Johnny Neumann as the Maine Man, 1982

[After Pistol Pete, there was Johnny Gun. Most today remember Pete Maravich, but far fewer recall Johnny Neumann. Understandably so. Maravich had a phenomenal college and, at times, pro career, while Neumann excelled in the college game for one season, went pro, but never lived up to the hype. Still, Neumann is worth remembering so many years later. Not to parse his career numbers, but to track his semi-tragic story. Neumann’s worst enemy was himself. But Neumann never quit on the game or his jump shot. Picking up on this theme, the great Mike Littwin visited Neumann in late 1982 during his improbable gig as coach and general manager of the minor-league Maine Lumberjacks. His visit, published during December 1982 in the Los Angeles Times, also ran in May 1983 in the Basketball Digest. That’s where I happened upon the story. Neumann, like Maravich, passed away way too soon. In any case, here you go . . . Johnny Gun.] **** Stacey Neumann is at the wheel of the car, a loaner and a real…