Smokin' Joe from Slater Mo

As manna from streaming heaven in the midst of our quarantined sports wilderness, the debut of the much anticipated series “The Last Dance” was dropped into the playlists of sports lovers last night. Originally set to be released in June, ESPN moved up its run to help satiate fans in these shared sports starved times.

The 10-part documentary series takes an in-depth look at the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty through the lens of their final championship season in 1997-98. It debuted on ESPN last night with eight additional new episodes to be debuted every Sunday night through May 17.

Clearly, the focus of the series is arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time – Michael Jordan. However, Jordan is just one of the many voices that will be heard. More than 100 people were interviewed for this comprehensive documentary series, including at least a few with Arkansas connections. Scottie Pippen, a native of Hamburg, Arkansas, and a former star for the University of Central Arkansas was front and center for the Bulls’ epic run and will undoubtedly be prominently featured in this series as well. Former President Bill Clinton was asked to offer his thoughts on Pippen and Razorback legend Sidney Moncrief was interviewed about his many matchups with Jordan through the years in the NBA.

However, for many Razorback fans, an appearance by another former Jordan teammate will also be highly anticipated. In his next to final season in the NBA, former Razorback great and 15-year NBA veteran Joe Kleine played a supporting role in helping Jordan, Pippen and the Bulls to the NBA title in the magical season featured in the documentary.

Long before the NBA trophy was raised and confetti fell on one of professional basketball’s iconic teams, Kleine completed an improbable journey to the University of Arkansas. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kleine is more commonly known as a native son of Slater, Missouri where he grew up as a child and played his high school basketball. Following a nickname contest, the seven-foot mountain of a man became known as Smokin’ Joe from Slater Mo.

The path to Arkansas was not a direct one. Kleine chose to attend Notre Dame and played his freshman season in South Bend. After only one season, Kleine decided on a change of scenery. He traveled to Fayetteville to play for Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton and the Razorbacks. It was a change that would not only impact his basketball career, but also help pave a path for his future.

During his three seasons in Fayetteville, Kleine put together one of the most illustrious careers in Razorback history. The big man posted 1,753 career points which ranks sixth all-time. He ranks second in rebounding average (8.3), fourth in field goal percentage (.585) and fifth in scoring average (18.3) and total rebounds (806).

Kleine was named the 1982-83 Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year following his first season at Arkansas. The Razorbacks made the NCAA Tournament every year with Kleine, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1983. Arkansas finished in the top 25 all three years Kleine was a Razorback and finished in the top 10 in both 1983 and 1984.

He was a two-time All-Southwest Conference pick and earned a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team in Los Angeles that was coached by Bob Knight. Kleine was Olympic teammates on the gold medal team that included Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin and Steve Alford.

Kleine was the featured attraction at the first Razorback men’s basketball game I had a chance to attend at Barnhill Arena. As a fortunate guest, made possible by my brother Kendall Trainor’s recruiting visit to the University of Arkansas, this little brother got to see Big Joe in action. Although my seat was in the rafters of the seemingly never ending rows of seats on the north side of Barnhill Arena, it did not matter. No matter how high you were in that classic venue, it was easy to see from any angle that Joe Kleine stood out.

Following his Razorback career, Kleine was drafted sixth overall in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. He went on to have a 15-year NBA career scoring 4,666 total points and earning 3,991 rebounds while playing for the Kings, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Bulls and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kleine retired from the NBA in 2000 and made his way back to his beloved adopted home – Arkansas. Much like his versatile basketball career, his post-NBA life has given him a number of different opportunities. In June of 1996, Kleine traded his basketball shoes for barbecue sauce when he partnered with Tommy Hilburn to run Corky’s Ribs & BBQ in Little Rock. He continues to be an instrumental part of that popular Central Arkansas staple.

Along the way, Kleine worked with the legendary Mike Nail as a color commentator on the Razorback Basketball radio network. Kleine also was an assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from 2007-15.

Most recently, Kleine has joined the ranks of the SEC Network, to do analysis of SEC men’s basketball. Just a few months ago, I tuned in to watch Kleine broadcast a game from Starkville, Mississippi. Within minutes, I watched as Joe deftly handled an in-game interview with new Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach and a hilarious impromptu drop in by Bully, the Bulldogs’ live mascot. Although both guests presented new challenges in his ever-growing world of versatile contributions, Kleine handled it with the same warmth and self-effacing humor that has become his signature.

With his new television role, new generations will have the chance to be introduced to Kleine. At first glance, many may readily identify Kleine by his stature. There is no mistaking the physical shadow cast by a man that shared the lane with some of the legendary big men in NBA history. However, for those of us fortunate to get to know him, that defining trait is dwarfed by his modesty and kindness.

Kleine is a shining example of an adage to which I wholeheartedly subscribe. There are two ways to become a true Razorback. The first is by birth. The second is by choice. It is not necessary to be born here, but it is required to embrace living here. Despite not qualifying as a native Arkansan, you would have a hard time finding someone more passionate about his adopted state than Smokin’ Joe from Slater Mo.

So, as you watch “The Last Dance,” be sure to keep an eye out for our big guy. Although unlikely to stand tall when it comes to airtime in this particular documentary series, Joe Kleine will continue to be the center of attention here in Arkansas.

Razorback Road is a column written by Senior Associate Athletic Director for Public Relations and Former Student-Athlete Engagement Kevin Trainor (@KTHogs). Trainor is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and has worked for Razorback Athletics for more than 25 years.