Tizzz the season~

Tizz the day to be joyful for the incredible influence that Waymon Tisdale spread to all who were lucky enough to be a part of his life.

I was fortunate enough to be assigned by the Tulsa World to cover the Booker T. Washington Hornets basketball game in Waymon's sophomore season. It may have been his first game. He was featured in the story because the (then) scronny, 6' 4" sophomore notched 26 points with a feathery touch on his short mid-range jumpers, snatched 12 rebounds, and blocked 6 shots,,,, all while that [later to be famous!] patented, wide, infectious smile permeated the high school gymnasium, and the spectators from both teams.

When I was assigned a HORNET game the next season, my excitement turned to dismay as I watched the Hornets go through their pregame layup drills.

"Where was the tall skinny kid?" I wondered, so upset that he wasn't present.

As I watched the two lines cycle through their layups again, my jaw dropped when I saw that familiar big, genuine and infectious smile running right at me.

"Thank God!"  He was present. Waymon was in the house! I WOULD see him play again!
I still could not believe my eyes though, because the sleek, SKINNY armed sophomore was history. Waymon had become a MAN. His little chest had ballooned out; his arms had the definition of someone who today would be accused of using illegal steroids. Whether he did the Herschel Walker program of pushups and situps, or got in the weight room, the junior version of Waymon was an amazing physical upgrade.
My first thought was that he was TOO muscular to have kept that feathery, smooth, delicate jumper. After all, basketball players can't look like that and still shoot accurately. Wasn't that the message of those days?
But it didn't phase Tiz as he continued to fire that perfect rotation, soft jumper that regularly ripped the nets,,,,,and as history has shown, the strength only made Waymon the beast that he was to become when he moved up to the next level and play for Billy Tubbs in Soonerland.

Although I didn't have the priviledge of getting to know Waymon as I followed every turn around jumper of his OU and NBA career, I feel very fortunate to have become close with his brother William and his son, William jr.
When my son brought William Jr. home with him the first time, it was as if I was finally getting to know Waymon, his uncle, in a round about way; the nephew also had that great smile; an incredible presence; polite without the Eddie Haskell factor, and a true enjoyment of life was evident. William jr, and his mom Shari and dad are true gems and warm, incredibly wonderful people.  They undoubtedly will continue spreading the Tisdale charm and love of life that their family is known for.

All of Tulsa will miss Waymon; the NBA world~ the music world~ and the Tulsa World.
Thank god that the Tisdale factor will continue to enlighten our world for many years to come.

Rest in peace Waymon.

Click here to see incredible coverage by the Tulsa World of the Celebration of Waymon's life.

Basketball Season is upon us..

Golden State Warriors guard Kelenna Azubuike (7) shoots the ball as New Orleans Hornets players Desmond Mason (24) and Rasual Butler (45) look on in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Ty Russell)January 2, 2007



Waymon Tisdale....Mark Price [Enid].....Richard Dumas....Anthony Bowie.....Lee Mayberry... John Starks.... ummm.... the list of TULSA HIGH SCHOOL area basketball players that made/make it to the NBA is a pretty short list......well it's time to add a new name! Kelenna Azibuike~~

Now is the time of year that football winds down and basketball gets goin full throttle. Celtics and former Celtics are playing for their high schools in Oklahoma, Kansas and Washington State (Kale Larkin) and it sure is fun checking the box scores and watching live the kids I've coached and played against for the last 8 or 9 years. Cascia Hall, Booker T. Washington, Victory Christian, Bishop Kelley, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, East Central, Holland Hall, Enid, Verdigris, Pawnee,...I want to see all of them play this season.

Today I took my son Brock and fellow Celtic Alan Santos and their drummer friend Chris to Oklahoma City to check out the injury plagued NBA Hornets (Chris Paul the most recent to leave the lineup due to injury) go up against the Baron Davis led Golden State Warriors, who recently lost Jason Richardson.

Thinking back a few years....
I remember as if it was yesterday watching Kelenna Azubuike play high school ball for Victory Christian. One memorable game was catching him at the Memorial High School gym; truly a man among boys, if I remember correctly he quietly scored 39 points~ but still I scoffed at the idea that his father believed him to be an first round pic in the NBA draft out of high school. "Maybe after he plays 4 yrs of college", I said.

He ended up playing for former Tulsa Coach Tubby Smith and the Kentucky Wildcats. Kalenna came out after his junior year but spent his first season in the Developmental league. In fact, he played two straight games in Tulsa a few weeks ago and was near the top of the league in scoring.

CELTIC TIES?
Remember who Don Nelson played for during his NBA Career? you give up????? Red Auerbach,,, and the BOSTON CELTICS!
The Warriors superb and respected new coach, Don Nelson, evidently believes it's Kelenna time, as Azubuike made his NBA debut tonight in his home state. He played 17 minutes, had 3 rebounds and 2 steals, one which he finished with a slam dunk, and totaled 4 points.

I am thrilled for Kelenna. From what I've heard, he is a fine young man. His father evidently made some bad choices and a lot of the negative attention and publicity was piled on Kelenna both here and at Kentucky. He persevered, kept working, and didn't waste energy on things he had no control over..... He already had the NBA body in high school; it looks like he has added the other integral ingredients necessary to play in the best basketball league in the world. Congrats and best wishes to Azzzzi. I look forward to keeping cheks on his box score.