Tremendous player. I just remember the annual charity game but look at his stats. Imagine: a power forward, third in the league in rebounding AND assists. He did a lot of "Coast to coast". Just needed some shooting discipline. The Twyman family adopted him and felt blessed to know him. He never felt sorry for himself. The story of how Twyman, a teammate, took it on himself to take care of Stokes is wonderful. A movie was made of it.
Happy to see players like Stokes get some recognition among today's basketball fans. However , I am 65, been following the game since 1966, and read quite a bit about Maurice Stokes while learning about the history of Basketball as a kid. I knew what he had done. As a teenager, I got the chance to meet Jack Twyman, Stokes' friend and teammate, and chatted with him for about an hour about both his and Stokes' careers,, and their personal relationship. Then, as an adult, I had the pleasure of meeting Oscar Robertson, and over the years and many conversations, got even more insight about Stokes, who'd become a good friend of his prior to his death. I checked this video out to hear the content. All of the info covered , I already knew. Now, with this video, interested hoop fans can learn some of what I learned about this legend. He was well known during his era;don't ever doubt that. Stokes' effectiveness later encouraged the Royals to acquire Wayne Embry, out of Miami of Ohio, and drafted by the St. Louis Hawks, who had a eerily similar skill set, and physical attributes compared to Stokes.Growing up, my friends and I who'd fallen in love with basketball, knew what Stokes had done as a player, in addition to his health situation. In Cincinnati, at during my youth, Stokes was talked about a lot, because the Royals had relocated there from Rochester years prior. So,... we knew. And , NBA fans knew. As time passed, his health crisis overshadowed his accomplishments as a player, and among "modern" fans, is what he's mostly remembered for. So, thanks for shedding some light on his basketball accomplishments.
Love the history. My belief is that Jack Twyman and his support and love for Maurice was a major development in basketball and beyond. Twyman showed me as a youngster that we should and need to support each other no matter what. Wrote Twyman a letter thanking him for showing us the way.
Old enough to have seen him play and remember. He was absolutely terrific. As you suggest the NBA might have been very different. For what it is worth Twyman is still remembered by fans from that era who appreciated his generosity and the things he gave fou Maurice.
I attended Kutsher's basketball camp as an 12 yo in the summer of 1971 and attended a Stokes Game. Nothing but good memories about the game and the camp.
ABC TV analyst Jack Twyman took care of Stokes long after his playing days. People of age remember that well. If Stokes had not been struck down, the history of the Cincinnati Royals may have been different. Bob Knight said the greatest Big Ten player ever was a tie between Magic Johnson and the Royals' Jerry Lucas. If Lucas had played in the 3-ball era, he would have been mentioned among the greatest NBA players - a stretch 4 and passing center before his time.
I remember Jack Twyman and Chris Schenkel doing the NBA broadcasts in the late 60s and Chris did mention Maurice in his playing time with the Cincinnati Royals.
Maurice was awesome, many knew it, but to fans of the modern era, he is another guy from the firemen and plumbers who tried to earn a living by playing in the NBA. Right, JJ?
I remembered Stokes, though his NBA play was before my time and I had to be reminded that I knew of him primarily because of hearing about the benefit games organized by Twyman. You filled in a lot of information though. Thanks.
Greetings I really love this story and hope others will view it also because it's so inspirational and informative you did a wonderful job thanks again.
the last thing he typed and his last words were "Thank You, Jack" jack had just called a color NBA game and had ended the broadcast with "Good Night , Morry"
I just know him from the annually game at Kutcher's sports academy in Sullivan county upstate n.y.which was named after him. I once went in 1970, where a relatively unknown newly drafted Billy Cowens tore up the court. Mohammed Ali was present, I got to shake his hand
I remember the name. I want to say I saw him play on TV, but in1958 I was 6 years old and I don't think the NBA was televised much, at the time. His name might have been mentioned during some NBA Game of the Week broadcasts, a few years later. I don't know, but I am reasonably sure I have heard the name, and remember it, as him being an NBA player.
I live in rochester newyork where the royals originally were so I did hear about this guy sad story about him though the royals moved from rochester before I started following sports so I never saw the royals play I would've loved to though
I'm pretty sure the Royals could have drafted Oscar Robertson even they had been a stronger team at the time with Stokes on it. That's because the NBA allowed "territorial picks," and Robertson was theirs. Robertson grew up in Indianapolis and attended the University of Cincinnati, so I don't think any other team could have made a territorial claim on Robertson. Assuming that's true, Stokes, Robertson and Twyman and then Jerry Lucas (who I believe was also a territorial pick (grew up in Middletown, attended Ohio State) would have given the Celtics with Russell a serious run for their money. As it is the Royals took the Celts to 7 games in 1963, and given their regular season record of 42-38, that really wasn't their best team. They also took the Celts to a 5th and final game in the early round of the 1966 playoffs. In the Sports Illustrated article in 1969 where he announced his retirement, Bill Russell said the Celtics beat the Royals in the playoffs one year (not sure which one, but I would assume it's 1963 or 1966) only because the Royals started more white guys than they should have based on the relative merits of the players. But Russell didn't name names. His archived SI article doesn't have the claim, but I know Russell made the claim because I distinctly remember that the Royals' GM wrote a heated denial that SI printed in the Letters to the Editor section the next week or two.
You are absolutely correct sir; territorial picks seemed to be implemented for reasons of growing fan bases for the locals and strengthening the league early on.
Good point about the territorial pick system and Robertson. Though how Wilt was a Philly Warrior territorial pick on the basis of his high school career is hard to explain. Flexibility in the name of fan base promotion, I guess.
@@PIP...33 Hmm... not really. Malone in particular had larger biceps than Wilt, I think, at least proportionately. Wilt joined the NBA about the time weight work came into fashion (see Petit on this), but didn't bulk up all that much., though his strength is legendary (in both senses). And see, e.g., the video of the NBA-ABA All Star game where he seemed to treat Artis Gilmore like a rag doll at one point when they both got their hands on a rebound.
This guy made the Hall of Fame on his defense alone. He may have scored 17 points per game, but his shooting percentage is weren't that good. Are you kidding me? 34%, 37%, etc. That's bad even for the 50s. But I would venture that he averaged about seven or eight blocks per game
Tremendous player. I just remember the annual charity game but look at his stats. Imagine: a power forward, third in the league in rebounding AND assists. He did a lot of "Coast to coast". Just needed some shooting discipline. The Twyman family adopted him and felt blessed to know him. He never felt sorry for himself. The story of how Twyman, a teammate, took it on himself to take care of Stokes is wonderful. A movie was made of it.
Happy to see players like Stokes get some recognition among today's basketball fans. However , I am 65, been following the game since 1966, and read quite a bit about Maurice Stokes while learning about the history of Basketball as a kid. I knew what he had done. As a teenager, I got the chance to meet Jack Twyman, Stokes' friend and teammate, and chatted with him for about an hour about both his and Stokes' careers,, and their personal relationship. Then, as an adult, I had the pleasure of meeting Oscar Robertson, and over the years and many conversations, got even more insight about Stokes, who'd become a good friend of his prior to his death.
I checked this video out to hear the content. All of the info covered , I already knew. Now, with this video, interested hoop fans can learn some of what I learned about this legend. He was well known during his era;don't ever doubt that. Stokes' effectiveness later encouraged the Royals to acquire Wayne Embry, out of Miami of Ohio, and drafted by the St. Louis Hawks, who had a eerily similar skill set, and physical attributes compared to Stokes.Growing up, my friends and I who'd fallen in love with basketball, knew what Stokes had done as a player, in addition to his health situation. In Cincinnati, at during my youth, Stokes was talked about a lot, because the Royals had relocated there from Rochester years prior. So,... we knew. And , NBA fans knew. As time passed, his health crisis overshadowed his accomplishments as a player, and among "modern" fans, is what he's mostly remembered for. So, thanks for shedding some light on his basketball accomplishments.
Yes, Embry was who I thought of as a comp.
Love the history. My belief is that Jack Twyman and his support and love for Maurice was a major development in basketball and beyond. Twyman showed me as a youngster that we should and need to support each other no matter what. Wrote Twyman a letter thanking him for showing us the way.
I read about him in a book about players from the 50s and 60s he was a great player before his injury Rest In Peace Maurice.
There was a biopic made on this man-and his relationship with Jack Twyman-in the mid-1970's.
Old enough to have seen him play and remember. He was absolutely terrific. As you suggest the NBA might have been very different. For what it is worth Twyman is still remembered by fans from that era who appreciated his generosity and the things he gave fou Maurice.
Most people who remember Twyman probably do so for his ABC NBA broadcasting.
Nice job,
Stokes & Twyman,
The "best" of the human condition.
I attended Kutsher's basketball camp as an 12 yo in the summer of 1971 and attended a Stokes Game. Nothing but good memories about the game and the camp.
Maurice Stokes. The biggest "what if" in NBA's history. Sad story :(
Great, great story about this player who would've had an unbelievable career if not for injury and illness.
ABC TV analyst Jack Twyman took care of Stokes long after his playing days. People of age remember that well. If Stokes had not been struck down, the history of the Cincinnati Royals may have been different. Bob Knight said the greatest Big Ten player ever was a tie between Magic Johnson and the Royals' Jerry Lucas. If Lucas had played in the 3-ball era, he would have been mentioned among the greatest NBA players - a stretch 4 and passing center before his time.
I remember Jack Twyman and Chris Schenkel doing the NBA broadcasts in the late 60s and Chris did mention Maurice in his playing time with the Cincinnati Royals.
It is cool how the NBA came up with the teammate award with both their names to honor them and their life long friendship.
What a wonderful story about Maurice. And what a fine human being was Jack Twyman. Thank you.
ESPN did a sports century documentary on him
Maurice was awesome, many knew it, but to fans of the modern era, he is another guy from the firemen and plumbers who tried to earn a living by playing in the NBA. Right, JJ?
Absolutely excellent video. REALLY awesome effort, dude.
Only seen him on film. When the HOF was at Springfield College, he had his own room. That’s where I learn about. Nice segment.
Great Piece. Learned a lot. Thanks!
I remembered Stokes, though his NBA play was before my time and I had to be reminded that I knew of him primarily because of hearing about the benefit games organized by Twyman. You filled in a lot of information though. Thanks.
Greetings I really love this story and hope others will view it also because it's so inspirational and informative you did a wonderful job thanks again.
the last thing he typed and his last words were "Thank You, Jack" jack had just called a color NBA game and had ended the broadcast with "Good Night , Morry"
In the late 1960s, Stokes was considered to be amongst the top 25 players in the NBA's first 25 years.
I just know him from the annually game at Kutcher's sports academy in Sullivan county upstate n.y.which was named after him. I once went in 1970, where a relatively unknown newly drafted Billy Cowens tore up the court. Mohammed Ali was present, I got to shake his hand
I had only heard the name and little else. Considering the praise bestowed upon him by the Celtic greats and others, he was a special player.
OK. Sign me up as a new sub. Rick Barry, and now Maurice Stokes. Good stuff.
Never Knew this another sad story What if ? i will never forget now
I remember the name. I want to say I saw him play on TV, but in1958 I was 6 years old and I don't think the NBA was televised much, at the time. His name might have been mentioned during some NBA Game of the Week broadcasts, a few years later. I don't know, but I am reasonably sure I have heard the name, and remember it, as him being an NBA player.
Got yourself a sub
whoa dude, the beat is 10-x louder than anything
Yes, I noticed that. Intrusive at times.
I remember that he retired very early.. before my time
I remember -I was a small child then
St. Francis other Pittsburg area NBA All-Star was Norman VanLier.
I live in rochester newyork where the royals originally were so I did hear about this guy sad story about him though the royals moved from rochester before I started following sports so I never saw the royals play I would've loved to though
Fu** I haven't heard of him. Great forward.
Why are you whispering?
Moms sleep
Great video. You gotta use different music, homie.
I'm pretty sure the Royals could have drafted Oscar Robertson even they had been a stronger team at the time with Stokes on it. That's because the NBA allowed "territorial picks," and Robertson was theirs. Robertson grew up in Indianapolis and attended the University of Cincinnati, so I don't think any other team could have made a territorial claim on Robertson.
Assuming that's true, Stokes, Robertson and Twyman and then Jerry Lucas (who I believe was also a territorial pick (grew up in Middletown, attended Ohio State) would have given the Celtics with Russell a serious run for their money. As it is the Royals took the Celts to 7 games in 1963, and given their regular season record of 42-38, that really wasn't their best team. They also took the Celts to a 5th and final game in the early round of the 1966 playoffs.
In the Sports Illustrated article in 1969 where he announced his retirement, Bill Russell said the Celtics beat the Royals in the playoffs one year (not sure which one, but I would assume it's 1963 or 1966) only because the Royals started more white guys than they should have based on the relative merits of the players. But Russell didn't name names. His archived SI article doesn't have the claim, but I know Russell made the claim because I distinctly remember that the Royals' GM wrote a heated denial that SI printed in the Letters to the Editor section the next week or two.
imagine if they had teamed robertson and russell along with stokes they could've saved basketball in rochester.
You are absolutely correct sir; territorial picks seemed to be implemented for reasons of growing fan bases for the locals and strengthening the league early on.
Good point about the territorial pick system and Robertson.
Though how Wilt was a Philly Warrior territorial pick on the basis of his high school career is hard to explain. Flexibility in the name of fan base promotion, I guess.
@@gandydancer9710 AND PPL SAY WILT PLAYED VS NONE COMPETITION, THIS DUDE HAD BICEPS MORE THAN LEBRON AND MALONE COMBINED.
@@PIP...33 Hmm... not really. Malone in particular had larger biceps than Wilt, I think, at least proportionately. Wilt joined the NBA about the time weight work came into fashion (see Petit on this), but didn't bulk up all that much., though his strength is legendary (in both senses). And see, e.g., the video of the NBA-ABA All Star game where he seemed to treat Artis Gilmore like a rag doll at one point when they both got their hands on a rebound.
what if your voice is louder?
If I've never heard of him how can he be forgotten?
The headline probably says much more of you than the great Maurice. Sad.
Is that supposed to be funny?
This guy made the Hall of Fame on his defense alone. He may have scored 17 points per game, but his shooting percentage is weren't that good. Are you kidding me? 34%, 37%, etc. That's bad even for the 50s.
But I would venture that he averaged about seven or eight blocks per game
You did hear about the rebounding, didn't you?
What is the Royals had Russell? Would the Celtics had been as successful?🤔
Celtics didnt draft Russell. They aquired him in a trade with the hawks who selected him secod.
No. Duh.
Can't hear you over the awful piano.