THE ONION EATER
Sir:
Thank you for your article on Rick Barry (A Splendid Warrior Who Knows His Onions, May 9). Not only is he the best passing forward in the NBA, but he is also the most complete forward ever to play the game. His so-called "antics" on the court with referees and opposing players can be justified because he is a true superstar striving for a win—and Rick Barry would do anything within his power to win. This is why I truly admire him. Neither the Warriors nor basketball will be the same when he retires.
CHRISTOPHER JEREBKO
Lancaster, N.Y.
Sir:
Rick Barry is not only the finest passing forward ever to play the game, but he is also the finest overall player. I was one of those who used to believe scoring points was everything. Following Rick Barry, I've learned "to play the game from a total concept." If anyone has influenced my play and made me a better player, it is Rick Barry.
About the off-court Barry: when he was playing for the New York Nets, in 1971-72, I met him for just a moment after a Nets-Virginia Squires game but I'll never forget it. He took the time not only to shake my hand but also to talk to me. It means something when your favorite player does that and appears to enjoy doing it. Rick Barry is a splendid person just as he is a splendid player.
BOBBY STALLINGS
Smithfield, Va.
Sir:
Ron Fimrite must be crazy stating that Rick Barry is the best passing forward in the NBA. He's one of the most selfish players ever to set foot on the court.
DAVID JOHN ZIMMER III
Erie, Pa.
Sir:
If Barry were the best passing forward ever in the NBA, the Warriors would still be in the playoffs. Since he isn't, and they aren't, Barry should have all the time he needs to perfect slicing onions.
C. S. WOLFE
Ithaca, N.Y.
Sir:
I have been a basketball fan for years and Barry is clearly the best forward in pro basketball. He can do it all—pass, steal, shoot, defense—just about everything but sell popcorn at halftime. I think he deserved the Most Valuable Player award the last three years. I just don't understand why all the talk is about Julius Erving and George McGinnis when Barry is the best, bar none.
TOM JAMISON
Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Sir:
All I hope is that he doesn't retire, at least not for a couple of more seasons.
NEIL BERGGREN
Synder, Okla.
LUCAS VS. BIG E
Sir:
I don't know what statistics Curry Kirkpatrick was using when he said that Maurice Lucas "had the best year of any power forward in the NBA" (Couple of Babes in the Woods, May 9). But it certainly wasn't any of the following, all of which argue that Elvin Hayes of the Washington Bullets, who had the best all-round year of his career, clearly outranked him. Hayes, the NBA's iron man this year as he led the league with 3,364 minutes played, had a higher scoring average than Lucas (23.7 to 20.2), a higher rebounding average (12.5 to 11.4), a higher field-goal percentage (.501 to .466) and a decided advantage in blocked shots (220 to 56). Rating the two players in these key categories, I think it is fair to say that although Lucas had an excellent year, Hayes had an even better one.
STEPHEN J. LIDD
Chicago
UNDER THREE FLAGS
Sir:
Is Reggie Jackson the first-ever major-leaguer to make SI's cover three years in a row in three different uniforms: Oakland A's (1975), Baltimore Orioles (1976) and as a New York Yankee (1977)?
RICHARD S. HUENNEKENS
Riverside, Calif.
?Yes.—ED.
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