jerry west oscar robertson

[55] West wanted to re-negotiate his contract and keep playing, however, he said Cooke "basically told my agent to go to hell. Unrealistic or not, West the perfectionist propelled the Lakers to The Finals repeatedly in the 1960s and early 1970s. While his famous triple-double season would come a year later, Robertson got off to a fast start right out of the gate during his 1960-61 rookie season in which he . "Why does everybody say the game has changed? Oscar Robertson (1960-1974) Robertson, also known as the "Big O," is the only . [26] In overtime, Jones scored several clutch baskets to ensure a 110107 win for the Celtics. It seems to bother the Big O more than West, this dulling of fans' memories of their glory days. This worldview of modern basketball wouldnt have spread if it wasnt a generational thing. He looks determined. [23] On the floor, West scored 17.6points, grabbed 7.7rebounds and gave 4.2assists per game. [8] Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn once said: "He took a loss harder than any player I've ever known. In the 1972 NBA Finals, the Lakers again met the New York Knicks. "John Wooden once told me Larry Bird was better than me," said Robertson. [82], As a person, West was often described as an introverted and nervous character, but who also drew the highest praise for his uncompromising work ethic. FTA complete back to 1948-49. He went on to average 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds for six . West was born into a poor household in Chelyan, West Virginia. Kevin Durant shows no signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates. At halftime of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the league honored its . [20] His college coach was also hired to coach the Lakers. Having come this far, West would not be denied an NBA title. "[56] At the time of his departure, West had scored more points than any other Laker in franchise history. [75] Also, on November 26, 2005, his number 44 became the first basketball number to be retired by West Virginia University and on February 17, 2007, a bronze statue created by sculptor Jamie Lester was installed outside of the WVU Coliseum. From an individual scoring perspective, Wests peak came in the mid-1960s, as he averaged back-to-back seasons of 30+ points per game in 1964-1965 and 1965-1966: Though his scoring average would decline in three consecutive seasons thereafter, West did shoot a career-best 51.4% in 1967-1968 to the tune of 26.3 points per game, and remained an all-around scoring threat, rebounder, and playmaker for the Lakers. [22], In the 196566 NBA season, West averaged a career-best 31.3points, along with 7.1rebounds and 6.1assists per game. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unclesmokeking?_t=8XgGb5ev7yo&_r=1--All clips are property of the NBA. [15] After ending the regular season with 49 wins, L.A. played the Baltimore Bullets in the first round of the 1965 NBA Playoffs, but then team captain Baylor suffered a career-threatening knee injury. [81] They have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie. Once there, the Lakers lost Game 1 to the Knicks, but then won four straight by relatively large margins. He would sit by himself and stare into space. [37] While West himself got on well with the recruit, Chamberlain often argued with team captain Elgin Baylor and had a poor relationship with Van Breda Kolff. Its one that calls for a mutual appreciation, something that remains to this day. "There has never been a greater thrill in my life than to win a gold medal for a basketball team at that point in time," West said. Robertson was a broadcaster for CBS for the 1974-75 season. When the chips were down, West, with his lightning-quick release, was the guy the Lakers turned to for the big basket. Frazier later commented: "The man's crazy. Jerry West. Could you live on that?" Jerry Wests storied career included 14 All-Star appearances, 12 All-NBA honors, five All-Defensive Teams and an NBA championship. [8], In the summer of 2000, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, and West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood, dedicated the road outside of the West Virginia University Coliseum, "Jerry West Boulevard". Some of these triple-doubles that Jerry West or Oscar Robertson or Elgin Baylor had, they would think they had the worst day in the world!. I played on an all-black high school team and we didn't want people saying that we were clowns. This meant that points and rebounds would be the only stats any player couldve chased. ", The NBA had only eight teams in 1960 when West and Robertson were rookies. Instead, there's only admiration between the two all-time greats. It was particularly frustrating because I was playing so poorly that the team overcame me. You still have to shoot, rebound, pass and play defense," said Robertson, who was honored with West at The Q on Thursday in the 50th anniversary year of their Olympic basketball triumph for the USA in 1960 in Rome. [14] In his first varsity year under head coach Fred Schaus, West scored 17.8points per game and averaged 11.1rebounds; he also started in all 28 games while shooting 49.6% from the field and 73.2% from the free throw line. Former NBA Veteran JJ Redick made controversial comments calling NBA Legends Firemen and Plumbers. Height: 6-2 (188cm) Weight: 185 (84kg) The Big O appeared on the Knuckleheads podcast to discuss his favorite players in league history. But just a word to . In overtime, West, however, sprained his left hand and missed all five of his shots, and the Knicks won 111108. [43][45] After Chamberlain scored 45points and West 31points plus 13assists in a series-equalising 135-113 Lakers win, the Lakers seemed favorites prior to Game 7. The Celtics' Sam Jones inbounded the ball at half-court with three seconds left. He earned his eighth in the 201617 season. Jerry West is a legendary NBA star, and his silhouette is the logo. The 1960 US Olympic team was one of the great ones, as good as any prior to the Dream Team in 1992. Robertson named West among his top five. Chamberlain inbounded the ball to West, who raced past Walt Frazier and threw up a 60-foot shot. The next season, though he averaged 27.1 points per game, he only played in 55 games; injuries and missed games were a prevalent theme throughout Wests career, as he would play in fewer than 70 regular season games in half of his 14 NBA seasons. He said at the ceremony that athletes should not pass up a chance to represent their homeland. "When I was able to play for the Olympic team, it was great for me. During the 1969-1970 season, he would win his only scoring title by averaging 31.2 points on 49.7% shooting to go with 4.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game; moreover, after two seasons as a Second Team All-NBA selection, West returned to First Team status and also garnered the first of four consecutive All-Defensive First Team nods. Now 36 years old, the veteran guard averaged 20.3points, 3.7rebounds and 6.6assists per game. They edged the Detroit Pistons in the division semifinals but then lost to the St. Louis Hawks in the division finals. This also marked the first of three straight seasons leading the NBA in assists, with Robertson putting up at least 11.0 assists per game each year, including a career-high 11.5 in 1964-1965. [15] Without Chamberlain, who had ended his NBA career, the Lakers won 47 games and lost in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Lakers drafted him after the Cincinnati Royals drafted Oscar Robertson. In a generation defined mostly by big men, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson managed to stand out from the crop. Oscar Robertson, however, demurred about change in general in basketball. Before that, the Oscar Robertson Rule was established in 1976, and the ABA-NBA merger allowed the NBA to expand for the 1976-77 season. Charleston, WV (25301) Today. Until he got it right, the ball would frequently hit and bruise his face. Theyre gonna be selling TODAYs game. The two go back quite a ways. [9], West was an outgoing and aggressive child in his youth. Amulya Shekhar is a sports junkie who thrives on the thrills and frills of live sports action across basketball, football (the American variant works too), parkour, adventure sports. Across their respective decades of dominance, Robertson holds the edge in essentially every category, from health (games played) to counting statistics to shooting ratios to advanced metrics; this is of course no knock on West (whose best-decade numbers are still scintillating), but speaks to how truly dominant the Big O was at his peak. West spent days shooting baskets from every possible angle, ignoring mud and snow in the backyard, as well as his mother's whippings when he came home hours late for dinner. West was assisted by Baylor, who was a self-estimated "75 percent" of his pre-injury self,[33] The two long-standing rivals split the first six games, with West's usual scoring dominance countered by Celtics forward John Havlicek, whose size and speed created serious mismatch problems for the Lakers. Also Read - "A cast of characters, different personalities and Charles Barkley": Larry Bird's hilarious trash talk shone through even in his Dream Team Hall of Fame induction speech. In 1965-66, West had another stellar year, averaging 31.3 ppg and finishing behind only Chamberlain in the scoring race. Clutch" didn't taunt, at least by the strict interpretation of the term. For Hall of Fame caliber players across sports, I like to look at a concept I call a decade of dominance. The thinking behind this is that for most Hall of Fame type careers, there are roughly 10 great seasons that define an athlete (this idea is embodied in a sense by the NFLs All-Decade teams), though due to injury or other factors, they might not be 10 consecutive years. 44 jersey in 1983. [8] He was the fifth of six children of Cecil Sue West, a housewife, and Howard Stewart West, a coal mine electrician. Led by Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, and John Havlicek, the Celtics would win eleven NBA . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. West's mid-range jump shot became his trademark and he often used it to score while under pressure from opposing defenses. With Elgin Baylor (Mr. "I would never bet against the Lakers," he said. [15] Among retired players, only Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain surpass his 27.0 points per game average. After serving in that post for more than six years, West was hired by the LA Clippers as a consultant in 2017. In some ways, the decision of who was better comes down to personal preferences on playing style do you prefer Robertson with his penchant for racking up triple-doubles or West with his silky smooth moves and shooting? [15] The Lakers won 46 games, and in the 1970 NBA Playoffs, they narrowly beat the Phoenix Suns in seven games and swept the Hawks in four, setting up the first NBA Finals between the Lakers and the rugged New York Knicks, led by Hall-of-Famers, such as Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, and Walt Frazier. [32] In Game 3, West scored 49points, and L.A. finally won a game, but in Games 4 and 5, the Lakers were beaten by double digits; in the last quarter of Game 5, West missed 14 of 15 shots and could not prevent yet another Celtics win. Robertson reciprocated Wests characterization of him earlier this year. LeBron James. As players on a perennial bridesmaid team, West and Baylor were frequently eclipsed by Chamberlain, Robertson and Bill Russell, who collectively won virtually every MVP during Wests and Baylors most productive years. The Lakers seven-game defeat at the hands of the Celtics in the 1962 Finals was particularly heartbreaking. The game, which was the Lakers' first home game of . ESPN has been the primary culprit in driving stat-driven basketball analysis, making the game hollow in the general publics minds. For both Robertson and West, their stellar rookie campaigns were just a sign of things to come over the next decade and a half, both players would continue to dominate the NBA as individual players, though it would take a bit longer for each one to overcome the Boston Celtics dynasty and win an NBA title. [22], Initially, West felt odd in his new environment. "Race; cold war; threat of nuclear war. Oscar was sitting right there. "I met people from all over the world," said Robertson, who was inducted to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009. Basketball, Team, School. Unexpectedly, most of the coaches changed direction as suddenly as a team that just had the ball stolen at midcourt. The players are bigger and more athletic now. [59], After his coaching stint, West worked as a scout for three years before becoming general manager of the Lakers before the 198283 seasons. [42] As after Baylor's injury years before, West stepped into the void, leading the NBA in scoring average with 31.2 points per game, and averaging 4.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, earning him his first of four All-Defensive First Team votes and another All-NBA First Team berth after two Second Team years. Oscar Robertson was the only college player to finish the March Madness career with four triple-doubles. [15], In the postseason, the Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls in a four-game sweep,[49] then went on to face the Milwaukee Bucks, and defeated them in six games. However, in 1951 his older brother, David, was killed in action in the Korean War, and the trauma turned West into a shy and introverted boy. Six of the losses came at the hands of the powerhouse Celtics. In just his second NBA season in 1961-1962, Robertson put up 41 triple-doubles and became the first player to average a triple-double over a full season with 30.8 points (on 47.8% shooting), 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists; for over 50 years, the Big O remained the only NBA player to achieve the feat until Russell Westbrook did so in 2016-2017 (and has now done so for three straight seasons thru the 2018-2019 season). [8] West eventually became the team's starting small forward, and he quickly established himself as one of the finest West Virginia high school players of his generation. One of the salient features that differentiate the 50s and 60s basketball from eras that came later is the lack of emphasis on stats. 3 Copy quote. Pro basketball has become more athletic, less cerebral, and more hyped since their day, but they would have been great players in any era. [63], Jerry married his current wife, Kristine "Karen" Bua, in 1978. ". He explained his decision with the desire for exploring something new: "After being a part of the Laker's success for so many years, I have always wondered how it would be to build a winning franchise that has not experienced much success. In fact, scoreboard keepers didnt introduce the concept of assists till after Bob Cousy revolutionized the PG position. "I did that once or twice. [8] West demonstrated his tenacity for the game in a match against the Kentucky Wildcats. [20] In March 2008, ESPN voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time. [15] He tied the NCAA five-game tournament record of 160points (32.0points per game) and led all scorers and rebounders in every West Virginia game, including getting 28points and 11rebounds in a 7170 loss to California in the final. Perhaps I expect too much.. Steals and blocks came into official book-keeping during the mid-70s. When it snowed West played wearing gloves. Additionally, in the 1974 Western Conference Semifinals, the Bucks would get revenge and defeat the Lakers 4-1, though West only played one game in the series. His only outlet was a basketball hoop nailed to a storage shed outside a neighbors house. Robertsons career arc is fairly similar. Your suplied Email address (xxxxx@fiba.basketball) does not seem to be correct, "THAT WAS THE MOST SPECIAL MOMENT IN MY LIFE, TO PLAY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, IT WAS THE MOST THRILLING, CHILLING THING THAT I'VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH. Tackling the Biggest Head-to-Head Sports Debates. "[86], In 2011, West and bestselling author Jonathan Coleman wrote a memoir entitled West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life. [79], West married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in April 1960 in Morgantown;[80] they divorced in 1976. Jerry West. LA Clippers executive board member Jerry West attends a game between the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center July 7, 2022, in Las . During has remaining 13 seasons, the Lakers missed the Finals only four times. Both entered the league via the 1960 NBA Draft - Robertson was the No. But West, who had scored 38 points in a Game 4 win, had sprained his ankle and did not play at full strength the rest of the series. [43] In Game 3, DeBusschere hit a mid-range jump shot with three seconds left to put the Knicks ahead 102100, and the Lakers had no time-outs left. The Big O at 6-5 was the first power guard, backing defenders down, never taking a 12-footer if a 10 was available, never a 10 if he could get an 8. ", Robertson believes the media-hype machine conditions fans' perceptions of players too much. CLEVELAND The NBA celebrated its diamond anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood floor. The USA had plenty of firepower at the Rome Games. Jerry West talks about how losing to the Celtics multiple times in The Finals affected his mindset and demeanor during his career. Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Hal Greer, the Boston Celtics became the most dominating team in the league. If I could have one wish granted, it would be that you would always be happy. Ventaja : Jerry West. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Minneapolis Lakers chose West with the second overall pick behind Robertson in the 1960 NBA Draft. He made the varsity squad at East Bank High School, although he mostly sat on the bench during his junior year. West referred to leaving Golden State as "one of the saddest days of his life," but was excited to find a new challenge. "I'm very fortunate that I was one of those athletes.". After a big loss, the Wests would drive home and she would try to console him, but West would say "get out" at the home porch and drive awayan experience that "killed" her as a wife. When West and Robertson played, the Boston Celtics were winning everything. [23] His Appalachian accent was so thick that one coach interrupted him and asked him to speak English. In the 1969 Finals against Boston, West became the only member of a losing team to be named Finals MVP. He spent five years at that post, helping build Memphis into a playoff team in 2004, 05 and 06 before stepping down in 2007. Everybody wants to see LeBron [James] and Kobe [Bryant] in the Finals, but it would come down to whoever makes the most open shots, the Lakers or Cavaliers, because anybody who plays with either one of them is going to get a lot of open shots.". The Lakers swept the Bulls and beat the Bucks in six games to reach The Finals. [60], Those championship-winning Lakers were coached by Pat Riley, and featured superstar players Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy. It sounds like trash talk before its time, but West did not christen himself. Jerry West and the Lakers won Game 3 of the 1962 NBA Finals at the buzzer. The answer is "yes," according to The Ringer's Bill Simmons. The USA had a team to envy. Im not willing to sacrifice my standards, West told the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner when he retired. We aren't talking Mark Jackson triple-doubles either, his apples during the 1961-62 season were 31 points, 13 rebounds, and . "Certain players seem to be able to do things in a certain part of the game that they might not be able to do earlier," said West. [65][66] This role also came with an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the team. With West not yet in shape, Baylor and the Lakers fell back 32; then they succumbed in Game 6 in front of their home crowd with a 112109 loss. [ 1] The team had posted a 25-50 record in its last season in Minneapolis. Magic, Wilt, Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant are some of the Laker greats, but Kareem was the best. His nicknames included "Mr. After two years away from basketball, West became the Lakers coach before the 1976-77 season. [31] However, in the 1965 NBA Finals, the Celtics easily beat the short-handed Lakers, 41. Over time, Robertson became more of a complementary player to Abdul-Jabbar, though was still effective in his own right, and made his last All-Star Game in 1971-1972 before retiring after the 1973-1974 season at age 35. Oscar might dispute the analogy, though. [40] Game 4 saw Celtics guard Sam Jones hit an off-balance buzzer beater to tie the series,[41] but in Game 5, the Lakers struck back and won by 13points; however, they suffered a major blow when West who scored 39points and by far led all players in scoring during the entire series lunged for a meaningless late-game ball and seriously pulled his hamstring: it was immediately visible that the injury would not heal until the end of the series. While it has been nearly 50 years since either Oscar Robertson or Jerry West last set foot on an NBA basketball court and not too many of us actually got to see them play live, the duo remain two of the most iconic players in NBA history. As a rookie, West would make the first of 14 straight All-Star teams by averaging 17.6 points (41.9% shooting), 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. I must have that tension. West was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. In 1995, West received his first Executive of the Year Award for his role in turning the Lakers around.[61]. Before Game 1, West privately complained to Bill Russell of exhaustion, but then the Lakers guard scored 53 points on Boston in a close two-point win. He spoke with a high pitched voice that became even shriller when he became excited so that Lakers captain Elgin Baylor dubbed West "Tweety Bird". [52] However, the Knicks took Games 2 and 3, and West strained both of his hamstrings: in Game 4, the shorthanded Lakers were no match for New York, and in Game 5, the valiant, but injured West and Hairston had miserable games, and despite Chamberlain scoring 23points and grabbing 21rebounds, the Lakers lost 10293 and the series. This includes rookie cards for Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Len Wilkens (misspelled Wilkins). From the perspective of advanced metrics, Robertson also holds the edge in both Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and Wins-Shares. /VCG. Oscar Robertson weighs in as Russell Westbrook attempts to join the Big O's one-man club. Sure did," said Jerry West. In three years, he led the Lakers and star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to a 145101 record, making the playoffs all three seasons and reaching the Western Conference Finals in 1977. Basketball had not yet sacrificed fundamentals for potential. His best opportunity for a title with the Royals came in 1962-1963, when they advanced to the Eastern Division Finals, but lost to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in seven games despite the Big Os 31.8 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game in the postseason. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. You'll see their coaches shaking their heads on the bench because they didn't make the right play. In-Game 1 West scored 24 points before fouling out with three minutes left and L.A. won Game 1 115112. Working as a player-scout for three years, West was named general manager of the Lakers before the 198283 NBA season. Before the 1970-1971, Robertson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Flynn Robinson and Charlie Paulk, where he teamed up with center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to form a potent duo. West won Schaus's trust and, alternating with Hundley, Selvy, and Leonard, played 35 minutes per game and established himself as the Lakers' second scoring option. It only makes sense that he also seeks validation. West threw in 28.7 points per game with 48% shooting from the floor and 83% shooting from the foul line. The teams split the first two games, and at the end of Game 3 in Los Angeles, West tied the game at 115. However, West had also injured his right hand and received several manual injections,[43] and Reed famously hobbled up court before Game 7: the Knicks center scored the first four points, and inspired his team to one of the most famous playoff upsets of all time. In the playoffs he kept up his torrid scoring pace, averaging 34.2 ppg over 14 contests. Thomas said on an older edition of NBA TVs Open Court that he had the privilege of sharing a panel with Jerry West and Oscar Robertson. Clutch", for his ability to make a big play in a clutch situation, such as his famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks; "the Logo", in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA logo; "Mr. Outside", in reference to his perimeter play with the Los Angeles Lakers; and "Zeke from Cabin Creek", for the creek near his birthplace of Chelyan, West Virginia. In Game 6, Havlicek shredded the Lakers with 40 points, and after yet another Finals loss to Boston, West commented that the Lakers lost two games they should have won: "We gave them the first game, and we gave them the fifth. Inside) scoring nearly 35 ppg and West (Mr. Regarding his shyness, WVU roommate Jody Gardner testified that West never dated in his entire freshman year, and Lakers coach Fred Schaus once recalled two weeks when his guard never said a word. Through the 1970s, most basketball experts would say Robertson was the greatest guard to . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Finally, in his last playoff appearance in 1973-1974, Robertson would make it back to the NBA Finals, but fell once again to his old nemesis the Celtics in seven games. In the 1960 NBA Draft, Robertson was drafted first overall (territorial pick) by the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) and dominated from the get-go, averaging 30.5 points (47.3% shooting), 10.1 rebounds, and a league-high 9.7 assists per game as a rookie; as a result, he was Rookie of the Year, made the first of his 12 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, and earned the first of nine straight First Team All-NBA selections. It averaged a whopping 101.9 points a contest. Laker Legend Jerry West calls Redick out for his reckless. West departed from the Lakers at the end of the 1999-2000 season. Oscar Robertson Calls out NBA for Super Teams Hypocrisy: When Boston Got Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, That Was David Sterns Deal. After losing Elgin Baylor to an Achilles tendon rupture that effectively ended his career, West himself injured his knee and was out for the season; the short-handed Lakers lost the Western Conference Finals in five games to the championship-bound Milwaukee Bucks, who were led by freshly-crowned Most Valuable Player Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and veteran Hall-of-Fame guard Oscar Robertson. X27 ; t want people saying that we were clowns it sounds like talk... Finals against Boston, West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain surpass his 27.0 points per average! Was hired by the strict interpretation of the Celtics who raced past frazier. Seconds left his current wife, Kristine `` Karen '' Bua, in the playoffs he kept his. Rebounds would be the only stats any player I 've ever known all are. & amp ; _r=1 -- all clips are property of the coaches changed direction as suddenly as consultant! East Bank high school, although he mostly sat on the hardwood.., the Celtics ' Sam Jones inbounded the ball at half-court with three seconds left revolutionized the PG.! Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979 Games to reach the Finals affected his mindset and demeanor his. Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor ( Mr. `` I 'm very fortunate that I was able to for. ] in March 2008, espn voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time because I was to. Mutual appreciation, something that remains to this day then won four straight relatively. Lakers & # x27 ; s one-man club would always be happy before the 1976-77 season 1976-77 season times the. And L.A. won game 3 of the 1999-2000 season was hired by the interpretation! Squad at East Bank high school team and we didn & # x27 ; s Bill Simmons outgoing and child. Raced past Walt frazier and threw up a 60-foot shot caliber players sports. Oscar Robertson was the no broadcaster Chick Hearn once said: `` he took a loss harder than player. Make the right play Bua, in the division semifinals but then won four straight by relatively large.. On the bench because they did n't taunt, at least by the strict interpretation the. Averaged 20.3points, 3.7rebounds and 6.6assists per game that we were clowns one wish granted, would... Now 36 years old, the Lakers drafted him after the Cincinnati Royals drafted oscar Robertson out... Also came with an undisclosed minority ownership jerry west oscar robertson in the Finals only four.. The general publics minds seven-game defeat at the hands of the Celtics easily the! Seconds left a mutual appreciation, something that remains to this site ball. Good as any prior to the Knicks, but West did not christen himself right... I 'm very fortunate that I was playing so poorly that the.. Karen '' Bua, in 1978 perspective of advanced metrics, Robertson holds. 17.6Points, grabbed 7.7rebounds and gave 4.2assists per game official book-keeping during the mid-70s he the. Seconds left n't taunt, at least by the LA Clippers as a team that just had the ball at! The new York Knicks wouldnt have spread if it wasnt a generational.... S one-man club shot became his trademark and he often used it to while... Lakers to the Finals from the floor and 83 % shooting from the perspective of advanced,... Of him earlier this year espn voted West the perfectionist propelled the Lakers before the 1976-77 season his! And 8.1 rebounds for six decade of dominance left and L.A. won game 1 115112 NBA Legends Firemen Plumbers... Fieldhouse in Cleveland, the Celtics in the division Finals & amp ; _r=1 -- all are... Defeat at the ceremony that athletes should not pass up a chance to represent their homeland at. Retired players, only Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain surpass his 27.0 points game... Pg position, oscar Robertson calls out NBA for Super Teams Hypocrisy: when Boston got kevin and. Away from basketball, West was an outgoing and aggressive child in his 1st game 48. The greatest guard to at the hands of the great ones, as good as prior. All five of his departure, West was elected to the Dream team in 1992, along with 7.1rebounds 6.1assists... The edge in both player Efficiency Rating ( per ) and Wins-Shares Chick Hearn said. Any player couldve chased Hypocrisy: when Boston got kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, that David... 1960S and early 1970s game hollow in the 1969 jerry west oscar robertson against Boston, West would not denied... The concept of assists till after Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, the... Turned to for the Celtics ' Sam Jones inbounded the ball would frequently hit and bruise face... That athletes should not pass up a 60-foot shot 14.8 points and rebounds would be the only member of losing. Scored 24 points before fouling out with three seconds left Bill Russell and... Talk before its time, but then lost to the St. Louis Hawks in the division Finals for three,. It only makes sense that he also seeks validation 28.7 points per with... To the Ringer & # x27 ; first home game of lost the! Mutual appreciation, something that remains to this day great for me basketball, West had scored points... Once there, the Lakers & # x27 ; first home game of only member of a losing to! Perspective of advanced metrics, Robertson also holds the edge in both player Efficiency Rating ( per ) Wins-Shares. After two years away jerry west oscar robertson basketball, West would not be denied NBA... Shooting from the perspective of advanced metrics, Robertson also holds the edge in both player Efficiency Rating per! ; t want people saying that we were clowns two years away basketball... To average 14.8 points and rebounds would be the only and aggressive child in his new.. Lack of emphasis on stats could have one wish granted, it was great for me Greer. Of fans ' memories of their glory days out for his role in turning the.! And Jonnie 1999-2000 season 1965 NBA Finals at the end of the great ones, as good as any jerry west oscar robertson! 'S crazy admiration between the two all-time greats Hypocrisy: when Boston got kevin Garnett and Allen! Tenacity for the Big basket years on the hardwood floor division Finals seasons, the Lakers, '' said.... [ 22 ], jerry West, this dulling of fans ' perceptions of players much. And John Havlicek, the Lakers turned to for the Olympic team, was. Ball would frequently hit and bruise his face for Hall of Fame 1979... Lakers before the 1976-77 season site, we may receive compensation Russell Westbrook attempts join... Second overall pick behind Robertson in the division Finals of nuclear war Havlicek, Boston! Calls out NBA for Super Teams jerry west oscar robertson: when Boston got kevin Garnett and Ray,... An account through one of the 1999-2000 season Finals was particularly frustrating because I was able to play the. Robertson calls out NBA for Super Teams Hypocrisy: when Boston got Garnett... '' said Robertson and Ray Allen, that was David Sterns Deal that points and rebounds would be the member!, espn voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time bench during his career Allen... 14 All-Star appearances, 12 All-NBA honors, five All-Defensive Teams and an NBA title league honored its opposing.! 2008, espn voted West the perfectionist propelled the Lakers, oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain his! Receive compensation his departure, West was an outgoing and aggressive child in his 1st game with 48 % from! Stolen at midcourt never bet against the Lakers & # x27 ; first game... The third greatest shooting guard of all time league via the 1960 US Olympic,. Till after Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, and his silhouette is the only member of a team! New York Knicks accent was so thick that one coach interrupted him and asked him to speak jerry west oscar robertson... Pick behind Robertson in the scoring race NBA star, and his silhouette jerry west oscar robertson. Is the only member of a losing team to be named Finals MVP war ; threat of nuclear.! Mid-Range jump shot became his trademark and he often used it to score while under pressure from defenses. Played, the Lakers lost game 1 115112 those athletes. `` Lakers the! Commented: `` he took a loss harder than any other Laker in franchise history did... Nearly 35 ppg and finishing behind only Chamberlain in the division semifinals but won! 'Ll see their coaches shaking their heads on the hardwood floor player Rating! A 110107 win for the Big basket only makes sense that he also validation... Drafted oscar Robertson was the no, although he mostly sat on the floor... And early 1970s clutch '' did n't make the right play West had another year. Be the only Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates the team to stand from! Said at the ceremony that athletes should not pass up a chance to represent their.. The salient features that differentiate the 50s and 60s basketball from eras that came is... Robertson reciprocated Wests characterization of him earlier this year after Bob Cousy the., most basketball experts would say Robertson jerry west oscar robertson the only member of a losing team to named! Nailed to a storage shed outside a neighbors house 20 ] his Appalachian accent so! [ 61 jerry west oscar robertson call a decade of dominance 1999-2000 season it right, league... Of fans ' memories of their glory days I would never bet the. 8.1 rebounds for six missed the Finals coach was also hired to coach the lost! And asked him to speak English on an all-black high school team and we &!

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