The famed Portsmouth Invitational Tourney currently on tap this week is now taking up most of the time of NBA general managers, directors of player personnel and assorted scouts, both domestic and international.

It seems like only yesterday that we first visited the pleasant little community of Portsmouth – just a stone’s throw from Norfolk, across the Elizabeth River. At one point you could hop a ferry from a landing in Portsmouth that would deposit you in Norfolk in 10 minutes for the pricey sum of five cents. Inflation drove the bargain up to a quarter until today when you can take the same short trip for only 75 cents.

My love affair with the PIT began in 1972 when I received a call from Bob Ferry, who was the general manager of the Washington Bullets. I had drafted Bob in the first round of the 1959 college draft when I was the GM of the St. Louis Hawks and we have become close friends over the years. He said he had heard of a tourney “somewhere in the Tidewater area” and informed me that Kevin Porter – a fine prospect for the upcoming draft – was going to play there. Porter played college ball at St. Francis of PA, located in Latrobe. They had two seasons – summer and winter – and the cold weather started in September. Therefore, few NBA scouts knew of his court prowess.

We eventually found our way to Wilson High School in Portsmouth, and after spending three days there, were very impressed with not only the level of play but the caliber of the players that had been invited to participate. We started to spread the word and the following year a number of other scouts from both the American Basketball Association (who had the Virginia Squires on board) and the NBA joined up.

Bob Bass, who last year retired after 57 years in college and basketball would usually be the point man for the assembled group who were all confined at the Admirality Hotel on Military High School. Then the top executives from both leagues hopped on the wagon, impressed by the continued appearance of among other names, Arnold “Red” Auerbach.

“I would not miss it for the world,” Red often said.

He also spoke at one of the Friday celebrity luncheons which are a staple of the week-long PIT celebration. The luncheon has hosted a number of famous cage folk: Auerbach of course; Hall of Famers Jerry Colangelo, Kevin McHale, Jerry West and Dave Cowens; other luminaries like NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson; and team executives like former All-Americans Mitch Kupchak, Pete Babcock, Wally Walker and Wayne Emery to name a few.

Some of the relatively unknown players to start their climb to eventual NBA stardom include John Stockton (Gonzaga); Scottie Pippen (Central Arkansas); Earl “The Pearl” Monroe (Winston-Salem State); Avery Johnson (Southern University), who won NBA Coach of the Year honors while guiding the Dallas Mavericks last year; Ben Wallace (Virginia Union), a four-time NBA All-Star; and Jeff Foster (Southwest Texas State).

For the players it is a wonderful chance to exhibit their wares. Former PIT players dot the rosters of international league teams in virtually every continent of the world and some, like Mike D’Antoni, become legends. Mike played and coached in the Italy A League for many years and won titles with Benetton Treviso en route to his current stint as head man of the Phoenix Suns. And hundreds of former PITers are now in college coaching, head men like Al Skinner (Boston College), Mike Davis (UAB), Jim Les (Bradley), Oliver Purnell (Clemson), Jeff Lebo (Auburn), Wayne Embry (Montana), Sean Miller (Xavier), Sidney Lowe (NC State) and Andy Kennedy (Ole Miss). At least 95 former PIT players are either current or past head honchos or assistants of NBA teams.

The D-League provides a stepping stone to the Big Dance. Last year 11 players made it to the NBA from Portsmouth, some of whom were not even drafted. This year’s lineup appears to be the best in some time. The four-day tourney is the best buy in basketball. Where else can you possibly see 11 exciting games for a little more than two dollars per game?

This is my 35th year and I will be making my fourth appearance as the featured speaker. As I get older, I am getting a little more serious in my approach to speeches. But the jokes will be the same – although older. I’m going to give it five more years.

To all the wonderful folks in Portsmouth who both support and stage the tournament every year, my heartfelt thanks. You all are my friends for life.

But you ain’t seen nothing yet.