Lou Hudson never had to cut his own grass when he was playing basketball.
But like other things, that too has changed. He landscapes his own yard now - and occasionally other yards in Park City.For money. Far less money than he'd make now as a star in the National Basketball Association but about the same as he made playing pro ball in the 1960s.
And enough money - along with other here-and-there employment and his wife's paycheck - to get by. Enough to be happy.
The 6-foot-5 former NBA all-star attributes a positive home-grown attitude, good family, good friends, good health with making his transition off the court look as easy as the 20.2-point scoring average he maintained during his 13-year career with St. Louis, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
"A lot of things have gone away, but I don't feel bad about any of the things that have come and gone. In my case, I feel that I've had an unusual opportunity because I've had the chance to experience a lot of different things. I've been in a position where I could make choices," Hudson said, flashing a big smile that seems to say, `Everything's OK with life.' "
Born and reared in Greensboro, N.C. - the heart of the basketball-rich Atlantic Coast Conference - Hudson played ball from ages 14 through 35 - the high point being his induction into the North Carolina Hall of Fame.
A University of Minnesota graduate, Hudson was the first all-American from Minnesota, a first-round draft choice of the Hawks and the fourth player picked overall in the 1966 NBA draft.
Stardom with the Hawks and Lakers followed. But in 1979, his retirement was forced.
"It wasn't my choice. I was 35, and Magic Johnson was 19 - and we played the same position. So I was out," he said.
Out - after starting 81 games with the Lakers his last year. Out - after competing in nine playoff series and six All-Star games.
Hudson could have played ball in Europe. But it didn't interest him.
"I was through. I was dejected. I felt that I could still play, but then you feel that nobody wants you. So you are out."
Bruised, but not beaten, Hudson looked to retirement "as the first time since I was 14 years old that I didn't have someone tell me what to do and how to live my life."
Divorced from the mother of his two children, he moved to Utah to marry his former college sweetheart - Mardi Smith. Utah Jazz commentator Hot Rod Hundley was best man at the couple's 1987 wedding held during an NBA-NFL charity fund-raising tournament for missing children in Lake Tahoe. The wedding was held at 8:15 p.m. - in between the Mexican buffet and the Danny Mareno show.
Hudson's tried lots of things since retiring from basketball - selling architectural graphics, then restaurant and bar equipment. Television sports analysis. Excavation work. Landscaping. Property management. Tennis, golf, skiing.
"I don't just sit around and wait for something to happen, and I am constantly looking for better opportunities," he said. He's presently being recruited by a long-distance phone company to do telemarketing.
Investments made by "crooked" agents haven't reaped the fortunes promised. But Hudson says he's had enough money to meet his commitments, "which for me is fine."
Once in hot pursuit of the almighty dollar, he says he no longer equates money with happiness. Fame with security. Good decisions with a solid future. And all the time the right attitude and perspective.
- JoAnn Jacobsen-Wells