Obituary for ex-imports

Of the 33 National Basketball Association (NBA) first round draft picks to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as imports, two died violently.

The first was Anthony Roberts who suited up for Gilbey’s Gin in the 1983 Open Conference. Roberts was shot in the back and killed outside his apartment in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shortly after midnight on March 29, 1997. A newspaper report said Roberts was gunned down during an argument with two men. Roberts, the Denver Nuggets first round pick in 1977, was 42.

Not too many local fans remember Roberts because he played only two games here before being replaced by Lew Massey as Jacky Dorsey’s partner. He averaged 32.5 points and 15.5 rebounds in two outings but the Gins lost both games.

From the PBA, Roberts jumped back to the NBA and saw action in 19 games for the Nuggets in the 1983-84 season. It was his last of five campaigns in the majors. He had previously suited up for the Nuggets and Washington Bullets (now Wizards).

During his NBA career, Roberts was hounded by drug problems. He confessed to an addiction to cocaine and alcohol but overcame the habit. Roberts cleaned up his act at a substance abuse center in Chattanooga and later spoke in youth seminars to campaign against drug use. He also attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to share his experiences and talk about how his addiction hurt his athletic career.

The second was George Trapp who was stabbed in the stomach and died at Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit last Monday. Trapp, 53, was the Atlanta Hawks first round pick in 1971 and played four games for U-Tex in 1979.

Trapp and his roommate, both drunk, went after each other in the heat of an argument. Trapp struck his roommate with an ashtray then was knifed. He underwent surgery and died 10 days later from complications. Trapp had developed pneumonia and hupoxia, a lack of oxygen in the brain, after the operation.

Trapp showed up with a pouting belly here and was badly out of shape. U-Tex coach Tommy Manotoc kept Trapp for four games before giving up on the former Detroit Piston. Trapp’s older brother John Q., also an NBA veteran, played for Tanduay in 1975. The Trapps are the only brothers to play in the PBA as imports.

Sta. Lucia Realty import Johnny Taylor will be the 34th NBA first round draft choice to play in the PBA.

Another first rounder David Vaughn would’ve played here this season but Barangay Ginebra coach Allan Caidic sent him packing last Wednesday after playing listlessly at practice.

In 1996, Terry Catledge - the Philadelphia 76ers first round pick in 1975 - arrived here to suit up for Shell but left without playing a single game. Catledge, like Trapp, was overweight and no condition to play when he came.

Among the prominent NBA first round picks to play in the PBA were the Boston Celtics’ Glenn McDonald (U-Tex, 1978-79-80, Manhattan, 1983), the Utah Jazz’ James Hardy (Crispa, 1981), the New York Knicks’ Larry Demic (Crispa, 1983), the Houston Rockets’ Rob Williams (Tanduay, 1986), the Phoenix Suns’ David Thirdkill (Tanduay, 1987, Purefoods, 1988), the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mike McGee (Sta. Lucia Realty, 1993), the Chicago Bulls’ Dennis Hopson (Purefoods, 1996), and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ John Morton (Shell, 1999, 2000).

Several ex-imports have died over the years. Danny Knight (U-Tex, 1976) fell down a flight of stairs and died of head injuries in Tustin, California, in 1977. Bruce (Sky) King (Toyota, 1977-80) suffered a fatal heart attack while working out in his home gym in Dayton, Ohio, in 1986 - he was 30. Jim Bradley (Gilbey’s Gin, 1980) was shot dead in Portland in 1982. And Carlos Terry (Toyota, 1978) was killed in a car accident in Washington, D, in 1989.

Postscript. The Mixed Emotions Band, an exponent of ’60s music, performs tomorrow night at Kiko’s Bar and Restaurant, 2nd floor, Villa Building, Makati Avenue corner Jupiter Street. The revival group will play the hits of the Beatles, Dave Clark 5, the Temptations, and the Young Rascals, among others. The band was formed in 1966 when the original members were still college students. After a long rest, the Mixed Emotions regrouped 15 years ago and has since performed in 5-star hotels and rock havens. Boxing judge Vic Rodriguez heads the group on drums. Buddy Rivera is on lead guitar, Louie Simbulan on keyboards, Elmer Maribao on bass, Totie Gonzaga on sax, and on vocals are Efren Quiambao, George Reyes and Gina Martinez. Don’t miss the Mixed Emotions ... Last Friday, the National Sports Grill celebrated its first anniversary at the Greenbelt Mall in Makati with PBA stars John Arigo, Ali Peek, Don Allado and Alvin Patrimonio, among others, acting as celebrity waiters. Tips went to Vince Hizon’s foundation for education and streetchildren. Vince and equestrienne Toni Leviste hosted the anniversary party. The Grill’s Tony Atayde says on Feb. 13, the popular eatery will showcase retro groups Rubberband and the Spirit of ’67 in a Valentine’s bash. The rival bands will alternate on stage. In case you didn’t know, Rubberband is from La Salle while the Spirit of ’67 is from the Ateneo. The Grill owner Sammy Zamora is an Atenean and Tony, who drumbeats for the Grill, is a La Sallian ... Former Vintage TV talents and producers will be toasting to the good, old days at a grand reunion organized by Bobong Velez at Bistro 110 on Carlos Palanca Street, Legazpi Village, Makati, on Thursday night, Jan. 31. The star-studded party will gather the country’s top sportscasters.