Tisdale was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma in the mid-1980s before playing a dozen years in the NBA and later becoming an accomplished jazz musician. But those who knew Tisdale, who died Friday at a hospital in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla., recalled not only his professional gifts but a perpetually sunny outlook, even in the face of a two-year battle with cancer that took his life at 44.
"I don't know of any athlete at Oklahoma or any place else who was more loved by the fans who knew him than Wayman Tisdale," said Billy Tubbs, who coached Tisdale with the Sooners. "He was obviously, a great, great player, but Wayman as a person overshadowed that. He just lit up a room and was so positive."
After three years at Oklahoma, Tisdale played in the NBA with Indiana, Sacramento and Phoenix. The 6-foot-9 forward, with a soft left-handed touch on the court, averaged 15.3 points for his career. He was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.
Tisdale learned he had cancerous cyst below his right knee after breaking his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. He said then he was fortunate to have discovered the cancer early.
"Nothing can change me," Tisdale told the Associated Press last June. "You go through things. You don't change because things come in your life. You get better because things come in your life."
As a musician, Tisdale recorded eight albums. A bass guitarist who often wrote his own material, his most recent album, "Rebound," was inspired by his fight with cancer and included guest appearances by several artists, including saxophonist Dave Koz and country star and fellow Oklahoma native Toby Keith.
# Dirk Nowitzki is the backbone of the Dallas Mavericks, the first MVP in franchise history and the career leader in pretty much every scoring category. All that's missing is a championship, and he's not interested in going anywhere else to get one.
"After I played here for 11 years played hurt, played sick, whatever they needed me to do, basically playing my heart (out) for the last 11 years I don't think it would feel the same way somewhere else," Nowitzki said. "It's always been my dream here to finish my career and win a championship. I think my window has not closed yet and I'll still see what we can do."
Nowitzki inadvertently raised the question of how long he was willing to stick with the organization while describing his disappointment over falling short again this season.
After the Mavs were eliminated by Denver on Wednesday night, then again during a wrap-up interview Thursday, Nowitzki mentioned several times that this was his 11th season and that he'll be turning 31 in a few weeks. He talked about the window of opportunity starting to close, calling every title-less season a waste. He also said he understands that 36-year-old Jason Kidd might sign with another team he considers closer to winning a championship.
So, does all that mean Nowitzki thinks the Mavs are far from winning a title? That time is running out for him? Or maybe that he's running out of patience?
"I always said I'd love to finish my career here and bring this franchise a championship," he said. "I still feel like I have a good three, four years left of solid basketball. I don't want to feel overanxious and put my pressure on myself. I'm going to be ready to play and I'm going to work hard again this summer and do more of the same again next year."
# The Philadelphia 76ers interviewed former NBA coach Eddie Jordan for their head coaching job. It was Philadelphia's first interview with a candidate since Tony DiLeo stepped down as coach on Monday and returned to his job as a vice president and assistant general manager.
Jordan was fired by Washington in November and interviewed with Sacramento this week. He has a 230-288 record as an NBA coach.
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Former NBA player Tisdale dies at 44
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