In 1996, the NBA celebrated it’s 50th anniversary by unveiling the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Eighteen of those 50 — were players from two franchises — the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Cetlics.
That’s 36%.
Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Nate Archibald, Sam Jones, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson.
As we approach the 2008 NBA Finals, I’ll profile (nba.com, youtube, basketball-reference.com) one of those Lakers-Celtics legends daily, beginning with the “Houdini of the Hardwood.”
18.4 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.2 RPG, 38 FG%, 38 3PFG%, 80 FT%.
He was magical before there was “Magic.” A Fran Tarkenton in short pants.
The greatest playmaker of his era, Cousy led the NBA in assists eight times.
Bob Cousy, one of the greatest passers and playmakers in NBA history, was flashy before flashy was cool. Benched early in his college career because his coach didn’t like his revolutionary, razzle-dazzle style, Cousy went on to help build the Boston Celtics of the 1950s and 1960s into basketball’s most enduring dynasty-America’s team. He was a tremendously passionate and intense player, so much so that he would often suffer from stomach cramps and chest pains in the locker room before big games.
He played in 13 straight NBA All-Star Games and earned six NBA championship rings. He led the league in assists eight consecutive seasons and consistently ranked near the top in scoring and free-throw percentage. His skills and instincts graced the game a generation before their time. [Read]
Warning: This video contains foul language.
(Photo by NBA.com)
