Farewell Tex Winters

I am so so

o heard of the loss of longtime Basketball coach and former Bulls Asst.. coach Tex Winters. He was a very nice guy and as I have read all of the stories & attributes I, because of my longevity with the team have one of my own. When we went to our 1st NBA finals in 1991 against the L A Lakers I made the trip with the team to the L A Forum. Usually when the team goes out for the pre-game warm up the coaches usually stay behind and come out just before tip off. But sometimes one asst.coach will go out with the team. Tex was that coach. I wanted to go out with the team as well, but I was hesitant. After all this was the BIG TIME!!! The NBA FINALS! Everybody was going to be there and the security was heavy. Even though I had the proper credentials I didn't want to get stopped and embarassed or make a scene in front to the world. So I told Tex, "I'm walking out with you, Everybody knows you" So as not to look out of place I put my cameras in my pocket and together me and Tex walked across the floor towards the bench while the teams warmed up on the floor. Sure enough, everybody knows Tex As we pass the refs Hugh Evans was working that along with Dick Bevetta I believe. "Hey Tex!" and they exchange pleseantries. Even though I don't know them I had seen them around enough and they had seen me, I speak as well and they both nod. We walked to the team bench, no problem. I always said if I stick with Tex everything will be cool. I repeated this throughout the 1991 NBA finals, from the locker room, across the floor and to the bench without hassle, because I was with Tex Winter. This is how I was able to shoot this bench-side picture of the guys warming up... because I was with Tex