With T-Mac out for the rest of the season due to injury, Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman is pinning the hopes of the team on star center Yao Ming, forward Ron Artest and guard Von Wafer. Again, Von Wafer who?
Wafer, a 6-5 guard out of Florida State, had ably filled the void left by Tracy McGrady and is having a blast this season for the Rockets. His exciting and energetic style had endeared him most to the Rockets diehards. He is a big help for Yao, who regularly attracts a double-team defense from the opposition. With his frequent acrobatic slashes to the basket and quick release jumpers, he had become a favorite target of Yao’s passes from the low post. And not only that, Wafer is equally devastating in the open court, who usually finishes the dreaded Rockets fastbreak.
The 23 year old native of Homer, Louisiana, had the distinction of being a journeyman early in his pro career until he found a home with the Rockets this year. He was drafted in the 2nd round by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2005 draft. He saw action for the Lakers in 16 games during the 2005-06 season and also had brief stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trailblazers. He is presently averaging 9.7 points a game in 47 outings with Houston.
Wafer is truly one of the revelations in the league this season and if the Rockets go deep into the play-offs, will he make the Rocket fans forget about T-Mac? That remains to be seen.
*****
Herewith is the fourth installment of our trivia series from the book entitled
“Basketball’s Most Wanted” by
Floyd Conner.
“The rules concerning free throws changed often in the early years of basketball. In 1911, coaching during a game was ruled illegal. The offender was warned on the first violation, and the opposing team was granted free throws for any subsequent violations. Until 1924, a designated player shot all of his team’s free throws. In 1904, Jack Reynolds led the South Philadelphia League in scoring with 78 field goals and 460 free throws. Before 1922, a travelling call or double dribble resulted in free throws being awarded to the opposing team.”
“During Basketball’s early years, many courts were surrounded by metal cages designed to keep the ball in play and protect the players from the fans and prevent them from interfering in the game. The caged court was banned in 1929, because the cage blocked the view of the spectators and was dangerous for the players. The term “cagers”, referring to basketball players, comes from the days of caged arenas.”
“The 10-second rule was adopted in 1933. Before this rule was put into effect, a player could remain in the backcourt with the ball indefinitely. This led to low-scoring games.”
“One of the most significant rule changes occurred in 1937 when the opposing team was awarded possession of the ball after each basket. Prior to the change, the game was stopped after every basket and a jump ball was called. The clock continued running during the stoppage, reducing the actual playing time by as much as 12 minutes per game.”
“Until 1944, goal tending, the blocking of a shot on its way down, was permitted. Some teams would have a tall defensive player do nothing but stand near the basket to swat away shots. When seven-footers such as Bob Kurland began playing in the 1940s, the goal tending rule was created. Anytime a ball is blocked on its way down, a field goal is awarded to the shooting team.”
