Heinsohn absorbed his knowledge of coaching from Red Auerbach. His insights into people, he acquired from personal, and sometimes painful, experience.
Tag Archives: 1970s NBA
Jim McMillian Picks His Shot, 1970, 1973
Despite his size, McMillian can break in at forward because, with the menace of Wilt Chamberlain at center, the Lakers really don’t need strong rebounding cornermen.
Jerry West: Reflections on ‘The Perfect Season,’ 1972
I remember sitting on the bench in the Forum in the last quarter of the last playoff game against the Knicks and looking at the clock and finally realizing that there is no way we could lose it.
Gail Goodrich: Stumping the NBA, 1972
Goodrich says his blossoming into a superstar is due to many things, not the least of which is the confidence that coach Bill Sharman has instilled in him.
Elmore Smith: The Other Big E: 1972, 1977
Everything seemed to be fine at first for Elmore Smith in Buffalo. Then it was Los Angeles. Then it was Milwaukee. Now it is Cleveland. Elmore Smith has been an enigma no matter what the team.
Bill Bradley: The Reeducation of Princeton Bill, 1970
Bradley himself doesn’t think this game is much work. He thinks it’s fun, and older men will tell you those who feel that way about it—and who have the necessary and special talent—get to be the great ones.
Willis Reed: The Game I’ll Never Forget, 1970
I had some nerve going up against the greatest all-around center in NBA history in my condition, but I’m glad I made the effort. It was worth it.
Ed Ratleff: Easy Does It, 1975
Coach Johnny Egan says Ratleff’s presence in the Rocket lineup “became a great stabilizing factor. He is the complete team basketball player. Offensively, he is totally unselfish. He just does whatever it takes to win.”
Gary Brokaw: Potential for Magic, 1974-78
As a youth, Brokaw tried to pattern his play after Walt Frazier and Dave Bing. Little did he know that several years later, it would be Frazier and Bing that would be his workaday opponents.
Maurice Lucas: Roughing It in the NBA, 1977
Lucas plays aggressively, and critics say he plays dirty. “I play very aggressively. I play with intelligence,” he said. He paused a moment and added a footnote. “I play rough.”
From Way Downtown 