[quote="Beast of the East" post=379626][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=379621][quote="redken" post=379589][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=379507][quote="Beast of the East" post=379504]I only saw him play once, in person. Post NBA life there was an unlimited CYO division, and he played in my parish gym. I don't know if he had substance problems, but that night he was ridiculously bad as if he was under the influence. Some crude guys in the stands started to mock him as a waste of NBA level talent. I was really angry at the time that they were so rude.[/quote]. I think it was known in the under the radar network that Sonny had issues with some substances . And , that it limited his NBA career as a result . Being possessed by the demons of drug or alcohol addiction is sometimes a one way path to self destruction . It’s a disease for sure and not easy to overcome for many . That fact notwithstanding, Sonny was a great Basketball Player and truly belongs among our Legends. Those who criticized him as you witnessed needed to walk in Sonny’s shoes before heaping such abuse . I’m sure it agonized him greatly to know how his BB career was short circuited .[/quote]
Word was that Sonny got off to a bad start with the Pistons when he started hanging with the troubled teammate Reggie Harding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Harding) and the Detroit native's homies, which seemingly led to Sonny's drug abuse problems. After two seasons and a total 52 minutes with the Pistons (3.1 ppg, .394%, 2 rpg -- including an awful .293% as a rookie), he was gone. He eventually signed with the ABA Nets and the change of scenery seemed to work: he averaged 14 ppg, & 7.5 rpg in his first two seasons, but suffered a career-ending broken leg in his third.[/quote]. I did not know the Reggie Harding , Sonny Dove relationship but , it reminds me of a Reggie Harding story , I think from Sports Illustrated back in the day . Reggie was over 7’ tall and huge plus highly regarded as a BB player . I think he might have jumped to the NBA right from HS . Anyway as mentioned , Reggie was definitely not hanging with the right crowd and eventually got into Criminal Activity , drugs , etc . One time , he and some buddies held up a local Liquor Store and wore masks . The Owner of the store , seeing this giant of a Man robbing his business asked him , “ Reggie is that you robbing me ?” Harding replies , “ No, it’s not me.” True story . Funny but , sad as well .[/quote]
I don't think the player was Reggie Harding. That was from the Pete Axthelm book, "The City Game" The player was 7 feet tall and perhaps his name was Tom something...[/quote]. Thanks Beast . Your reply prompted me to google Reggie Harding . It’s an even sorrier story than Sonny Dove . Reggie was apparently a bad guy from nearly birth . He was a serial Rapist , stick up man, drug user and pusher . He raped Florence Ballard of the Supremes , when she was still in high school , even though she knew him and trusted him to take her home after a school dance . He attacked her at knifepoint . I was able to find the Robbery story online and it was a gas station he robbed at Gun point and the attendant recognized him and asked him that question . Harding denied it was him during the robbery. Reggie was shot dead in the streets of Detroit by a guy he had just fought with , who returned and killed him . I am not familiar with the Pete Axthelm book you mentioned . Too bad , Sonny Dove got involved with Reggie . Not a good choice for Sonny obviously .
Word was that Sonny got off to a bad start with the Pistons when he started hanging with the troubled teammate Reggie Harding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Harding) and the Detroit native's homies, which seemingly led to Sonny's drug abuse problems. After two seasons and a total 52 minutes with the Pistons (3.1 ppg, .394%, 2 rpg -- including an awful .293% as a rookie), he was gone. He eventually signed with the ABA Nets and the change of scenery seemed to work: he averaged 14 ppg, & 7.5 rpg in his first two seasons, but suffered a career-ending broken leg in his third.[/quote]. I did not know the Reggie Harding , Sonny Dove relationship but , it reminds me of a Reggie Harding story , I think from Sports Illustrated back in the day . Reggie was over 7’ tall and huge plus highly regarded as a BB player . I think he might have jumped to the NBA right from HS . Anyway as mentioned , Reggie was definitely not hanging with the right crowd and eventually got into Criminal Activity , drugs , etc . One time , he and some buddies held up a local Liquor Store and wore masks . The Owner of the store , seeing this giant of a Man robbing his business asked him , “ Reggie is that you robbing me ?” Harding replies , “ No, it’s not me.” True story . Funny but , sad as well .[/quote]
I don't think the player was Reggie Harding. That was from the Pete Axthelm book, "The City Game" The player was 7 feet tall and perhaps his name was Tom something...[/quote]. Thanks Beast . Your reply prompted me to google Reggie Harding . It’s an even sorrier story than Sonny Dove . Reggie was apparently a bad guy from nearly birth . He was a serial Rapist , stick up man, drug user and pusher . He raped Florence Ballard of the Supremes , when she was still in high school , even though she knew him and trusted him to take her home after a school dance . He attacked her at knifepoint . I was able to find the Robbery story online and it was a gas station he robbed at Gun point and the attendant recognized him and asked him that question . Harding denied it was him during the robbery. Reggie was shot dead in the streets of Detroit by a guy he had just fought with , who returned and killed him . I am not familiar with the Pete Axthelm book you mentioned . Too bad , Sonny Dove got involved with Reggie . Not a good choice for Sonny obviously .
