photo of oscar robertson, a.k.a. the big o, courtesy of espn.com
During this holiday season, I’ll be dipping into the archives to offer up some updated goodies in the form of some of the most delectable “The Playground Gave Us…” joints from ‘08. Hope everybody had a scrumptious turkey day feast filled with the love of family.
Did you know that the playground was the most instrumental force in integrating the state of Indiana’s public schools?
That’s because the playgrounds of Indianapolis, aka Nap Town, gave birth to Oscar Robertson, quite possibly the greatest basketball player that ever lived.
photo: sportswriters.net
Before all the Air Jordan heads start hollering, ponder this. MJ came of age in an era of technological revolution, benefitting from the amazing, serendipitous confluence of television satellite technology, the ascension of Nike, the explosion of ESPN and the advent of the global marketplace, becoming the world’s most recognizabe athlete.
His undeniable genius was apparent for all, from Brooklyn to Beijing, to witness. In the post industrial information age, Jordan’s greatness and Madison Avenue ad campaigns for a plethora of multi-national corporations -like his eponymous Air Jordan Nike brand, Quaker Oats’ Gatorade and McDonald’s – were instantaneously beamed around the globe.
The Big O did his thing in a different time where very few witnessed his phenomenal exploits. Robertson may have been better than MJ, but Chicago of the ’80s and ’90s was far different from Cincinnati and Milwaukee of the ’60s and early ’70s and the NBA had yet to attain its incredible worldwide appeal.
Peep the digits real quick. As a rookie, The Big O came out the box with 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists. In 1962, his second year in the league, he AVERAGED A TRIPLE DOUBLE with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists, a feat that has never, before or since, been accomplished. (Pause, read that again and just let it marinate!)
Magic had 138 career Triple Doubles. MJ had 28. The Big O notched 181!
photo courtesy of celebrity-link.com
Growing up dirt poor in Indianapolis, Robertson was a fixture at the playground known as the “Dust Bowl” in front of the Lockefield Gardens housing projects. When put off the asphalt by the old heads, he chilled on the side working on crossovers, dribbling with his weak hand and other drills. Eventually, the big boys could not keep him off the court.
After leading Crispus Attucks High School to its second consecutive state title in 1956, The Big O was so dominant that his play had consequences that extended far beyond hoops. Those state championships were broadcast on television statewide, and a lot of people, considering the passionate love affair with hoops in Indiana, were uneasy seeing an all-black school dominate like Robertson and his Attucks teammates did (they were 62-1 during their back-to-back title seasons).
photo of the big o cutting down the nets for crispus attucks hs: historycooperative.org
The Indy public schools had, on paper, been de-segregated since the 1954 Supreme Court Brown V. Board of Education decision but black faces at white schools were few and far between. But after The Big O came along, white schools encouraged and welcomed a larger African-American representation in their student bodies. Do you need any other proof that in Indiana, birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan, that the sport of basketball reigns supreme?
From high school to 2 Final Fours in 3 years while getting busy at the University of Cincinnati to a Gold Medal in the ‘60 Olympics to a remarkable pro career, the Big O was like a G.P.S. in the days of horse and buggies, light years ahead of his time.
In his autobiography, The Big O – My Life, My Times, My Game, Robertson had this to say – “Throughout my adult life, I’ve been described as one of the most fundamentally sound players in the history of basketball. But so much of what I know I learned on the playground. I didn’t learn much basketball in high school, or even in college, but rather from playing outside in the park.”
THE PLAYGROUND IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE SOLUTION!
December 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
funkalot says:
Oscar’s numbers defy belief. He averaged a triple double for the first five years of his career. To demonstrate how impressive and significant of an accomplishment, only Magic Johnson in his third pro season, 1982, came close, when he averaged 18.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 9.5 apg. Marinate on that, as great as Jordan, Bird, Doc, Wilt, Kareem, Kobe, Kidd and anyone else considered an all-time great they were not able to accomplish that feat. Maybe, LeBron, “Ultra Freak” will have a shot. As such, The Big “O” arguably stands as the greatest all-around playa ever.
My only negative is Mr. Robertson’s bitterness affected toward the NBA’s contemporary player and the media hype machine surrounding their exploits. He often gets surly when comparing himself to them or acknowledging their greatness. I feel him in a way because he never was compensated appropriately or given the proper acclaim, but that is the price those early NBA Pros paid as pioneers. The same sentiment exists within the other major sports, too. We seem to reward mediocrity today and compensate them outrageously.
I, though, do maintain the highest regard for Mr. Robertson’s ability to espouse his politics indiscriminately. He is to be admired for having a conscious, courage and conviction of viewpoints. I wish Jordan or some of our other prominent athletes would utilize their “power”, to affect more substantive change and impact lives on a broader scale.
Jackie Robinson Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact that it has on others”. Hopefully, in this fervent era of change and hope in America, we will make strides toward realizing that statement.
Can you get to that?
December 1st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
illest says:
I have no problem with his bitterness. Hes been through more than any of those guys could imagine. Sometimes you never forget.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
funkalot says:
Illest,
We all have by virtue of our group affiliation have been exposed to some of the same traumas, maybe not to the same extent, as Mr. Robertson. However, at some point you must reconcile your feelings and move forward. We never forget, but for inner peace we must push on.
Obama’s election has taught us that “new messaging” was needed to achieve the goal and I am hoping that the rest of us will not just look symbolically, but instructively towards affecting preferred futures.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
illest says:
True about Obama. But Oscar is 70 years old. The deep wounds from the past never leave no matter what. The game is to be respected and its not being respected. Look at James. He should shut up about what he feels about going to the Knicks. Stop alienating your teammates when your team is 13-3. Now I know how much alienating can he be doing when he is averaging great numbers. But you shouldnt do your teammates like that.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Ali says:
wow funk! are you a barack obama speechwriter? i think anybody can get to what you so eloquently penned.
as for his bitterness/disappointment in the the attitudes of contemporary players, i can’t say that i wouldn’t feel the same way. remember, he endured the cauldron of the country at its worst. his accomplishments and achievements benefitted thousands of players, not only his playing exploits but his 1970 court challenge and the behind the scenes work on behalf of the player’s union. and a lot of players have taken these gains and acted like fools and run amok.
the man owns successful companies, he’s active in the charitable circles, and remains an outspoken champion of civil rights. folks need to know.
the big o could also thrive in any era of basketball. he’s one of the few old school players that could kill it in today’s game.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
funkalot says:
My father is the same age as Oscar and grew up in the Jim Crow south and is still today very resentful, so I empathize with those who still have remnants from those times.
As for King James, what do we really expect from pampered and seemingly, instructed self indulgent athletes. The prize is in the capitalistic pursuit. We are deluding ourselves to think that our athletes are honorable and altruistic entities above espousing the mantra of “money before people”. So, I agree he should be more considerate of his employer and teammates, because his remarks have the potential to be divisive.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
ali says:
stylistic differences aside, i think lebron is the new millenium version of the big o, in terms of his assault on the stat sheet and ability to dominate at multiple positions.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
funkalot says:
Ali,
LeBron is the next link in the basketball evolutionary chain. So, I agree he resembles “Big O” the most, in today’s game.
Where LeBron differs, from Oscar, is in temperament. Oscar had a mean streak, which he ably utilized to intimidate opponents. It was well known that if you angered him, you would pay a heavy price. He was not opposed to meeting you outside (locker room) to handle
differences. Oscar played to win at all times and detested losing.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
ali says:
i hear you funk. but i see a winner’s mentality in lebron as well. he’s got a competitive streak that borders on mean, in the fact that he wants to rip your throat out. he shows no mercy on the court. i haven’t seen him back down to anybody.
December 1st, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Casey Lee says:
I don’t care what anybody says…best ever!
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 am
ali says:
casey,
you could make a very compelling argument that he was, indeed, the best ever.
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Keelan says:
Same stuff, just a different day.
The founding fathers of the NBA and their teammates were not any holier than the players of today. As was so clearly described, the difference between now and then is media. Without such a scrutinizing lens from society the founding fathers were able to act as they pleased with very few consequences while the players today can’t even sneeze without being examined by the dozens upon dozens of media sources. This is not to legitimize the improper actions of our supposed role models of today but to bring to light the increased social pressure facing today’s ballers. In regards to the seemingly increase in greenbacks there actually hasn’t been that great of a change. The average salary for a baller in 1975 was 20k, the minimum wage in ‘75 was $2.30. Do the math, pro ballers have been making bank since then. The increase in salaries we see today seems so great only because of inflation and the additional contractual responsibilities.
With all that said it’s still a numbers game. It’s not about what you make or should have made ($$$), or how bitter or grateful you are.
You got to sink the bucket, dish the rock, and bring down the boards.
As far as that is concerned the “Big O” is the greatest baller of all…..so far.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
ali says:
keelan,
the old timers made good money for sure, as opposed to the average working man but the disparity between average folks and sports stars back then was not nearly as wide as it is today. those guys could not be set for life (and future generations as well), based on what they earned as pro athletes.
a lot of players worked 2nd jobs during the offseasons back then. they lived in regular neighborhoods and were part of the fabric of their communities.
and i think it’s more than just a scrutinizing media that’s ever more invasive today. yes, players have always had some negative behaviors that never saw the light of the daily news cycle back in the day, part and parcel with the boys will be boys philosophy. shoot, if babe ruth were playing today, he’d make plaxico burress and stephin marbury look like bryant gumbel.
but there is a drastic difference in terms of the overall mind set, societal experiences and frame of reference between players of these two drastically different generations, especially when you consider the breadth of the athletic and commercial landscape today.
we cannot also forget that back then, african americans were not far removed from the suffocation of american apartheid. oscar’s generation was fighting for equal rights, to be seen and valued as human, for voting and housing rights. they were fighting for their inaliable right to live. what is pacman jones and others like him fighting for today?
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
illest says:
o man plax and steph. sounds like bad diseases that need to get out of new york. even though they need to pay steph. its not like the knicks havent wasted money for years. even though the giants will miss plax. pacman is not fighting for anything at all.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
ali says:
it’s a shame that starbury’s shine has diminished to such an extent. i hope he can resurrect some semblence of respectability, game wise, because personality issues aside, he’s still a world class talent. and he is, knicks fiasco aside, firm in his position among the illustrious history of ny’s point guard tradition.
as far as pacman, he’s exhibit #1a of sports thugs gone wild, fighting for his right to inebreation and making it rain at the gentlemen’s club. not much substance there.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
Cisco KIdd says:
We should be forever greatful to the great ones who had to endure deep rooted hatred based on race. Who were probably driven to excel just to prove worthy. Now the same faces who flood the statiums and arenas today are not screaming racial slurrs but embracing the God given gifts our athletes possess.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
ali says:
cisco kidd,
unfortunately, many of today’s players are not grateful, nor do they even recognize the depth of the struggle that was endured, enabling them to reach the astounding benefits they enjoy today. but there are some current players that are students of the game, and its rich history, that value every second of the privileges they have in playing the game at its highest levels.
for the most part, the racial slurs have abated, but there is still an undercurrent of unease and even jealousy by folks who pay the exhorbitant ticket prices and let the liqiour induced courage act up.
sometimes, they act like the athletes are animals in the zoo and show some crazy verbal disrespect. and sometimes, fans buy into that anonymous mob mentality and do things they wouldn’t do by themselves, like throw objects and beer on players. but my man ron artest gave folks pause about those actions, after he went queensbridge on those fans in detroit.
but you’re right in that, overall, the majority of players are embraced by the majority of fans because of the majestic skills they display day in and day out.
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