Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl bounded into his office excitedly Monday afternoon after the Vols completed the first day of individual workouts.
"Do you know who came here today? Jerry Lucas!'' Pearl said, clearly starstruck. "The Jerry Lucas. He came in halfway through our last individual workout session, and I just canceled everything. I said, 'we're done, get everyone out of the weight room, too, and bring them up here to listen to this man.' ''
Lucas, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and recognized as one of the top 50 NBA players of all-time, was still in Knoxville after a weekend with Grace Baptist Church, Pearl said.
"He's a guy who averaged 20 points and 20 rebounds per game for four straight (NBA) seasons, and he won championships at every level: high school (Middletown, Ohio), NCAA (Ohio State), NBA (New York Knicks) and even a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
"It's just ridiculous what he did; I told the guys, 'you're looking at yesterday's Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.' He was also Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year (1961).''
Pearl said he enjoyed hearing Lucas talk to the Vols about being "M-A-D.''
"He said think about when you're playing and you get mad, you need to Make A Decision to Make A Difference,'' Pearl said, explaining the acronym. "He also talked about work ethic and being a team player. It was just a great message to our kids.''
Pearl said Lucas had seen the Vols play in the NCAA tournament against Ohio State and remembered the good job UT junior Wayne Chism did against Greg Oden, an eventual No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
Pearl said all of the players got their weightlifting work done Monday, and the team will be back on schedule today.
"Me and my assistants won't be back on the road (recruiting) until Sept. 9, so our focus is to spend as much time with our players as possible,'' Pearl said. "So tomorrow morning (today) at 6:30 I'll be with them on The Hill.''
The players run The Hill outside of Neyland Stadium as part of their offseason supervised conditioning workouts.
Pearl said that freshman Scotty Hopson went through his individual workout without event after suffering a slightly sprained ankle at the adidas Nations function in Dallas two weeks ago.
J.P. Prince, who underwent shoulder surgery in April, has been cleared to begin his individual workouts today. Senior forward Ryan Childress remains sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.
Lofton Leaving: Former UT All-American Chris Lofton is on the verge of leaving for Turkey, where he will play basketball this season.
"I'm just happy to be playing professionally,'' Lofton said. "I'm just waiting on my passport.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 35
VOLFORLIFE writes:
THE Jerry Lucas! Pretty cool.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
murrayvol writes:
A few of us who visit here may even remember when Jerry and Oscar and that other Jerry (West) had some game.
He also wrote a very good book on improving memory. Wish I could remember where I put that thing.
RockyTopVolFan writes:
Thank you Mr. Lucas for visiting with our team and coach. I hope your success rubs off on them and gets this year started MAD!
Need_2_Know writes:
How cool was this? Man, Jerry Lucas was one heck of a player. I'm impressed even more by Coach Pearl's decision to take a "time out" to allow Lucas to share his knowledge (and allow his players to meet one of the greats), that just shows his appreciation and knowledge of the game. Did I already say cool?
Vols1998 writes:
Pearl is a GEM! This guy is just a great guy and coach.
Go Vols
IndianOutlaw writes:
Murray you are showing your age. Do you remember Adrian Smith from Farmington who played at UK and the NBA and on the same Gold Medal team with Lucas? Got to play hot night summer ball against him as his cousin was my HS coach. Do remember the book and also him naming 100 members of a Tonight show audience after 1 introduction.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCEEE
murrayvol writes:
Col26Ca: I do remember Adrian but he was long gone when I came to the Purchase in 69'. Great player and highly regarded by all who knew him. Played NBA ball with the Big O & the Cincy Royals as I recall. Salaries were a bit smaller then.
budrhon writes:
Vols have a horrific schedule in front of them, but if they get the point guard play from Maze and Tyler brings his "A" game every night chances may be that the Vols can make a run to Detroit. The biggest test will be if there is octane left in the tank in March prior to going into the SEC tourney and then on to the NCAA tourney. They have to raise their level of play up another knotch when March rolls in.
txsvol#372416 writes:
In the early 1960s, Jerry Lucas promoted a book that he co-authored with Harry Larayne, The Memory Book, that helped me get through high school and college. I wonder if Jerry might be available to teach some of these techniques to our hoopsters and footballers? Good to see that Coach Bruce Pearl recognizes greatness when he sees it! I hope the younger generation did, too! Go Vols! SAVol
slambob2#228938 writes:
I heard Jerry on the WNOX Sports Talk show last week and he talked about how smart some of his NBA teams were. I bet he talked to the players about the difference it makes to play brilliant basketball on top of talented basketball.
Between his experience with success and his spiritual faith, this guy seems like a perfect influence for any program. I'm glad he stopped by.
b_neas writes:
Pearl just keeps rolling the big names in. Recruits 1st and now big time athletes to give inspirational talks. If i did not know better I would say UT mens basketball is drawing national attention and is ON THE MAP!
CoverOrange writes:
I was too young, General, but they still talk about Jerry and Oscar around southeast Ohio.
"The players run The Hill outside of Neyland Stadium"
You mean that place where all the school buildings are? Sometimes I forget that there's a university attached to the athletic programs.
NOLAvol writes:
Tell me if my memory is correct: When Jerry Lucas was averaging 20 points/game, there was no 3-point line--but he shot a LOT of big rainbows from way outside. Wonder how high his average would have been with a 3-point rule?
In an interview he explained that he had done the math/physics, and determined the optimum arc to assure the best accuracy from +20 feet was much higher than what shooting coaches taught. And Jerry was already tall... what, maybe 6'9"-6'10"?
After a Jerry Lucas game, you could tell coming out of the arena which fans had floor-level seats by how much they rubbed their necks!
ladivolfan writes:
You can do it Vols! Listen to Lucas and give Bruce a National Championship this year!
Volumnus writes:
Murray,
I had your book, but I can't remember who I loaned it to. But I do remember seeing Jerry Lucas play, of course the TV's were black and white for the most part, and you are right, the other Jerry had game too. Very, very savvy hoopsters. A lot to be said for the lesson from the master, way to go Coach!
overatedvols writes:
Jerry Lucas, hall of famer. All time great. Class act. I wonder why he visited the Vols??
DandyVol writes:
It either appears Negedu has not yet signed with the Vols or Rivals info is not up to date. Does he need to sign to play or is Emanual having a problem which has not yet been addressed?
http://tennessee.rivals.com/commitlis...
overatedvols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
overatedvols writes:
Welp, another special news bulletin out of Memphis. It appears the brother of Xavier Henry, the nations top player, will sign with the Tigers to play next year. CJ Henry is currently playing minor league baseball for the new york yankees and skipped his college basketball career to play baseball. He now wants to return to basketball...his choices like his brothers were Memphis and Kansas. He appears to have choosen Memphis. Hopefully brother Xavier will follow. It just keeps getting better. For details:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/...
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Excuse me while I pretend overated isn't here.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only "old codger" hanging around this site. I too remember watching Mr. Lucas, The Big O, Cousy, Havlichek, West, Earl the Pearl, etc., etc., etc. in black & white, but still enjoying it immensely. The offensive talent was great, but as I remember they actually played some defense back then too.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!
JUGHEAD
BigOrangeVol writes:
Wow; one of my all-time sports heroes! Where do you start with Lucas? 20-10 eyesight from the jump sets him apart. He had bigger crowds attend his high school games (10,000) than most college and pro teams.
OSU went 78-6 in his three years (Having Hondo helped!) but only grabbed one NCAA title. He averaged 33 points and 17 boards at OSU.
Don't forget Walt Bellamy on that Olympic team! Lucas made 84% of his shots from the field as the co-scoring leader and the rebound leader of the team!!!
Lucas signed with the ABL's Cleveland Pipers/George Steinbrenner as a rookie player/manager with ownership stock. Talk about your business savvy; try that with the NBA or Steinbrenner now.
With the Cincy Royals (later the K.C. & Sacramento Kings) he also had Bobby Boozer to go along with Big O and Adrian Smith.
In 1973 he won the NBA Title as a Knick playing with Clyde Frazier; Willis Reed; Dave DeBusschere; Bill Bradley; Dick Barnett; Pearl Monroe; Phil Jackson; Henry Bibby and Dean Meminger. I'll take those ten players in their prime and win the NBA Championship today. Back in the day the Lakers were too strong with West, Chamberlain, Baylor, Riley and Goodrich. Boston was no slouch with Hondo, Cowens, JoJo, Silas, Cheyney, Nelson and Westphal.
As a side note...
Very few teams in 1972 had a player making over 100K. Jabbar was the highest paid at 375K but most starters were making around 50-75K. Bradley, Frazier and Reed got 300K. Lucas was getting 49K and that was the most he was ever paid as an NBA player! No question from anyone that Lucas is more than just one of The NBA's 50 Greatest Players. He was/is the most brilliant NBA player ever, the consummate team-player and one of the finest shooters and rebounders of all time. Sadly he was probably the lowest paid of all those 50 as well.
7-time All Star
NBA Rookie of the Year
All-Star MVP
6-time All NBA
Always ion the Top Ten in Minutes Played, FG% and Rebounds.
b_neas writes:
The fact that people like overrated and catscratch continue to come to UT sites just shows that UT is where is at. The fan following UT has is great. If they go and post something on their site it prob does not get read for days.
overatedvols writes:
Wonder if the Vols will use the m-a-d thing during March. Seems the Vols haven't been able to get very 'm-a-d' during tournament time each year.
b_neas writes:
Wow - overrated same old same old. Please get new material to taunt or make fun of. It shows your narrow mindedness (or stupidity) when you have to use the same lines over and over and over again. Where was memphis in the 3rd year after Cal came? I doubt they were making it past the sweet 16. It takes time!
overatedvols writes:
b_nease, you are right, it does take time. How long has UT had a basketball program? How much time you need over there? Memphis didn't just get past the sweet 16 after Cal came. They had already been in a championship game a final 4 and several elite 8's before Cal ever arrived.
Guess I can stick with the same ole stuff as long as vol fans stick with their same ole stuff. You know, it repeats constantly. Memphis thugs.. we won the Memphis game so we are better.. nothing matters unless you win the national championship so you did no better than the vols last year.
Also doesn't matter where we were 3 years after Cal came. Look where we are now. Someone on here kept saying that the Vols were doing better in their first 2 years under Pearl than Memphis did under Cal. Fine.. but will you reach the level we have reached, under Pearl?
b_neas writes:
You will never hear me use "Memphis thugs.. we won the Memphis game so we are better.. nothing matters unless you win the national championship so you did no better than the vols last year."
Those type arguements. I realize that right now and in the past Memphis is better. Still though your boys do not have the fan following that UT does. Yes, we have beat you in the past and that has to get under your skin a little but that does not mean we are better, just better that night.
overatedvols writes:
Good post b_nease. You are alright with me. Don't know about the fan following but this city is crazy over our Tigers and most every game has the FedEx forum packed full which is a lot more than the nba team here can say. I know UT has a large following in any sport. Honestly I never had anything against the vols. You guys were in a different league and i'd actually pull for you in the SEC but after you won the last 2 games against Memphis my view definitely changed. You have alotttt of trash talkers. Seems many more than other teams. They really got ridiculous after last seasons game. Can't say I minded watching you lose that following game at Vandy and then the post seasons poor play. Maybe next season when the Tigers win the Vol game things will calm and i'll be able to tolerate them. Who knows I may actually start to pull for them again. I've learned quite a bit about the team from this site and met several good people. Still, i'm on a mission. With a name like overatedvols I can't be nice.
SuperRob fights a never ending battle ...
b_neas writes:
I totally agree. A lot of UT fans are quite annoying and ignorant. It may be that way with all college fans, I'm not sure. I have on more than one occasion almost came to blows with these ignorant fans when they would make repeated stupid remarks while behind (or besdie) me while in Neyland and TBA. Anyway It sucks that a few bad apples (or in UT's case seems like half) give the whole bunch a bad reputation.
overatedvols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
b_neas writes:
Volfan5521 - what you are calling light in the loafers, I call realistic. You can be a die hard fan and still be sensible. Truth is yes what Pearl is doing is amazing. Still we have not got to the level of Memphis in the past few years. That being said 3 years is a sttep order to take a team from the bottom on the sec east to a final 4 team. Yeah we beat memphis but they are getting farther in the tourney. Yes Pearl does demand high character guys on his team, and memphis has kids in trouble a lot. Still me admitting this does not make me whatever you are insinuating i am. You seem to be the blinded fan who hates everything opposing teams say, even if it's true. I bet you are one of the FIRE FULLMER guys. I am realistic and will listen to any sensible arguement presented no matter who is presenting it.
overatedvols writes:
Sorry volfan but I believe the record is 2-1 the last 3 years against memphis. Not much to brag about. It is two in a row though, i'll give you that. If Memphis wins this year then it's 2-2 over the last 4 years. If Tenn. wins it's 3-1. 3 and 1, I guess deserves some bragging...but just 2 to 1...hmmm? Only in Vol land where the basketball team isn't used to winning much would 2 to 1 be significant.
Ok, your spelling improved now get your facts straight.
b_neas writes:
Personally beating memphis is nice for in state bragging rights, but realistically i would rather lose to them and make it to the elite 8. But that is just me. It is fans like some of you in here that makes these opposing fans tick, if you did not let them get under your skin and make such ignorant remarks back to them, they would not enjoy coming in here. It's obvious the opposing fans throw some crazy remarks out there (really deep down not believing what they type) just to see how you react. Obviously you have been reacting the wrong way, because they keep coming back.
b_neas writes:
Go hang your confederate flag. You are a moron 1st and a UT fan 2nd, and quite a disgradeful UT fan at that. I have forgot more about basketball than you will ever know, having played and coached. Beating memphis was good for the program (i never said it was not) but for you tards to constantly diss memphis because we beat them is stupid. You guys saying we were better than them is not all factual, yeah we were better that night but if you look at the whole season, (tourney included) they were better. Getting farther in the tourney would have been great for the program but we did not, so get over it and get over your anger and take it out on your stuffed spongebob doll, instead of making posts with your emotions rather than your brain, making you, and all other UT fans look stupid. As long as you let people get you all "riled up" and acting like you do in here you will continue to have people "pick" at you. It is just to easy and funny to see you acting this way for them to pass on the oppurtunity. Grow up!
overatedvols writes:
Ah b_nease, you are good. You figure out what so many seem to miss. I just keep throwing the line out there and I never know what i'll reel in. Sometimes i'll get lucky and snare the typical obnoxious vol fan which is what i'm really aiming for (what's up volfan5521) and I can always count on robvol the self appointed troll control. I really don't have anything against the vol basketball team. I really liked Lofton. Seemed to be a class act. You guys have always been a football school and you are trying to become a basketball power. Nothing wrong with that. You've definitely made progress. My beef has been with the vol fans. You've got a lot of obnoxious/jerk fans in your fan base. You're right b_nease, it's too easy and tempting to throw out a few insults and sit back and watch the comments come rolling in. You're also right in that most of the stuff I say I don't really mean. It's just bait. Works well though. Heck, it works with me too when somebody comes talking trash over on the Memphis site. I just gotta respond, so I know how it is.
Anyway, i'm finished. Football season has finally arrived and i'm no longer bored. I'll leave you guys to your board. I'll retreat back over to the Memphis board. Robbie you can lower your troll alert to a 1 or 2 now, and no I do not know any other Memphis fan on this board. I may come back closer to basketball season (which isn't that long from now) or if too many trash talking vol fans crash the memphis site. Remember Jan. 24. ..revenge..
Happy Labor Day.
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