AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech’s ‘Lethal’ trio just want to help
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
It’s a long climb for Georgia Tech’s basketball team, which mostly is double-dribbling in the valley of the ACC standings. Even so, Saturday’s 81-70 victory over Virginia Tech at Alexander Memorial Coliseum was a step for the Yellow Jackets toward higher ground.
They just have so far to go before reaching decency with the only losing record in the conference at 8-9 overall. This also was their first ACC victory after three previous tries, but here’s the deal: They could rise faster as a team and as a program if they had the legendary likes of Kenny Anderson, Brian Oliver and Dennis Scott, not only on the court, but off the court as well.
Remember those guys? They were christened as Lethal Weapon 3 after they shot and inspired the Jackets to their first Final Four trip in 1990. We mention this for a couple of reasons. First, they spent Saturday’s postgame in the annual Tech alumni game. They hadn’t been together in uniform since their glory days of yore. You know, as opposed to the Jackets’ gory days of now, with Tech trying to avoid its second losing record in three seasons and third in Paul Hewitt’s eight seasons on campus.
As for the second reason, Anderson, Oliver and Scott still bleed old gold and white, and they want to help.
They’ve asked to help.
They’ve pleaded to help.
“I wish Paul would use me more and use us more,” said Scott, the 3-point king back then who currently is the general manager of the American Basketball Association’s Atlanta Vision and a color analyst on Hawks radio broadcasts. “Right now, we’re used very little, and I understand that Paul is trying to create his own legacy, but every school has a tradition. Every school has a foundation. I know different coaches reach back to their history, because that’s where [the magic] is.”
For the Jackets, it is Scott playing all 40 minutes of a victory over Minnesota in that regional final 18 years ago and scoring a point per minute. It is Anderson connecting on a prayer at the buzzer the game before that against Michigan State to send Tech into overtime, where Michigan State didn’t win. It also is Oliver pushing his teammates as the gallant captain who kept playing and producing throughout the tournament despite a damaged ankle.
They want to help, all right, because as Anderson said, when contrasting his Tech experience with his 15 seasons in the NBA and his role now as head coach of the Continental Basketball Association’s Atlanta Krunk: “Those two years that I spent at Georgia Tech were the best years of my whole life, really.”
Oliver laughed, saying, “I’d have to say marrying my wife provided me with my best years.” That said, Oliver, who lives in his native Smyrna, added in a hurry that he cherishes his Tech experience so much that he wishes to contribute to a renaissance for the Jackets between erecting things (he just got his Tech degree in building construction) and working as a television studio host for college basketball.
Said Oliver: “I want to help the program, but in the same sense, I don’t want to make it seem like I’m meddling. I don’t want to make it seem like, well, they’ve been struggling, and now I want to put my hand in the cookie jar as if what he’s doing is not right. I have the utmost confidence in Paul Hewitt and what he’s done. I’m one of those who believes that what he’s done in the past is what he can do right now.”
What Hewitt has done in the past is take Tech to the Final Two. That was only four seasons ago. And despite the Jackets’ recent struggles, Hewitt wants them to become the Final One sooner than later, and he also wants Lethal Weapon 3 to help Tech accomplish as much.
“Those guys, they’ve been great to me already, and anything that we can do to have them involved, I’m willing to do,” Hewitt said. “Going back to the first year I was here, Brian Oliver gave the pregame talk at the ACC tournament, and I know Dennis and Kenny, they’ve been terrific and supportive. … Obviously, NCAA rules come into play, and they can’t help us in recruiting or things like that, but so maybe we need to figure out a role for them.”
Not maybe. Definitely.
They’re waiting.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech / ACC, Terence Moore
Comments
By stinGTime
January 19, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Evidently just being there helped!
By ps
January 19, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Maybe Roy W. needs some of the great heels to show up at his games…LOL!
By too many chefs spoil the stew
January 19, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
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By ETB Entertainment!!!
January 19, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
hey t moore… the falcons should pick QB Josh Johnson (San Diego University) 69% passn, 43 TDs and 1 INT 3900 hundred yds for the season. he is playing in this yrs shriners east/west game, or dennis dixon, another great QB in this yrs draft. he had the same injury reg. bush had this season and he would have been able to play if the saints would made the playoffs, so dennis will be ready for the draft. both of these guys are college grads and will be available in the sec or third round. the off line and D line is where we need help if darren mcfadden is gone. falcon season ticket holder.
By John
January 19, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Lethal Weapon 3 are NOT chefs! They are the absolute best and I want to thank them for probably the most exciting run for Georgia Tech basketball ever. Those were exciting times and if they want to help, lay out the red carpet for them!!!
By Henri
January 19, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
It is nice to hear that these guys want to help, and are so proud of their years at Tech. However Paul makes the point which one has to consider and that is NCAA regulations, also Paul has his style, but do thes guys share his philosophies on coaching? who knows?. There appearances at practise may help to inspire the guys,as well as offseason workout with them.
By ben
January 19, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
Dennis could start by helping Morrow work for his shot. Maybe that’s just the difference between having Kenny and a rookie at point. Dennis was always waiting there for the ball and BOOM for 3! Dennis didn’t care if he was covered. He was launching it anyway.
By Larry
January 20, 2008 5:40 AM | Link to this
As I recall, Dennis Scott quit college after his junior year and Kenny Anderson quit even earlier in hi sophomore year. At least Brian Oliver “just got his degree” now 17 years later.
How can these guys really help? Tell them to focus on the education aspect of their college careers and to realize that a round ball, braids, earrings and tattoos won’t buy you peanuts if in the NBA you can’t jump high enough or shoot the 3 pointer! Then on the other hand, you won’t find many engineering minds playing in the NBA, but your will find a bunch of uneducated, illiterate goons, sporting heavy duty earrings gazing into the stand for something to mate with and producing yet another fatherless offspring!
Can’t blame them though! They sure gets lots of dough from the double digit folks who attend the NBA games to support this carnival act!
By Brookwood1
January 20, 2008 5:52 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, you are correct that many college coaches in basketball invite former successful basketball players to mentor or offer advice to the current players. However, most coaches invite former b-ball players of teams that they coached, not ones that played for another coach. It’s just a matter of the coach/player relationship bond which would still exist, and the coach would know that the former player would impart his basketball philosophies not one contrary to his belief. Perhaps if the Lethal Weapon 3 would follow the recipe for Dutch Babies, they could win over Paul Hewitt with his stomach. Then, the script of the Lethal Weapon 3 would follow the scenario that Terrence Moore suggests.
By Crosby
January 20, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
I know that two of the three didn’t graduate from Tech but I’d love to see all three have their jersey’s retired at Tech. Or at least have a banner raised in their honor. If you don’t want to retire the number hang a banner that says Lethal Weapon 3. Any Tech fan that hears that name immediately thinks of a glorious season. I think Tech should embrace the idea of what a great recent tradition we have in basketball. I know Harpring was a great player for us but honestly who did more and who had the bigger impact on our program..Harpring or Lethal Weapon 3? I think a 17 year wait to be honored at Tech is long enough.
By destin
January 20, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
Hewitt said that because of NCAA rules the lethal three could not help in recruiting. I thought that alumni could, within certian parameters, encourage kids to attend their alma mater. In fact, I know of several ex-players that have influenced a high school kids’ decision. What are the rules in this regard?
By pete
January 20, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Hey Larry, I hope you read this,if you can read, when you get home from the clan meeting.Dennis,Kenny and Brian are outstanding people who happen to be highly skilled in basketball.Yes,they used this to their advantage,but who wouldn’t?. Brian Oliver is an outstanding student.Everybody who knew him in high school will tell you that he is a great person.Now take your racist attitude and crawl back under your rock.
By Ron
January 20, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
I think its great to see the basketball alum come back to the games. I am always surprised when I hardly see them at games. The greatest player ever at Tech not even mentioned in the article was Mark Price. With all the problems with point guard we have had over the past few years you think he might get a call. With Mark being the best all-time NBA free throw percentage leader, you might think he could help in this area as well. Just a thought.
By fred
January 20, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
We would doing the right thing to enlist the help of GT greats in promoting our culture/tradition/chemistry. But first, who in leadership,has the moxie to “ask” for help? If you know, please contact these “leaders” and voice your ideas.
THANKS!!!
By dog
January 20, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Larry, mybad you feel that way since your sat score was never high enough to go to collage anyway.Keep on what your doing Lethal Weapon 3,it will make a difference.
By Dadgum
January 20, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
NCAA rules….no coach or school representative may initiate contact with any potential recruit until July 1st preceding his senior year. This now includes text messaging. Recruits are allowed to initiate the contact however as many times as they want in an unofficial capacity (meaning the recruit pays for everything). A recruit is allowed 5 official school visits where expenses are paid.
A booster obviously is not allowed to pay for anything as a means to entice a recruit to attend a school when it can be construed that he is acting on behalf of that school. However, in the case of Lethal Weapon 3, they are allowed to speak with recruits on any visit and in addition are allowed to scout talent and mention those names to Hewitt.
By DecaturTechFan
January 20, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Hate to say it, but I agree with earlier blogger Larry. The thug culture has permeated college BBall and it seems that Hewitt is fostering it. That said, I still like the hustle of a few of the seniors, namley J. Smith. I like his play and hustle, despite limited height. I still would welcome Lethal W3 to come help anyway they can. Mainly because Hewitt’s list of cant’s ouweighs his cans. He can 1. Recruit the best of the one and done’s 2.Provide a roller coaster type season. He CANT 1. empahsize the importance of free-throws 2. Coach proper inbounding the ball. 3. coach set offensive plays. 4. Recruit a stable of four year role players. 5. win on the road. 6. Provide a stable winnning program of ACC caliber, MEAC, maybe. 7. Coach defense…even though he says it’s his specialty Did I miss anything?
By chucktown
January 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
hey larry, students come to college to get and education which will allow them to obtain a highly rewarding job and that reward is usually a high paying salary. seems that those three achieved that goal ahead of schedule.you won’t make what they made in 5 years inthe nba even if you work until your 65 yrs old and get to retire. but since your daily diet probably consist of squirrels, oppossums,raccons and whatever critters you can shoot or trap, that concept of going to school for money purposes means little to you. think before you write or speak. high school is a great achievement, but if your the educational pride of the family then your jethroism has just summarized your family. hope you went to an accredited high school so you can read this. p.s. tell john boy i said hello at your next high school reunion.
By yellowblood
January 20, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Lethal Weapon III!!! Those were the days. Victories, Championships and The Most Wonderful Tickle Piles in the History of The Institute.
By shane #1
January 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
any one that considers these guys”thugs”,is an idiot!one example of many,when jason williams,point guard for the heat,was kicked off the uf basketball team for smoking pot he had no where to go.he was from a working class wv family and was on the street in florida with no money.talk about a kid falling by the wayside.dennis scott was playing for the magic and took williams into his home.scott work with the kid on his game,taught him about life,then helped williams get some nba tryouts.williams has been an nba point guard and making a good living since.how easy would trouble with the law or drug addiction or both been for this kid to fall into?scott’s comment about the matter?”i saw he had too much talent to waste.”how many of you people would take a kid in off the street and turn his life around?btw,for all of you that keep bring up the subject of race,or”thugs”a thinly disguised reference to being a young black male,williams is white!all three of these guys played hard and were class acts in their pro careers,if you tech guys don’t want them they are welcome in athens!
By Greg
January 20, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
The trio of greats probably saw yesterday what we all saw: 1) a team that looked completely lost setting up plays (and no one moving without the ball); and 2) the predictable atrocious free-throw shooting. I don’t know where this all goes, but it isn’t pretty. I’m sorry to say I disagree with the polite Oliver: I have lost any confidence I had left in Paul Hewitt as an ACC coach.