the Baller's Almanac: August 9, 2012

It was 16 years ago today that Derek Smith collapsed and died aboard a cruise ship. He had taken his family on a cruise for Washington Bullets and Washington Capitols season ticket holders, and was hosting basketball clinics during the days. The ship was near Bermuda when Smith suffered a massive heart attack, dying on the spot. Smith, who won a National Title with Louisville, is the father of Nolan Smith. Nolan witnessed his father's death, and now has a tattoo of him on his arm with the words "Forever Watching." He acknowledges the tattoo each time he walks on to the court at the beginning of a game. It's Bob Cousy's birthday, born on this day in 1928. Born in New York City to French immigrants, Cousy grew up in several poor neighborhoods during the depression. He didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. He tried and failed to make his school team, and then experienced what would be a fortuitous event when he broke his right hand...