Wow this was great storytelling. I think this needs it's own documentary because of how it important it was. I hope they bring more stories like this to light for the fans. I really enjoy how this league keeps its early legendary players in the mix of current ongoings.
This is still the greatest tale in NBA history. Personal side story: ESPN+ has a story about this that came out years ago. Since not everyone has access to that service, I took that clip and tried to repost it on a Black history Facebook page I once ran with 500k+ followers. Disney immediately removed it, and Facebook deleted our page as a result. Glad this is told again on UA-cam. Shoutouts to TNT
For the players before 1980s to have a second job in addition to them playing in the league is already a great testament to their character and discipline, and not having any divas or ego. Respect to those who played in that era.
@@PeteCalandra the fact was that they *had* to have second jobs because the owners were exploiting them so badly. They *were* plumbers and firemen...pointing it out isn't disrespect, it is reality. You can (correctly) acknowledge that the skill level back then was way, way lower and, simultaneously, honor the struggle of these working-class heroes who paved the way for the amazing success players have had in the modern era!
not only millions but put the game worldwide. basketball might be dead early on if they just let the game die because of low salary and just work 9-5 instead
Just visited here after the great Jerry West passing, Thank you that generation for better time for professional sport. RIP Jerry West , ***I would love to see more storytelling like this from that generation while they can , and we can appreciate them.
the fact was that they *had* to have second jobs because the owners were exploiting them so badly. They *were* plumbers and firemen...pointing it out isn't disrespect, it is reality. You can (correctly) acknowledge that the skill level back then was way, way lower and, simultaneously, honor the struggle of these working-class heroes who paved the way for the amazing success players have had in the modern era!
@@antieverything1 Nah JJ aint that, he will trash this old timers just to elevate his current buddy buddies, thats the mentality of the new age players now
Another thought, what made the 80’s and 90’s era of NBA basketball so great is that these players became the coaches for the later eras. Unfortunately, not everything was passed down from the previous generations.
I'd never heard about this before. I know it's 20 years before my time but something this impactful feels like it should be more widely known so thanks for bringing it into the light. I hope all these all time greats are being taken care of by the pension they fought for. It's so great that the NBA had such great men, not just players, but great character and strong beliefs in themselves and their brothers to help bring the league to where it is today and allows the players to get their share in what they bring to the game.
You never heard about it because the owners at that time were a rich old boys club. They had friends in the newsrooms around the country. And they made sure the story did not get out because they thought it would make them look weak.
@@jameslopez488 they cant becuase they are 90 years old now, Now if these young fools like JJ and gilbert grew in their era without the prior knowledge and development that pave their ways. Both gilb and JJ will be just plumbers because they dont have anyone who pattern their game is. Now if guys like Jerry west and Oscar Robertson grew in this era learning the past, technology, salary and development. These two guys will be still be GOATS while arenas and JJ will be just another player.
Whole time if these guys received the same treatment JJ received in terms of coaching, wellness, physical pre and post game rehab, he wouldn’t be able to be on the court with them.
Y'all are so lame. You know gd well what JJ was saying. Everyone under the stars was less of a player than every generation that followed. That's all he said. Get over it.
These are the shoulders today's league stands on. Every time I see people put down the players from earlier eras, I try and think about what they went through and how that led to the game we have today. Respect, Salute, & Peace.
@@smittywerbenjagermanjensen320 send them back?? lol thats cheating how bout play the same level playing field, How bout let them born in the same era and play that game. Arenas and JJ will be just plumbers if they will have the same circumstances of the 60s and 70s. If wilt have the same health technology, advance training, medical and salary of todays game with soft rules. The dude will dropping 40's easy while he learn the post up game pattern of previous centers. He will be a walking 2K video player guy
@@joeymanny Wilt might have been more dominant in today's small ball league, so the era doesn't even matter. Imagine Giannis if he was taller, faster, and stronger
@@smittywerbenjagermanjensen320 Thatts what im saying, the circumstances play a major role especially you already learn from the previous generation and develop a game. Jerry west, rick barry, john havlichek, Oscar, petit, etc will be the same Great player in todays era, given the same circumstances and privileges of today. Giannis rely on purely athleticism with lack of fundamentals while players before him are really great fundamental players, thats why stats of today is really overrated. Tim duncan avg 20-10 in a tougher rules and he is still much better player than Giannis even if giannis is avg more points, because Timmy is FUNDAMENTALLY SKILLED
These are the so-called plumbers people like JJ, Reddick, and the modern-day fanboys are talking about… Highly skills, extremely disciplined, NBA players … No Primadonna, no soft minded individuals Maybe maybe current NBA players can learn something from people who played before the 2000 These guys fought to get paid based on the work they did … They should honor them by putting today’s players by the standard These guys were before my time watching the NBA, but you know they are worthy of respect
Unions. In a capitalistic society, workers rights and empowerment is so essential to balance. Greed amongst corporate elite can only be countered by unions. This story resonates outside of basketball 🏀 but is a remarkable insight of how grand employee empowerment can be. Bravo to these men 🎉.
The gauge to society is how communities, in this case the NBA community, cares for ita old, young, disabled and less fortunate. This is how things gets done!!!
These men look great. What a wonderful moment in NBA history where both sides came together for one goal to help all of the players at that time to receive fair and due compensation. This needs to be shown to the currently batch of guys to show them the men who played may have been plumbers and construction workers but understood the cause and reason for themselves and future players to receive pensions. JJ Reddick tried to insult these men, along with Gilbert Arenas, but it shows those men had character and a work ethic that sadly is not very obvious in the league now. If JJ and Gilbert had the challenges of these men (and I'm sure Gilbert's father and grandfather did) i believe they wouldve been better players in the league, more humble imo
This is why the GOAT debate can be disrespectful. I agree with MJ about it. We have to respect the foundation that built what we have today. Over the last decade or so, I hadn’t tried to watch the ASG because of lack of gameplay. They need to play defence. They don’t have to clobber each other or get in their space when shooting. But put some hands up and run some actual defensive schemes.
Hearing current NBA players complain about playing 65 games after seeing this great story, they should ashamed of themselves is the bare minimum is too much ask for from current players???😔😪
And the younger generations have the nerve to mock the older guys. Without these players fighting for their rights, these young clowns would still be playing on chuck taylors and back-to-back-to-back games
Young people doesnt pay respect to these old guys anymore, its all just my Goat is Lebron and player today are much better. these young kids doesnt knwo how hard to be a player back in the day with no regular medical staff, no health technology like today, salary is way too low, the rules of the game is harsh (jump shooting and dunk is illegal at some point), and guys have no one to pattern their game thats why these young fools are just lucky they lived on the best time of basketball but whine too much on 82 games flying private jets and hotels. If these young guys lived in the old time and lived the same life believe they are not better than jerry west, cousy, oscar etc.
Whenever I see fans who are whole heartedly on the side of owners in labour dispute, and say athletes are paid too much and should stop complaining, this is exactly what they fought for decades and decades ago
Wow this was great storytelling. I think this needs it's own documentary because of how it important it was. I hope they bring more stories like this to light for the fans. I really enjoy how this league keeps its early legendary players in the mix of current ongoings.
This is still the greatest tale in NBA history.
Personal side story: ESPN+ has a story about this that came out years ago. Since not everyone has access to that service, I took that clip and tried to repost it on a Black history Facebook page I once ran with 500k+ followers. Disney immediately removed it, and Facebook deleted our page as a result.
Glad this is told again on UA-cam. Shoutouts to TNT
These players are the real pioneers of the sport that players nowadays just ignore and disrespect the game.
For the players before 1980s to have a second job in addition to them playing in the league is already a great testament to their character and discipline, and not having any divas or ego.
Respect to those who played in that era.
Wish Americans respected the struggle of their elders more often. JJ redick
Yeah that plumbers and firemen remark (or whatever the exact quote was) was so elitist and out of touch.
@@PeteCalandra the fact was that they *had* to have second jobs because the owners were exploiting them so badly. They *were* plumbers and firemen...pointing it out isn't disrespect, it is reality. You can (correctly) acknowledge that the skill level back then was way, way lower and, simultaneously, honor the struggle of these working-class heroes who paved the way for the amazing success players have had in the modern era!
Great to see Lenny Wilkens, one of my all-time favorite NBA people.
They are the real GOATS!
TNT is just killing it with these great videos for all-star weekend. Amazing.
This was well done.
They make millions because of the older guys
not only millions but put the game worldwide. basketball might be dead early on if they just let the game die because of low salary and just work 9-5 instead
Just visited here after the great Jerry West passing,
Thank you that generation for better time for professional sport.
RIP Jerry West ,
***I would love to see more storytelling like this from that generation while they can , and we can appreciate them.
Legends of the game
I'm very happy seeing that what these guys went through actually paid off, and most importantly, that they are still looking good and well!
JJ Redick is gonna hate this
he hate old timers even called Jerry west and cousy as plumbers
the fact was that they *had* to have second jobs because the owners were exploiting them so badly. They *were* plumbers and firemen...pointing it out isn't disrespect, it is reality. You can (correctly) acknowledge that the skill level back then was way, way lower and, simultaneously, honor the struggle of these working-class heroes who paved the way for the amazing success players have had in the modern era!
@@antieverything1 Nah JJ aint that, he will trash this old timers just to elevate his current buddy buddies, thats the mentality of the new age players now
@@joeymanny k
I have never heard of this story until I watched this video. Someone has to pave the way to make life easier for the next generation.
This would be a great movie/biopic.
The roots of the nba owner stories is a sad evil history. Fun to learn about. Greatest sport on the planet.
Respect for these great men.
Another thought, what made the 80’s and 90’s era of NBA basketball so great is that these players became the coaches for the later eras. Unfortunately, not everything was passed down from the previous generations.
They All Was Great Players Bob Was The Best Ball Handler During That Time Period Legendary
I'd never heard about this before. I know it's 20 years before my time but something this impactful feels like it should be more widely known so thanks for bringing it into the light.
I hope all these all time greats are being taken care of by the pension they fought for. It's so great that the NBA had such great men, not just players, but great character and strong beliefs in themselves and their brothers to help bring the league to where it is today and allows the players to get their share in what they bring to the game.
You never heard about it because the owners at that time were a rich old boys club. They had friends in the newsrooms around the country. And they made sure the story did not get out because they thought it would make them look weak.
Love Lenny! Class personified.
“Show me a rich man, and I’ll show you cheap to free labor.”
Too bad guys like jj reddick and Gilbert arenas talk down so much about this era of the NBA, they truly paved the way
They don’t talk down on them it’s just they can’t guard the guys in their era or todays era
They don’t look down on the past. They just don’t ignore evolution
Not true, JJ just believes guys are more skilled today as the game has evolved
@@jameslopez488 they cant becuase they are 90 years old now, Now if these young fools like JJ and gilbert grew in their era without the prior knowledge and development that pave their ways. Both gilb and JJ will be just plumbers because they dont have anyone who pattern their game is. Now if guys like Jerry west and Oscar Robertson grew in this era learning the past, technology, salary and development. These two guys will be still be GOATS while arenas and JJ will be just another player.
Amen!
So much respect
The greater good will prevail when it's buoyed by what is right. Thank you to the legends who understood this and acted accordingly.
This is awesome. Great story telling.
These are the plumbers JJ was referring to
Whole time if these guys received the same treatment JJ received in terms of coaching, wellness, physical pre and post game rehab, he wouldn’t be able to be on the court with them.
Lol you win with that comment 😂
Y'all are so lame. You know gd well what JJ was saying.
Everyone under the stars was less of a player than every generation that followed.
That's all he said. Get over it.
@@JrobAlmighty Less shill, kiddo.
@JrobAlmighty with that sentiment, we are all standing on the shoulders of giants.
This was dope.
Dope ruins people lives. It shouldn't be a synonym for good.
These are the shoulders today's league stands on. Every time I see people put down the players from earlier eras, I try and think about what they went through and how that led to the game we have today. Respect, Salute, & Peace.
The primadonnas in the league playing today I can't imagine them watching this and not feeling ashamed of themselves.
Guys from the 80s backwards are on a different level to the guys from the 90s onwards because of all that they had to do to just even get recognition.
GOATs
Thanks to these "plumbers" , the players today reap all the rewards, and they should be celebrated for this.
well gilbert, mccants, jennings, reddick says these are garbage players and no good at all
@@joeymanny Send them back to play a game against Wilt and he'd probably score 101 points on them
@@smittywerbenjagermanjensen320 send them back?? lol thats cheating how bout play the same level playing field, How bout let them born in the same era and play that game. Arenas and JJ will be just plumbers if they will have the same circumstances of the 60s and 70s. If wilt have the same health technology, advance training, medical and salary of todays game with soft rules. The dude will dropping 40's easy while he learn the post up game pattern of previous centers. He will be a walking 2K video player guy
@@joeymanny Wilt might have been more dominant in today's small ball league, so the era doesn't even matter. Imagine Giannis if he was taller, faster, and stronger
@@smittywerbenjagermanjensen320 Thatts what im saying, the circumstances play a major role especially you already learn from the previous generation and develop a game. Jerry west, rick barry, john havlichek, Oscar, petit, etc will be the same Great player in todays era, given the same circumstances and privileges of today. Giannis rely on purely athleticism with lack of fundamentals while players before him are really great fundamental players, thats why stats of today is really overrated. Tim duncan avg 20-10 in a tougher rules and he is still much better player than Giannis even if giannis is avg more points, because Timmy is FUNDAMENTALLY SKILLED
These are the so-called plumbers people like JJ, Reddick, and the modern-day fanboys are talking about…
Highly skills, extremely disciplined, NBA players …
No Primadonna, no soft minded individuals
Maybe maybe current NBA players can learn something from people who played before the 2000
These guys fought to get paid based on the work they did …
They should honor them by putting today’s players by the standard
These guys were before my time watching the NBA, but you know they are worthy of respect
You can't group them all together, because that doesn't factor in the ABA and the coke era NBA.
Awesome. Great story telling.
Unions. In a capitalistic society, workers rights and empowerment is so essential to balance. Greed amongst corporate elite can only be countered by unions.
This story resonates outside of basketball 🏀 but is a remarkable insight of how grand employee empowerment can be.
Bravo to these men 🎉.
Lots of things happened in 1964. This is an important moment I am just now learning about here.
Why Does Oscar Look 10 Years Younger Than Kareem?
Robertson has always looked young for his age at every point of his life post-retirement
Thank you oscar Robertson
Enjoy these men while they're still here.
True legends, can't see many of today's players wanting to do this, let alone play....FOR FREE!
The gauge to society is how communities, in this case the NBA community, cares for ita old, young, disabled and less fortunate.
This is how things gets done!!!
Great video, this shows why unions are needed as wel
These men look great. What a wonderful moment in NBA history where both sides came together for one goal to help all of the players at that time to receive fair and due compensation. This needs to be shown to the currently batch of guys to show them the men who played may have been plumbers and construction workers but understood the cause and reason for themselves and future players to receive pensions. JJ Reddick tried to insult these men, along with Gilbert Arenas, but it shows those men had character and a work ethic that sadly is not very obvious in the league now. If JJ and Gilbert had the challenges of these men (and I'm sure Gilbert's father and grandfather did) i believe they wouldve been better players in the league, more humble imo
This is why the GOAT debate can be disrespectful. I agree with MJ about it. We have to respect the foundation that built what we have today. Over the last decade or so, I hadn’t tried to watch the ASG because of lack of gameplay. They need to play defence. They don’t have to clobber each other or get in their space when shooting. But put some hands up and run some actual defensive schemes.
jj redick left the group
I didn't know Bob Pettit was southern like that
JJ REDICK LISTEN.
Amazing story 💪💪
I respect the old school nba. I don’t care for the nba now .
lenny wilkens doesn't look like he's 86 already
6:10 Detective Cole Phelps?
What’s the intro song?
Sinnerman- Nina Simone
Hearing current NBA players complain about playing 65 games after seeing this great story, they should ashamed of themselves is the bare minimum is too much ask for from current players???😔😪
These are the plumbers that the Jj Redicks direspect right?
And the younger generations have the nerve to mock the older guys. Without these players fighting for their rights, these young clowns would still be playing on chuck taylors and back-to-back-to-back games
6:05 the modern water fountain is so off putting
Money...... the destruction and corruption of everything. (@ intro)
they paved the way and gave players power but now players got too much power and barely play 😅
Young people doesnt pay respect to these old guys anymore, its all just my Goat is Lebron and player today are much better. these young kids doesnt knwo how hard to be a player back in the day with no regular medical staff, no health technology like today, salary is way too low, the rules of the game is harsh (jump shooting and dunk is illegal at some point), and guys have no one to pattern their game thats why these young fools are just lucky they lived on the best time of basketball but whine too much on 82 games flying private jets and hotels. If these young guys lived in the old time and lived the same life believe they are not better than jerry west, cousy, oscar etc.
JJ and Gil's ears must be on fire right now with their bum entitled attitude
If you’re working class and don’t support unions, this is the power of a union
Nina Simone ❤
I got the East winning by 6
But the current players just insults these guys with the trash all star game that they had
This new generation doesn’t respect the game no more. Respect to these legends
The animation is just garbage.
watch the video and cheer for something in life , Mrn
First
Whenever I see fans who are whole heartedly on the side of owners in labour dispute, and say athletes are paid too much and should stop complaining, this is exactly what they fought for decades and decades ago