The Brooklyn born was a street basketball legend in NYC and was a fixture at Rucker Park in Harlem. He went to the University of Iowa on a scholarship but was blackballed when he was unjustly and wrongly accused of partaking in a points shaving scandal. This persona non grata status barred him from playing in the NBA. He would have to be content to play in the ABF, with the Harlem Globetrotters and the upstart ABA when he was the league MVP for the Pittsburgh Pipers whom he led to the league's first title. It would not be until 1969 that Hawkins was permitted to play in the NBA when he signed with the Phoenix Suns. While with the Suns he was named to four NBA All-Star teams. Knee injuries would diminish his effectiveness and would not be the same player during stints with the L.A. Lakers and Atlanta Hawks. Despite playing only 7 seasons in the NBA, Hawkins was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
But what I remember the most about Hawkins was that on the second episode of Saturday Night Live, he played one on one with Paul Simon. Yes, the 5,3 Paul Simon and with "Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard" playing in the background complete with a pre-game interview with Marv Albert. I wish SNL was so stingy about its video content because I would love to share that video. It was funny yet full of warmth and humanity. It is also a reminder of what a trailblazer The Hawk was on the basketball court. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and too many numerous others to mention owe a tremendous debt to Hawkins for broadening basketball's popularity.
Well, absent this video I'll have to be content to leave you with "Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard". R.I.P.
Found it!
ReplyDeletehttps://vimeo.com/294722749