Sports Luminaries Eulogize Late Reporter Phil Jasner

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hundreds of people attended Wednesday's funeral service in West Oak Lane for longtime 76ers beat writer Phil Jasner, who died last week of cancer at the age of 68.

The service featured a number of moving tributes to a highly regarded journalist and beloved human being.

Eagles' announcer Merrill Reese shared his memories of Jasner going back to their days in junior high school and college.

"We became really close friends on a 26-hour train ride to do a Temple-Kentucky basketball game," recalled Reese, "and we spoke about our dreams. He was an amazing person. And if you've had one friend like Phil Jasner, you've won the Super Bowl."

The throng of mourners included a Who's Who of basketball figures, including Sixers coach Doug Collins and former players such as World B. Free and Samuel Dalembert, who flew in from Sacramento to pay his respects.

"I love the fact that he was an impartial guy. He never tried to exaggerate any story," said Dalembert.

(Kurtz:)  "Even if sometimes the story didn't make you look so good?"

(Dalembert:)  "It doesn't matter. If it's the truth, I respect you for that."

Reported by Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio 1060.