From Ball to Faith: Andrew Lang’s Road to Chaplaincy

Andrew Lang’s unique transformation from a seasoned professional NBA player to a chaplain was an unexpected one. He was known as a skilled shotblocker, averaging 1.5 blocks per game during his 12 year NBA career. Lang played center for several teams, including the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks, before finishing his career with the New York Knicks. Lang’s end in the NBA brought him closer to his faith, leading him to pursue a new career as a chaplain.

Andrew Lang Basketball card for the Atlanta Hawks (Topps)

The Knicks acquired free agent Lang in an attempt to strengthen the team’s frontlines in the 1999-2000 season without injured center Patrick Ewing. This came as a shocking revelation to Knicks fans, as Lang previously collided with Ewing in 1997, causing Ewing to suffer a dislocated bone as well as several torn ligaments in the right wrist. By 1999, the Knicks looked to Lang to fill the gap Ewing left, who had sustained an achilles injury.

“We have added another legitimate low-post player to our roster with the signing of Andrew Lang,'' General Manager Scott Layden said to the New York Times in 1999. ''His presence solidifies our frontcourt for the start of the season.”

Nonetheless, after playing only 19 games, Lang retired after the season. He chose to completely change professions and play a deeper part in Christianity as an evangelist. It was following a service that took place before a basketball game in which Lang found his true passion for chaplaincy.

“As a player, I always attended chapel services. Then, after I obtained my ministerial license, I was invited to speak at a chapel before a game. I began to really enjoy doing it because it kept me close to the game, which I really love,” Lang said in an interview with the Atlanta Hawks in 2005.

The Hawks offered Lang a position as team chaplain in 2003. Through his work, he was able to maintain a strong connection to basketball, but in a different form. Lang related to the players’ struggles by helping them feel more comfortable with sharing their own experiences. Lang’s own encounters also allowed him to better guide and encourage current players.

As a chaplain, Lang now holds chapel service before every home game. Players are given the opportunity to pray and talk about problems. Since the NBA is such a serious business, players can put their trust in people like Lang for guidance. Through his job, Lang is able to provide counsel for those struggling to cope with being in such public positions, helping many to stay positive both mentally and physically.

The Celtics succeeding without Rondo

Rajon Rondo - Mark Runyon / Flickr

On January 27, 2013, the Boston Celtics announced that their star player Rajon Rondo would be out for the rest of the season because of an injury he sustained during their game aaingst the Atlanta Hawks two days earlier. After Rondo’s absence the team was able to go on a seven game winning streak. The players came together and were able to develop both their defense and offense in order to produce a team that is a contender in the race to playoffs.

Without Rondo, members of the Boston Celtics had to step up and work harder in order to fill his spot. Paul Pierce, Avery Bradley and Jeff Green are a few of the players who have improved to compensate for Rondo’s absence. “It’s giving guys an opportunity to step up, being able to elevate their play, and it’s showing,” said Paul Pierce to the Boston Globe.   

The Celtics focused on coming together and developing a game plan that did not include Rondo. “You have all those injuries, you usually go the other way. I just think our guys kind of came together and realized we don’t have a margin of error anymore,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers to the Boston Globe.

The team worked on their skills and together they were able to developed good plays. The Celtics had a few days in between games, which allowed them to have more time to practice. As a result, the Boston Celtics won games against many strong teams.

Even though many people called the season over for the Celtics, they are still going strong, holding a 13-6 record without Rondo. The team has continuously worked on their skills and they have even allowed players who aren’t starters to play during most games. They will need to continue to progress without Rondo to ensure the team a spot in the playoffs. 

Contributed by Anya Batista

Little Man in a Big Man's Game

Spud Webb against Manute Bol / Vedia - Flickr

Spud Webb, former Atlanta Hawks' player, was the most unexpected NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner in the history of the NBA. With a 42 inch leap, he managed to beat his team mate Dominique Wilkins in the 1986 contest in Dallas Texas with two perfect 50-point scores in the final round. "I brought back dunks I haven't used since high school," said Webb in a Dallas News interview. His arsenal of dunks included elevator two-handed double pump dunk, the one-handed off the backboard one-handed jam, a 360-degree helicopter one-handed dunk, a 180-degree reverse double-pump slam, and finally, the 180-degree reverse two-handed strawberry jam with a bounce off of the floor. Webb's small hands and inability to palm the ball did not hinder his performance. It just made him work harder, adding alley-oops or a bounce to each dunk. Winning the Slam Dunk contest was the crowning achievement of his 12 year career.

Webb is currently the third shortest person to ever compete in the NBA, behind Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues and Earl Boykins, and the shortest to ever play in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He later trained New York Knicks 5'9" point guard, Nate Robinson, who eventually won three Slam Dunk Contests. Webb also was a judge for the 2010 Dunk contest in Dallas. It was the first time the event has been in Dallas since his win in 1986. Webb enjoyed his stardom of being and coaching a small man in a big man's game.

Looking back on The Human Highlight Film's great dunking

Two days before the 2011 Slam Dunk Competition , we look back 26 years ago when “The Human Highlight Film” Dominique Wilkins won his first of two slam dunk titles . He achieved this feat by beating Michael Jordan after three rounds. Five years later he defeated Kenny Smith in the final becoming the second two-time winner of the Slam Dunk Competition. The first title was won in Indianapolis where he displayed his impressive 42” vertical leap. He easily won the first round with two 49 point dunks. In the semi-final, Wilkins and Jordan placed 1st an 2nd and made into the finals . Wilkins ultimately won the final with his signature dunk, the two-handed windmill. This created a dunk competition rivalry between Wilkins and Jordan.

In 1990, Wilkins returned for his fifth try at the competition. This time he dueled with guard Kenny Smith. Wilkins defeated him by less than 2 points.

Wilkins' career was all about consistency and his ability to hold up the team even though he was not surrounded by great players. His career stats are worthy of one of the NBA’s greats. In 2006, he was inducted in the Hall of Fame establishing him as one of basketball's legends.