RIP Caldwell Jones

[Drip]

Outstanding journey man center who played with his two brothers in the NBA. RIP
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/22/caldwell-jones-dies-at-64/

 

[Songbird]

Dunked on by Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNWT5wiRPDw

Dunked on by Walton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW3RCKZubko

Put into the popcorn machine by Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2uPJHhlyaU

Dunked on by Cummings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piLcH9opOvQ


That all said, "CJ" was one of the studs of the ABA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmEhz5Jb1MM

Couldn't find pics of his days in Kentucky or St. Louis. Otherwise ...

 

[Songbird]

This Spirits of St. Louis squad had some familiar names: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SSL/1976.html

 

[Songbird]

He was one of the guys I grew up watching. Here's a nice ode to him.

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/one-most-beloved-nba-players-ex-blazer-caldwell-jones-dead-64

I used to ask him about his great career, which began in the ABA and included a stint playing in San Diego for Coach Wllt Chamberlain. "I scored some points for a few games in a row there," he said. "Wllt took me aside and talked to me about it. He was serious. 'Don't be doing that so much,' Wilt said. 'People are going to start expecting you to do it.'"

 

[Drip]

He was one of the guys I grew up watching. Here's a nice ode to him.

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/one-most-beloved-nba-players-ex-blazer-caldwell-jones-dead-64

I used to ask him about his great career, which began in the ABA and included a stint playing in San Diego for Coach Wllt Chamberlain. "I scored some points for a few games in a row there," he said. "Wllt took me aside and talked to me about it. He was serious. 'Don't be doing that so much,' Wilt said. 'People are going to start expecting you to do it.'"

Damn good advice. Wilt knew that Caldwell wasn't that kind of player.

 

[Songbird]

Another nice tribute.

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2014/09/canzano_former_trail_blazer_ca.html

 

[Flip Wilson]

A few years ago, a lawyer in Little Rock bought a franchise in a really smalltime basketball league. It was announced before the season that Caldwell Jones was going to be one of the assistant coaches. I was on the stat crew of that team (until the paychecks started bouncing; no surprise), and Jones was on the bench for that first game. Never saw him again.

 

[Football_Bat]

I could rattle off all the Sixers in their heyday. RIP.

Throughout his career and after, Caldwell Jones established himself as quite the character. Chili dogs were his favorite breakfast, and though that’s no joke, he was always quick with humor.

So much for a chili dog diet for me.

 

[Liut]

RIP.

Anyone know when his family moved from the Arkansas Delta to Georgia? IIRC, a prison camp for Japanese-Americans during WWII was near where he was born.