To get a better idea where I'm going with this post, take a look at this very famous photo from NBA history first. It's from 1984, from a night where Boston's Larry Bird was getting the best of Philadelphia's Julius Erving all over the court. But after Bird yapped it up one time too many, Erving thought it was time to teach "Larry Legend," or perhaps at that particular moment, "the hick from French Lick," a lesson in manners.
My God, look at those guns on Dr. J!
Though I can't find a link at this moment, for years, both Erving and Bird -- who long since have made up -- refused to autograph any copies of that picture. I'd like to think it was a respect thing between two Hall of Fame talents.
But in the NHL, where the level of fame is relatively subdued compared with the NBA, the rules are different.
Now well ensconced in the lineup in Dallas, Sean Avery has actually been playing on a line alongside fellow agitator, Steve Ott. And when you play the sort of game Avery and Ott do, you shouldn't be surprised if one day you look up in the locker room and you're confronted by somebody who you might have a beef with. Such was the case with Avery and Ott, who have tangled several times, including a confrontation in Dallas in 2003 that's pictured in the above photo, as well as in the below video:
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As it turns out, there's one particular Dallas Stars fan who loves Avery who has a copy of that picture or a reasonable facsimilie. She was at practice yesterday with the picture and looking for a signature:
Sean Avery signed one thing today..... and it was my picture of him and Otter scrappin back when Avery played for LA. I have already had Ott sign it so I was determined to have Avery sign it. He comes off...me and a few other ppl were calling his name and T finally just says "Hey Sean!" and he happened to look back at me and TGC and I had the picture ready to go...he looked at it...and I, of course, told him how happy we were to have him here in Dallas blah blah blah would he please sign the picture yadda yadda.... he just kinda looked at us and agreed. I handed him the pic and my sharpie and he signed...
Glad to see Avery doesn't want to disappoint his fans.
Sean Avery and Steve Ott: Perfect Together originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
