superstringer

January 9th, 2015 at 10:06 PM ^

A buddy adn I went to Thano's for dinner one night, and Frieder was sitting at a table by himself for about an hour, eating dinner, lost in thought.  Talked to no one but the waitress, everyone left him alone  "Good luck next game, Coach," we waived as he left, and he kinda nodded at us.

Freider was one weird dude.  Kinda in a good way, I guess, just... strange human being.  Everyone's heard the "Bo Derek" story about him, right?  It's said he went to scout some HS player, and another coach or scout and he were talking about some HS kid, and the other guy said, "If Bo Derek is a 10, he's an 11." And Freider goes, "Who does Bo Derek play for?"  (I guess it's only funny if you know who Bo Derek was.  You kids, go google-image "Bo Derek 10.")  Plus the stories of how Freider was a card-counter, had been banned from Vegas.  Don't know if that was true but that was always the rumor.

Good times, good times.

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18312

Zoltanrules

January 9th, 2015 at 10:45 PM ^

Freider known for his high stakes card games at Washtenaw CC and not being allowed in casinos due to his cards counting abilities.

As for Thanos I knew one of the basketball managers who also worked at Thanos. He and his Greek partners I think now own the Brown Jug amongst other restaurants. Pelekoudas, Antonides, an Pelinka were the Greek UM connection...

Joined: 08/23/2009

MGoPoints: 21627

JohnnyHolliday…

January 10th, 2015 at 11:52 PM ^

And their primary spot, as has been well noted in this thread. That was not some kind of shenanigans going on that they weren't paying. It was billed to the AD or whomever.

One Sunday night in 84 or 85 when I was in high school at Pioneer I was there with my family. Frieder and most of the team were there. When Roy was on his way out he walked right past me. It made quite an impression. He was certainly a rockstar around Ann Arbor in those days.

As a Maryland alum from the days right after the Len Bias era I always felt that even though Roy didn't reach his full potential, at least he did have some NBA success. He did live his dream for a time. Those were such risky days for star players his age. (Roy was just one year younger then Len and went just a few picks later in that draft.)  Coke was so dimly understood as they were coming up.

By the time the general social awareness around it was becoming somewhat more intelligent a lot of guys just had too complex a relationship established with the candy.

For anyone who hasn't seen the piece today by Terry Foster, it is certainly worthwhile. I was not aware of the central role Mark Aguirre played in Roy having that relatively stable and successful period early in his career.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/01/10/aguirre-…

 

 

 

 

Joined: 12/31/2014

MGoPoints: 47

M-Dog

January 9th, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^

"If Roy had stayed healthy, he could have been one of the top 50 players ever
 
Of this, I have no doubt. 
 
            Peace.

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

Gunga Galunga

January 9th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^

Remember seeing him in 86 when they came to play Illinois. I was 13 and remember looking up at him in awe. Frieder was a nice guy and sent us an autographed program by every player on that team. Glen Rice was a freshman on that team, but Gary Grant was def my favorite.

Joined: 08/31/2013

MGoPoints: -22

superstringer

January 9th, 2015 at 10:09 PM ^

I was a sophomore.  We were defending B1G champs, and 13-4, playing IU who was also 13-4, last game of the season.  At home.  We were ranked in top 4 or 5, maybe higher.  One game for B1G championship and the autobid.  (Long before the B1G tourney.)  Place was electric.  We got to arena 45 minutes early, and just about everyone else did.  You could cut the energy with a knife, before the game began.  With 30 seconds before air, the announcer said, CBS would be cutting in its broadcast in 30 seconds.  And the place just EXPLODED with noise, Brent and Dickie V couldn't hear themselves talk for the pregame, we were screaming so much.

And it was a rout.  We won by 30.  "Dallas, Dallas," we were all chanting as the game ended (site of the Final Four that year).

We rushed the court after the blowout.  I know one player - Steve Stoyko - he lived in West Quad the prior season.  But on the court, in the mash of students after the game, I touched only one player.  ROY.  Gave him a high five. OK, I'm 5 foot 8, it was high to me, probably about mid-chest for him.  But he had a smile on his face ear to ear.

And right now, my tears and frown are just as grand.

Take care, Roy.

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18312

Gunga Galunga

January 9th, 2015 at 10:34 PM ^

It is a sad day. I remember that team with great fondness. It was the first team that I really remember rooting for. During that Indiana game, I remember the announcer saying that it was the first time that he had seen a 5 on 0 fast break. I would love to see that game played again on BTN.

Joined: 08/31/2013

MGoPoints: -22

mgoblue0970

January 10th, 2015 at 12:34 AM ^

What the fuck is in the water at the Freep? Every time I *may* get tempted to click my first Freep link since 2007, something like this happens and reaffirms my decision to not give those cocksuckers even 1 fucking click.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 18648

Bosch

January 10th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^

Sad to hear.  he last played "professionally" in 2005 for the Michigan Mayhem out of Muskegon.  I went to a couple of games that season just to watch him play.... he was well past his prime and wasn't a huge contributor but it was great just for the nostalgia factor.  The 80's   were  what shaped me into a Michigan fan.

Joined: 04/03/2009

MGoPoints: 8198

pryoo

January 10th, 2015 at 6:31 PM ^

I remember Tarpley as one of the most talented PF's in the game. He had power, grace, agility - really nothing he couldn't do on the court. 

Love those throwback jerseys today, and seeing that old picture of Roy makes me remember how I dreamed of owning those Maize and Blue Nike hightops the team wore back in the day. 

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 1327