If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. However, none of the other basketball-playing Barry brothers Scooter, Jon, and Drew - can claim to be the only white man in history to win the Slam Dunk contest, though. That swagger had to come from somewhere. "I lived there that summer," he later recalled. The schools former coach, Frank McGuire, was the one who had recruited Cunningham, which left Smith with a prize recruit he had never seen. Cade Cunningham has a vertical jump of 41 inches. Cunningham guided the 76ers for eight years, reaching the 200- and 300-victory levels faster than any coach before him. After that season, he earned the first of what would be three straight All-NBA First Team selections. There are celebrity dunk-offs. It was those antsy feet that made him unstoppable, resulting in his inclusion on 10 All-Star Games, achieving the 1952 All-Star Game MVP, and nabbing 5 MVP Award shares. There was a guard from Harlem named Rabbit. His entire head and neck were above the rim. In the NBA, where everyone can dunk--you wouldnt even want to rule out David Stern--there are really only a few top guns. Thunder Dan has more than made friends with the rim and earned his name! Griffin has been one of the most electrifying dunkers in the NBA for the past eight years. Hes set records for leading the NBA in dunks during his very first year playing pro. He did prefer ball to hockey, after all. As a high school senior, he received a scholarship offer from a Midwestern college, asking him to become the schools first black player. But who has seen him? . Then they took out Boston in the Eastern Division finals San Francisco in the NBA Finals. He was finished as a player. Against Tulane University on 10 December 1964, he set a UNC record by scoring forty-eight points. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. His departure had a disastrous effect on the 76ers, who posted a 9-73 record in 1972-73, the worst mark in NBA history. Youre just up there and nobody else can get up there., David (Skywalker) Thompson said: Sometimes Id surprise myself. Boston kept Philadelphia out of The 1981 Finals, but the Sixers roared back to the 1982 before falling to the Lakers again. Griffin was born of half Afro-Haitian descent and half Caucasian. He played nine seasons for the Baltimore Bullets, beginning in 63, and he died last year. As Cunningham was adjusting to the professional game, the 76ers were becoming a powerhouse. Billy Cunningham was drafted by Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1965 NBA Draft. [CDATA[ He reached both the 300 and 400-win milestones faster than any coach in NBA history. Note that this is not the official NBA measurement. I said, What the hell, Im 40. . This guy couldshoot AND dunk. We Have Fusion Energy! Cunningham joined the broadcast team for CBS in the 197677 season, often paired with Brent Musburger, leaving after the season ended to coach the 76ers. In fact, he set the record for most blocks and field goal percentage in a season at his high school, Linganore High in Mt. Moral of this story: dont count the white guys out of this sport just yet. He is six feet seven inches tall. When I was a freshman, I fooled around with shooting free throws this way: For some reason, I thought you had to stay within the top half of that free-throw circle, so I would step back to just inside the top of the circle, take off from behind the line and dunk. Ive heard stories about Jackie Jackson doing it, but Ive never seen anyone (but himself) come close., Sonny Hill, a Philadelphia leaping legend of the 60s, backs Wilt, saying, The only man thats been to the top, thats Wilt. Upon his retirement on May 28, 1985,[13] his 454 wins as a head coach were the 12th best in NBA history. In Game 2 of the 1967 NBA Finals, Cunningham scored 28 points during a 126-95 win over the San Francisco Warriors.[3]. Cunningham grew up in Brooklyn and on his fifth birthday he received a basketball. Cunningham scored 18.9 points per game. I mean, what next? I defy anyone to say they took change off the top of the backboard, Chamberlain said. Browse 1,052 billy cunningham stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He was elected to the Hall of Fame the following year. When you think about Billys life, it is amazing, former Philadelphia 76er executive and then-Orlando Magic senior executive vice president Pat Williams told New Miami magazine in 1992. No man, I dont believe, has been up that far., With Chamberlain over 50--years of age, not points per game--Nissalke feels safe in saying, That would be the ultimate challenge: Bet any amount of money, and you wouldnt find anyone who could come close to the top of the board.. Jay Norman, an outstanding defensive player, went into his defensive stance at the foul line. He got kudos for his smooth-sounding, incisive work with the play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He was a role player on the 1967 title team in . Chamberlain played for the Globetrotters in the 58-59 season and said: Jumpin Joe Buckhalter and I would line up on opposite sides of the free throw lane when Meadowlark Lemon was shooting a free throw. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. Soon Greer would be alone. It's like walking on air. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. The future never came, but Dawkins broke new ground in power dunking, backboard shattering and dunknaming. The Philadelphia team Cunningham inherited featured Julius Erving, George McGinnis, Doug Collins, Lloyd B. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. I loved it instantly.. As a freshman he went out for the track team, worked out a total of 10 hours, then high-jumped 7-3 7/8. It was like, Legend has it that 20 men are buried in Boot Hill because of this guy. But listen to Wilt. David came the closest, Kupchak said. During one game he went THROUGH and OVER the 77 Manute Bol of the Golden State Warriors to ALMOST score. The other measurement of leap is the money exchange at the top of the backboard, which is exactly 13 feet above the floor and three feet above the rim. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. I never had to agonize over that decision all athletes face.. By word of mouth, you would get to know who the best dunkers were, and by the end of the season it was pretty much agreed the best two were a Portland guy named Claude English and me. I have seen everybody, Hill said. [10] In October 2021, he was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[11]. Anybodv can win the lottery.. Billy Cunningham was born in New York on June 3, 1943. Cunningham hit for 18.9 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Effortless, absolutely effortless.. Cunningham was a member of the powerful 1967 Sixers championship team, which also featured Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Chet Walker, and Luke Jackson. Also, his dunk on Dwight Howard during the 2008 Olympic finals was unreal. Do you have a blog? The following is a list of the NBA's All-Time Top 50 Team: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Dave DeBusschere . Joe Vanilla Sky Alexander has restless, jumpy feet that propel him way up to block shots and confound his opponents. In his first playoff appearance, he led the Sixers to a 4-game sweep against the Knicks,[12] before bowing down to the Bullets in six games. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Youre entering another world up there. He was a No. Curtis Bunn, a 6-1 reporter for Newsday, has a very decent repertoire of slams. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. This guy that was also selected for the MLB draft, spent time with the Orioles, and pitched an impressive 96 mph. Billy Cunningham was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1986 (Full List) Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1965 NBA Draft, NBA Debut: October 16, 1965▪ABA Debut: October 12, 1972, Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1986 (Full List), More Billy Cunningham pages at Sports Reference. These guys will never forget the blur of that mullet-ed head flying past them. Bones Barry is pretty much Larry Bird, only with a slightly higher jump and significantly longer shorts. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. VIDEO: Giant Space Slingshot In Action. Jackie stays in the air and the ref calls a three-second violation. Its a rush, a thrill, said the Elevator from Decatur. William John "Billy" Cunningham was born on June 3, 1943. This is where we get into sword-and-stone mythology. Other notable dunks include his shot on the Sonics seriously ticked off Robert Reid, and another on the Knicks flabbergasted Patrick Ewing. To that end, heres this writers all-time all-leap team: Dr. J, the Big Dipper, Air Jordan, David Skywalker and Joey Johnson. We ask the player to stand next to a wall, flat-footed, one arm stretched to its maximum, and mark the apex of his fingers. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Cunningham reached 200, 300, and 400 wins faster than any previous coach in NBA history. He recorded 14 triple doubles in the NBA and 5 in the ABA, good for 43rd all-time in the NBA and 5th in the ABA. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. People swear he cleared it by a foot, said Fred Trenkle, Southern Idahos basketball coach. White, also known as the Elevator from Decatur, made the NBA all-time all-warmup team that one season. The soaring flight of the great leaper is amazing, even to himself. This guys been compared to celebrated center-man Dwight Howard for his max vertical, and to NBA/Olympic legend Oscar Robertson for his triple-doubles. [8] For his career, he scored 16,310 points, grabbed 7,981 rebounds, and recorded 3,305 assists in both the NBA and the ABA. Chess Robot Grabs And Breaks Finger Of Seven-Year . Theres no greater feeling than going up in a crowd, over guys a foot taller., Tommy (the Hawk) Hawkins said: If you can think about Peter Pan, thats the feeling. 1 draft choice. Bobby Jones could swoop and soar. Tom Nissalke, an assistant coach at Milwaukee when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar came into the league, and later head coach of the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets, says he always had his players measured, and the best sergeant he ever saw was a 35, by Darrell Griffith as a rookie. If you play the game, you know how high that is. Close to the superleaper class in Kupchaks book, but a shade short, are Charles Barkley, Larry Nance, Orlando Woolridge, Roy Hinson, Tom Chambers and Akeem Olajuwon. He was named Most Valuable Player in the ABA. He spent a total of 17 seasons with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers (nine as player, eight as coach), and two seasons as a player with the Carolina Cougars of the ABA. Seniors Are Getting Freaking And A New Loofah Code Lets Everyone Know. The greatest nicknames in basketball are reserved for those who attain the greatest altitude. He once grabbed a record 27 rebounds in a game vs. Clemson on February 16, 1963. He also had stellar 3-pointer abilities, but after that 1996 air show, most of his other accomplishments were left in the dust. Professional basketball player, sports administrator Or write about sports? Pitchin Paul is credited as being one of the first basketball players to ever use the jump shot. So I did a 360, two handed, and he conceded.. // Archive 75: Billy Cunningham| 75 Stories: Billy Cunningham. Current Grand Canyon Antelopes coach and the Phoenix Suns favourite former shooting guard/small forward is an NBA All Star, an Olympian, and World Team member. Do you have a sports website? Chamberlain remembers other playground legends: Boy named Helicopter (real name: Herman Knowings) had incredible wingspan. Julius, Gus (Johnson), Pogo Joe Caldwell. In 1987, Cunningham replaced Tom Heinsohn as the lead color commentator (alongside play-by-play man Dick Stockton) for CBS' NBA telecasts. People think, mistakenly in most cases, that they could hit a baseball, Costas says. In those days, didnt nobody dunk but Wilt Chamberlain, so Sonny was an absolute marvel.. Basketball was just a game they played for fun. Last season, there were 5,757 NBA dunks by 246 players. In his UNC career, he scored 1,709 points (24.8 points per game), and grabbed 1,062 rebounds (15.4 rebounds per game). Manigault, for instance, developed an addiction to heroin, stole to get it, did time in two prisons. Officially, his nickname originated from a 2002 summer league in Salt Lake City, where other players commented on his jumps and grabs, saying he could fly like a bird. Dont get him confused with Larry Bird though. That said, you can see his leaping ability when he takes off. Gus once said, When I dunked that ball and heard that shot for the first time, I said to myself, Oh, oh, Gus. No question, the mystique of the superleaper remains. The difference between the two marks, in inches, is the players sergeant jump, as in, Joe Smith has a 29-inch sergeant.. Kareem came the closest. When they were not taking everything off, the dancing was more alluring. Latrell Sprewell, a rising NBA star, would be known more for his off-court antics than his bas, Erving, Julius 1950 Cade Cunningham Vertical Jump Height. The only other thing in life I couldnt comprehend was looking at the moon and knowing there were men walking on it.. As an owner and commentator, he also made a favorable impression. That Feb. 8, the ABA trotted out its five best slammers. He was called the Kangaroo Kid for his prodigious leaping ability. And after all, The sun even shines on a dog's a** some days. Joey averaged 19.5 points at Southern Idaho and led the team to a national junior college title. Find out more. If youve got a good imagination, imagine yourself wearing a baseball cap, and leaping so high, arms at your side, that you flick your head sideways and dunk your cap. Now, as radio's "Voice of the Common Man," Bill merges all his knowledge, along with his distinguished guests to enrich the minds of his loyal and participative audience. A person who is a poor leaper is said to have white mans disease. White guys use the expression, black guys use it, mostly in a spirit of good fun. If you give bonus points for obscurity and mystery, it would be Joey Johnson, younger brother of Celtic guard Dennis. A fiery coach, Cunningham stalked the sidelines with the best of them. He ran out of his house and to the hoop at St. Rose of Lima grammar school, three blocks away. [14] He then returned for one last year to help cover the 1991 NCAA men's basketball tournament, partnered with Dick Stockton once again. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Not only could he walk, but he was also an All-ACC selection three times and a two-time All-American. married Sondra; they had two daughters. In 1974 Cunningham returned to the 76ers. That Sixers team has since been hailed as the greatest ever assembled. The NBA had no such contest at the time, considering such frivolity to be beneath the senior leagues dignity. In 1996 he was voted one of the top fifty players at the NBA's fiftieth anniversary. Knowing he was inexperienced, Cunningham assembled a group of veteran ex-coaches as assistants, including Chuck Daly, who later to become head coach of the Detroit Pistons. Not only could he dunk, but he had a serious white boy swagger. Imagine yourself lifting off the blacktop, up and up, until you can reach into the air far above the rim.
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