CAGE CHRONICLES
SPRING 2001 APBR NEWSLETTER
Vol. I, No. IIIn
This Issue:
Introduction - Robert Bradley
Career Index Numbers - Contributed by Greg Thomas
Biggest Playoff Upsets - Contributed by Al Hoffman
Letters from John Glasco, Ernie Nevers and Elmer Ripley - Contributed by John Hogrogian
Historical Timeline of the Minneapolis Lakers - Contributed by Robert Bradley
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the second edition of the
Association for Professional Basketball Research Newsletter. If you'd like to send
submissions for inclusion in our next newsletter or any suggestions, please send them to
me at bradleyrd13@hotmail.com.
On to the latest APBR news:
The Remember the ABA website has added adiscussion list, much like our own. I
encourage anyone interested in ABA history to sign up. Included this month is a
submission by Greg Thomas, one of our newest members, and an example of Al Hoffman's
contributions to our e-mail list.
There are also three more letters to John
Hogrogian from basketball old-timers and a Minneapolis Lakers timeline I compiled a few
years ago.
Robert Bradley
February, 2000
SIMILARITY SCORES FOR PRO BASKETBALL PLAYERS
Contributed by Greg Thomas
Here's my method. Using the aadjusted
stats that Al Hoffman provided for the web page, players are given three index scores
comparing their play during their careers with players of their era on points, rebounds
and assists per minute. For example, Michael Jordan's Points Index Score was 194,
meaning that he scored 94% more points per minute than an average player during his era.
Here are the Career Index Numbers for some of
the all-time greats through the 1999-2000 season:
NAME
PTS REB AST
Wilt Chamberlain 142 190
101
Shaquille O'Neal 191 187
76
Bill Russell 78
190 110
Nate Thurmond 88
174 75
Willis Reed 114
147 49
Walt Bellamy 117
146 69
Mel Daniels 117
195 58
Wes Unseld
66 190 104
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 151 156 95
Bob Lanier 137
155 92
Dan Issel
149 136 69
Dave Cowens 104
178 96
Artis Gilmore 118
179 64
Bob McAdoo 154
148 68
Moses Malone 139
195 36
Swen Nater
98 210 57
Bill Walton 107
196 116
Hakeem Olajuwon 152
176 70
Patrick Ewing 154
162 54
David Robinson 164
176 79
Arvydas Sabonis 133
179 92
Jahidi White 94
199 13
Alonzo Mourning 155
163 43
Robert Parish 117 177
47
Bill Laimbeer 92
170 61
Dikembe Mutombo 90
192 42
Clyde Lovellette 149
132 64
Bob Petit
153 151 85
Maurice Stokes 107
174 165
Jerry Lucas 95
162 87
Elvin Hayes 123
163 48
Spencer Haywood 133
146 53
George McGinnis 139
169 108
Kevin McHale 132
131 53
Charles Barkley 144
181 107
Karl Malone 173
160 93
Dennis Rodman 54
235 55
Roy Tarpley 112
210 39
Shawn Kemp 143
176 64
Derrick Coleman 132
163 85
Jayson Williams 91
211 34
Tyrone Hill 91
175 33
Tom Gugliotta 118
140 102
Kevin Garnett 130
144 111
Antonio McDyess 142
145 49
Jamie Feick 57
190 37
Tim Duncan 154
175 79
Keith Van Horn 146
123 73
Danny Fortson 118
205 36
Elton Brand 144
153 56
Connie Hawkins 122
121 119
Maurice Taylor 137
102 48
Chris Webber 142
153 120
Elgin Baylor 147
122 115
John Havlicek 127
75 135
Rick Barry 146
82 131
Billy Cunningham 133 132
126
Julius Erving 150
119 113
Larry Kenon 119
140 66
Adrian Dantley 156
86 77
Alex English 152
94 106
Larry Bird 140
145 155
Kiki Vandeweghe 147
63 64
Mark Aguirre 150
92 99
Dominique Wilkins 159
104 67
Chris Mullin 129
72 107
Scottie Pippin 111
104 151
Cedric Ceballos 148
127 49
Grant Hill 148
116 174
Shareef Abdur-Rahim 152 121 84
Vince Carter 160
89 106
Paul Pierce 132
98 86
Antawn Jamison 120
148 49
Lamar Odom 119
121 125
Shawn Marion 108
149 58
John Drew
162 122 56
George Yardley 130
97 58
John Brisker 147
99 86
Bobby Dandridge 119
97 93
Travis Grant 146
94 48
Glen Rice
128 72 64
Sam Jones
136 61 100
Hal Greer
117 54 119
Earl Monroe 132
45 122
Donnie Freeman 131
50 126
Pete Maravich 151
55 144
Paul Westphal 139
38 165
George Gervin 169
82 76
David Thompson 158
65 97
Sidney Moncrief 118
85 112
Billy Ray Bates 147
52 98
Quinten Dailey 140
59 89
Clyde Drexler 137
100 160
Michael Jordan 194
92 138
Alvin Robertson 101
91 152
Jeff Hornacek 100
56 143
Reggie Miller 129
51 89
Steve Smith 119
64 142
Latrel Sprewell 122
63 115
Allan Houston 120
62 80
Isiah Rider 131
69 91
Eddie Jones 112
64 104
Michael Finley 122
76 117
Jerry Stackhouse 139
58 108
Alan Iverson 162
72 130
Tracy McGrady 119
128 109
Ron Mercer 124
59 75
Larry Hughes 135
95 94
Derek Anderson 119
64 137
Lou Hudson 134
60 83
Lavern Tart 127
65 116
Guy Rodgers 65
40 214
Oscar Robertson 132
69 236
Jerry West 149
57 175
Walt Frazier 113
74 164
Magic Johnson 121
109 288
Isiah Thomas 120
54 243
John Stockton 98
47 339
Kevin Johnson 129
55 259
Mark Jackson 78
72 274
Tim Hardaway 118
54 248
Gary Payton 118
66 208
Penny Hardaway 126
75 177
Sam Cassell 130
60 224
Jason Kidd
92 96 273
Stephen Marbury 132
45 251
Kobe Bryant 149
81 118
Ray Allen
127 71 109
Steve Francis 127
83 196
Lenny Wilkens 103
54 195
Dave Bing
125 47 166
Archie Clark 111
46 152
Larry Brown 81
39 279
Jo Jo White 108
56 135
Nate Archibald 123
34 202
Kevin Porter 91
32 269
Mark Price 112
48 223
A couple of notes. The top scoring index
belonged to Michael Jordan (194) who is slightly ahead of Shaq (190). George Mikan might
have been as high as Jordan, but I can't figure his Index because he did not play in an
era in which "minutes played" was recorded. Dennis Rodman (235) has the top
rebounding index, and John Stockton (339) laps the field in assists.
Despite all of his triple-doubles, Oscar Robertson (69) was not nearly the rebounder at
point guard that Magic Johnson (109) was. Because of the fast pace and poor shooting
percentages, there were tons of missed shots which allowed Robertson to obtain double
figures in rebounds.
I used the Index Numbers to calculate the following Similarity Scores. They indicate
the similarity percentage in players' PAR Index profile per minute For example 950 means
95.0% similarity. Thus 950 is not just a nominal figure but has a logical mathematical
definition.
Since I did them all using a hand calculator, rather than a programmed computer (I wish I
had such knowledge), my data is limited and I only compared individuals which held my
interest. Maybe this will inspire someone else to do more complete work in this
area. In any case, please enjoy.
990 - Isiah Thomas & Tim Hardaway
986 - Julius Erving & Elgin Baylor
985 - Mark Aguirre & Alex English
984 - Patrick Ewing & Alonzo Mourning
976 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Bob Pettit
976 - David Robinson & Tim Duncan
969 - Willis Reed & Walt Bellamy
968 - Reggie Miller & Allan Houston
968 - Kevin Johnson & Stephon Marbury
967 - Oscar Robertson & Sam Cassell
967 - Bill Russell & Wes Unseld
964 - Karl Malone & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
964 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Bob Lanier
963 - David Robinson & Hakeem Olajuwon
961 - Isiah Thomas & Kevin Johnson
959 - Jo Jo White & Hal Greer
958 - Jerry West & Pete Maravich
955 - Walt Frazier & Penny Hardaway
952 - Wilt Chamberlain & Arvydas Sabonis
951 - Dominique Wilkins & John Drew
949 - Vince Carter & Kobe Bryant
949 - Isiah Thomas & Stephon Marbury
943 - Larry Bird & Chris Webber
943 - Kobe Bryant & Alan Iverson
942 - Rick Barry & John Havlicek
938 - Karl Malone & David Robinson
938 - Bill Laimbeer & Dikembe Mutombo
935 - Jerry West & Paul Westphal
930 - Larry Bird & Billy Cunningham
929 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Charles Barkley
929 - Charles Barkley & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
927 - Walt Frazier & Gary Payton
927 - Karl Malone and Bob Petit
924 - Vince Carter & Alan Iverson
922 - Grant Hill & Elgin Baylor
919 - Bill Russell & Bill Walton
918 - Shaquille O'Neal & David Robinson
917 - Wilt Chamberlain & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
914 - George Gervin & David Thompson
903 - Wilt Chamberlain & David Robinson
902 - Larry Bird & Elgin Baylor
897 - Jason Kidd & Magic Johnson
888 - Shaquille O'Neal & Hakeem Olajuwon
887 - Michael Jordan & Alan Iverson
885 - Charles Barkley & Karl Malone
884 - Michael Jordan & Vince Carter
882 - John Stockton & Larry Brown
875 - Jerry West & Oscar Robertson
858 - Shaquille O'Neal & Wilt Chamberlain
852 - Oscar Robertson & Magic Johnson
848 - Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant
830 - Michael Jordan & Julius Erving
263 - Shaquille O'Neal & John Stockton
By my thinking scores of over 900
indicate that two players are "Moderately Similar" while scores above 950 are
indicate of "Extreme Similarity."
BIGGEST PLAYOFF UPSETS
Contributed by Al Hoffman
In chronological order
1) 1939 N.Y. Rens defeat Oshkosh 34-25 in final of the World Tournament... You know that
had shock a lot of people with certain beliefs.
2) 1943 Sheboygan (12-11) defeats Ft. Wayne (17-6) with McDermott & Co 2 to 1 in the
NBL Finals.
3) 1947 Chicago Stags (39-22) defeats Washington Caps (49-11) 3-2 in the BAA semifinals.
4) 1959 Minneapolis (33-39) defeats St. Louis (49-23) 4-2 in the Western Conference
Finals. Rookie Baylor leads Lakers over defending champs with a big series after St.
Louis won Games 1 & 3 by 34 and 30 points respectively. The Lakers won game 5 by 1
point in OT and game 6 by 2 points.
5) 1961 Syracuse (38-41) defeats Philadelphia (46-33) 3-0 in Eastern Semis. Not
necessarily just that Wilt & the Warriors lose but get SWEPT by the Nats.
6) 1968 Boston (54-28) defeats Philadelphia (62-20) 4-3 in Eastern Finals. An upset
because of not only the 8 game gap but Philly looked like they had finally broken Boston's
hex AND had a 3-1 lead in the series with 2 games left at the Spectrum but Boston won 'em
all including 100-96 in Game 7.
7) 1969 Boston (48-34) defeats New York (54-28) 4-2 in Eastern Finals. The records
aren't that far apart but many were writing off Boston and NY had won 6 of 7 meetings and
had the same team that would win it in 1970.
8) 1971 Baltimore (42-40) defeates New York (52-30) 4-3 in Eastern Finals. The home team
won every game until Baltimore won Game 7 in the Garden 93-91 over the defending champs.
9) 1973 Golden State (47-35) defeats Milwaukee (60-22) 4-2 in Western Semis. The Warriors
win 2 out 3 games in Milwaukee to prevent a Kareem/Wilt showdown.
10) 1973 New York (57-25) defeats Boston (68-14) 4-3 in the Eastern Finals. The team with
the 3rd best record ever (to that point) doesn't even make the finals after losing by 16
at home in Game 7.
11) 1975 Golden State (48-34) defeats Washington (60-22) 4-0 in the Finals. A shocker
because not only do Barry, Wilkes et al win but they get the broom out on the NBA's top
team that year.
12) 1976 Phoenix (42-40) defeats Golden State (59-23) 4-3 in Western Finals as they win
Game 4 in OT, Game 6 by 1 and the the NBA's defending champion & winning team that
year goes up in smoke in the 2nd half of game 7.
13) 1978 Washingon (44-38) defeats Philadelphia (55-27) 4-2 in the Eastern Finals.
Remember "We Owe You One?" The 76'ers were supposed to be charged up to
avenge 1977. Well the Bullets stuck it to 'em on the way to winning their title
prompting the trade of Free & McGinnis by Philly (probably a good thing in the long
run).
14) 1981 Houston (40-42) defeats Los Angeles (54-28) 2-1 in the 1st round. Magic was
back from injury & LA was supposed to make short work of the Rockets. But LA &
Magic never fared well against Houston in the post-season (see 1986 & 1996).
Houston wins decider 89-86 in Forum.
15) 1981 Kansas City (40-42) defeats Phoenix (57-25) 4-3 in Western Semis. The Kings won
but nearly squandered a 3-1 lead. They lost game 5 & 6 to the Pacific Division champs
before winning 95-88 at Veterans' Coliseum in game 7.
16) 1981 Houston (40-42) defeats San Antonio (52-30) 4-3 in Western Semis. Upset City
continued in the West in 1981 as the favored teams went 0-5 overall in series that
year. Houston looked to be done after blowing game 6 at home but rallied to win game
7, 105-100 at HemisFair Arena.
17) 1984 New Jersey (45-37) defeats Philadelphia (52-30) 3-2 in 1st round. The Nets had
some talent (Richardson, Birdsong, Dawkins, Williams etc...) but did anyone really think
they'd knock off the defending champs especially after they had blown a 2-0 lead by losing
games 3 & 4 at home? Instead, they sent Philly on summer break 101-98 in game 5.
18) 1986 Houston (51-31) defeats Los Angeles (62-20) 4-1 in Western Finals. LA was touted
by some (can you say SI jinx?) as "the best ever" but lost 4 straight after
winning game 1. Who can't still picture Ralph hitting that twisting shot and Coop
falling to the floor in shock?
19) 1987 Seattle (39-43) defeats Dallas (55-27) 3-1 in the 1st round. Dallas wins game 1
151-129 and then loses the next 3 games by a combined 38 points. Ouch! We'd like
some heart please. Bye, Bye Mr. Motta...
20) 1989 Golden State (43-39) defeats Utah (51-31) 3-0 in the 1st round. The
heavily-favored Jazz get swept in 3 games; losing by 4, 8 & 14 points.
21) 1994 Denver (42-40) defeats Seattle (63-19) 3-2 in the 1st round. Another lasting
image: Mutombo laying on the floor clutching the ball after Denver had won Game 5 in OT to
rally from a 2-0 deficit to win the series.
22) 1995 Houston (47-35) defeats Utah (60-22), Phoenix (59-23), San Antonio (62-20) &
Orlando (57-25) to repeat as NBA champs. Has any team even played so many great w/l
records in the playoffs let alone beat them all without home court advantage?
ABA
23) 1970 L.A. Stars (43-41) defeat Denver Rockets (51-33) 4-1 in the Western Finals. MVP
Haywood isn't enough to prevent the upset as Denver's only win comes in OT in Game 1.
24) 1971 Kentucky (44-40) defeats Virginia (55-29) 4-2 in the Eastern Finals. The
pre-Gilmore Colonels stun Charlie Scott, Willie Wise & Co to advance even though the
Squires scored 142 & 150 points in their 2 wins.
25) 1972 NY Nets (44-40) defeats Kentucky (68-16) 4-2 in the Eastern Semis. The ABA's best
record gets knocked out by a Nets team that was supposed to be cannon fodder as they had
lost 8 of 11 to Ky. during the regular season. Instead, they won all 3 road games in
the series.
26) 1975 St. Louis (32-52) defeats NY Nets (58-26) 4-1 in the Eastern Semis. The talented
but erratic & young Spirits knock off the defending champs & Dr. J by winning 4
straight after NY won game 1. Three of the wins were by 18, 5 & 11 points before
they won game 5 108-107 at Nassau Coliseum. Marvin Barnes was at his best during this
series.
27) 1975 Indiana (45-39) defeats Denver (65-19) 4-3 in the Western Finals. The ABA's 2nd
best w/l record goes down to the every savvy Pacers. Denver won game 6 at Indiana
(104-99) but then lost in game 7 (104-96).
LETTERS FROM GEORGE GLASCO, ERNIE NEVERS AND ELMER
RIPLEY
Contributed by John Hogrogian
Dear Mr. Hogrogian,
In reply to your letter of the 13th regarding basketball in the 1920's, I will supply you
with some information which may be helpful.
The game was different in some respects, particularly we had a center jump after each
point was scored. There was always a play on from the center jump and it was always
interesting to see if the play materialized and resulted in a score. It was like watching
a quarterback call a play in football and waiting in suspense to see if it was successful.
When they discarded the center jump, in my opinion they took away a very important facet
of the game.
Also, the defense is much different resulting in the high scores. When a defensive player
committed a foul in the 1920 era, the player received one shot. And the defensive player
could commit as many fouls as necessary without being put out of the game. Also the
offensive foul they call today was unheard of. Driving to the basket, a player naturally
bumps into a defensive man. He can't jump over him. The modifying of defense results in
the high scores of today. Also, I forgot to mention bonus shots the team gets after an
opponent club makes 6 fouls in a quarter. Everything seems to encourage high scores. We
used to have to work our butt off and pass the ball around like a hot potato to get a shot
and we had no 24 second rule to have to shoot. The team work was beautiful, not the race
horse style of today. Plenty rough with plenty of body contact.
Yes, the players had contracts in those days. I broke in pro ball in 1919-20 with
Germantown in Eastern League. I didn't break in with Trenton, my hometown. They said I was
too small. 5'10 ½", 150 lbs. No college education. Out of rough & tumble City
League. Eastern League played in the cage. We had 12" combinations from backboards.
Very few sloppy shots.
On Germantown club was Ripley, Holman, Stretch Meehan, Frank Bruggy & myself. We won
championship that year. There was also the Metropolitan League, N.Y. State League, and
Penn State League. Most players played 2 games a week in 2 of these leagues. We played a
per game basic average pay $40.00 per game. 40 min (2 20 min halves). I played with
Yonkers, Union City, and Greenpoint in Metro League. Won championship with Union City.
In 1924, A.B.L. was formed with Chicago, Cleveland, Ft. Wayne, Washington, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Brooklyn & Rochester. I played with Brooklyn & George Marshall owned
both Brooklyn & Washington and after we won 1st half with Brooklyn, he took Saunders
& myself to Washington and sent Cooney & Conaty to Brooklyn.
We all had contracts as of today and incidentally when the ABL was formed it broke the
other leagues up because we played (like baseball) with one team exclusively. League games
plus all exhibition games they might schedule. Salaries were very good averaging I would
say about $800.00 per month. When the NY Celtics came in the league in 1927, I was with
Philadelphia. Later with Ft. Wayne and then Cleveland with Celtics who then were Cleveland
Rosenblums in 1929-30. We won World's Championship with Lapchick, Dehnert, Barry, Husta
& myself.
After the ABL folded, we all came back east & played in the newly formed Eastern
League.
As I said before, in the 20's all players played on a per game basis. You may play with a
player tonight in Eastern League and against same player tomorrow in the Metro League.
Most players in these four leagues were the same. Possibly only 100 or so pro players were
qualified to play in those days. I moved to Ft. Wayne after Philadelphia folded up and was
traded to Cleveland for Johnny Beckman. The big thing we lacked those days was T.V., which
helps these clubs today financially. Other teams who were in the ABL over the years but
didn't make it were Detroit & Buffalo & Paterson & Trenton.
Most of the playing arenas were pretty good with good capacity.
There were so many good players it would be difficult to select the outstanding.
Sure hope these few facts will help you in your quest of old time basketball information.
Sincerely,
George Glasco
Mr. John Hogrogian
Dear John:
I played most of my basketball at Superior High School in Superior, Wis. Actually, I
nearly went to Wisconsin University on a basketball scholarship.
I played basketball for Stanford University. I left Stanford to play a game of pro
football in Jacksonville, Florida against Grange. After that in Jan. 1926 I went back to
Superior to visit friends and while there I was approached to play a few games of pro
basketball in Chicago and Milwaukee and other towns in Northern Wisconsin. I think I
played five or six games. I had to report to Florida for baseball in Feb. so I did not
play any more basketball. It was a short sojourn for me in basketball and not very
lucrative and not well organized. I did not play any more basketball except a few games on
the Coast the next year. There was very little interest in pro basketball in the mid 20's
and 30's. I hope this helps you a little bit.
Sincerely,
Ernie Nevers
P.S. I do not know who promoted the games in Chicago and Milwaukee.
Dear John:
I just returned from a couple of weeks at a coaching school down in Pennington, N.J. and
found your letter waiting for me.
I'll try and answer your questions as best I can, at eighty five, I'm not as smart as I
used to be. You asked me about my playing days with the Original Celtics, well, on and off
I played quite a while. They needed me because Holman was coaching and several times, over
the various weekends, he had to be with his CCNY team. As you probably know, the Celtics
were a team of individuals. Beckman was a scorer, Dehnert was strictly a pivot man, Horse
Haggerty the center got the tap, and then rebounded, Chris Leonard did some scoring but
mostly rebounding, so the back court men had to move the ball and get back on defense.
Holman and I played the same type of ball, therefore, with Holman gone, they needed me. On
and off, I guess I was with them over five seasons. I used to leave so I could get more
money. George Marshall owned both the Brooklyn and Washington clubs, and he paid good and
regularly. No checks that bounced. They were never in a league when I played with them.
Once I left them and went to Fort Wayne. We had a fine team there. No, they weren't in any
leagues when I was with them.
As you know, Furey gave us many checks that bounced, eventually he landed in Sing Sing
where he died. Haggerty used to scare hell out of him, he would get a bad check, then go
looking for Jim, set him up in front of a plate glass window and make believe he was going
to knock his head thru the window. Poor Jim was really scared and he finally got rid of
Horse when we were on a trip in New England. The night they let him go, we were to play in
Springfield, Mass, where Haggerty's father was head of the brick layers union. The people
demanded their money back if George didn't play, so Johnny Whitty, Furey's brother-in-law,
finally got George dressed, and even though George was pretty drunk, he started the game,
that was when he got into a fight with Joe Brennan, and I caught the bottle thrown at Joe.
Also, it was the first time Lapchick played, I can still remember Beckman's orders to Joe.
He said to Joe, you're the dumbest Polack that ever played, get the tap, get the rebounds,
and then, get the hell out of the way.
When I was with them, we played practically every night and twice on Sunday. The money
wasn't bad, in the $150 dollar category, but I made a lot more playing for Marshall and
the money was always waiting for you. Of course, Beckman and Holman were the highest paid
as far as the Celts were concerned. We did all our traveling by train, and we did stay at
good hotels and ate well. The trips lasted anyways from a week to a month, sometimes we
played in the old Madison Square Garden. You asked about the caliber of teams we played,
the best they could find, and at times, some pretty lousy ones. The best crowds were in
Cleveland and Fort Wayne. They had the best arenas. I played on several teams which beat
the Celtics. My job, when playing them, was to play Beckman, and I played him rough,
tough, and nasty, not dirty. Because of my great condition, I never smoked or drank and to
this day, I have never smoked or ever tasted beer. I often remember Becky saying to
Dehnert and the other boys, we can go out tonight and have a good time, the two athletes,
meaning Nat and me, will be in shape.
You mentioned that Furey paid the best salaries, I can't say he did. The men who paid the
best were Rosenbloom and Marshall. You mentioned Furey and his contracts, I never signed
one for him. As you mentioned, Holman and Beckman were the highest paid, how much, I
couldn't say. My pay with him was anywhere from one hundred to one fifty a game. Furey
paid by check, at times, bad ones. I doubt if Jim made much after paying expenses, the
reason for his getting in trouble. He was a good fellow, very small, and cocky. I doubt if
he made much money. He had a lot of hangers on around. While I was with the Celtics, Pete
Barry played very little, he came along in his latter years. Johnny Whitty was a fine man
and got along with everyone. He and Pete Barry were buddies from their younger days.
The team, the good one, broke up with the war sneaking up. A few of the players, Barry,
Dehnert, Lapchick, and a few others, got together and kept the Celtic name and made a lot
of games but not too much money. When the war ended, that was the Celtics' end. The Boston
Celtics were given the name Celtics by Honey Russell, who was coaching them at that time.
Later on, the Rosenblooms of Cleveland signed three of the Celtics. At that time, they
were in the ABL. As you know, it was when Marshall, Rosenbloom, the owner of the Chicago
team, George Halas, and the then commissioner of the pro football league got together,
formed the American League, and put in college rules, that basketball started to get big,
and college players were able to play. They couldn't play the two handed dribble of the
old days.
You mentioned Tillie Voss, I haven't heard his name mentioned in many years. George
Marshall first brought him to our Brooklyn club and later on to Washington. He was a
professional footballer. You mentioned Nat Hickey, he never was with the Celtics when I
was there. He joined the traveling club when the war started. I know Nat was in a terrible
automobile accident. He was driving his team to a game when they had a terrible accident
and several of his players were killed. Since Nat refuses to talk basketball, the mention
of same drives him nuts.
I hope I have answered most of your questions and that they will help get things
straightened out for you.
My best and good luck always.
Sincerely,
Elmer Ripley
Did you hear about the fellow who went away to college and came back with his B.S., M.S.,
and Ph.D. His friend asked the meaning of all the letters. He replied, you know what B.S.
is, M.S. is more, and Ph.D. is piled higher and deeper.
.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF THE
MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS
Contributed by Robert Bradley
1947-48 (43-17)
6Jul47 In a deal arranged by Minneapolis sportswriter Sid Hartman, the Detroit Gems
franchise of the National Basketball League is purchased for $15,000 by Maurice Chalfen,
who promoted entertainment in the Twin Cities and Benjamin J. Berger and are moved to
Minneapolis and renamed the Minneapolis Lakers .... John Kundla is named coach of the
Lakers .... Max Winter is hired as General Manager .... Sign Jim Pollard (who had been
playing AAU basketball from 1945-47 with the Oakland Bittners and San Diego Dons) to a
$12,000 a year contract with a $3,000 bonus .... The Lakers are awarded George Mikan when
the Chicago American Gears and the Professional Basketball League of America fold ....
Sign Mikan to a $15,000 contract .... Purchase Tony Jaros and Don "Swede"
Carlson from the Chicago Stags of the BAA for $25,000 .... Play in the Minneapolis Armory,
Minneapolis Auditorium and St. Paul Auditorium .... Acquire Herm Schaefer from
Indianapolis .... Mikan scores a the league record with 42 points in a game .... 9Feb48
BAA President Maurice Podoloff refutes a report that the BAA may disband and claims that
Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Minneapolis of the NBL may join the league for the 1949-50
season .... 20Feb48 The Lakers lose to the Harlem Globetrotters 61-59 in the first
exhibition matchup of the two teams .... Mikan is named NBL Most Valuable Player and
All-NBL First Team with a league-leading 21.3 PPG .... Pollard is named All-NBL First Team
.... Defeat Rochester Royals 3 games to 1 for the NBL title .... The Lakers win the 1948
World Tournament, defeating the Wilkes-Barre Barons 98-48, Anderson 59-56, and the New
York Rens 75-71
1948-49 (44-16)
10May48 The Lakers, along with Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Rochester, jump to the BAA,
paying a $25,000 entry fee .... 4Dec48 Mikan score a league-record 47 points against
Chicago .... 26Feb49 Mikan scores 53 points against Baltimore .... 28Feb49 In a rematch of
the two clubs the Lakers lose to the Harlem Globetrotters 49-45 in an exhibition game ....
14Mar49 The Lakers defeat the Harlem Globetrotters 66-53 in an exhibition game ....
16Mar49 Mikan scores 51 points against New York .... Mar49 Mikan sets league marks for
points scored with 1,698 and scoring average with 28.3 PPG .... Mikan and Pollard are
named All-BAA First Team .... The Lakers defeat Chicago 2 games to 0, Rochester 2 games to
0 and Washington 4 games to 2 .... 13Apr49 Minneapolis defeats Washington 77-56 in game
six the series, despite a broken wrist suffered by Mikan
1949-50 (51-17)
21Mar49 Draft Slater Martin, Vern Mikkelsen and Bob Harrison .... Martin is signed to a
$3,500 contract .... 14Jan50 Mikan scores 51 points against Rochester .... 31Jan50 Mikan
is named Best Player of the first 50 Years by Associated Press .... 21Feb50 The Lakers
defeat the Harlem Globetrotters 76-60 in an exhibition game .... Mikan, with a
league-leading 27.4 PPG, and Pollard are named All-NBA First Team .... 20Mar50 The Lakers
defeat the Harlem Globetrotters 69-54 in an exhibition game .... 21Mar50 The Lakers defeat
Rochester 78-76 in the Central Division first Place Game .... The Lakers defeat Chicago 2
games to 0, Fort Wayne 2 games to 0, Anderson 2 games to 0 and Syracuse 4 games to 2 in
the NBA Word Championship Series to win the league championship .... 23Apr50 George Mikan
scores 40 points as Minneapolis defeats Syracuse 110-95 in game six of the NBA World
Championship Series to win the NBA championship
1950-51 (44-14)
25Apr50 Draft Harry "Bud" Grant .... 22Nov50 Fort Wayne defeats Minneapolis
19-18 in a stall-marred game which sets a new record for fewest points in a game with 37
as Mikan leads all scorers with 15 points .... 9Jan51 The Washington franchise disbands
during the season and its players placed in a dispersal draft with Minneapolis selecting
Dick Schnittker .... 23Feb51 The Lakers defeat the Harlem Globetrotters 72-68 in an
exhibition game .... 2Mar51 Mikan, Mikkelsen and Pollard play in the All-Star Game as
Kundla coaches the West team .... Mikan is named All-NBA First Team, with a league-leading
28.4 PPG, Mikkelsen is named All-NBA Second Team .... The Lakers finish with the league's
best record .... The Lakers defeat Indianapolis 2 games to 1 before losing to Rochester 3
games to 1 in the playoffs
1951-52 (40-26)
25Apr51 Draft Whitey Skoog .... The NBA institutes a new rule directed at Mikan widening
the foul lane from six to twelve feet .... 2Jan52 The Lakers defeat the Harlem
Globetrotters 84-60 in an exhibition game .... 20Jan52 Mikan scores 61 points against
Rochester .... 11Feb52 Mikan, Mikkelsen and Pollard play in the All-Star Game with Kundla
coaching the West team .... Purchase Frank "Pep" Saul from Baltimore for $5,000
.... Mikan is named All-NBA First Team, Mikkelsen is named All-NBA Second Team .... The
Lakers defeat Indianapolis 2 games to 0, Rochester 3 games to 1 and New York 4 games to 3
in the NBA World Championship Series to win the championship .... 25Apr52 Minneapolis
defeats New York 82-65 in game seven to win the NBA Championship
1952-53 (48-22)
26Apr52 Draft Clyde Lovellette .... 13Jan53 Kundla is named the All-Star coach with
Martin, Mikan and Mikkelsen playing in the game, and Mikan winning the Most Valuable
Player award .... Mikan is named All-NBA First Team, with a league-leading 1,007 rebounds,
Mikkelsen is named All-NBA Second Team .... The Lakers finish with the league's best
record .... The Lakers defeat Indianapolis 2 games to 0, Fort Wayne 3 games to 2 and New
York 4 games to 1 in the NBA World Championship Series to win the championship ....
10Apr53 Minneapolis defeats New York 91-84 in game 5 of the NBA World Championship Series
to win the NBA title
1953-54 (46-26)
Sign Schnittker .... Lovellette joins team after a season of AAU basketball with the
Phillips 66ers .... Mikan signs a $35,000 contract .... 21Jan54 Martin, Mikan and Pollard
play in the All-Star Game as Kundla coaches the West team .... 7Mar54 The Lakers defeat
Milwaukee in a game in which the league experiments with twelve-foot baskets and the
shooting of all free throws at the conclusion of each quarter .... Mikan is named All-NBA
First Team, Pollard is named All-NBA Second Team .... The Lakers finish with league's best
record .... The Lakers finish with 3 win and 0 losses in the Western Division Round Robin
with Fort Wayne and Rochester .... The Lakers defeat Rochester 2 games to 1 and Syracuse 4
games to 3 in the NBA World Championship Series to win the title .... 31Mar54 Minneapolis
defeats Syracuse 87-80 in games seven of the NBA World Championship Series to win the
title
1954-55 (40-32)
Mikan retires .... 24Apr54 Draft Dick Garmaker (who remains in school) and Al Bianchi (who
enters military service) .... Mikan buys out Winter's one-third share of the franchise
.... 5Oct54 Mikan is appointed Vice President and General Manager .... 18Jan55 Martin and
Pollard play in the All-Star-Game .... Mikkelsen and Martin are named All-NBA Second Team
.... The Lakers defeat Rochester 2 games to 1 before losing to Fort Wayne 3 games to 1 in
the playoffs
1955-56 (33-39)
Pollard retires .... 13Apr55 Draft Garmaker as a territorial choice and K.C. Jones (who
remains in school) .... Mikan returns as player/General Manager .... 24Jan56 Lovellette,
Martin and Mikkelsen play in the All-Star Game .... Lovellette and Martin named All-NBA
Second Team .... 16Mar56 The Lakers defeat St. Louis in a Western Division second Place
Game 103-97 .... The Lakers lose in the playoffs to St. Louis 2 games to 1
1956-57 (34-38)
30Apr56 Draft Sam Jones (who remains in school) .... Berger buys out Mikan's 33% of the
franchise .... 26Oct56 After he hold out for $14,000, the Lakers trade Martin, along with
Jerry Bird and a player to be named later to New York for Walter Dukes and rights to
Burdette Haldorson .... 28Nov56 The Lakers allow NBA record-low 3 assists by Boston ....
15Jan57 Garmaker and Mikkelsen play in the All-Star Game .... 26Feb57 Milton Fischman and
former Major League Baseball player Marty Marion reach an agreement to buy the franchise
for $150,000 by 13Mar57, with plans to move the team to Kansas City .... Garmaker is named
All-NBA Second Team .... 16Mar57 The Lakers lose Western Division Tiebreaker to St. Louis
114-111 .... The Lakers defeat Fort Wayne 2 games to 0 before losing to St. Louis 3 games
to 0 in the playoffs
1957-58 (19-53)
The franchise is sold to a Group of 30 individuals headed by Robert E. Short, President of
the Mueller Transit Company, attorney Francis T. Ryan, Odd Noe of the Hamm Brewing Co.,
John Scheefe of the Swanberg & Scheefe Co., and David Babcock of Dayton's for $150,000
and $50,000 working capital, with the league placing the franchise on "financial
probation" (including a stipulation that a net gate of $200,000 be met by the final
game of the season) .... 17Apr57 Draft Jim Krebs .... 17Apr57 Trade Lovellette and Jim
Paxson to Cincinnati for Rod Hundley, who had been chosen with the first pick overall in
the draft, Ed Fleming, Art Spoelstra, Bob Burrow and Don Meineke .... 19Jun57 Mikan
replaces Kundla as coach as Kundla becomes General ... 12Sep57 Trade Dukes to Detroit for
Larry Foust and cash .... Short becomes 80% owner of the franchise after investing an
additional $40,000 in the team, with the team put on "financial probation" by
the league, with the league having the option of buying the franchise for $150,000 and
moving it if certain financial criteria are not met .... 3Jan58 The Lakers defeat the
Harlem Globetrotters 111-110 in an exhibition game .... 15Jan58 Kundla replaces Mikan as
coach after 9-30 start .... 21Jan58 Foust and Garmaker play in the All-Star Game .... The
Lakers do not qualify for the playoffs, finishing with the league's worst record
1958-59 (33-39)
22Apr58 Draft Elgin Baylor with the first selection overall as a junior eligible and is
signed to a $22,000 contract .... 1Jan59 to 20Jan59 The Lakers lose a franchise-record 11
consecutive games .... 23Jan59 Baylor, Foust and Garmaker play in the All-Star Game with
Baylor named Co-Most Valuable Player .... 25Feb59 Baylor scores 55 against Cincinnati ....
27Feb59 Boston beats Minneapolis 173-139 to set an NBA scoring record for most points in a
game as Bob Cousy totals a league-record 28 assists .... Baylor is named All-NBA First
Team and Rookie of the Year .... Mikan is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame ....
The Lakers defeat Detroit 2 games to 1 and St. Louis 4 games to 2 before losing to Boston
in the NBA World Championship Series 4 games to 0 .... 9Apr59 Boston defeats Minneapolis
118-113 in game four of the NBA World Championship Series to sweep the series
1959-60 (25-50)
Kundla and Mikkelsen retire .... 31Apr59 Draft Rudy LaRusso .... Baylor's college coach,
John Castellani is named coach .... 18Oct59 Baylor scores 52 points against Detroit ....
8Nov59 Baylor scores a league-record 64 against Boston .... Castellani is replaced by Jim
Pollard after a 11-25 start .... Acquire Frank Selvy from Syracuse .... 15Jan60
Cincinnati's Jack Twyman scores 59 points against the Lakers .... 18Jan60 The Lakers'
plane makes an emergency landing during a snowstorm in a corn field outside Carroll, Iowa
.... 22Jan60 Baylor, Garmaker and Hundley play in the All-Star Game .... 1Feb60 Trade
Foust to St. Louis for Charlie Share, cash and rights to Willie Merriweather and Nick
Mantis .... Garmaker is sold to New York for $25,000 .... Short and Ryan purchase the
remainder of the franchise for $500,000 .... 27Apr60 The franchise's move to California as
the Los Angeles Lakers is approved at a league meeting due to the threat of the ABL
playing on the west coast and after the Lakers agree to pay the difference in traveling
expenses for the rest of the league .... Baylor is named All-NBA First Team .... The
Lakers defeat Detroit 2 games to 0 and lose to St. Louis 4 games to 3 in the playoffs |