1960s NBA – From Way Downtown

Terry Dischinger: Two Toots for ‘Terrible Terry,’ 1964

This serious fellow had been in the habit of coming out first in anything that he undertakes.

Checking in with Bill Melchionni

Bill Melchionni, a three-time ABA all-star with the New York Nets, recently joined the podcast No Weak Stuff to talk about his basketball career, from Villanova University to the pros (NBA and ABA). Melchionni discusses the 1973-1974 Nets, the youngest ABA title team, and its similarities with last season’s young Oklahoma City Thunder squad. MelchionniContinue reading “Checking in with Bill Melchionni”

Farewell to Bob Cousy, 1963

A couple of players were in one corner, autographing basketballs. Auerbach was sitting alone, reading mail. We shook hands, and I said, “What about Cousy?”

“What can you say when you know you’re going to lose the greatest backcourtman who ever lived?” Red said. “Nobody will ever take his place. There’s only one Cousy.”

Bob Cousy Day: Take Two, 1963

There were no stoics at the Garden. Men and women wept without shame and with pride and love. It was like that folk song line, “The tears flowed like wine.”

Bob Cousy: The Farewell Tour, 1963

Luckily, the guest of honor had written out his sentiments in advance, but he failed miserably in trying to hold back a flood of tears.

Richie Guerin: Knick of Time, 1962

A serious fellow, Richie does not leave his game in the dressing room. He takes it home or on road trips, trying to replay it, detect where he or one of his teammates made a mistake that might have affected the actual outcome.

Richie Guerin: Wilt Chamberlain’s Magical Night in 1962

Chamberlain’s 100th point came with 46 seconds remaining when he outleaped two defenders to spare a lob pass from Joe Rucklick and slam it through the net. Then all Hades broke loose.

Balls of Confusion: Signing Lew Alcindor, 1969

Brown handed him the certified check from Chemical Bank. Alcindor fingered the paper, eyed his name printed as clearas day across the middle, and handed it back. “Mr. Brown said to me, ‘We’ll give you a million dollars,’” recalled Alcindor, but without mentioning a timeframe.

Walter Bellamy vs. the NBA, 1963

The money he makes is considerable salve for the aches and bruises that he absorbs working at his job. At a workout a while ago, a gash was opened on his left wrist.

Reggie Harding: A New Kind of Piston, 1964

Harding still retains some of his arrogance, but it’s not offensive. Sure, he said, he misses playing basketball. “It’s part of me,” he said. But he added: “I’ve still got the ability, and they can’t take that away from me.”