapist in Wichita. That’s just a joke. Really.

I’m thankful for my mom’s wit and humor and intelligence. She finished only the eighth grade, but she was a voracious reader and she gained an incredible amount of knowledge from all of that reading. There were many things about my mother I respected. She could entertain a room full of people and have them all laughing hysterically. I was amazed by her ability to be laugh-outloud funny. And she was so good to my son, Jeff, an absolutely incredible grandmother.

The good definitely outweighed the bad and my mother is, without a doubt, the most influential person in my life. So, a Mother’s Day doesn’t pass without me thinking about her. And thinking about her a lot.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Three Dog Night

Sunday11:42 a.m.

I know now that I’m a grown-up and I know I am mature. I had some doubts, but Saturday night convinced me. Compared to some other idiots who attended the canceled Three Dog Night concert, I’m a model of civility.

Here’s the deal: I stood around near the West Bank Stage for a couple of hours, waiting for one of my all-time favorite bands to perform. Three Dog Night were my boys when I was in junior high school. I knew all their songs, bought all their records. So, despite the fact that several people who had earlier said they were going to the concert with me backed out, I went. It was really cold, so after walking from my car to the stage and standing for about 30 minutes, I decided I needed a heavier jacket. So I walked back to the car, which was probably a 10-minute walk or so. By the way, walking doesn’t hurt anyone. In fact, it’s rather enjoyable, even in less-than-perfect elements. This is another hang-up I have with Wichitans, who just hate to walk.

Anyway, back to the Three Dog Night show. Shortly after some people came on stage to announce the band, it started raining. And blowing. Really blowing. The wind knocked over the keyboards and they toppled to the ground with some force. Eventually, someone got in front of the crowd and announced the concert had been canceled. I couldn’t believe the reaction from some people, who jeered the announcement with lots of profanity. Un-freaking-be-lievable. How stupid are these people? THE KEYBOARDS WERE TRASHED!!!! It was a nasty, nasty night.

Now, if you want to be angry that the concert wasn’t held indoors, I guess I get that. However, the whole idea of the River Festival is to be outside. Duh. It’s not Danny Hutton’s fault, or Cory Wells’ fault, or Jimmy Greenspan’s fault that the weather did not cooperate.

I was ashamed of these morons who couldn’t come to grips with the cancellation.

Needed to get that off my chest.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (2)

Rain delay antics

May 7, 20087:24 p.m.

We’re all sitting here in the press box at Eck Stadium, waiting for the rain drops so subside and for the Wichita State-Arizona State game to begin. I see some Shockers coming out to begin the process of removing the tarp, which is a good sign. Rain delays are at once boring and fun, if there can be such a thing.

Rain delays force you to actually interact with the other people in the press box. I suppose I could have just sat here next to my computer and surfed the Internet. But I kind of like to make the rounds and I got to talking to my good friend about Ted Woodward and reminiscing about the funny actors and comedians we admire the most. I asked my Eagle colleague Paul Suellentrop to give me his list of five top comedians or comedic actors and I asked the same of Ted. So our lists are forthcoming.

I have also been playing an e-mail version of word association with a friend of mine during this rain delay. I caught up a bit with Bruce Haertl and Shane Dennis, who are doing the game on television tonight. I’m a virtual social animal during rain delays, and I’m positive people appreciate that about me.

OK, time for our lists. By the way, Suellentrop is in deep thought while he attempts to come up with his top five. So I’ll list mine first:

1) Don Rickles _ Hands down, the funniest human being on the planet. I literally cry every time I see him. He’s the rare comedian who can be funny even when he’s not funny. In fact, he might be funnier when his stuff falls flat.

2) Don Knotts _ He was spectacular in The Andy Griffith Show for five years. As Ted reminded me, Knotts won five Emmys in those five years, which is unprecedented.

3) Jonathan Winters _ He had an old variety show back in the day and it was a show I never, ever missed.

4) Carroll O’Connor _ There will never be a better character on television than Archie Bunker.

5) I need to come up with someone at least a little bit contemporary here. I’m sounding really, really old. So, how about Bill Maher. Yes, he’s liberal. But so am I. And what a wit.

OK, now for the lists of Woodward and Suellentrop, two true comedy enthusiasts.

Woodward’s Top 5

1. Don Rickles

2. Paul Lynde (Oh my god, how could I have left him off my list?)

3. Jack Benny (I love him, too)

4. Larry Storch (of F-Troop fame)

5. Charles Nelson Reilly (Ted, to this day, watches Match Game re-runs)

Suellentrop’s Top 5

1. Jerry Seinfeld (hard to argue)

2. Mel Brooks (I wish I had thought of him)

3. John Belushi (again, duh)

4. Steve Carrell (I would put him at my No. 5 if I had it to do over again)

5. Steve Martin

Man, I really like Paul’s list. Feel free to send along your top five.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (5)

Hey everyone

May 5, 20082:44 p.m.

Got out Sunday for my first round of golf for the year. The first few holes were pretty brutal. It always takes me a few rounds to find my swing, but I was pretty pleased. Because it was the first time out, I didn’t keep score for the first nine holes. But I played pretty well on some of those holes and decided to keep score on the back 9. I shot a 43 and had a couple of birdies, which kind of makes my day. I don’t get many birdies, so to have two of them on the first day out is, to be honest, a very impressive athletic achievement. At least in my eyes.

As I’m writing this, my son is interviewing Danny Hutton. It’s a big deal. Why? Because Hutton is one of the founding members of Three Dog Night, my favorite group during my junior high and high school days. Three Dog Night is playing the River Festival on Saturday night and I will be there. There are still four original members in the band and when last I heard them, about three years ago, these guys could still play. I’m anticipating they still can.

I’m going to try and get out and play golf again this week, and again on the weekend. Now that bowling is over, I have some spare time. Yes, I said spare time. We haven’t decided whether we’re going to bowl again next season, which begins in early September. It’s a long, grueling season which spanned football, basketball and baseball seasons. And many bowlers in our league told me that they bowled in one or two other leagues. When they told me that, I just nodded and backed away. Actually, bowling has been a lot of fun and I’m sure we’ll give it another try. I am, however, still rattled about losing my bowling ball about halfway through the season. It just disappeared. We have deduced that the ball was stolen, but why would anyone steal a bowling ball. It’s the great mystery of the bowling season.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

The weekend

April 28, 20083:08 p.m.

It was tough, but it was fun. And it showed my inability to stand firm in my resolution. Because on Friday night, before the Kid Rock concert at the Kansas Coliseum, I vowed to keep it low-key (i.e. not to partake in much happy sauce). Alas, when I arrived at the hacienda of Tyler and Andrea Gordon, my dear friends, a mixer full of margaritas had been made and, being a gentleman, I could not refuse one.

One.

Which turned into two and then three and then all bets were off. So, yes, I’m weak. And while I very much enjoyed the concert, unlike any I have seen, my head was not as enthusiastic when it hit the pillow at around 1:30 a.m. I set my alarm for 7 on Saturday morning for the drive to Dallas to see my second Jimmy Buffett concert in two years.

And my last.

I enjoy Buffett, but that’s a long way to go to see a show you’ve seen before. I know there isn’t a Parrothead alive who doesn’t want a piece of me for making that sacrilegious statement, but I stand by it. Buffett is a lot of fun, but he’s made a gazillion dollars off of about 20 songs. Am I right?

The crowd at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, a Dallas suburb, was unbelievable, even bigger than last year. And these people know how to party. And since we’ve established that have no backbone, so once again I did more partaking than I should have. Which means I had very little sleep over the weekend. But I do know how to party.

It was a fantastic week of Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock and Jimmy Buffett. I enjoyed the Crow concert at Century II the most; I relate to her music and she’s darn cute. Kid Rock was my second favorite concert with Buffett coming in at No. 3. That’s no knock on Buffett, because all three shows were memorable.

I have a feeling, though, that none of them will stand up to my May 31 experience at Madison Square Garden to see the Eagles for the 18th time. I’m so excited about that one. And no matter what, I will not partake before the show.

Gee, where have you heard that before?

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

A K-Stater

April 24, 20083:45 p.m.

I’m probably not going to have a chance to get this into a column any time soon. So I’m going to use this blog, instead, to communicate with you an e-mail I received a couple of weeks ago from a Kansas State fan after KU won the national championship in basketball. It’s one of the best e-mails I’ve ever gotten _ funny, interesting, astute. So I have to share. It concerns the current state of K-State athletics as it compares to the athletic program at Kansas. Enjoy.

Tuesday morning, I awoke to a hail-damaged home, a 3-year-old nephew who is scared of the Easter Bunny and now “loves the Jayhawk,” and the prospect of another 20 years of condescending elitism from KU fans.

This year, our basketball team lost one of its best returning players, David Hoskins, to injury for the season. In contrast, KU would have lost its best returning player, Brandon Rush, except for an injury that kept him from bolting for the NBA. He proceeds to lead the Jayhawks to an NCAA championship, following the most unbelievable on-court meltdown this side of Pervis Pasco.

Although I am happy for my KU friends _ or to be more accurate, I try to be happy for them _ if there is a more spoiled fan base in the country than the Jayhawk basketball fan, I would like to know who it is.

At least in the recent past I could look forward to football season. That is, before KU hired Mark Mangino, reviled as a traitor by the Wildcats not just for leaving us for Oklahoma, but for the way in which he did so. He proceeds to use the Bill Snyder formula to win the Orange Bowl _ a bowl which, by the way, Missouri deserved to be playing in _ while our own coach was at home perfecting his “I am smarter than you are” routine. This attitude would be difficult to stomach under any circumstance, but especially when he has gone 0-for-2 against KU.

And while the future looks bright for KU, ours is in the hands of a university president who owes his career to one good hire.

I told you it was good stuff.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (5)

Sheryl Crow

April 23, 200812:14 a.m.

The first of three concerts this week is in the book and I’m going to be hoarse in the morning. Sheryl (we’re on a first-name basis) was fantastic tonight at Century II. She was fantastic, her band was fantastic, the lighting was fantastic, the crowd was fantastic, my company was fantastic. Except for the people consistently getting up out of their seats and crossing in front of us to do whatever it is they were going to do, it was a perfect night.

Sheryl did all of her hits and a bunch of songs off of her new CD/record/iTunes/whatever the hell you call new releases, Detours. I have to admit, the first time I listened to this record, I wasn’t crazy about it. It’s very personal and a little slower than most of her stuff. But the lyrics are great and the performance of her news songs _ she must have done seven or eight of them _ made them feel comfortable to the audience.

One of the highlights of the night came on the second and final song of her only encore when she belted out Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll, complete with a little butt wiggling. The band really cut loose on this one and it was definitely her most rocked-out performance of the night. It was a packed house and I think Sheryl liked us Wichitans. She did make reference to how “we” beat the brains out of Memphis in college basketball’s national championship game, surely not realizing that there were probably more Wichita State fans in the crowd than KU fans. But that wasn’t a big deal and it was cute that Sheryl, who grew up in Missouri, close to Memphis, acknowledged the Jayhawks’ championship.

It was an even better show than I expected. And from Sheryl, I expected a lot.

Oh, by the way, listen to Sports Daily the next few days. It’s on from 9-11 a.m. and airs on KFH (1240-AM, 98.7 FM). We’re having our NFL mock draft tomorrow and we’ll be talking to Woody Austin on Thursday. On Friday, KU football coach Mark Mangino will be a guest on the show at about 9:15.

Later, everybody.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Old dog

April 21, 20089:46 p.m.

I was talking with some friends recently and it came up that I still write checks. Lots and lots of checks. I even write checks to pay for groceries, which I’m told makes me appear ancient and drastically out of touch. I tried to argue with the folks, who are my age, who let me in on this news. But I have to admit, the only people I see writing checks in line at the grocery store are people who ain’t young. Bad grammar, but you get my point.

So, I’m going to get a debit card. I might be the last person on earth to get a debit card, except for those older folks ahead of me in line at the grocery store. I’m excited about all of the possibilities with a debit card, but a little concerned that I’ll pull it out with so much regularity that I will wind up with no money in my account. But I’m a good money manager, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Anyway, really looking forward to the Sheryl Crow show tomorrow night at Century II. I wonder when Ms. Crow will arrive in our fair city? Where will she stay? What will she do? If you happen to know the answers to any of those questions (perhaps you work in a hotel, a restaurant, etc., or you’re a stalker) please let me know. I’m curious.

More soon.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (4)

Back to work

April 18, 20084:21 p.m.

We have new hard drives here at The Eagle. This qualifies as big news, since the new hard drives replace really, really soft drives, drives that have been here since the days of the old Beacon. Not really, but I just know that the speed with which I’m now able to surf the Internet has increased exponentially over what it was. Not that I’m spending my time here surfing the Internet. No, no, no. It’s all work here.

Our very technologically minded Kim Rice installed my new hard drive just a couple of hours ago. When I read back that sentence, it sounds a little strange. But I’m not going to change it. Anyway, Kim has worked at The Eagle even longer than I have and I think he deserves a little plug on my blog. While Kim was working, he told me about his son, who is an actor living in Austin. At least he wants to be an actor and has his own page on some actor’s website. It was something I didn’t know about Kim and his family, one of those nice little moments where you actually take time to talk to a co-worker. I did the same just a few minutes ago with our assistant sports editor, Tom Seals. Apparently, this is the new me. I now talk to my co-workers.

OK, it’s time to write a notes column for Saturday’s paper. And I’ll be blogging with regularity, especially if I continue to feel like I do right now. I’m in a strange mood. This is my first day back in the office for some time and, usually, being in the office doesn’t bring out the best in me. Today, though, it has. And I’m not sure why. But I’m not going to try and figure it out; I’m just going to accept it for what it is.

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