• 1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)
• 1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)
• 1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)
• 1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)
• 1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)
• 1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)
• 1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)
• 1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)
• 1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)
• 1976 (ABA) — Don Buse (Pacers)
• 1976 — Paul Westphal (Suns)
• 1975 (ABA) — Dave Twardzik (Squires)
• 1975 — Fred Brown (Sonics)
• 1974 (ABA) — Ted McClain (Cougars)
• 1974 — Gar Heard (Braves)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Chuck Williams (Conquistadors)

Lee Davis (Tams)

Reason:

George McGinnis wouldn’t fit the mold of a conventional Most Improved Player (MIP). But compared to Chuck Williams and Lee Davis? It’s no contest. Hand him the crown and let’s move on. McGinnis’ story is more than just stats—it’s the tale of a basketball phenom who went from a promising young talent to a force of nature, all in the blink of an eye.

First, let’s set the stage: George McGinnis left the Indiana Hoosiers early, deciding college glory could wait. (Spoiler: It never came.) If he had stayed, there’s a good chance he would’ve led the Hoosiers to a national championship. But instead, McGinnis chose a different path—jumping to the ABA’s Indiana Pacers, thanks to their relaxed signing rules and rookie eligibility. This decision didn’t just ruffle feathers; it sent them flying.

At 21 years old, McGinnis’ rookie season was impressive but not earth-shattering. He was a key feature of the offense but not the gravitational pull—yet. Even so, the Pacers clinched the ABA championship that year. A ring as a rookie? Not too shabby.

Then came Year 2, where McGinnis exploded like fireworks on the Fourth of July. The Pacers improved from 47 to 51 wins, and guess what? They bagged another championship. But let’s talk about George. His scoring average shot up from 16.9 to a jaw-dropping 27.6 points per game. His rebounds went from 9.7 to 12.5. Oh, and he was swiping two steals a game while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He wasn’t just good; he was MVP-level dominant, finishing third in voting.

Want a cherry on top? McGinnis led the Pacers to victory in the legendary NBA vs. ABA showdown against the New York Knicks. Double overtime. Heart-stopping drama. George dropped buckets like they were on sale, leading all scorers and handing the ABA its first win in six tries. This wasn’t just basketball; it was history.

But George wasn’t done. That season, he posted a career-high 58 points in a game, casually grabbing 16 rebounds and swiping 8 steals in the same outing. Oh, and let’s not forget his 27-rebound masterpiece in another game. By the way, he was only 22 years old. At the All-Star game? 23 points, 15 boards. Just another day at the office.

McGinnis’ dominance didn’t stop with the Pacers. He went on to win the ABA MVP in 1975 and eventually made his way to the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers a year before the leagues merged. But 1973 was the year he solidified himself as a superstar. That season, McGinnis ranked second in points per game, fourth in rebounds, sixth in steals, and fifth in field goal percentage. He was also second in free throws made, fourth in minutes played, and ranked top-five in almost every advanced stat that mattered: player efficiency, win shares, usage percentage—you name it, George was on the leaderboard.

The Pacers essentially handed McGinnis the keys to the franchise, even with legends like Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and Freddie Lewis still in the mix. And why not? He was unstoppable. He capped the year by being named the 1973 Playoffs MVP, sealing his status as the league’s rising star.

So, is George McGinnis your MIP? He’s not just the MIP—he’s the definition of it. And he did it with a flair that’s hard to forget. The man wasn’t just playing basketball; he was rewriting the rulebook. Give him his flowers—he’s earned them.

1973 NBA is up next!

• 1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)
• 1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)
• 1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)
• 1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)
• 1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)
• 1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)
• 1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)
• 1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)
• 1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)
• 1976 (ABA) — Don Buse (Pacers)
• 1976 — Paul Westphal (Suns)
• 1975 (ABA) — Dave Twardzik (Squires)
• 1975 — Fred Brown (Sonics)
• 1974 (ABA) — Ted McClain (Cougars)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Calvin Murphy (Rockets)

Kevin Porter (Bullets)

Reason:

In 1974, the NBA’s Most Improved Player award didn’t exist yet, but if it did, Gar Heard’s breakout season with the Buffalo Braves would have made him the runaway favorite. Let’s break down why Heard’s leap in production, impact, and pure hustle made him one of the league’s most compelling stories—and one of its most underappreciated defenders.

Gar Heard entered the league as the 40th pick in the 1970 NBA Draft, landing with the Seattle SuperSonics. At Oklahoma, he put up stellar numbers, but the Sooners weren’t exactly a basketball powerhouse at the time. Add in the lack of spotlight on a young program, and Heard’s draft stock tumbled. After a few underwhelming seasons in Seattle and a stint in Chicago where his per-minute stats screamed potential, but his playing time whispered “pine duty,” Heard was traded to the Buffalo Braves in exchange for, well, let’s just call it "future trivia fodder."

The Braves of the early ‘70s were in rebuild mode, having stumbled to just 21 wins in back-to-back seasons despite adding a young Bob McAdoo. Enter Gar Heard, who came to Buffalo via a trade for John Hummer—a name that, quite fittingly, sounds like heavy machinery because that’s exactly what the Braves got in Heard.

In the 1973-74 season, Heard averaged 15.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. For context, that’s a line that would have most players Photoshopping their faces onto Wilt Chamberlain posters. Heard also set career-highs across the board: 36 points, 25 rebounds, and 9 assists in single games that season. Meanwhile, the Braves—powered by the McAdoo-Heard tandem—jumped to 42 wins and made the playoffs. To put that leap into perspective, the Braves had been as reliable as a car with three wheels before Heard arrived.

Despite his gaudy numbers, Heard’s defense was what truly elevated Buffalo. He finished 10th in rebounds per game, 14th in steals, 6th in blocks, 15th in defensive win shares, and 18th in defensive rating. All of this while playing for a fast-paced Buffalo squad that led the league in scoring. And yet, Heard was somehow snubbed from the All-Defensive Team, presumably because voters were too distracted by McAdoo’s scoring title or Randy Smith’s hairline (which, like his game, was ahead of its time).

When the playoffs rolled around, Heard didn’t just rest on his regular-season laurels. Against a formidable Boston Celtics squad, he upped his averages to 16.8 points and 14.7 rebounds per game. Keep in mind, this was the Celtics of John Havlicek and Dave Cowens fame. Heard not only held his own but gave the Braves a fighting chance in every contest.

The Most Improved Player award is meant to recognize players who transform themselves from solid contributors into indispensable stars. By that measure, Gar Heard’s 1974 season wasn’t just a breakout; it was a paradigm shift for the Buffalo Braves. He turned a perennial loser into a playoff team, anchored a defense that desperately needed structure, and delivered when it mattered most.

So why didn’t Gar Heard get more recognition in 1974? Maybe the league wasn’t ready to appreciate the nuances of a two-way big man on a team named after a Western movie trope. Or maybe the voters were too busy counting McAdoo’s buckets to notice Heard’s blocks. Either way, Heard’s season deserves its due. In a just world, he would have been the Most Improved Player, proving that sometimes all you need is a chance—and a trade package no one remembers.

1973 ABA is up next!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)

1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)

1976 (ABA) — Don Buse (Pacers)

1976 — Paul Westphal (Suns)

1975 (ABA) — Dave Twardzik (Squires)

1975 — Fred Brown (Sonics)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

George Gervin (Spurs)

Al Smith (Rockets)

Reason:

George Gervin’s bid for Most Improved Player of 1974 might seem compelling on the surface, but upon closer inspection, it feels more like the natural progression of a prodigious talent rather than a case of true, transformative improvement. Let’s set the stage.

Gervin came into the professional ranks after finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting in 1973, despite logging a modest 23 minutes per game across 30 contests. In his second season, split between the Virginia Squires and the San Antonio Spurs (after his rights were dealt for cash), the “Iceman” raised his scoring average to 23.4 points per game, doubling his rebounds from 4.3 to 8.4. Essentially, Gervin became a top-tier option almost overnight. It’s worth noting, though, that this happened when he was just 21 years old. A meteoric rise? Yes. But improvement? Eh, more like destiny fulfilling itself.

Now, let’s talk about someone who truly embodies the spirit of the Most Improved Player award: Ted McClain. The pride of Tennessee State, McClain—a standout on a powerhouse Division II program that also featured Lloyd Neal and a young Truck Robinson—forged an unorthodox path to basketball success. Drafted 22nd overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 1971, he instead chose the ABA’s Carolina Cougars, still finding a way to stick close to his Southern roots. His rookie year, McClain barely got off the bench, averaging 14 minutes, 6.5 points, and shooting a dismal 36% from the field. Ouch.

In his sophomore season, McClain began to find his footing. Playing 22 minutes per game, he bumped his scoring to 9.6 points and added 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Solid progress, but the real explosion came in 1974. Playing 31 minutes per game, McClain averaged 13.1 points, led the league with a jaw-dropping three steals per game, made the All-Star team, and earned All-Defensive honors. Talk about a glow-up.

McClain’s impact extended beyond the stat sheet. He played in all 84 games that year (an ironman feat in itself) and became a key piece of the Cougars' defensive identity. And if the ABA didn’t quite appreciate his value, the championship teams that came next sure did. In 1975, he was traded to the Kentucky Colonels for cash, where he helped Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel win a title while playing brilliantly in the postseason. In 1976, he was sent to the New York Nets (also for cash), winning another championship as a role player off the bench. By the time the ABA merged with the NBA, McClain had cemented his reputation as a winner and a defensive stalwart.

Let’s zoom in on some numbers from his breakout year. At 27 years old, McClain ranked 15th in assists, 17th in true shooting percentage (a testament to how far he’d come from his dreadful rookie efficiency), and 19th in win shares. On defense, his 99 defensive rating—especially for a 6'1" shooting guard—was borderline obscene. He also ranked fourth in box plus-minus, proving he was an impact player in every sense. Sure, he liked to “let opponents know he was there” (second in personal fouls), but that’s part of his charm.

Comparing McClain to Gervin for this award feels almost unfair. Gervin was a young phenom stepping into his destined spotlight, while McClain was a late bloomer who clawed his way into the league, overcame early struggles, and became an indispensable piece for multiple championship squads. It’s a no-brainer: Ted McClain was the true Most Improved Player of 1974.

1974 NBA is up next!

The '75 Warriors won the championship and led the league in scoring, but outside of Rick Barry:

• they had no All-Stars

• they had no one receiving any MVP or All-NBA votes

• they had no one named All-Defense

• they had no one rank top-10 in any per game stat

Unlike other noteworthy championship or Finals "carry jobs" that come to mind quickly like Hakeem with the '94 Rockets, Iverson with the '01 Sixers, Duncan with the '03 Spurs, Kidd with the '02 and '03 Nets, LeBron with the Cavs (especially in '07), Dirk in '11, Kawhi in Toronto, Wilt in '64, etc.... Rick Barry's team was an elite scoring team but in the bottom-5 in scoring defense. Most of the clubs I just mentioned had great defenses since a slew of unheralded players can bust their butts to stop opponents even if those role players have trouble scoring. In case you're wondering about that Wilt Warriors team that went to the '64 Finals, they ranked last in scoring offense and first in scoring defense. I checked the '23 Nuggets since Jokic was far and away the center of their offense (even with Murray averaging 20 ppg that year), but as a team they ranked 12th in scoring.

So has any star other than Rick Barry in '75 carried a champ or Finals team that was elite at scoring despite having no other All-Stars or anything like that?

I'm working on a statistical project focusing on FG%, and I've noticed that major websites like Basketball Reference, Statmuse, NBA.com and NBA Stats.net are missing this data for certain games. Does anyone know of alternative sources or newspapers where I might find this information? Interestingly, Basketball Reference (links below) only lists FG% for one or two players from these games, which makes it unclear why the data isn't available for everyone.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

• Lakers vs Pistons 1968
• Lakers vs Pistons 1969
• Lakers vs Bullets 1970

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)

1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)

1976 (ABA) — Don Buse (Pacers)

1976 — Paul Westphal (Suns)

1975 (ABA) — Dave Twardzik (Squires)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Doug Collins (76ers)

Jim Cleamons (Cavs)

Reason:

In 1974, the Seattle SuperSonics were Spencer Haywood’s team, and they managed to scrape together 36 wins. Not bad, but not great. By 1975, though, it wasn’t just Haywood’s show—it was Spencer Haywood and Fred Brown’s team. The Sonics leveled up, snagging 43 wins and even making it to the second round of the playoffs. For Seattle, this was cause for a parade. OK, maybe not a full parade, but at least a strongly worded press release.

Fred Brown, lovingly nicknamed “Downtown Freddy Brown” for his sniper-like shooting, didn’t exactly enter the league with fireworks. Coming out of a tiny school in Iowa, he still managed to grab the 6th pick in the 1971 draft. Expectations? Moderate. Rookie year? Predictably underwhelming. But by his sophomore season, Brown started cooking, averaging 13.5 points and 5.5 assists in nearly 30 minutes per game. By year three, he upped his scoring to 16.5 points, becoming a dependable long-range threat.

Then came 1975, the year Brown decided to stop playing nice and start taking names. His numbers jumped to 21 points per game, 2.3 steals, and an impressive 48% shooting from the field. And those weren’t empty calories, folks—he logged 33 minutes a game and finished 15th in the league in scoring, 5th in steals, and even cracked the top 10 in Player Efficiency Rating and Box Plus-Minus. Oh, and he was 21st in MVP voting. Not too shabby for a guy who, just a couple years prior, was flying under the radar.

Brown’s breakout wasn’t just a statistical explosion; it came with a touch of drama. Late in his 3rd season in March 1974, he lit up the scoreboard for 58 points in a single game—a franchise record that left defenders with sore ankles and egos. The following season, he added another feather to his cap with a 40-point game and dropped 30 or more on 10 different occasions. Suffice it to say, opposing teams dreaded the sound of “Downtown Freddy Brown!”

But here’s the thing about Fred Brown—he wasn’t just a one-year wonder. He spent all 13 years of his career with the Sonics, the kind of loyalty you don’t see much these days. Sure, he wasn’t logging 33 minutes a game during Seattle’s title runs in the late ’70s, but he played a critical role, scoring over 15 points a game with efficiency that would make a Swiss watch jealous—48% from the field and 89% from the free-throw line.

Fred Brown’s 1975 season wasn’t just a leap; it was a rocket launch. It’s the kind of improvement that makes coaches smile, fans cheer, and sportswriters like me look smart for hyping him up. So let’s give it up for Downtown Freddy Brown—the rightful 1975 NBA Most Improved Player.

1974 ABA is up next!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)

1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)

1976 (ABA) — Don Buse (Pacers)

1976 — Paul Westphal (Suns)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Darnell Hillman (Pacers)

Ron Boone (Stars)

Reason:

In the 1970s, it wasn’t unusual for NBA draftees to snub the league’s second-round calls and head to the flashier, more freewheeling ABA. Enter Dave Twardzik, a standout guard from Old Dominion who had been overlooked by most NBA teams despite a stellar college career. Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1972, Twardzik chose to stay close to his alma mater and joined the ABA’s Virginia Squires instead—a team that was essentially the basketball equivalent of a “fixer-upper.”

Twardzik’s first two seasons were modest, like a slow boil before the lid finally pops. He averaged 17 minutes per game as a rookie, bumping that to 24.8 in his sophomore season. But by 1975, the transformation was in full swing. His playing time ballooned to 35.3 minutes per game, and with it came some remarkable improvements:

•	Scoring average? Up from 8.7 to 13.6.
•	Steals? From 1.1 to 1.7 per game.
•	Assists? A jump from 3.0 to 5.3.
•	Shooting percentages? Already solid at 48%, he upped it to a scorching 55%. He also improved from 79% to 83% at the free-throw line.

Let’s not forget, the Squires were not a good team. We’re talking sub-basement levels of bad. Yet Twardzik’s performance in the 1975 season was so good he earned an All-Star nod, proving that even on a sinking ship, you can find a lifesaver.

In the All-Star Game, he dropped 14 points and snagged four steals—impressive, considering he fouled out after just 15 minutes. Apparently, he wanted to maximize his per-minute stats. By season’s end, Twardzik ranked:

•	12th in the league for steals
•	11th in assists
•	4th in field goal percentage
•	8th in free throw percentage
•	4th in effective field goal percentage
•	1st in true shooting percentage
•	17th in minutes per game

Statistically, it was like he went from being a competent role player to one of the most efficient players in the league—basically the basketball equivalent of upgrading from a flip phone to the latest iPhone overnight.

When the ABA folded in 1976, Twardzik finally joined the Portland Trail Blazers, who still held his NBA rights. The transition proved he was more than capable of thriving in the NBA. In fact, he became the starting shooting guard for the 1977 Trail Blazers, helping them win the NBA Championship.

Sadly, injuries cut his career short at the age of 29, but not before he made his mark. If there were an official Most Improved Player award in the ABA, the 1975 season would have been Twardzik’s to lose. His rise that year showed what happens when you bet on yourself—even if your team’s win total can be counted on one hand.

1975 NBA is up next!

15 or so years ago, I met Pete Gaudet. We got to talking about post play, we corresponded further, and he mailed me some great stuff. A short book/pamphlet me wrote on post play, and also - the purpose of this post - notes and a VHS of Pete Newell’s Big Man’s Camp.

I remember it fairly well, Kiki VanDeWeghe was featured prominently. They went through the whole day, progressions of drills, a lot of good stuff there. It was back when the camp was in Hawaii. The notes Coach Gaudet gave me are also lost, but I have no hope for those.

I’ve searched high and low for this VHS. I’m hoping that somebody here might be able to point me in the right direction. Everything I’ve looked for on YouTube or online hasn’t been right so far. The Championship Productions version isn’t it either.

I’d pay good money (well, decent money) for a copy of it. Here’s hoping!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)

1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)

1976 (ABA) — Don Buse (Pacers)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Phil Smith (Warriors)

Mickey Johnson (Bulls)

Reason:

Paul Westphal came out of USC as a decorated player, which helped him secure the 10th pick in the 1972 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. However, his early years in Boston were spent in the shadow of veterans like Jo Jo White, Don Chaney, and Don Nelson. The Celtics, led by John Havlicek and Dave Cowens, prioritized a defensive approach, leaving Westphal to play a supporting role. While he did win a championship with Boston in 1974, his contributions were modest, averaging just 14 minutes per game that season.

But the Phoenix Suns saw the untapped potential in Westphal. In a bold move, they traded five-time All-Star Charlie Scott for him, along with a couple of dangling second-round picks (because why not sweeten the deal with a little future uncertainty?). The trade turned out to be a masterstroke for Phoenix. Westphal’s transformation was immediate and dramatic. His scoring average leapt from 9.8 points per game to 20.5, his assists doubled from 2.9 to 5.4, and his steals skyrocketed from 1.0 to 2.6 per game. The man didn’t just step up; he vaulted into the Suns' spotlight.

In his first season with Phoenix, Westphal averaged 36 minutes per game—a far cry from his bench-warming days in Boston. The result? He led the Suns to the NBA Finals, where they faced (fittingly) his old team, the Celtics, in a series many consider one of the greatest of all time. That 1976 Finals included the legendary triple-overtime Game 5, often hailed as the greatest Finals game ever played. Westphal delivered clutch heroics, cementing his status as a star. Talk about revenge served cold and in dramatic fashion.

From that season onward, Westphal became a perennial All-Star, earning five straight selections, just like the guy he was traded for, Charlie Scott. It was a swap that clearly worked out for the Suns. By the numbers, Westphal’s impact was undeniable. During his the ‘76 season, he ranked 14th in scoring, 12th in assists, and an impressive 3rd in steals. He also landed in the top 20 in free-throw percentage, effective field goal percentage, and minutes played. Advanced metrics? He crushed those too: 11th in Player Efficiency Rating (PER), 8th in Win Shares, 10th in Box Plus-Minus, and 9th in Value Over Replacement Player (VORP).

In the 1976 Finals, Westphal’s scoring average jumped to 20.8 points per game. His duel with Phil Smith of the Golden State Warriors in the Most Improved Player conversation was tight, much like the Suns’ seven-game Western Conference Finals victory over those very Warriors. But in the end, Westphal edged him out. And honestly, when you go from a role player to the engine of a Finals team while posting career-best stats across the board, the nod feels more than deserved.

Paul Westphal didn’t just improve; he redefined himself. And in doing so, he helped elevate a Suns team that went from the shadows to the NBA’s biggest stage. Not bad for a guy who started his career as a Boston backup.

1975 ABA is up next!

I was reading through some old newspaper articles, and I found one from February 3, 1948, in the New York Times where Pat Kennedy, an early pro-ball referee, advocated for the BAA to start allowing coaches and players to talk during timeouts.

It seems weird to me that players weren't allowed to talk with their coaches in the first place, but I'm sure it was a rule that had been around since the sport's inception.

When did the BAA/NBA change this?

I'm no expert on this, but I've tried to piece together a little post about this notable minor league that had multiple names by using some previous posts and what's on their wikipedia page (ugh, I know). I'd love any input, corrections, etc. EDIT: I made a few corrections to the main body below--instead of just in comments--once I realized this post is showing up rather high on google searches for the EPBL and CBA, so I want the most correct info in the main body for anyone who lands here.

This league never challenged the NBA, NBL, or BAA, but it had enough of a connection with the NBA over the years that it’s worth mentioning. It began in 1946 as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League with teams in small cities along a couple of train lines that ran north and west from Philadelphia (Allentown, Lancaster, etc.). NYC and Philly were the centers of the basketball world at this time, so a league offshooting from one of them made sense. A few years later, it shot off farther into New Jersey and New England, changing Pennsylvania to Professional in its name.

The EPBL operated as “little brother” to the NBA throughout the 50s, playing numerous exhibition games against the major league, but their relationship soured for a few years because the EPBL signed so many players banned by the NBA (Sherman White, Bill Spivey, Jack Molinas, etc.). Even into the 60s, the EPBL was seen as the primary option for high-level players who weren’t yet eligible to play in the NBA (ex: Ray Scott) or for those ending their NBA careers in order to work stable day jobs around Philadelphia (ex: Paul Arizin). Like the AAU, the EPBL’s notoriety dropped off once the ABA came into existence in 1967, but the NBA-ABA merger in 1976 helped revitalize the EPBL since a ton of recently former ABA players not picked up by the NBA joined.

In the late-70s, the league rebranded as the CBA (after barely existing as the EBA for most of the decade), and their connection with the NBA became official over the next few years in three ways. First, the NBA would regularly sign CBA players for a short period of time, leading to the advent of the “10-day contract”. Second, the NBA paid the CBA to help train its referees. Third and most importantly, the CBA was named as the NBA’s developmental league in 1980, with formal affiliate connections established within a few years. In the 80s and 90s, it was common for CBA players to go on to have notable careers in the NBA (ex: John Starks, Bruce Bowen, Mario Elie), and similarly for successful CBA coaches (ex: Phil Jackson, George Karl, Flip Saunders). Back to the early-to-mid-80s for a minute. The league took the Continental part of its name quite seriously at this time with teams popping up all over the place–often for only a year or two–including in Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

The good times came to an end at the turn of the century, however. The CBA was purchased in 1999 by a group headed by Isiah Thomas who mismanaged everything, most significantly by rejecting a lucrative offer from the NBA in March of 2000. Three months later, the NBA declared that they were starting their own developmental league in 2001 (the D-League now G League), thus ending their relationship with the CBA. Thomas quickly left the sinking ship to coach the Pacers, and the CBA went under in early-2001. It technically lived on in name for a few more years through a series of restructurings and mergers with other tiny leagues, but it was as good as dead once the NBA announced the upcoming D-League.

A few other notes about the EPBL-EBA-CBA: 1) Early on, they signed several talented black players because the NBA was often slow, stubborn, or resistant to integration. An EPBL team fielded an all-black starting five (the Hazleton Hawks in 1955) nearly a decade before an NBA team did (the Celtics in 1964). 2) The EPBL added a 3-point line in 1964 which lasted for the remainder of the league’s existence. This happened shortly after the death of the ABL and a few years prior to the ABA. 3) The CBA was aired nationally throughout the 80s and 90s on a few cable networks, including ESPN. 4) At times reminiscent of the ideas of infamous baseball owner-promoter Bill Veeck, the CBA had several notable halftime promotions that garnered widespread attention. 5) After Sixer Darryl Dawkins shattered two backboards in ‘80, the CBA tested breakaway rims for the NBA during the ‘81 season. The NBA adopted the best one for the ‘82 season. 6) From 1983 onward, the CBA used a points system for standings that awarded 3 points for a win and 1 point to whichever team won each quarter, meaning a losing team could earn as many as 3 of the 7 available points for league standings in a game, often giving importance and intrigue to the fourth quarter of a blowout.

By Dick Weiss; Published on April 25th, 1989

• NOTE: I added some context in bulleted italics

The Team to Beat:

Detroit. The Pistons have the best talent, the best nine-man depth, the best rotation and the best team defense. And even though they come off like neighborhood bullies, coach Chuck Daly has done an outstanding job transforming them into a championship-caliber team.

”The Pistons are the only team in the league, you're afraid to play them," the Philadelphia 76er’s' Charles Barkley says.

Barkley loves the Pistons. He hopes the Sixers will grow up to be just like them someday. Just what the NBA needs, more juvenile delinquents.

Look for the Pistons to manhandle Cleveland in the Eastern Conference final, then knock off surprise Western Conference champion Utah in seven games in the championship series.

• Pistons would win the championship with a 15-2 record, though neither Cleveland nor Utah would make it out of the 1st round.

Best Reason Why the Lakers Will Repeat:

Magic Johnson. He has been on the winning side in the playoffs five times in the '80s, he's one of the best of all time and he's playing better than ever.

• Magic would lead the Lakers through 3 undefeated rounds. After losing the 1st game of the finals, Magic would go down midway through game 2 with a hamstring injury and miss virtually the rest of the 0-4 series.

Best Reason Why the Lakers Won't Repeat:

Old age and a lack of dominance in the middle. Haven't they put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in formaldehyde yet? Somebody tell the big guy he's 92 years old now and he's no Wilt. He might need that Rolls Royce his teammates gave him Sunday to get up and down the floor if the Lakers run into the explosive Phoenix Suns.

• Kareem would put up an inefficient 11/4/1 in 23mpg throughout the playoffs. His worst series was against the Suns.

Most Underrated Team:

Atlanta. Daly, whose Pistons are 0-4 against New York this season, says the Hawks are the one team that scares him. They finally are starting to play up to their potential now that coach Mike Fratello has plugged 7-foot Jon Koncak into the starting power forward spot alongside rejuvenated Moses Malone and high-powered Dominque.

• Wilkins would score 27ppg, Moses 21ppg while negating nearly all his own missed shots with offensive boards, but still lose in the 1st round.

Most Overrated Team:

Chicago. Michael Jordan has taken three consecutive league scoring titles, but you can’t win in this league with a one-man team. And the Bulls still are searching for answers at center where Bill Cartwright has been a bomb; at forward, where Horace Grant has been unhappy; and at lead guard, where Jordan now plays partly because Sam Vincent has done a disappearing act.

• The Bulls would take the Pistons to 6 games in the conference finals, becoming the only team to win any playoff games against the ‘89 champions.

Close Runner-up (for most overrated):

Houston. If the Rockets didn’t have center Akeem Olajuwon, they might remind people of the expansion Miami Heat, who, incidentally, defeated Houston twice during the season.

• Despite Olajuwon’s 25/13/3/2.5/3, his team would get bounced in the 1st round. Yet again.

Five Reasons to Hate the Pistons:

1. Bill Laimbeer. Didn’t we just see him in “Wrestlemania V?” The mere sight of this oafish, 6-11 center, who has been in his share of physical confrontations with Boston's Robert Parish and Larry Bird over the years, sends Johnny Most, the Celtics' ancient radio announcer, into an uncontrolled frenzy.

2. Rick Mahorn. If Laimbeer is "McFilthy", then Mahorn is "Mc-Nasty,” according to Most. Wasn't that Mahorn we saw biting into a basketball rim in this month's issue of Rolling Stone? "On the court, I think I'd have problems getting along with my grandmother," the malicious power forward claims.

3. Leon (The Barber) Bradley. The NBA's foremost heckler, he takes great joy in sitting behind the opposing team's bench at Pistons home games and firing away with a barrage of insults. Sometimes he even attacks his own team. Wasn't that Leon who pleaded with the Pistons to trade Bob McAdoo for two six-packs of warm beer?

4. Dennis Rodman. He's been called everything from a punk to a racist ever since he questioned Bird's ability two years ago. Don't you hate the way he loves to wag that finger at opposing players after a big basket?

5. Isiah Thomas. Don't tell me he's an angel. Sneaky is a word that comes to mind. He must be a distant relative of Eddie Haskell.

Sigmund Freud Award:

Reserve a psychiatrist's couch for the New York Knicks, who face the Sixers in the opening round. The Knicks have to be the most analyzed team in the history of the NBA. Every day the New York tabloids give us another chapter in this continuing soap opera, which stars coach Rick Pitino and features general manager Al Bianchi. Does Al love Rick? Does Rick still love the college game? Will Patrick Ewing ever find happiness in the Big Apple? Stay tuned.

• Rick Pitino would be “released from his contract” 11 days after the Knicks were eliminated. Bianchi would be fired before the ‘91 postseason.

Most Intriguing Personality, Now That Frank Layden No Longer Is On the Bench:

With Layden gone as coach of the Utah Jazz, fat jokes are out. But this spring, we'll get a chance to savor the wit and wisdom of Barkley. You can count on him to say anything, much like Darryl Dawkins, the former mayor of Lovetron. And Barkley then will go out and back it up, particularly in Madison Square Garden.

• ”Guys in Kenya are good runners. They have to be. They don’t have any (expletive) cars.” - Barkley ranting before the playoffs.

Most Interesting Roster Move:

The Celtics have put Bird on their roster in place of seldom-used rookie forward Ron Grandison. Bird, still recuperating from November surgery on his Achilles’ tendon, reportedly is receiving pressure from management to make a heroic gesture if Boston gets to the second round. Don’t expect him to pull a Kirk Gibson.

• Bird wouldn’t play a second of the postseason.

Out on a Limb Time (Picking the Winners in the Best-of Five First Round Series):

New York vs Sixers: A shaky pick for the Knicks in five.

• New York would win in 3, the closest sweep of the postseason.

Detroit vs Boston: The team with the league's best record against the team that doesn't belong in the playoffs. The Celtics hate the Pistons with a passion, which ought to be enough for one win at Boston Garden. The Pistons in four.

• The Celtics’ hatred would fail to win them a game and Pistons would win in 3.

Cleveland vs Chicago: Count on the Bulls to take an early vacation. The Cavs are 6-0 against Chicago during the regular season and they beat the Bulls on the road Sunday without starters Mark Price, Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance. Enough said. Cavs in four.

• Jordan would average a Jordan-esque 40/6/8 and win the tight series in 5 with “the shot.”

Atlanta vs Milwaukee: The Hawks beat Milwaukee in all six of their meetings this season, and have just too much frontcourt power for the battered Bucks. Hawks in three.

• The Hawks would lose the tight series in 5.

Lakers vs Portland: Look for the two-time defending champions to send a pink slip to Trail Blazers interim coach Rick Adelman, Federal Express. Lakers in three.

• Lakers would win in 3.

Utah vs Golden State: The Jazz have too much firepower, with Karl Malone, and too much defense, with 7-4 Mark Eaton, for the well-coached, but less talented Warriors. Utah in four.

• Stockton and Malone would combine for an efficient 58/20/15/5/2 per game and Golden State would win in 3. Eaton wouldn’t block even half as many shots as 6-1 Stockton.

Phoenix vs Denver: How did the Nuggets win 44 games, anyway? The Suns in four.

• Suns would win in 3.

Houston vs. Seattle: The SuperSonics are much better now that coach Bernie Bickerstaff reinserted Xavier McDaniel in the starting lineup. Sonics in three.

• SuperSonics would win in 4.

Players Who Could Carry Their Teams Further Than They Deserve to Go:

Barkley, Golden State's Chris Mullin and Seattle's Dale Ellis. Barkley has become an unstoppable force over the last three weeks. Ellis is a deadly long-range shooter who is capable of a giant explosion on any given night. Ditto Mullin, who has won his bout with alcoholism and is playing like he is back at St. John's.

• Barkley would put up a ridiculously efficient (as always) 27/12/5 while getting swept in the 1st round. Mullin would shred the Jazz with 33ppg on 63%ts, only to get overwhelmed by the Suns in 5 games the following round. Ellis would break his nose against the 1st round and struggle in a winless 2nd round against the Lakers.

With the recent announcement that Hubie Brown will call his last NBA game this year, I thought I’d share a lesser known fact that really illustrates just how long Hubie has been around the game of basketball.

During Hubie’s senior season and Jim’s sophomore year, Hubie’s Niagara squad, coming off of a final four berth in the NIT back when that was as big as the NCAA tournament, played Brown’s 10-11 Syracuse team three times.

Jim was second on his team in points per game at 15 despite coming off the bench. Jim ultimately would quit the Syracuse basketball team before his senior year, as he believed that there was an unwritten rule preventing black players from being in the starting lineup at the program.

Jim Brown basketball stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jim-brown-10.html

The 6’ tall Hubie played a key role for Niagara, averaging 8 points and 3 rebounds in the starting lineup.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/hubie-brown-1.html (Hubie stats)

In the end, Niagara won two of the three matchups in blowouts, while Jim Brown’s Syracuse pulled off an upset in the third, winning 87-83 https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/syracuse/men/1955-schedule.html

I did try to find box scores or stats from the Hubie/Jim matchups but was unsuccessful - if anyone can dredge that up it would definitely be interesting to see.

Jim Brown would go on to become much more known for his football career, becoming arguably the greatest running back of all time. His career average of 104 rushing yards per game is completely untouchable, as is his eight rushing titles in nine seasons. After quitting basketball, he had his most dominant football season at Syracuse, rushing for 986 yards in 8 games

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)

1977 — Dan Roundfield (Pacers)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Billy Knight (Pacers)

James Silas (Spurs)

Reason:

Don Buse experienced a remarkable leap in performance during the 1976 ABA season, solidifying his case as a strong candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award. He went from playing 29.6 minutes per game in 1975 to a league-leading 40.2 minutes per game in 1976, showcasing his durability and importance to the Indiana Pacers. Buse raised his scoring average from 6.5 points per game to 12.5 while improving his shooting efficiency across the board, increasing his field goal percentage from 43% to 45%, his free throw percentage from 80% to 81%, and his three-point percentage from 31% to 35%.

On both ends of the court, he was dominant, leading the league in assists with 8.2 per game and steals with 4.1 per game, earning him a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. His defensive prowess was further highlighted by leading the league in defensive box plus-minus and steal percentage. Offensively, he delivered a standout performance with 20 assists in a game against the 55-22 Denver Nuggets, one of the ABA’s top teams, although the Pacers ultimately lost.

Buse’s advanced metrics reflected his overall impact; he more than doubled his win shares from 4.6 in 1975 to 10.6 in 1976, ranked second in offensive rating, and placed 12th in defensive rating while also leading the league in both assist percentage and steal percentage. His accomplishments earned him recognition as an All-Star for the first time, along with selections to the All-ABA Second Team and All-Defensive First Team.

Drafted in the third round by the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and by the ABA’s Virginia Squires—who then traded him to the Pacers for cash—Buse’s rise was extraordinary. In his first three seasons with Indiana, he averaged just 24.5 minutes per game, making his breakout season in 1976 a testament to his growth as one of the league’s most impactful players.

1976 NBA is up next!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

1978 — Gus Williams (Sonics)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Kermit Washington (Lakers)

Chris Ford (Pistons)

Reason:

Dan Roundfield’s remarkable transformation during the 1976–77 NBA season exemplifies the essence of the Most Improved Player award. Selected 28th overall in the 1975 NBA Draft, Roundfield began his professional career modestly with the Indiana Pacers in the ABA, averaging 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game over 11.4 minutes in the 1975–76 season.

Following the ABA-NBA merger, the Pacers transitioned to the NBA, and Roundfield seized the opportunity to elevate his performance. In the 1976–77 NBA season, he significantly increased his contributions, averaging 13.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, while improving his field goal percentage from 42.4% to 46.6%.

Defensively, Roundfield emerged as a formidable presence. He ranked 8th in the league in blocks per game and 5th in block percentage. His defensive rating improved from 102 to 97 points allowed per 100 possessions, underscoring his impact on the court.

This substantial improvement is particularly noteworthy given the context of the ABA-NBA merger. While many players experienced a decline in performance during the transition, Roundfield defied expectations, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive players. His journey from a modest rookie season to a standout NBA performer epitomizes the qualities celebrated by the Most Improved Player award.

1976 is up next!

I know the Edwards signing in 1981 was bad (I believe he was given $800k/yr when only like 3-4 guys were making $1m at that point), but was it the first one by Cleveland under owner Stepien that caused the change in salary demands/expectations at that time? I think the attempting signing of Otis Birdsong happened that same summer--but he still went elsewhere--and the overpriced signing of Scott Wedman also happened in 1981. Did Wedman also sign for $800k/yr?

So I believe all 3 of those over-reaching attempts to sign those players happened that year by the Cavs, but was the signing of James Edwards the big one that summer that caused the biggest waves/problems for the league as a whole with new player salary demands?

ADDED: I forgot that the insane Mitch Kupchak signing by LA happened the same summer. Both LA and Cleveland had new owners with deep pockets, and they dropped dough in 1981 that helped push things to a crisis point that was finally handled with the 1983 revenue-sharing salary cap (signed in the spring to save a late-season player strike).

Just curious why Foust never made the Hall of Fame. A lot of his contemporaries with similar accolades and stats (Arnie Risen, Ed Macauley to name a couple) made it. He was a starter on a few finals teams as well, so I was surprised to find this out. Thanks in advance

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

1979 — World B. Free (Clippers)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Dave Meyers (Bucks)

Steve Hawes (Hawks)

Reason:

Gus Williams exemplified steady growth throughout his basketball career. At USC, he demonstrated remarkable development, increasing his scoring average from 15 points per game as a junior to 21 points per game as a senior. This leap earned him First-Team All-American honors, yet he still fell to the second round of the 1975 NBA Draft, being selected 20th overall by the Golden State Warriors.

Despite being a second-round pick, Williams made an immediate impact in the league. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1976, trailing only Alvin Adams. During his first two seasons with the Warriors, Williams started regularly, though he often shared playing time with Charles Dudley. While the Warriors were competitive during this period, Williams’ role within their system limited his ability to fully showcase his talent.

In 1977, Williams signed with the Seattle SuperSonics, where his game flourished. He elevated his scoring average from 9.3 points per game in his final year with the Warriors to 18.1 points per game in his first season with the Sonics. Williams played a key role in leading Seattle to the 1978 NBA Finals, where they lost in seven games to the Washington Bullets. Alongside Marvin Webster, he spearheaded a deep and balanced team that was on the cusp of greatness.

Williams continued to improve, becoming a cornerstone of the SuperSonics. In the 1978-79 season, he led Seattle to its first and only NBA championship, cementing his legacy as one of the team's most important players. He reached the peak of his individual performance in the early 1980s, finishing as high as fifth in MVP voting in 1982 and earning All-NBA First Team honors.

Williams' contributions extended beyond scoring, as reflected in his advanced statistics: 17th in Box Plus-Minus (BPM), 16th in Value Over Replacement Player (VORP), 19th in Defensive Rating, 11th in Defensive Win Shares, 8th in Turnover Percentage, and 2nd in total steals.

1977 is up next!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

1980 — Micheal Ray Richardson (Knicks)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Cedric Maxwell (Celtics)

Moses Malone (Rockets)

Reason:

Lloyd Free began his career as a scoring spark off the bench for the successful Philadelphia 76ers, playing behind Doug Collins. However, on the eve of the 1978-79 season, Free was traded to the San Diego Clippers, a franchise newly relocated from Buffalo. The team was led by his former favorite head coach, Gene Shue, who immediately installed Free as the lead veteran and captain.

In his first season with the Clippers, Free's scoring output exploded. He raised his scoring average from 15.7 points per game to 28.8, ranking second in the league. His stellar play earned him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team and a sixth-place finish in MVP voting. He also achieved his career high that season, scoring 49 points in a single game. Free’s dynamic scoring helped the Clippers improve their record from 27 wins the previous year to 43, narrowly missing the playoffs. The team enjoyed two standout stretches during the season: a 16-6 run and an impressive 13-1 streak.

Despite his exceptional play, Free did not make the All-Star team that season, though he would earn the honor the following year as a Clipper. Over the next decade, Free consistently averaged at least 22 points per game, cementing his reputation as one of the league's top scorers. He led the NBA in free throws made during the 1978-79 season and became known for his high-arcing shot and electrifying style of play.

Lloyd Free (who would go on to become known as “All-World”) was a trailblazer, embodying the showmanship that would later come to define the NBA. His influence on the game extended beyond his impressive stats, making him one of the most exciting players of his era.

1978 is up next!

AND THEY WEREN’T WRONG! 28, 14 and 5 v the great Kareem in game 7 in 1974 to win the title. Cowens would be incredible today with his passing, absurd switchability (ask Oscar on the switch in the finals when he ripped him clean before the floor burn iconic moment), outstanding pick and pop game, barbaric rebounding, and automatic stroke from distance. A triple dip with 25 pts, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in game 1 of the 1976 finals v the Suns. Shout out to Dave Cowens.

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

1981 — Alex English (Nuggets)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Greg Ballard (Bullets)

Mike Mitchell (Cavs)

Reason:

The 1980 NBA Most Improved Player is challenging to determine, with four strong candidates in Michael Ray Richardson (Knicks), Mike Mitchell (Cavaliers), Adrian Dantley (Jazz), and Greg Ballard (Bullets). Each player made significant strides, and they’re all very close in impact. To add to the complexity, each of them won a Player of the Week award that season, marking a high point in their improvement.

Here’s a closer look at each player’s case:

1. Michael Ray Richardson – Richardson’s Knicks improved, and his leap was dramatic. Previously playing under 20 minutes per game, he rose to lead the NBA in assists and steals, showing flashes of triple-double potential. His rapid ascent positioned him as a precursor to Magic Johnson and even earned him comparisons to Walt Frazier.

2. Mike Mitchell – Mitchell improved with Cleveland, but the team still missed the playoffs. He’s arguably the strongest candidate as he’s the only one here who didn’t sustain an All-Star level career. His improvement stands out as it may be his career’s peak, positioning him as a quintessential choice for Most Improved Player.

3. Greg Ballard – Ballard capitalized on his role with the Bullets after they reached back-to-back NBA Finals. As roster space opened up, his performance improved. However, the team’s overall success declined during his rise, which complicates his case.

4. Adrian Dantley – Dantley moved from the talent-stacked Lakers to the struggling Jazz, where he became a 30-point-per-game scorer virtually overnight. Despite the Jazz’s lackluster record, his scoring explosion on a team with limited support made him a notable candidate.

Given the magnitude of Richardson’s improvement, particularly with his expanded role and leadership in assists and steals, he might be the most compelling choice. His transformation into a triple-double threat and his trajectory as the “next Walt Frazier”, and the popular NY-environment he endured in, makes a strong case for him as the 1980 Most Improved Player.

1979 is up next!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

1982 — Jerome Whitehead (Clippers)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Jim Paxson (Blazers)

Vinnie Johnson (Sonics)

Reason:

Alex English was drafted in the second round and spent his first two years with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ironically, despite his future as an offensive star, he struggled to find his place in head coach Don Nelson's system. Eventually, the Indiana Pacers signed him as a free agent. However, their confidence in him seemed limited, as they soon traded him for veteran George McGinnis, who was past his prime and would retire shortly after.

Once in Denver, English finally began to show his potential. In the final 24 games of the 1980 season with the Nuggets, he emerged as a promising scorer. In 1981, he took a major leap, increasing his scoring average from 16.9 to 23.8 points per game. His improvement and steady performance cemented him as a key player in Denver.

That following offseason, the Seattle SuperSonics attempted to sign English with an $800,000 offer sheet, hoping to make him Gus Williams’ replacement. However, Denver matched the offer, retaining English and marking the beginning of his legacy with the Nuggets. From that point on, he made eight consecutive All-Star appearances, proving his growth as one of the league’s top scorers and earning him the unofficial title of 1981’s “Most Improved Player.”

In Denver, English scored his first 40-point game and quickly became one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats. By the end of that season, he ranked 10th in the league in scoring, 14th in free throw percentage, and firmly established himself as a cornerstone of Denver’s high-powered offense.

1980 is up next!

Like I know you hear complaints about players 'running from the grind' but has a player ever gone to an intentionally worse scenario? Like imagine KD to the warriors but like, in reverse, per se

Posting it here instead of r/nba because if there's some guy in the 70s that did that you guys are probably going to know more about that

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

1983 — Larry Drew (Kings)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Rickey Green (Jazz)

Rory Sparrow (Hawks)

Reason:

Having played for 5 franchises in the first 3 years of his career and never logging more than 50 games in a season while playing less than 15 minutes a night, Whitehead vastly improved into the 1982 season. He started 63 games, played north of 30 minutes per night, and averaged a sturdy 13.8 pts and 9.2 reb per game. Jerome registered career highs in Points (31), Rebounds (23), and Assists (6) which put his previous highs to shame. He was 14th in rebounds, 16th in TS%. Whitehead up to that point was more notable for winning the National Championship with Marquette with big heroics during the tournament.

1981 is up next!

1985 — Derek Smith (Clippers)

1984 — Rolando Blackman (Mavs)

Since the MIP award began in 1986, I thought I’d go and apply some wins retroactively.

Finalists:

Larry Nance (Suns)

Pat Cummings (Mavs)

Reason:

The Pistons gave up on Drew (17th pick) after 1 season and traded him for two future 2nd round picks to the Kings. In his first campaign for Kansas City, the Point Guard put up a respectable 10.8 ppg & 5.2 assists. In 1983 he raised these figures to 20.1 & 8.1 (4th) respectively. This season he had a career high in points (33), steals (6), and rebounds (8). He was the Player of the Month in December, where he averaged 22/10.

1982 is next up!

As you probably know, the NBA was born shortly after the end of World War II. Active NBA players have since been drafted into the Korean and Vietnam war efforts, volunteered to serve in the war in Iraq, and former Knicks and Bucks center Marshall Plumlee continues that legacy as an active-duty U.S. Army Ranger-Qualified.

As we recognize Veteran's Day today, I thought it would be nice to celebrate those select few NBA players whose acts of valor reached a point for which they earned official military decoration for their service. This list does not include players who died in combat, of which there is one in the ABA and quite a few from pre-NBA professional basketball. I post about them on Memorial Day, and that information can be found here.

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Cliff Barker was a left waist gunner in a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as a member of 2nd Lt Ron Rohner's crew. They flew five missions over Cognac, Tours, Notre Dame de Ferme (Pas-de-Calais), Frankfurt, and Braunschweig. On January 30, 1944, during the fifth mission en route to Braunschweig, the aircraft the Rohner Crew was operating was shot down by a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and crashed near the German village of Beienrode. Five of the ten men (2Lt Ron Rohner, 2Lt Emil Smetana, FltOff Stan Johnson, S/Sgt John Morreale, and Sgt Ken Dickerson) were killed in the wreckage, while the other five, including Barker, were captured by Nazi German forces and held as prisoners of war. Barker would spend the next 16 months as a POW in Stalag Luft IV until the camp was liberated by the U.S. Ninth Army on April 12, 1945. For this, he received a Prisoner of War Medal.

Upon his return from service, Barker played for Kentucky, where he became an important role player for a team that won two National Championships. He also won a Gold Medal for Team USA in 1948. Recruited by Leo Ferris into the Indianapolis Olympians co-ownership model, Barker became the Olympians inaugural player-coach and commenced a three-year NBA career, after which he coached at the high school level for many years.

Earl Dodd was a member of a ski-trooping unit with the U.S. Army serving in northern Italy. He was wounded by shell fragments in the back and head. Details are hard to come by, but I believe this to have been sustained during the Battle of Riva Ridge. He also seems to have displayed a certain level of heroic bravery in the situation, although I'm not sure in what exact way. For this, he received both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. If anyone comes across this who knows more details of Dodd's service, I would be very grateful.

Dodd then played for Kirksville, where he co-starred with Harry Gallatin, and ended up on the Denver Nuggets in the first post-merger NBA season. He was waived after seven weeks in the league, having played limited minutes in nine losses with the woeful Nuggets. He caught on with the barnstorming Detroit Kings for the rest of the season, before retiring citing a flareup of injuries suffered during the war. He spent the rest of his career as a construction foreman.

Murray Mitchell served in what his obituary terms "the Ardennes Rhineland Campaign," perhaps signifying that he may have been involved in both the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhineland Offensive. For his part in the war, Mitchell was awarded two Bronze Stars. If anyone comes across this who knows more details of Mitchell's service, I would be very grateful.

Mitchell returned to Sam Houston, where he'd already played his first two seasons of college ball before his service. After being cut by the Celtics as a prospective rookie in preseason of 1948-49, Mitchell gave up basketball, but came back briefly for a two-game pro stint with the Anderson Packers the next year. He then quit the team and moved back to Texas, where he continued to play semi-professionally for two seasons and coached until the mid-sixties. He then spent the rest of his career as an engraver and later a cattle rancher.

Chuck Mrazovich served in the 44th Infantry Division for three years and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the Liberation of Strasbourg, and the captures of Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ulm. For his part in the war, Mrazovich was awarded a Bronze Star. If anyone comes across this who knows more details of Mrazovich's service, I would be very grateful.

Mrazovich attended and played for Eastern Kentucky after his time in the war, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Olympians in 1950. A midseason casualty of the waiver wire, he spent only half a season in the NBA before latching on with the NPBL's Anderson Packers and earning a starting spot in wake of an injury to Leo Klier. After the NPBL shut down, he went east and played two seasons for the minor league Wilkes-Barre Barons, playing a major role for a team that won an ABL Championship in 1951-52. Mrazovich coached and taught at high schools in his home state for the next two decades.

Andy O'Donnell landed in Normandy on D-plus-six, serving as a soldier in the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in five battles including the Battle of the Bulge. He was also one of the first Americans to march down the Champs-Élysées in the Liberation of Paris. On September 5, 1944 on the way to liberate the Belgian city of Bouillon, O'Donnell was hit in the leg with shrapnel soon after crossing the France-Belgium border. For this, he received a Purple Heart.

Following his wartime effort, O'Donnell spent a year back at home, with his only basketball that season being at the local YMCA, before playing three and a half seasons at Loyola (Maryland). He graduated early and earned special dispensation to join the NBA midway through 1949-50, earning the last spot in Baltimore's rotation as a backup point guard following player-coach Buddy Jeannette's career-ending injury. That turned out to be his only NBA season, and he only played part-time in the minor leagues for the next three years as he embarked on a long and fruitful career with the Social Security Administration.

Goebel Ritter served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 3, 1943 to October 19, 1945, right after graduating from high school. During his stint in the military, Ritter participated in the Battle of Guam, in which he was grazed on the head by a Japanese sniper bullet on July 26, 1944. He later served in the Battle of Iwo Jima, in which he was hit by shrapnel to the hand and knee on February 24, 1945. He received two Purple Hearts for the two times he was WIA in combat.

Ritter ended up as teammates with Mrazovich at Eastern Kentucky after the war, and in 1948 managed to make the Knicks' roster as the 75th pick in the BAA Draft. One of the lowest-selected players to find a role in the league, Ritter proved to be a useful backup SG for New York for three years (one in the BAA, two in the NBA), ending his career with a loss to Rochester in the Finals before spending the next 41 years coaching.

Carl Shaeffer was part of an anti-tank company attached to the 424th Infantry Regiment of the 106th Division at the time that the Battle of the Bulge broke out. The day after the counteroffensive ended over a month later, it was reported that Shaeffer had been missing in action ever since December 16, 1944, the first day of the Battle of the Bulge. I can't find official confirmation, but I believe he was captured in the early hours of the Battle of St. Vith. By the weirdest coincidence, the POW camp that the Nazis sent him to was Stalag Luft IV (the same camp Cliff Barker already was held in) where Shaeffer would remain for five months until the camp's liberation. For this, he received a Prisoner of War Medal.

Shaeffer was discharged almost immediately after being liberated, and utilized a temporary NCAA rule to play the next four years at Alabama despite having already spent his freshman season with Indiana. He was a defensive ace for 'Bama, and ended up signing with the Indianapolis Olympians on the recommendation of player/coach Cliff Barker, with whom he'd become friends during their time as POWs together. He never carved out much of a role with the team though and was waived early in his second season. He then operated a tavern. A victim of PTSD due to his experiences in the war, Shaeffer took his own life on his 50th birthday.

Carlisle Towery, already in the midst of his professional career as a member of the Fort Wayne Zollners, volunteered to serve despite all Fort Wayne players being eligible for a II-B exemption. Not much about his service is publicly available, but was an infantryman, possibly with the 97th Infantry Division. If that theory is correct, he would have been a participant in the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket and the liberation of Flossenbürg concentration camp. For his part in the war, Towery was awarded a Bronze Star.

Already very well-established in the basketball world, having started for the NBL's title-winners the year before he entered the service, Towery returned to Fort Wayne and remained one of few familiar faces as Bobby McDermott's antics tore the team apart during their final NBL years. Traded to the Indianapolis Jets shortly after the franchise became the BAA's Pistons, he put up his best numbers there but the team went under at the end of the season. Towery then spent his one and only NBA season with Baltimore, where he played quite well considering he had to switch positions from PF to SF as a 29-year-old, but made headlines more than anything for his knockout punch of Jim Pollard in December. After being stabbed in the face and arm by a summer-gig coworker over the offseason, Towery jumped leagues to the NPBL, where he finished out his career splitting his eighth professional season between Grand Rapids, Kansas City, and Evansville. Post-basketball, Towery was a farmer.