Question of the Week

Jeff, New Milford, NJ
Subj: Trade winds are blowing
Has the NBA’s leading scorer ever been traded during the season?

Absolutely, Jeff, but it’s only happened once. This rarest of all NBA transactions occurred for the first and last time on January 15, 1965 when Wilt Chamberlain was traded from the San Francisco Warriors to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Paul Neumann, forwards Connie Dierking and Lee Shaffer and $150,000 in cash. The trade was necessitated by San Francisco’s perilous financial woes and Wilt the Stilt went on to complete the season with averages of 34.7 points, 22.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Although he only finished fifth in MVP voting that season, The Big Dipper went onto win the award three times in the next three years.

Question of the Week

Robert, Fort Worth, TX
Subj: Missionary Impossible
Whatever happened to Shawn Bradley? It seems like he’s just disappeared.

You have a point, Robert. Given Bradley’s quiet demeanor, his picture is far more likely to appear on the back of a milk cartoon than on the front of a box of Wheaties. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, this former Dallas Maverick is currently working as a vice principal and counselor at Utah’s West Ridge Academy, a non-profit school that specializes in helping boys and girls with a variety of challenges. "Shawn has a great presence - due to his size - and has immediate credibility with the kids," says Ken Allen, the school’s executive director. "He is a great example of someone who has worked hard and been very successful.” Although “The Mormon Mantis” doesn’t have a teaching degree, his 12 years in the NBA have given him the perfect foundation for dealing with delinquents with ADHD, ADD and anger management issues.