Carlesimo, Paxson pull for Phelps
Former Notre Dame coach dealing with bladder cancer
Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo usually has plenty to say. But when reminded of an embarrassing moment from his college playing days, Carlesimo tried to plead the fifth.
As his former coach Digger Phelps recalled, Carlesimo was his “12th man” at Fordham during the 1970-71 season when teammates dared him to do something outrageous. Phelps said a group of players bet Carlesimo he wouldn’t sit on the bench with just a jockstrap under his warm-ups.
Carlesimo followed through on the challenge and collected $55. Problem was Phelps ordered him to check into the game during a blowout. With no shorts underneath, Carlesimo refused.
“Allegedly that happened,” Carlesimo said with a laugh. “I had my warm-ups on but allegedly (no shorts). I’m not giving any credence to what you’re saying.”
Despite that moment of rebellion, Carlesimo has the utmost respect for his old coach. That’s why his thoughts go out to his mentor as the 71-year-old Phelps, the longtime coach at Notre Dame and current ESPN college basketball analyst, continues his battle with bladder cancer.
Phelps was diagnosed April 12 and had surgery April 18, although word of his condition became public just a week ago. He previously had surgery for prostate cancer in 2010.
Carlesimo initially found out about Phelps’ condition the morning before the Nets’ 142-134 triple-overtime loss to the Bulls in Game 4.
“It’s always concerning when it’s someone ... I can’t even tell you how long I’ve known him,” Carlesimo said of Phelps. “I met him in the early 1960s when he was the high school coach at Hazelton (Pa.) St. Gabriel’s. He’s a close friend, a close friend of our family. It’s very concerning, and he definitely has been in my prayers.”
Carlesimo isn’t the only person involved in the BullsNets series monitoring Phelps’ health. Bulls executive John Paxson played for Phelps at Notre Dame.
“I tried to call him right after I heard it,” Paxson said. “Everything that I’ve heard is that it’s early detection. Hopefully it will go well.
“He’s a character in a lot of ways, but he always has been good for the game. He always has brought a colorful perspective to it. All of us who know him hope for nothing but good things for him.”
Paxson said Phelps was the one responsible for teaching him how to embrace the big moment. It’s no wonder Paxson never flinched when he knocked down the 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals, sealing a series triumph over the Suns and securing the Bulls’ third straight NBA title.
Carlesimo couldn’t pinpoint just one aspect of the game he picked up from Phelps.
“I learned a ton,” Carlesimo said. “He was always an excellent coach. I knew him at high school, when he was an assistant at Penn, the one year at Fordham, and all the years I coached against him when he was at Notre Dame. He’s someone I would always listen to.”