NB70s: Dave Cowens (1970-76)
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- Опубліковано 27 тра 2022
- Dave Cowens was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1970 NBA draft. Former Celtics center Bill Russell's recommendation of Cowens influenced the selection. While some critics believed that Cowens was too small to play center, Russell said: "No one is going to tell that kid he can't play center".
During his rookie year, Cowens averaged 17.0 points per game and 15.0 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and shared the NBA's Rookie of the Year honors with Portland's Geoff Petrie. He also led the league in personal fouls that same year.
In the 1972-73 season, Cowens averaged 20.5 ppg, 16.2 rpg and 4.1 apg while helping the Celtics to a league-best 68-14 record. In that season also, Cowens scored 20 points, grabbed a career-high 32 rebounds and dished out 9 assists in a home win over the Houston Rockets. He carried the Celtics to the semifinals, where they met the New York Knicks. They won Game 1 of that best-of-7 series after Cowens recorded 15 points and 18 rebounds. However, they bowed out to the Knicks in Game 7. Cowens was chosen the NBA MVP as well as MVP of the All-Star Game that same season. Cowens and fellow Celtic Bill Russell both have the distinction of being named MVP of the league but not being included on the All-NBA First Team.
The following season, Cowens averaged 19.0 PPG, 15.7 RPG, 4.4 APG and 1.3 BPG while guiding the Celtics to a record of 56-26. Cowens was instrumental in bringing the Celtics into the playoffs, where they defeated the Buffalo Braves in six games and the New York Knicks in five. In the finals, the Celtics faced the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The teams split the first six games, with each team winning at least once on their home court. This led to a decisive Game 7, where the Celtics faced the Bucks in Milwaukee. The Celtics prevailed thanks to a strong performance by Cowens, who recorded 28 points and 14 rebounds as the Celtics took their 12th NBA championship.
Cowens won his second NBA championship ring as a member of the 1975-1976 Celtics team that defeated the Phoenix Suns, 4-2, in the NBA Finals. - Спорт
The '70s was the decade of "Big Red" and his prime was from '70-76. Red Auerbach was smart to draft Dave Cowens because not only was Cowens a spark plug and hustled his ass off, he matched up well with the large centers of the day in that Cowens presented matchup problems for them. At 6'10" (shoes on like all rookies were measured from '73 on), Cowens was a ball of pent up energy ready to spring into action and boy did he ever. Cowens was an excellent, quick jumper, he was fast and accelerated quickly, and he was super aggressive.
Cowens used his aggressive on the court attitude to become an excellent rebounder as this excellent clip shows - Cowens boxed out well and he snatched the ball off the glass like his life depended on it. Dave the Rave was also an excellent outlet passer and often released the ball out to players like Havlicek and Don Chaney before his feet even hit the floor. On offense, Cowens made the big opposing centers uncomfortable because they had to honor Dave's excellent outside shot away from the basket or get burned. If they came out, Cowens had the quickness to drive by them after a pump fake in the triple threat position then drive by them for a strong finish in the paint. Cowens used the rim well, he had a beautiful hook shot that allowed him to score over 7 footers, and he picked up a lot of buckets after aggressively hitting the offensive boards. Defensively, Big Red used his quickness to bother opposing centers, get steals, block shots of guards shooting in the paint, then block out and dominate the boards. Cowens was a ROTY, an MVP, an 8 time all-star, all NBA, and he made the NBA's 75th anniversary team in '21-22. Dave Cowens gave 100% every time out, was inspiring to watch, was a champion, and one of the most fun and exciting players to watch ever.
Very well said. The pride of Newport, KY.
He has the 2nd best defensive rating ever.
He drove Kareem crazy with his hustle plus he played like he didn't get the memo that you're supposed to be afraid of Kareem. One thing this video (which I loved) didn't show was how freakin aggressive he was, he threw his weight around like a boss, he really was one of the fiercest players I've ever seen. AN animal
Ferocious! Loved watching him play. Had some hops!
@@krisharkleroad8 perfect word, the guy was a freakin animal, some of the greatest hustle and determination I've ever seen
And does not get his due today, shamefully. Had he played in the 3 point era, I really believe he would have been at least a good 3 point shooter as well, and while he wasn't Larry Bird, he was a great passer in his own right, and the Celtics often ran their offense through him because of it, and his mid range shooting.
Perfect song
6’8 beast
Damn Dave could ball.
Dave wasn't necessarily A Center or even a power forward. He was really just a basketball player. Who happened to play center most of the time. But like many of the really, truly great players, he didn't really have a position.
Loved that hook shot!
Love seeing the highlights. Thanks.
I didn't know he was a lefty. Don't know a lot about him, recognize his name, know he was going out just as Bird came into the league. It was fun to see him in action.
(PS loved the film, hated the music, especially on repeat. Just my two cents)
Cowens was a bull in a china shop. The perfect Celtic.
A great FSU Seminole before he was a Celtic.
Dave was such a great player, a real Larry Bird type hard charging get it done player. It was sad to wztch his numbers decline the last few years of his career, but he was busted up, battered, and worn out from his aggressive style of play.
Cool
Dave Cowans was as tough as any big man on the court.
Hard worker, never gave up. He got a lot out of the left hand .
Most are right handed, left handed players can catch you off guard.
He dunked
Wow
I don’t know if it’s just me or if it’s the camera angle but 1:47 looked like a monster dunk but idk 🤷♂️
It was nasty
Big Red's career was similar to Willis Reed's(although I'd give the edge to Red because I don't think Willis was ever a league MVP.) Red should of stayed one more year to get his 3rd ring--instead of trying that ill-fated comeback 2 years later...Who'd you rather have as a back up center, Robey or Red? He has to think about that some nights
Who would you take bill Walton or face cowens?
thats a hard one
love watching that 1977 portland team how bill walton orchestrated that team we just was not able to see the full potential of bill walton
but gotta love dave cowens heart and hustle even if he was undersized he was able to play with the likes of kareem and thurmond in his time
two different styles
but i would take bill walton just loved watching that 1977 portland team
Cowen's Cowens
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