Just a few more words here about how much greater than the simple and insignificant fan levels that dominate college basketball are the universal moments that involve those of us who simply understand The University of North Carolina. Sunday, February 22, at the Dean E. Smith Center, there was a tribute service for the public. … Continue reading
Damn it! I wish like hell that I could hum and whistle like she did during such despicable times. As if all was right with the world. All I wanted to do tonight was to write. But in between words and sentences and paragraphs, I did my best to wash dishes. I know what you … Continue reading
FROM MARCH 4, 2014 Jane Slotin pegged it best. It was a very simple and accurate explanation of how things are. She was my first female friend after I enrolled at the University of North Carolina in 1972. We met the day before Thanksgiving that year at the Raleigh Amtrak station. She was on her … Continue reading
SPECIAL “BEAT DOOK” EDITION OF THE LUNAR REPORT. FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2009 It seems I have had a request on Facebook from a friend of mine, Robin, to post a special “Beat Dook Lunar Report.” I feel like a disc jockey! (I was going to say, “face jockey,” but that’s just not right.) So – … Continue reading
Within just two hours after the announcement that Dean Smith had passed away, I received more messages than I did the day my mom died. That just proves what I have believed most of my life. The relationships that man built with just ordinary fans like me go much deeper than wins and losses. He … Continue reading
FROM JULY 26, 2010 Mike Krzyzewski couldn’t do it. Bob Knight couldn’t do it. Neither could Adolph Rupp. Okay, maybe John Wooden could. But I definitely did. I made Dean Smith, a Basketball Hall of Fame coach panic. Dean Smith coached his University of North Carolina basketball team many times against Coach Krzyzewski’s Duke team … Continue reading
Look, I am getting so tired of relying on my son, his wife and their children for Lunar fodder. I really am. There is more to life than the simple rehashing of family moments. No matter how dear they are to me. Make me stop all of this. Help me, y’all! This repetitiveness is killing … Continue reading
Garth. He was the most unbelievable eight-year-old basketball player I have ever known. Recently, I have been able to watch my seven-year-old grandson play youth ball. With every move that kid makes, with every shot he takes, with every incredible decision that kid makes on the court, I say to myself the same thing. “Damn. … Continue reading
FROM APRIL 17, 2014 I have seen the look. So damned many times. It had been a while, though. The kids I hang out with these days don’t need me to encourage such things so much. Their parents and family make sure of that. But the dad of my current bunch of young-ins, my son, … Continue reading
FROM NOVEMBER 5, 2012 The kid qualified. He defined the “troubled youth” label he carried with him through some youthful years. He tried to understand things and sometimes he did. When he followed what was deep in his heart, he understood like no young teen I have ever known. He knew how to make me … Continue reading
