When NBA publicist, Haskell Cohen, came up with the idea for an all star game between the East and West divisions everybody thought he was crazy. Cohen saw the natural rivalries between Western division stars like George Mikan, Vern Mikkelson, Jim Pollard, Bob Davies, Alex Groza and the stars of the Easteren division. Bob Cousy, "Easy Ed" McCauley, "Tricky Dick" McGuire and Dolph Schayes (the Larry Bird of his day) They all had their fans and each argued vehemently over who would beat who if they played against each other. For Cohen it seemed like a "can't miss idea."
Unfortunately nobody agreed with him. Especially NBA commissioner, Maurice Podolof who actually wanted to call it off just a week before gametime. Luckily for Cohen one man DID agree....Celtics owner Walter Brown. The commissioner needed a lot of persuading and finally gave in when Walter said he would take care of all costs and losses (should it lose money). I'm not sure if this was the reason the game was played in Boston Garden but, under the circumstances, Walter Brown thought the Boston fans deserved the honor for supporting the Celtics in such great numbers that year. He was always willing to put his own personal money on the line for the the game and this time, as history has shown, the gamble paid off, big...very big.
The two coaches (there were no assistant coaches back then) were Joe Lapchick of the Knicks for the East and Johnny Kundla, coach of the MINNEAPOLIS Lakers for the Western all-stars.
The Garden was pretty well packed with 10,094 screaming fans all knowing they were part of a historical "FIRST" in the NBA. As each star was introduced we all cheered (at least a little) but found it hard to cheer for "Tricky Dick" McGuire or Harry "The Horse" Gallatin of the New York Knicks (the most hated rivals of the early Celtics teams). Cheering for Dolph Schayes was a little different because he was a great player and a classy gentleman. But, once the game started, we all rooted for the uniform. It was a first all-star-game experience for me and most of the other fans there and nobody was disappointed. The East won, 107-93. It was like a "hometown" victory because our Celtics were on the East team and both Celtics (Ed McCauley and Bob Cousy) were instrumental in the win. McCauley, with 20 points and 6 rebounds was MVP and Cousy, with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, came close to the first triple double in all-star history. Cousy would later earn his own all-star MVP awards later in 1954 and again in 1957. (He was also the league MVP in 1957.)
It was pretty even for most of the game with the EAST eventually creeping ahead for the win. The big keys for the game was in the defense played by McCauley on George Mikan. He held the much bigger Mikan to just 4-17 shooting. The two other big guys, Pollard (2-11) and Mikkelson (4-11), were further victims of the East's defensive strategy. (I can't help thinking Red Auerbach had something to do with that.) Even though the West took more shots than the East (107-93) the East made 43 to the West's 35 FG's. East's efficiency (.462% to the West's .327% was the big factor. The East also out rebounded the West, 67-60. A most telling statistic was in the assist column where the East dished out 40 while the West got just 27. So, you see, winning basketball games is pretty much the same now as it was then...don't let their big scorer beat you, play tough defense and move the ball around to the open shooter. The 13 assists edge the East had over the West made for a 26 point difference. Back then you didn't get credit for an assist if you just handed the ball off and your teammate dribbled the length of the court for a score. (An assist usually meant an easy basket.)
At any rate the game WAS exciting and, seeing as how it was the very FIRST for the NBA, was one you would tell your grandchildren about, much as I'm doing now. THAT'S our sports heritage and not just for Boston. Names like "Sweetwater" Clifton (big center for the Knicks), Slater Martin, "Jumpin'" Joe Fulks, Harry "The Horse" Gallatin, "Trickey" Dick McGuire best ball-handler in the NBA next to Bob Cousy. (Wait 'til you hear of Cooz' heroics in the 4 overtime game against Syracuse)
They all have stories you'd love to hear. Just,...stay tuned.....
One of the more interesting comments on the difference in the NBA today, it's players and style of play, was made by Upton Bell, former GM of the Patriots, sportstalk show host with Bob Lobel and over-all sports officiando. "Most of these guys just don't know HOW to be celebrities. There are too many publicity hounds and showoffs, He said, never one to mince words he tells it like it is.
My feeling is that the game is no longer a "showcase" of talented players but rather a spectacle of showboating participants made just for TV. Unfortunately too many young kids try to emulate these so-called stars instead of developing real basketball skills and a knowledge of the game...'Nuf said....
TRIVIA.....In that first championship season (1956-57) the Celtics had drafted three players who wound up in the NBA hall of Fame. Who were they?
The Bruins made a trade with the New York Rangers to acquire Rick "Nifty" Middleton, (who should be in the NHL Hall of Fame but isn't). Who did the Bruins send over to the Rangers?
Who was the first rookie in major league baseball to be voted MVP of the year?