Although I had met Stu Inman before, my first real conversation with him was in a Buffalo, N.Y. hotel room during the 1976 NBA playoffs. The Braves (now the L.A. Clippers) team that I coached had just beaten the Boston Celtics to even the second-round series at 2-2.
Stu knew that my contract with the Braves was up after the current season and he had contacted me to discuss the possibility of coaching the Portland Trail Blazers, where he was general manager.
We talked about the game just played, a high-scoring, down-to-the-wire finish, and a huge win for the Braves. Then we talked about the Blazers, who had come into the league at the same time as Buffalo (1970), but had never made the playoffs. Bill Walton was the team's key player, and Lionel Hollins and Bob Gross had just finished promising rookie seasons. Lloyd Neal and Larry Steele were capable veterans. The rest of the squad was, by my estimation, made up of marginal NBA players.
Stu seemed surprised by my appraisal of his team, but listened intently and took notes about our conversation. He came across as a sincere, look-you-in-the-eye person, knowledgeable and dedicated to his job, and one who would be easy to work with. I left the meeting with a good feeling about him and the job prospect.
I did get the job, Inman was able to acquire seven new players (Maurice Lucas, Johnny Davis, Dave Twardzik, Wally Walker, Herm Gilliam, Corky Calhoun and Robin Jones) in a masterful bit of maneuvering, and the Blazers won the NBA championship that season.
It was at training camp that I got to know Stu well. At the end of each day he, my assistant Jack McKinney and I went to dinner and discussed the team's progress. We analyzed each player his strengths, weaknesses and how he fit into the game plan. Those dinners lasted sometimes until midnight, but they were very meaningful and enjoyable. Stu was old-school. He loved fundamental basketball intensity and obedience were characteristics he mentioned frequently.
Stu also had a sentimental side that showed through. It was hard for him to tell players who had been with the Blazers for a few years that they were cut. He would approach a player, put an arm around his shoulders, walk him apart from the others, and then deliver the bad news. The players soon learned that that routine meant the ax was about to fall.
But Stu loved that team. He attended most games, home or away, but always at the periphery never in the spotlight, and never taking proper credit for the team he assembled. The players called Stu "The Shadow." And he was always there for me, especially after tough losses, to listen with a sympathetic ear. Other than McKinney, I spent more time talking basketball with Stu Inman than anyone.
The game of basketball is better for having the input of Stu Inman. He's probably looking down on some game right now, discussing a strategy with Dr. James Naismith.
Dr. Jack Ramsay, an NBA analyst for ESPN, coached the Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. Click here to send a question for Dr. Jack for possible use on ESPNEWS.