Introduction to the first NBA Superstar
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world and has produced some of the most iconic basketball stars of all time. The first NBA superstar can be traced back to the 1950s and is widely considered to be the first great player in the league. Bob Cousy was the first NBA superstar, a point guard for the Boston Celtics who revolutionized the way the game was played.
The Early Years of Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy was born on August 9, 1928 in New York City. He was raised in the South Bronx and attended Andrew Jackson High School. At Jackson, Cousy was a star basketball player and was named All-City in his senior year. He also received an athletic scholarship to attend Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts.
At Holy Cross, Cousy was an unstoppable force. He led the Crusaders to two National Invitational Tournament (NIT) victories and one National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. In his senior year, he was unanimously named college basketball’s Player of the Year.
Cousy’s NBA Career
Following his successful college career, Cousy was drafted by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in the 1950 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Ed Macauley and the rights to the draft’s number one overall pick, Cliff Hagan.
It was with the Celtics that Cousy truly made his mark on the NBA. He was a revolutionary player and is widely credited with inventing the no-look pass. He was a leader on the court and led the Celtics to six championships in 13 years. He was named to the All-Star team 13 times and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1957.
The Cousy-Russell Rivalry
In the 1950s, the Celtics were not the only team making waves in the NBA. The Minneapolis Lakers were led by two of the greatest players of all time: George Mikan and Bill Russell. The rivalry between Cousy and Russell was intense and is widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history.
Mikan was the first superstar of the NBA and was a dominant center. He led the Lakers to five championships in six years. Bill Russell was a defensive specialist and was the first African-American superstar in the NBA. He led the Celtics to 11 championships in 13 years.
Cousy’s Legacy
Bob Cousy retired in 1963 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971. He was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and had his number retired by the Celtics in 1963.
Cousy is widely regarded as the first NBA superstar and is credited with revolutionizing the way the game was played. He was an innovator who changed the way point guards were viewed and was a leader on the court.
The Next Generation of NBA Superstar
Bob Cousy was the first NBA superstar and he paved the way for the next generation of stars. Wilt Chamberlain was the next great player and he revolutionized the way centers were viewed. Chamberlain led the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors to two championships and was one of the most dominant players of all time.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the most successful players of all time and is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships and was named the league’s MVP six times.
Magic Johnson was one of the most popular players in NBA history and was the face of the Los Angeles Lakers. He led the Lakers to five championships and was named the league’s MVP three times.
Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time. He led the Chicago Bulls to six championships and was named the league’s MVP five times.
The Current Generation of NBA Superstars
The current generation of NBA superstars is led by LeBron James, who is widely considered the best player in the world. He has led the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers to championships and has been named the league’s MVP four times.
Stephen Curry has revolutionized the way the game is played and has led the Golden State Warriors to three championships. He has been named the league’s MVP twice and is widely considered one of the greatest shooters of all time.
Kevin Durant is one of the most dominant players in the NBA and has led the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors to championships. He has been named the league’s MVP once and has won two Olympic gold medals.
Conclusion
Bob Cousy is widely considered the first NBA superstar and he revolutionized the way the game was played. He set the standard for future players and paved the way for the next generation of stars. The current generation of superstars is led by LeBron James and includes Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. These stars have kept the legacy of Bob Cousy alive and have ensured that his legacy will never be forgotten.