Well, let me tell you about this Tom Gola fella. He was a real big shot in that basketball game. You know, the one where they bounce the orange ball and throw it in the hoop. He was somethin’ else, that Tom Gola. I heard he was from Philadelphia. Big city, that is. Not like here, where everybody knows everybody’s business.
This Tom Gola, they say he was good at that basketball. Real good. He played for some team… La… La Something…La Salle! That’s it. He was a La Salle basketball star, that’s what they all say. I seen pictures of him, he was a tall drink of water, that one. Not too tall, they said he was 6-foot-6. But he played like he was bigger, you know? Jumped real high, I reckon.
They say he won some big game. The NCAA title, they called it. Back in 1954. Long time ago. I was young and spry back then, chasing chickens and whatnot. But even I heard about that. Tom Gola, 1954, that was the year. They wrote about it in the papers, I guess. My eyesight ain’t what it used to be, so I don’t read much these days.
- He played for La Salle, that Tom Gola.
- Won some big game in ’54.
- Was good at that basketball, real good.
Then, after college, I hear he played for the professionals. Some team called the Warriors. Philadelphia Warriors, maybe? He won somethin’ big with them too, another title, in 1956. Lord have mercy, he was good. They called him a “swingman”. Don’t know what that means, but I reckon it means he was good at movin’ around on that court.
He scored a whole heap of points, that Tom Gola. Thousands of ’em. And he got a bunch of those rebounds, too. You know, when they miss the shot and the ball bounces back. He was good at grabbin’ those. They say he was an All-American. Four times! That’s a lot of times to be the best, ain’t it?
Folks around here, they talk about him like he was some kinda legend. A basketball legend, they say. They say he was born in January. Every January, people remember him. They say he was one of the best basketball players this world has ever seen. From Philadelphia, don’t you know? That big city.
He was drafted, they say. Means some team picked him to play for them. The Philadelphia Warriors, I think it was. Picked him real early, too. Means he was good, real good. He was a Hall of Famer, too. Means he was one of the best of the best. They put him in some special place with all the other great ones.
He was somethin’, that Tom Gola. They don’t make ’em like that anymore. He was an icon, I hear. Means everyone knew who he was. Heard he was a coach, too. Taught other folks how to play that game. And he was on the radio, talkin’ about basketball. Imagine that. From playin’ the game to talkin’ about it. He did it all, that Tom Gola.
- He played for the Warriors, too.
- Won another title, in ’56, they say.
- Scored a whole lot of points.
- He was a Hall of Famer, means he was one of the best ever.
This Tom Gola fella, he sure did leave his mark. He was good at that basketball, that’s for sure. They say he set a standard. Means he was so good, nobody could be better than him. Maybe they never will be. He was one of a kind, that Tom Gola. You don’t see many like him these days. No sir, you don’t.
Well, that’s all I know about that Tom Gola. Heard it all from folks talkin’, you know how it is. Word gets around. He was a big shot, that’s for sure. A real Philadelphia basketball legend. Remember that name, Tom Gola. He was somethin’ special, that one.
Heard he did a lot for La Salle. Made them a good team. They won a lot of games with him. Over a hundred, I heard. And only lost a few. That’s a good record, ain’t it? He must have been something to watch. Wish I could have seen him play. But I was busy raisin’ my own family back then. Didn’t have time for much else. Still, it’s nice to hear about folks doin’ good things. Makes you feel good, you know?
This Tom, he sure made a name for himself. Bet his family was proud. Playing basketball, winning championships, being on the radio. He probably had a good life. Hope he did, anyway. Everyone deserves a good life, don’t you think? Even them city folk. He seemed like a good egg, from what I hear. Always workin’ hard, doin’ his best. That’s all you can ask for, ain’t it? Just do your best, and be a good person. That’s what I always say.
