The Jewish Broadcaster Who Covered Moses
by Jacob Kamaras / JNS.org
JNS.org – Basketball legend Moses Malone, who was laid to rest in Houston on Saturday, wasn’t Jewish but had a name that any Jewish (or Bible savvy) hoops fan would appreciate. Another “Jewish” connection to one of the most prolific rebounders in NBA history is the Jewish broadcaster who covered him—Houston radio icon Barry Warner.
While Charles Barkley’s “pizza eulogy” at Malone’s funeral is getting most of the media attention, Warner’s tribute to the “Chairman of the Boards” for the J-Vibe.com website is also worth a look.
The most poignant Moses Malone anecdote in Warner’s piece? He writes:
“There is one story that Moses Malone loved to tell. Moses never did drugs and lived a very straight life. One night after a road game in Phoenix, I took him and his best friend Major Jones out to a club. We were driving to the club, and I pulled out a joint, took a hit and passed it to Moses. He calmly rolled down the window and told me to pull over to the side of the road. Then he sternly looked at me and asked me to give him whatever I had in my pocket. Two joints, one roach clip and a lighter were handed over, which he threw out the window.”
Like the Biblical Moses, it’s clear that the NBA Moses, too, had a strong moral compass.
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