"Bells" was a strong player inside and used his strong legs and hips to his advantage against Alcindor and other excellent centers. Alcindor had a tough time with Bells because Bells knew how to position himself, used excellent footwork, and had Hall of Fame skills. Bellamy was a big center yet had an good midrange game, could drive to the hoop on anybody, and could run the floor so he was as mobile as any big center in the history of the game. How many 6'11" centers in the history of the basketball were as effective from the triple threat position as Bells? Not many. Thanks for the update on one of the greatest centers of all-time.
To me he’s easily a top 10 center ever and I have him 8th. The teams he was on in his prime were horrible. The Packers (who were an expansion team) outside of Bellamy had horrible spacing and defense which is why Bellamy could rarely find team success. Slick Leonard and Andy Johnson were his best teammates that season and they’re both known for being inefficient players especially when Andy Johnson was on the Warriors. It’s amazing how Bellamy was still able to be a walking 32 and 19 that season while leading the league in efficiency when he had the worst spacing in the entire league while being an elite slasher and good shooter. If he was at least a slightly below average FT shooter then his efficiency would be even more insane than it already was. Plus his coach Jim Pollard was a rookie coach and ignored defensive schemes just like Jack McMahon did the next season who was also infamous for neglecting the Royals defense.
Just as an aside, if anyone ever asks who Wilt played in 61-62, be sure to let them know not only that he played this man...he averaged 52.4 ppg against him in the TEN TIMES he had to play him.
Wilt also went up against Bill Russell for 10 games. That meant 25% of Wilt's games were played against Hall of Fame centers. Do any of the top flight centers of today even play 15 games per season against their "Equals".
Great to hear Pistol Pete talk about Bellamy since they were teammates. I got to see Bells many times in his last years in Atlanta! Thanks for sharing this.
idk...I think Bellamy is a better athlete and better defensive player/rebounder... I think embidd might has a tad more range and is a more efficient player...granted if Bellamy could did his shoulder and carry and play in the spacing of todays game like embidd..im sure his efficiency/ production would increase substantially @@dimensionsofdominion6746
Golden age of centers. Underrated guy. Great athlete and tough guy.....for some reason New York writers didn’t like him.........but in New York what we remember him for ...........Bellamy and Komives for Dave DeB,three finals, and two rings
Bellamy's match-up with Wilt was amazing fun. He would take Wilt to the hoop and get his shot blocked; get it back; get it blocked, get it back, etc. The statistics were crazy. Bellamy would try to score 15 times, score 30 points but the stats would show 12 for 35 or something like that.
I saw Mr. Bellamy play briefly as a four year old during his junior year at Indiana. the NBA was hardly available on network TV until late in his career when had moved onto Atlanta. A center on the real Olympic Dream Team in 1960; no one has matched his athleticism and skill except perhaps Olajuwan who was a significantly smaller man. Mr. Bellamy never played on teams equal to those that included Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, or even Nate Thurmond. After retirement he lived in Atlanta where he was known for his support and participation in the Urban League and the NAACP as well as the Georgia State Senate where he served as doorman. Under the coaching of Branch McCracken, who was the college player of the year at center in 1928 (as Bellamy was in 1961. Mr. Bellamy was a true student athlete and as can be witnessed in the footage, a well spoken man proud of his education. McCracken coached five consensus All American centers at Indiana, from the 6'3" Bill Garrett , the first starting African American varsity basketball player in the Big Ten, to the 6'11" Bellamy. A rough country boy by some accounts McCracken was a life long educator not much different than John Wooden, his childhood friend and neighbor and professional teammate when they were high school teachers in the thirties (They entered the Hall of Fame together as players in it's second year). Bellamy was not only a truly gifted and skilled athlete he was a fellow citizen worthy of anyone's admiration and respect.
I want these young guys to see this footage. If its not shaq, tim duncan and kevin garnett.....they dont repsect a bigman. This guy along with dan issel, elvin hayes, john havlicek, nate archibald, bernard king, pere maravich etc....are always overlooked.
0:15 - Part 1: Introduction and Physical Tools 2:30 - Part 2: Defense 5:00 - Part 3: Transition Game 6:25 - Part 4: Getting Backdoor 7:18 - Part 5: Post-Ups and Deep Catches 8:33 - Part 6: Triple Threat 10:00 - Part 7: Pick and Roll and Pick and Pop 11:24 - Part 8: Offensive Rebounding
Remember Him Well People Forget In NY they had Bells and Willis together on the front Line. That was a Potent duo!!!! Before the DeBusschere Trade with Detroit
Its funny because his rookie season was so great, he never matched those numbers again...I mean he had more great seasons, but you don't usually see a player have his best season as a rookie...
His rookie season was the highest scoring season for the entire league in its history. His numbers declined thereafter basically in parallel with the league averages. Also, he was on an expansion team as a rookie, and his load declined thereafter.
Gandy dancer Well he also never really found a team and coach he worked well with. His numbers fluctuated due to poor utilization of his skills and poor team chemistry. His numbers could have been better under different circumstances.
If I remember correctly, he holds the NBA record for most games played in a single season (1968-69) When NY traded him to Detroit. Not necessarily an accomplishment 100% within his control, just the luck that the teams schedules were the way they were.... not diminishing the fact he played every game in a season unlike today's players. He never seemed to get injured either.
Only question I gotta ask tho, is why was his rookie season his best Statistical season? Like what made his production dropped ( wasn't much but it did dipped )
Walt Bellamy was better than Michael Jordan because he took his strength higher and his move to the basket came to be afterwards in the NBA of smaller players.
So I guess the global elites infiltrated even the NBA. Why have players like this never been talked about or shown on tv in the USA. This dude could have killed it in 2022...Hes got the size n strength, can run the floor like a deer, cteate his own shots,, finish,, and has a real mental and physical toughness u don't see today. Men were men, not wussies, and its obvious they loved the game. Somebody decided they would make made all the old videos in the 60s, 70s, look ancient by manipulating them, altering the speed, and even the color. Sad!!
"Bells" was a strong player inside and used his strong legs and hips to his advantage against Alcindor and other excellent centers. Alcindor had a tough time with Bells because Bells knew how to position himself, used excellent footwork, and had Hall of Fame skills. Bellamy was a big center yet had an good midrange game, could drive to the hoop on anybody, and could run the floor so he was as mobile as any big center in the history of the game. How many 6'11" centers in the history of the basketball were as effective from the triple threat position as Bells? Not many. Thanks for the update on one of the greatest centers of all-time.
To me he’s easily a top 10 center ever and I have him 8th. The teams he was on in his prime were horrible. The Packers (who were an expansion team) outside of Bellamy had horrible spacing and defense which is why Bellamy could rarely find team success. Slick Leonard and Andy Johnson were his best teammates that season and they’re both known for being inefficient players especially when Andy Johnson was on the Warriors. It’s amazing how Bellamy was still able to be a walking 32 and 19 that season while leading the league in efficiency when he had the worst spacing in the entire league while being an elite slasher and good shooter. If he was at least a slightly below average FT shooter then his efficiency would be even more insane than it already was. Plus his coach Jim Pollard was a rookie coach and ignored defensive schemes just like Jack McMahon did the next season who was also infamous for neglecting the Royals defense.
Dude, your channel is the best basketball channel on TH-cam. So many forgotten legends finally get some love
that first dunk on wilt looked vicious
Just as an aside, if anyone ever asks who Wilt played in 61-62, be sure to let them know not only that he played this man...he averaged 52.4 ppg against him in the TEN TIMES he had to play him.
Wilt also went up against Bill Russell for 10 games. That meant 25% of Wilt's games were played against Hall of Fame centers. Do any of the top flight centers of today even play 15 games per season against their "Equals".
@@leckbug actually, he played Russell 12 times.
It was less teams then.
@@j-us-t_be-in-g I mean, yes. But that just meant he played Russell, Belamy, Lovelette, Thurmond, and so on more frequently.
@@Nuvendil That's why i said what I said. There were like 17 teams when NBL and BAA merged to give you the NBA in 1949.
By far the most underrated player in NBA history. Him not making the top 50 greatest players in 1997 was ridiculous.
Let me tell you about NBA 75th Anniversary ...
Great to hear Pistol Pete talk about Bellamy since they were teammates. I got to see Bells many times in his last years in Atlanta! Thanks for sharing this.
Yes it is. Pete and Julius Erving, earlier in the film, point that Bells and other PAST greats deserve equal coverage, too. And seldom got it.
Walt Bellamy is better than ANY center in the NBA today and it's not even close!
I watched Walt play against Bill and Wilt, he always held his own. He would be without question the best center in todays game.
@@73Trident better than embid?
@@dimensionsofdominion6746 yeah rookie Walt Bellamy average 31 ppg and 19 rebounds, next 2 seasons, he averaged 27 ppg on like 17 rebounds.
idk...I think Bellamy is a better athlete and better defensive player/rebounder... I think embidd might has a tad more range and is a more efficient player...granted if Bellamy could did his shoulder and carry and play in the spacing of todays game like embidd..im sure his efficiency/ production would increase substantially @@dimensionsofdominion6746
Such an underrated center! You can now update your "Centers He Battled" list to include Zelmo Beaty under the Hall of Famers section!
Golden age of centers. Underrated guy. Great athlete and tough guy.....for some reason New York writers didn’t like him.........but in New York what we remember him for ...........Bellamy and Komives for Dave DeB,three finals, and two rings
Bellamy's match-up with Wilt was amazing fun. He would take Wilt to the hoop and get his shot blocked; get it back; get it blocked, get it back, etc. The statistics were crazy. Bellamy would try to score 15 times, score 30 points but the stats would show 12 for 35 or something like that.
yo, that's so funny lol
I saw Mr. Bellamy play briefly as a four year old during his junior year at Indiana. the NBA was hardly available on network TV until late in his career when had moved onto Atlanta. A center on the real Olympic Dream Team in 1960; no one has matched his athleticism and skill except perhaps Olajuwan who was a significantly smaller man. Mr. Bellamy never played on teams equal to those that included Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, or even Nate Thurmond. After retirement he lived in Atlanta where he was known for his support and participation in the Urban League and the NAACP as well as the Georgia State Senate where he served as doorman. Under the coaching of Branch McCracken, who was the college player of the year at center in 1928 (as Bellamy was in 1961. Mr. Bellamy was a true student athlete and as can be witnessed in the footage, a well spoken man proud of his education. McCracken coached five consensus All American centers at Indiana, from the 6'3" Bill Garrett , the first starting African American varsity basketball player in the Big Ten, to the 6'11" Bellamy. A rough country boy by some accounts McCracken was a life long educator not much different than John Wooden, his childhood friend and neighbor and professional teammate when they were high school teachers in the thirties (They entered the Hall of Fame together as players in it's second year). Bellamy was not only a truly gifted and skilled athlete he was a fellow citizen worthy of anyone's admiration and respect.
I saw Bellamy play against Alcindor in Alcindor's first game. My, how time flies.
I want these young guys to see this footage.
If its not shaq, tim duncan and kevin garnett.....they dont repsect a bigman.
This guy along with dan issel, elvin hayes, john havlicek, nate archibald, bernard king, pere maravich etc....are always overlooked.
0:15 - Part 1: Introduction and Physical Tools
2:30 - Part 2: Defense
5:00 - Part 3: Transition Game
6:25 - Part 4: Getting Backdoor
7:18 - Part 5: Post-Ups and Deep Catches
8:33 - Part 6: Triple Threat
10:00 - Part 7: Pick and Roll and Pick and Pop
11:24 - Part 8: Offensive Rebounding
🤝
Remember Him Well People Forget In NY they had Bells and Willis together on the front Line. That was a Potent duo!!!! Before the DeBusschere Trade with Detroit
Its funny because his rookie season was so great, he never matched those numbers again...I mean he had more great seasons, but you don't usually see a player have his best season as a rookie...
His rookie season was the highest scoring season for the entire league in its history. His numbers declined thereafter basically in parallel with the league averages. Also, he was on an expansion team as a rookie, and his load declined thereafter.
Gandy dancer Well he also never really found a team and coach he worked well with. His numbers fluctuated due to poor utilization of his skills and poor team chemistry. His numbers could have been better under different circumstances.
@@gandydancer9710 it was second behind Wilt who avergaed 37ppg as a rookie
I remember how insane Randy Moss’ rookie season was, I just read about Bellamy’s rookie year and it reminded me of Moss
Great vid, will you be doing a Nate Thurmond vid soon?
All I can say is wooooow. Bells was incredibly complete. He'd dominate the game in any era. Amazing.
1 of the All Time Great! Its for this reason its truly BLASPHEMY to anoint anyone as the GOAT!
Updated this video, check it out if you never saw the original, or watch it again!
another Gus Johnson video please
Walt Bellamy one of my all time favorite centers
I see you added in a bunch of pistol pete audio. I really wish you'd do a scouting vid on him. Thanks for the upload!
You need to make more of these scouting videos.
Did NBA head quarters really agree not to show footage before 92 cause I see 80's stuff all the time
*****
NBA TV always shows 80's stuff they have a show dedicated to it
They said prior to 1980.
make a Nate Thurmond video
Abel Jurado yes I rarely see anything on him
Bells serving up a facial on Wilt at 0:51 as Marv Albert would say.
kaspafischer I noticed that definitely caught my attention
If I remember correctly, he holds the NBA record for most games played in a single season (1968-69) When NY traded him to Detroit. Not necessarily an accomplishment 100% within his control, just the luck that the teams schedules were the way they were.... not diminishing the fact he played every game in a season unlike today's players. He never seemed to get injured either.
That Was Great, Thank You...
Hard to believe this dude was an all state receiver, and was center wtf.
I think if the team not left Chicago, his numbers would have been greater.
basketball at its best
Do a video on the great Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins. Much missed and deserves better.
He looks very athletic and way ahead of his time.
Only question I gotta ask tho, is why was his rookie season his best Statistical season? Like what made his production dropped ( wasn't much but it did dipped )
Pace was high throughout the 60s it was more his teams improved throughout his career so he wasn't look to as much as well as him getting pudgier
@@matt7002 It also didn't help that he played with Willis Reed in the late 60s which took away touches from both of them
Better than Ewing.
This dude won MVP his rookie year... I think
Brayden Wormer no,the only players that got mvp in the rookie year are wes unseld and wilt
@@chso.733 Just Rookie of the Year.
Walt Bellamy was better than Michael Jordan because he took his strength higher and his move to the basket came to be afterwards in the NBA of smaller players.
Bellamy was such a mystery due to him peaking in his rookie season and getting worse every season after.
So I guess the global elites infiltrated even the NBA. Why have players like this never been talked about or shown on tv in the USA. This dude could have killed it in 2022...Hes got the size n strength, can run the floor like a deer, cteate his own shots,, finish,, and has a real mental and physical toughness u don't see today. Men were men, not wussies, and its obvious they loved the game. Somebody decided they would make made all the old videos in the 60s, 70s, look ancient by manipulating them, altering the speed, and even the color. Sad!!
league average was 6'5 but yah there were "more centers"
If the Lakers could have drafted this guy instead of Darrell Imhoff at center, they would have beaten Boston in 2 or 3 championship series.
Heavy
KG in 60-70's
Much larger than Garnett. Big enough to toy with Kareem.
What is his 7,72 jersey worth
71,72 jersey worth
EBay
U
jordan given all 6 by refs
Damn, he looked kinda chunky, but I guess that benefited him somehow, maybe like Barkley
Reminds me of Karl Malone :D
I’m here from dbg 😂😂😂
he wasn`t much of a "plumber" tho
le bron is a short walt bellamy
never hear about him must haev bene gun loving republican kick ass freedom lvoing capitalist democracy is fascism
Bellamy would have whupped Shaquille Oneal's tail! Very underrated.
No dislikes for this video. If I could I would give this video 100 likes.