By Paul Gotham
****Remember, try this without research. Make like Wally, and release your inner James Joyce. Show us your stream of consciousness as you try to decipher the answer.
I was the first NBA finals MVP. I also became the only player in league history from a losing team to win that award – kind of an auspicious start to that trophy huh? I averaged 30 points for the 18 playoff games we had that year. Seven times in my career I averaged at least 30 in the playoffs. Still, my career could be looked at as the life of a runner-up. My senior year in college we lost in the NCAA finals. I was taken in the first round of the NBA draft, but I went after the guy who eventually set the mark for averaging a triple-double an entire season. Seven times my teams went to the finals and lost. That guy from the University of San Francisco and his team sure were tough to beat. When I won the MVP, we had a 3-2 lead before falling. In all, we lost three game sevens during that stretch. Twice, we lost that final game of the series by one basket. Finally, we broke through in my 13th season. I once had a quadruple double where I missed just one shot from the field while adding 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and 10 blocked shots. Yeah, I finished with over 20,000 points, 5,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists. I guess that’s why I kind of represent the league.
Who am I?
It has to be Jerry West…?
I thought about Wilt, but then the last sentence and the rebound stat through me off. I know West only has 1-2 titles, yet made it to the Finals a bunch of times. I want to say Wilt won more than 1-2. So I went with Jerry West.
It is West … he’s “The Logo” … his silhouette is the NBA logo. His West Virginia squad lost to Bill Russell and U. San Fran in NCAA finals .. and of course he and his Laker teammates would continue to be frustrated by Russell and the Celtics … most of the time.
My initial reaction before reading everything was possibly George Mikan … I woulda thought the NBA Finals MVP would have started in that generation.
Elgin Baylor. I think Seattle lost in the NCAA finals. I think he was drafted behind the Big O, and I believe his Lakers lost to the Celtics in the NBA finals. Let me post and then look at what the others are thinking.
I ruled out West. I thought Mikan originally too. Like Wally, I thought finals MVP would have started in the late 40s-early 50s.
I missed the “I represent the league” line until my re-read. I have mentioned several times on the pine that West is the logo. Looks like I have to concede to better minds/memories than mine. West it is!
Yes, yes, yes. Jerry West is the answer. I was a little surprised to see the playoff MVP started so late, check here: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ That’s what prompted me to write this one.
Rey – believe it or not – Wilt won just two titles. One with the Lakers and one with the 76ers in ’67.
Great conversation all!