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Basketball Heroes
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Lou Hudson
Forward St Louis Hawks 1966-68, Atlanta Hawks 1968-9 thru 1976-76; los Angeles Lakers 1977-78, 1978-79 Proudly served in US Military 1968

Noted for always giving 150 percent, Lou Hudson was one of the best basketball players in NBA history. A swift-moving forward he was highly sought after even while playing at Dudley Senior High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. There he led his team to several state crowns.

'Sweet' Lou Hudson was selected Number 4 by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1966 NBA draft after starring at the University of Minnesota under head coach John Kundla. Lou Hudson then served in the US Military.  

From 1969-1974 Lou Hudson played in every NBA All-Star Game as he averaged over 20 points per game during the regular season. A very accurate shooter, he notched a splendid .489 career scoring percentage, making 7392 field goals in 15129 attempts. In 11 NBA seasons he helped his teams reach the playoffs 9 times, and scored an even 1300 points in 61 games, for a 21.3 points per game average, 5.2 rebounds per/game and 2.7 assists per. 

Lou Hudson regular season stats: 17940 points, 7392 FGM in 15129 FGA, a .489 pct, 3926 rebounds, 2439 assists, 20.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.7 apg in 890 games.


Kent Benson
Center, Milwaukee Bucks 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80; Detroit Pistons 1979-80 thru 1985-86; Utah Jazz 1986-87; Cleveland Cavaliers 1987-88

Kent Benson had an excellent collegiate basketball career under coach Bobby Knight at Indiana University during the mid-1970s. In 1976 Benson helped the Indiana Hoosiers post a 32-0 season record, tying an undefeated mark set in 1957 by the North Carolina Tar Heels. In the 1976 NCAA Tournament, Kent , a center, along with forward Scott May combined for 40.8 points per game and 16.5 rebounds per game, and aided by the splendid all-around play of playmaking guard Quinn Buckner and forward Tom Abernathy won all five tournament games, by an average margin of victories of 13.2 points.

For his all-around play Kent Benson was voted the 1976 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

After his splendid college career Kent Benson was the first player selected in the 1977 NBA draft - chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks. After almost 3 seasons in MIlwaukee, 1977-8 thru 1979-80 he was traded to the Detroit Pistons in late-1979-80. There he had his best years, averaging over 12 points per game in three straight years 1979-80 thru 1981-82. In his 11-year NBA career he shot a blistering .493 field goal percentage.

Kent Benson career stats: 6168 points, 2578 FGM, 5224 FGA, .493 pct, 1005 FTM in 1327 FTA, a .757 pct, 3881 rebounds, 586 blocked shots. 9.1 ppg, 5.7 rebounds per/game, 1.8 assists per in 680 regular season games. He scored 137 points in 29 playoff games, in 5 postseason playoffs.


Kevin Porter
Guard, Baltimore/Washington Bullets 1972-73 thru 1974-75; Detroit PIstons 1975-76 thru 1978-79; New Jersey Nets 1977-78; Washington Wizards 1979-80, 1980-81, 1982-83

Quick as mercury, Kevin Porter was as 'good as it gets' as a team player. He led the National Basketball Association, NBA, in assists 4 times, including a career-high 1099 assists in 1978-79 while playing for the Detroit Pistons. And, Kevin Porter led all NBA players in assists per game 5 times, including a career-best 13.4 per game in 1978-79.

Most importantly, Kevin Porter led the NBA five times in points created - a formula used to calculate a player's overall performance.


John Long
Guard - Detroit Pistons 1978-79 thru 1985-86, 1988-89, 1990-91; Indiana Pacers 1986-87 thru 1988-89; Atlanta Hawks 1989-90; Toronto Raptors 1996-96

A standout college basketball player for Detroit University, John Long , a native of Romulus, Michigan, was drafted by the Detroit Pistons where he played a leading role during his 8-years with the Pistons of the National Basketball Association, NBA.

One of the best shooting free throw players in NBA history, John Long compiled a sterling .862 free throw percentage, connecting on 1812 of 2104 tries at the line. He notched a career-best while a regular in back-to-back seasons for the Indianas Pacers, 1986-7 and 1987-88, when he was successful on 219-of-246, a .890% and 166-of-183, a .907%.

In his long career from 1978-79 thru 1990-91, John Long played in 5 postseason NBA playoffs - scoring 223 points in 23 games.


Sam Lacey
Center - Cincinnati Royals 1970-71, 1971-72; Omaha Kings 1972-73 thru 1974-75, Kansas City Kings 1975-76 thru 1981-82; New Jersey Nets 1981-82; Cleve Cavaliers 1982-83

Sam Lacey was a marquee basketball player with New Mexico State and played a big role in their winning the 1970 NCAA Midwest Regional by defeating Drake University. However, Lacey and his teammates lost in the 1970 NCAA Final Four to powerhouse UCLA, led by a cast including All-American Sidney Wicks, hot-shooting John Valley and Curtis Rowe.

The No 5 player selected in the 1970 National Basketball Association draft (NBA), Sam Lacey was an instant success with the Cincinnati Royals. As a rookie in 1970-1971 he recorded his first of six consecutive seasons of double figures in points and rebounds per game - 13.5 ppg and 11.3 in 1970-71. In 1974-1975 the 6-ft 10-inch Sam Lacey led the NBA in defensive rebounds with 921.

Although he had the misfortune of playing mainly with teams with lossing records, Sam Lacey did play in four postseason NBA playoffs. He notched 274 points and 287 rebounds in 29 playoff games.

Sam Lacey career stats - 10303 points in 1002 games, 4276 FGM, 9693 FGA, a .441 percentage, 1748 FTM, 2369 FGA, a .738 pct, 9687 rebounds, 3754 assists, 3754 PF, 999 steals, 1160 blocked shots, 10.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.7 assists pg.


Norm Van LIer
Guard - Cincinnati Royals 1969-1970, 1970-71, 1971-72; Chicago Bulls 1971-72 thru 1977-78; Milwaukee Bucks 1978-79; Chicago Area Sports TV Broadcaster after NBA career

Norm Van Lier was an agreesive player and above all, 'played to win.' Nicknamed 'Stormin Norman' he rattled the rim on offense and ratted opposing players on defense. After a stellar college career with St. Francis College in PA, he joined the National Basketball Association with the Cincinnati Royals in 1969-1970. As a rookie he led the NBA in disqualified personal fouls a whooping 18 times.

In his sophomore season, 1970-71, the 6-ft 1-inch guard was voted to the NBA's Second Team All-Defensive team and led all NBA players with a robust 832 assists, averaging over 10 per game - and that certainly is a lot of assists. That season Van Lier scored a career-high 16.0 ppg and also led all NBA players with a very high .606 points created, PCM.

In the middle of the 1971-72 he was traded to the Chicago Bulls where he paired up with 6-ft 5-inch guard Jerry Sloan and gave Windy City fans a very agressive, fans favorite 1-2 punch. That season Norm Vanlier won his second straight All-Defensive Team Award and helped the Bulls finish the regular season with a very solid 57-25 record.

In all, Stormin Norm Van Lier was chosen a NBA All-Defensive Guard eight consecutive times. He was selected for the First Team three times, 1973-74, 1975-76 and 1976-77, and Second Team five times, 1970-712 thrur 1972-73, 1974-75 and 1977-78.

Norm Van LIer helped the Chicago Bulls reached the NBA postseason playoffs five times. He rang in 530 points and posted 234 assists in 38 playoff games, 13.9 ppg,  6.2 assists pg, and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Norm Vanlier career stats: 8770 points in 746 games, 3313 FGM, 8003 FGA, a .414 pct, 2144 FTM, 2749 FTA, .780 pct. 3596 Rebounds, 55217 assists, 2661 PF, 11.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 7.0 apg


Jan Van Breda Kolff
Forward - ABA teams Denver 1974-75, Kentucky 1975-76, Virginia Squires 1975-76; NBA Teams New York Nets 1976-77, New Jersey Nets 1977-1982

The second player chosen in the 2nd round of the 1974 NBA draft, Jan Van Breda Kolff chose instead to sign with Denver of the American Basketball Association after a starlight college career for Vanderbilt. After three solid years in the ABA he joined the New York Nets/ New Jersey Nets of the NBA where he played from 1976-77 thru the end of his career in 1982-83.

A fine off-the-bench defensive ballhawk, Jan Vanbredakolff scored a career-best 10.2 points per game in 1976-77 and averaged 23.4 minutes per game during his career in the National Basketball Association. In 2 postseason playoffs in the ABA and 2 in the NBA he tallied 137 points and 99 rebounds in 26 games.

Jan Van Breda Kolff career stats: 3696 points in 598 games, 1310 FGM, 2953 FGA, a .444 pct, 1065 FTM, 1297 FTA, .821, 1178 rebounds, 468 blocks, 6.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg.


Garfield Heard
Forward - Seattle Super Sonics 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73; Chicago Bulls 1972-73; Buffalo Braves 1973-74 thru 1975-76; Phoenix Suns 1975-76 thru 1979-80; San Diego Clippers 1980-81

Garfield Heard was held in high esteem by teammates and opponents alike and played a role in his teams' successes wherever he played. After a very fine collegiate career at Oklahoma he debuted in pro basketball with the Seattle Super Sonics in 1970-71, and by the time he was in his second NBA season, was called a 'go-to-guy' because of his clutch-shooting. Traded to the Chicago Bulls early in the 1972-73 season, he averaged over 10 points per game for the first time in his career. 

Gar Heard notched career-highs with 1239 points in 81 games, with 15.3 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per in 1973-74 which helped the Buffalo Braves reach the NBA postseason playoffs. In 1974-75 he scored 11.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg and Buffalo made the playoffs again.

A fans favorite while playing with the Phoenix Suns from 1975-76 thru 1979-80 Garfield Heard is still remembered for his winning-attitude. In Game 5 in the 1975-76 NBA Championship Finals before a packed house of 15,320 at the Boston Garden the Suns and Celtics were tied after the first overtime period. Then, with just 5 seconds on the clock in the 2nd overtime Curtis Perry sunk a long-jumper to put Phoenix up 110-109. Boston then went to Hall of Famer John Havlicek, who put a basket in with 2 seconds left to put the Celtics up 111-110. After a Boston free throw made it 112-110, Phoenix threw the basketball to Garfield Heard "who miraculously sunk a long prayer to send the game into a third overtime," wrote the Boston newspapers... however Celtics reserve Glenn McDonald scored six points in the fourth overtime and give Boston a 128-126 win... 2 days later the Celtics defeated the Suns 87-80 at Phoenix for the 1975-1976 NBA Crown.

Gar Heard scored 602 points, a 10.2 points per game average, 537 rebounds, 9.1 rpg in 59 postseason NBA playoff games


Bob Gross
Forward - Portland Trail Blazers 1975-76 thru 1981-82; San Diego Chargers 1982-83

The always hustling Bob Gross had a very fine college career at Long Beach State and was chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round, the 7th pick, in the 1975 National Basketball Association. 

One of the best defensive forwards in NBA history, Bob Gross learned his ballhawking from Portland's head coach Jack Ramsay during the 1970s. During the Trail Blazers' Championship Season of 1976-1977, Bob scored a career-high 935 points in 82 regular season games. In the postseason NBA playoffs Gross connected on 110-of-186 field goals attempted, and led both teams' starters with a blistering .591 percentage. His .889 free throw pct also led all starters, 48-of-54 FT. He played in three postseason playoffs, all with Portland, 1976-77, 1979-80 and 1980-81.

In 1977-78 Bob Gross was honored by being chosen for the NBA's Second Team All-Defensive Unit. 

Bob Gross stats: 4567 points in 513 games, 8.9 pct, 1857 FGM, 3629 FGA, .512 pct, 848 FTM, 1062 FTA, .798 pct, 2253 rebounds, 4.4 rpg, 615 steals, 361 blocks... basketballhistorian.com


Armond Hill
Guard - Atlanta Hawks 1976-77 thru 1980-81, 1983-84; Seattle Super Sonics 1980-81, 1981-82; San Diego Clippers 1981-1982; Milw Bucks 1982-83

After a dismal 31-51 record in 1976-1977 the Atlanta Hawks moved up the ladder in the Central Division and played .500 basketball the next year, going 41-41, in Armond Hill's second NBA season. To be sure it wasn't just the Brooklyn-born Armond's fine defense and ball-handling at the guard position, Hill played with a lineup of solid players, including forwards John Drew and John Brown, guard Charlie Criss, and center Steve Hawes, anchored by a young backup center, 7-ft 1-inch Tree Rollins.

In 1978-1979 Armond Hill averaged a career-high 10.2 points per game and a career-high in assists per game with 5.9 - ninth highest among all NBA players. He helped the Hawks reach the NBA postseason playoffs three consecutive years - 1978, 1979 and 1980.

During 1977-78 the Atlanta Hawks had no player over the age of 28 and defensive-minded coach Hubie Brown was chosen the NBA Coach of the Year.

Armond Hill career stats: 3214 points in 468 games, 1150 FGM, 2817 FGA, a .408 pct, 913 FTM, 1101 FTA, a .829 pct, 548 steals, 2194 assists, 839 turnovers created, 6.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.7 apg.


Tree Rollins
Center - Atlanta Hawks 1977-1978 thru 1987-1988; Cleveland Cavs 1988-1989, 1989-90; Detroit Pistons 1990-91; Houston Rockets 1991-1992, 1992-93, Orlando Magic 1993-1994, 1994-1995

Wayne Rollins, a 7-ft 1-inch center, played at Clemson University and later in the NBA where he made his aggressiveness pay off in a positive way and was a winning-asset wherever he played.

Tree Rollins, a hardcourt basketball defense-master, helped his teams reached the playoffs 15 times during his 18 years in the National Basketball Association, NBA. Guided by coach Hubie Brown's emphasis on rugged hands-on defensive, Tree Rollins led the NBA in disqualification fouls twice - with 19 DQ in 1978-79 and 12 in 1979-1980. Starting in his rookie season in 1977-1978 he placed third among all NBA players in blocked shots 3 straight seasons, then 2nd for two years in-a-row, was first in 1982-1983 with 343 blocked shots, then 2nd, 5th and 8th in 1985-1986. As a fact: Tree Rollins blocked an amazing 2,542 shots in 1156 regular season games, and 134 shots in 93 playoff games.

Tree Rollins looked 'so tall with arms so long' that we once heard a media writer pose the following question, 'I want to know what he's been eating and drinking.' We at basketballhistorian wonder was he a lacavore (one who eats only locally produced healthy foods).

Tree Rollins stats 6259 points in 1156 games, 2592 FGM, 4963 FGA, a very fine .522 pct, 1065 FTM, 1522 FTA, .7-- pct, 2148 ORB, 4602 DRB, 6750 TRB, 660 assists, 3377 PF, 92 DQ, 512 steals, 2542 blocks, 1056 turnovers created (TO) 5.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg.


John Drew
Forward - Atlanta Hawks 1974-1975 thru 1981-1982; Utah Jazz 1982-1983 thru 1984-1985

Noted for his aggressive rebounding, John Drew was a NBA All-Star Game forward as well as a long-time fans favorite in Atlanta. He knew how to position himself and was tough enough to battle opposing players for rebounds and was among the top 70% of NBA players in rebounds in most years. A well-balanced basketball player, John Drew collected a whooping total of over 5,000 rebounds and scored over 15,000 career points.

As a rookie in 1974-1975 John Drew led all NBA players with 357 offensive rebounds. A team-leader in scoring, the 6-ft 6-inch forward averaged at least 16 points per game in every one of his 11 NBA seasons, 1974-1975 thru 1984-1985. As a fact, John Drew scored over 20 points per game average six times and compiled a lofty 20.7 ppg career average.

John Drew career stats: 15291 points scored in 739 games, 5481 FGM, 11658 FGA, a .470 pct, 4319 FTM, 5774 FTA, .748 pct, 2158 ORB, 2930 DRB, 5088 TRB, 6.9 rpg, 2641 Fouls, 85 Disqualifications (DQ) led the NBA with 19 DQ in 1978-1979.

John Drew scored 405 points, a 14.0 ppg in 29 playoff games, spanning 5 NBA postseasons... Atlanta Hawks 1977-1978, 1979-1980, 1981-1982... Utah Jazz 1983-1984... NBA History by staff @ sportshistorian.com


Joe Meriweather
Center - Houston Rockets 1975-1976; Atlanta Hawks 1976-1977; New Orleans Jazz 1977-1978, 1978-1979; New York Knicks 1978-1979, 1979-1980; Kansas City Kings 1980-1981 thru 1984-1985

The big 6-ft 10-inch Joe Meriweather made Southern Illinois University a legitimate contender during the mid-1970s. A very accurate shooter, in 1974-1975 with Southern Illinois , the hoops star finished with the third highest field goal percentage among all NCAA college basketball players, making 178-of-287 attemts, for a .619 pct.

Joe Meriweather was selected by the Houston Rockets and was the 11th overall college player chosen in the 1975 NBA draft. As a rookie he averaged 10.2 points per game.

A well-traveled NBA player, Joe Meriweather played for 6 teams during his 11-year NBA career. Oddly and to much disappointment of Joe M himself, he played in 670 regular season games but only 10 NBA playoff games - a poor ratio indeed. All 10 games came in one playoff - in 1980-81 with the Kansas City Kings.

Basketball History compiled by staff of sportshistorian.com  



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