Seriously...Marvin Webster, RIP

by chnews on Apr 8, 2009 8:31 PM PDT

In lieu of a distracting previous post, let me offer a fond memory of Marvin Webster, who passed away today.

I was a 20 year old Seattle native when Marvin Webster came to the Sonics in 1977. This was the team that went 5-17, fired its first year coach Bob Hopkins and replaced him with Lenny Wilkens. That same year, after defeating the defending champion Trail Blazers in the playoffs when Bill Walton went down, came within one game of the NBA championship. Marvin was part of the most remarkable single season turnaround in NBA history, and I was thrilled to be close to it.

That year, when Wilkens became coach, Tom Meschery who was a teammate and friend of Wilkens in the early Sonics years wagered some small amount of money in Las Vegas that the Sonics would win the championship. As I recall, if the Sonics had won that seventh game, Meschery would have won over $100,000. Oh well.

Webster was a huge part of that turnaround. That summer, we were sad to see Webster sign with the Knicks, but the league made the Knicks give the Sonics Lonnie Shelton. The Sonics managed to win the championship, in a year remembered for nothing else other than the Michigan State-Indiana State NCAA finals. The Sonics success came during the nadir of NBA popularity, and the success of the Sonics has become a very personal memory.

I attended the Knicks first game against the Sonics when Webster returned to Seattle in 1978. I remember seeing him warming up and then recognizing a member of the local media. He just stopped and gave this person one of the warmest smiles of surprise that I have ever seen from a professional athlete. I thought...good on you, Marvin Webster...at the end of the day, its relationships that count, regardless of the team you play for.

Memories of players like Marvin Webster make me very sad about Sonics and the events of the last year. I have lived in Portland for a long time, but for me, the rivalry during those years was a great thing for both cities. As for Marvin...more than once that season in '77 and '78, he made my day.

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I'm with you

That Sonics team made me an NBA fan as a 13 year old kid. There was a feeling of magic in the air after they fired Hopkins, and traded for several people including Gus Williams. As I recall, Dennis Johnson and Jack Sikma were rookies that year. After they started winning with Wilkens as coach, you just knew something amazing was happening. I have followed the Blazers for about 14 years now, and have felt that same magical feeling momentarily with this team, this year. Those championship Blazers and Sonics of the late 70s are proof that magic can happen, and that a team can come together quickly and go all the way. I know we need to be realistic with our expectations for this year, but you just never know. Amazing things can happen.

mmmmm, Any'Tizers...

by bamkapow on Apr 8, 2009 8:48 PM PDT reply actions

FYI: I think Johnson was in his second year.

D.J. actually played a season when Bill Russell was the coach, if I remember right. Sikma was a rookie, though.

by chnews on Apr 8, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

It's all becoming hazy now

I’m thinking I need bifocals.

mmmmm, Any'Tizers...

by bamkapow on Apr 8, 2009 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure Marvin is in "a better place"

(assuming heaven exists… does it?)

by tominrehab on Apr 8, 2009 8:50 PM PDT reply actions

If you don't know

I encourage you to find out. (in this life)

by blazinagain on Apr 8, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

tell me how

(go to church?)

by tominrehab on Apr 8, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions

If your'e for real

then yes, it’s a start. Lots of churchs though, not all the same. maybe an Assembley of God? Low key, no pressure, everyday people. Good Luck. (If you seek him, he will find you)

by blazinagain on Apr 8, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I’m sure that heaven is a better place than being 60+ years old and trying to lug around a seven foot body.

Tom (if you are serious) – you don’t HAVE to go to church to find out, although at some point fellowship becomes a crucial part of faith. It can also start with a personal connection (through prayer or meditation), or with knowledge (through reading the Bible or other spiritual works). Like blazinagain said, seek and you shall find.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Apr 8, 2009 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions

what if I seek

and don’t find? (I’ll be honest… it’s a big risk—investing that time into something that feels uncertain… but also realizing the risk of not finding faith and having a less meaningful existence)

by tominrehab on Apr 8, 2009 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Then you're not doing it right

Try again.

mmmmm, Any'Tizers...

by bamkapow on Apr 8, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions

epic fail on my part?

(i give up)

by tominrehab on Apr 8, 2009 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I shouldn't have inserted myself in this thread

My attempt at being funny just sounded cynical, I guess.

I used to have all these answers, and I know a few things, I guess, but not nearly so much as I once thought.

I would actually like to email you about this if you’re into it.

mmmmm, Any'Tizers...

by bamkapow on Apr 9, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions

feel free to email me bro

it’s in my profile.

LMA: 35 points, 18 rebounds against "OKC." Beaste!

by prezofdeath on Apr 9, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

RIP

by Norsktroll on Apr 8, 2009 10:00 PM PDT reply actions

RIP Marvin

Oh, those were some awesome teams up in Seattle… Webster, Sikma, Shelton, Silas, JJ, DJ, Gus, Downtown Freddie Brown, and of course Wally Walker the good luck charm. I remember ‘78 as the year that my 50-10 Blazers went down in flames. I was very angry at the Sonics but very happy for Lenny Wilkens who unfairly took the blame for the ’75-’76 Blazer shortcomings. If the Blazers could have stayed healthy that would have been an Ali-Frazier type of rivalry in the late 70’s.

Webster was good, never great, center but was a perfect compliment to Sikma (who could score on anyone except Mychal Thompson who always seemed to block his shot). I sort of remember Marvin ending up getting a bloated contract with the Knicks but maybe I’m confusing him with about 100 other players.

Seeing this (along with other stuff like when Herm Gilliam died, and Luke having cancer surgery) makes me feel very old.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Apr 8, 2009 11:04 PM PDT reply actions