Connie Hawkins: The Legend Who Got CHEATED By The NBA

Connie Hawkins recently passed away and a lot of people never really knew who he was. I think he deserves a lot more respect for changing the culture of basketball in New York City and making a name for himself as one of the most iconic players ever. Unfortunately, he had some issues entering the NBA which I talk about in the video, so I hope you enjoy!
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[@eddieblz]

Met him here in Phoenix about 15 years ago. Standing in line at a bank of all places. Told him as a kid I was a huge fan. RIP Hawk. You will be missed.

[@dudermcdude9245]

"You gotta lower the rim, or raise the floor. Because The Hawk can fly no more"...RIP Connie Hawkins

[@countryboyred]

One of the greatest players ever. Perhaps the most underrated player of all time.

[@lloydkline1518]

Original 6 feet 9 inches point guard dribbling skills ; more moves than cobra snake 🐍:: was unstoppable on offense

[@loydkline]

Connie hawkin basketball magician 🎩

[@Tonyconner74]

One of the nicest and humblest people you ever wanted to meet!..The most gifted ball player I ever saw, on any given night he could score 35 points with 15 rebounds and 10 assist!...

[@eddygiron2390]

You can think and say whatever you want, but Andy Hoops is the only basketball KZbinr that focus on yesterdays and nowadays basketball players, and includes some underrated and foreign players that had interesting stories. Sure, some did that too but they are not doing it anymore; there must be many more interesting players from the 60's and 70's and thanks to Andy I'm learning more of them and basketball as a whole.

[@burningphoneix]

>Not a very noteworthy NBA career Dude got 4 All Star appearances and averaged 20 points a game, that's a pretty notable career

[@Amick44]

Yeah, true. But it could've, would've been so much more. He was a true revolutionary player, a trend setter.

[@Amick44]

Yeah, it was. I guess the point is that it would have been more had he been allowed to join the NBA sooner.

[@712dal]

exactly, dude was a great NBA player....yes, he would have been even better if he came in the league at 22 years old rather than 27

[@joealmeida4603]

🤔 entered NBA @ 27yo...after Globetrotters!... Injury\"rust".... ALL he did that FIRST YR: 24 ...10...5...2nd yr expansion Suns to WCF....!!!!!!!! I watched 29-33yo Hawk...HE COULD DO IT....may he RIP....

[@Tonyconner74]

First off the NBA didn't allow him into the NBA until he was 27, his fist 7 years missed take away the first 7 years from any superstar and none them would have had a legendary career! If Connie had been able to play as a 21 year old he would be a top 5 player all time. A scorer second to none a fantastic rebounder a great assist man. Former NBA championship coach and college coach for Kansas and UCLA said offensively he was the best player he ever saw this includes MJ, Dr. J. Kobe, Larry Bird!.....

[@NtheGaming]

R.I.P. Connie Hawkins

[@mlndr8551]

Hero of Brooklyn. Much respect to him

[@scottmunson2917]

Just wanted to say "thanks so much" for putting this piece together. As a young person growing up in both Phoenix and LA at the time, I vividly remember watching Connie play for both the Suns and Lakers. Even on one bad leg, he had more creativity and artistry in his game than most players would ever possess on two. I could also count on at least one (and often many more) moments of sheer laugh-out-loud joy/pleasure during a contest seeing him make a creative move or pass. I for one will never forget him.

[@flyaway7636]

A Mile Above The Rim. Heaven Is A Playground. Talent, grace, passion. Love to watch Hawkins dance on the court.

[@AndyHoops]

Hope everyone enjoyed this story/tribute video to the great Connie Hawkins. Next video will be about one of the greatest (if not the greatest) defensive player in NBA history! Instagram: @Andy93y Twitter: @AndyHoopsYT

[@ninoooo3423]

Andy Hoops you got a chill voice bruv

[@chrisdehoyos4292]

Anthony Bennet?

[@zhtas4271]

Let me guess dikembe mutombo

[@NtheGaming]

Walt Frazier?

[@supersonicfan2010]

Rodman

[@rachelvaldivia5393]

In 1969 Connie Hawkins came to visit our elementary school , which happen to be in a low poverty neighborhood of East Los Angeles. I was in the 4th grade, but I remember that day like is was last week. He was giant with a big smile and soft voice. I knew I would never be like him, but his words of working hard gave me hope that some day I could make it in this world. RIP Mr. Hawkins and thank you for helping me get so far in my life.

[@RandomPerson-ep6yq]

Hey Andy, can you do a video about Marvin Barnes? He was a solid ABA player, however, one day, he just randomly disappeared from the earth. No one knows what happened to him, and he is a mystery.

[@tylerr3740]

Damn

[@arivera14233]

They did a gud special on him and his spirit team on 30 for 30

[@TRJ2241987]

What do you mean "nobody knows"? All you have to do is a little research, and like A rivera said, the 30 for 30 documentary is spectacular. He has passed away since the special was filmed. I do agree not many young fans are aware of the 1975 playoffs between the Spirits and the Nets though.

[@Amick44]

Barnes had talent, but was an overrated thug. Connie was none of those things.

[@dafunkymunky86]

The Original Sun Connie Hawkins

[@ErnestPorter-wl1cx]

He was a LEGEND just got Cheated out of 8yrs. If you think Dr. J, Jordan, Koby and Iceman was bad before those guys it was Connie ( The Hawk) Hawkins. RIP my Brother thanks for sharing your talent with the NBA world

[@sk2k065]

Koby or KOBE. GET UR FACTS STRAIGHT DUMBASS

[@sundigest1121]

how the fuck does someone misspell Kobe

[@ErnestPorter-wl1cx]

@@sundigest1121 Oh You Never Misspelled a Word before. Go take a Hike

[@sundigest1121]

@@ErnestPorter-wl1cx I never misspelled or seen anyone misspell "Kobe" before. And the worst part is that it wasn't you even a typo. You intentionally spelled Kobe with a "y". Wow.

[@ryuboi1558]

Rip Connie Hawkins

[@lukematone271]

RIP The Hawk. Always been one of my favorite legends

[@Doknot-tb9ey]

Props for this video on Connie Hawkins!

[@bshalon]

Thank you. I saw Connie at Boys High, I still have never seen anyone better at any level, including the NBA.

[@loydkline]

Connie hawkin was basketball magician 🎩 dribbling : great scorer unstoppable near the basket 🧺

[@loydkline]

Connie hawkin very underrated basketball player; 6 foot 8 nches handle the basketball 🏀 like a point guard

[@gokusewerslide7685]

R.I.P Connie Hawkins

[@timhoag360]

Like or have osn basketball knowledge

[@lukewilliams4333]

LeRon Baker ^ your name 😂

[@mcray0309]

Hahaha original comment never heard that one before ur funny and original that makes you cool hahaha

[@lukematone271]

wrong channel my dude

[@joelanthonythegoat9487]

Matthew Ray stfu

[@boatboystrackclub6528]

Matthew Ray ik... he definitely didn’t see this on a different video

[@michaelcasey5845]

I work with a guy who knew and played with The Hawk . Toured the south with them in early 60s Globetrotter scene. Played at Rucker. Big white guy still teachers HS math, full of great stories but very humble. Said Hawk a true gentleman that got totally railroaded.

[@creoleDJ]

Honestly, I think it’s STILL a crime that he was left off of not only the 50 Greatest Players list, but also wasn’t one of the 25 extras added to the 75th Anniversary list...GIVE THIS MAN HIS CROWN, NBA!

[@Amick44]

Problem is, he didn't begin his professional career till he was 25. And after a severe knee injury his second year (in the ABA) he was never quite the same. So unfortunately, Connie had two strikes against him early on. Nonetheless, he was a hell of a player about his first four years in the NBA as well. A legit All Star and force to be recogned with.

[@creoleDJ]

@@Amick44 great point. I remember Lou Carnesecca saying something similar on an ESPN Classic show (may have been about the NBA’s all time best dunkers), where he said that the NBA didn’t get the in-his-prime Hawkins like he did in the ABA. Maybe that’s why another superstar - David Thompson - has been left off these lists, but still…

[@luislainez4913]

How was he Elgin before Elgin if Elgin was older and in the league first?

[@Amick44]

Yeah, that part was backwards. Kind of a taller Elgin, more of a true one handed player.

[@austinzzzz115]

Luis Lainez /// Elgin before Elgin before Elgin before Elgin before Elgin if Elgin was older and in the league first.

[@harleypeterson2433]

I was looking for this comment

[@certifiedyaminspector-dadd6224]

Luis Lainez They actually lost to Elgin Baylor & the Lakers in the finals. Almost every video this dude says something stupid like this.

[@elbowgang9715]

Hawkins is the link in between Baylor and Dr.J they got their history a little twisted

[@Quinn91202]

I know about him from NBA Street vol 2

[@mwj9080]

Elijah Browne YES SIR! same. The G.O.A.T street ball game.

[@Doknot-tb9ey]

Me too. NBA Street Vol 2. good times, good times.

[@AQUAPHREESH193]

SAME! That game educated us!

[@ybkbased1466]

Same

[@iwinzeazy]

lol🤗

[@DwainDwight]

Great post on a truly great player. A real legend. He made Dr Js all time starting five.

[@loydkline]

Really: Connie hawkin was a super great basketball player

[@kingjahk1]

The Hawk played in my city, Pittsburgh, and had a long time summer pro am league named after him here. We adopted him and rooted for his success in the NBA. We loved him and his family and he lives in many of us who played in East Hills or Pennly Park on those hot July evenings late 70s to early 90s. Long Live the legendary Connie Hawkins. Rest In Power 👑👊💯🙏😇

[@nbabackcourtmedia]

Rip Connie Hawkins, he was a great player

[@loydkline]

Connie hawkin super wss great basketball player wish they had more film of Connie hawkin

[@Naitructus]

Well, I guess that Larry Brown didn't know that Elgin Baylor was born 8 years earlier than Connie Hawkins! (0:32)

[@Poopnug-uv8lk]

Love ur vids

[@percivalsweetwater9992]

Yes, when he was playing at his worst on account of time and injuries, he made the All-Star team four times and was dunking on Wilt and over Kareem as we can see here. Plus, he made a great appearance on Saturday Night Live, when he played a game of one-on-one against the great Paul Simon.

[@SUPERNBAFUN]

He could have become one of the top 10 greatest basketball players ever.

[@Amick44]

Pretty close. Connie was a unique talent and a TEAM player. No one ever called him selfish. In fact, management wanted him to shoot more.

[@shadeedahmad6542]

He was one of the top ten players. The legal trash that was unfairly thrown on him effectively smothered most his legacy. He had breathtaking skill that spawned the imagination and progress of what basketball has become. RIP, Honorable Connie Hawkins.

[@MatthewKonvict]

Awesome video learned about a great player here today!

[@peterkleinman4829]

Very, very nice job, Andy. Larry Brown saying that the Hawk was Elgin before Elgin is a hoot. Elgin was Seattle U, class of 1958.

[@codywarriner8297]

Love the content man only channel I could find of all you guys that had a connie Hawkins segment

[@Amick44]

I'm so disappointed Connie's passing barely got a mention. A real shame. He may have been a top 15-25 player had he started his NBA career in his early 20's like most players. He really got jobbed.

[@jdfreebyme1092]

Don't forget about Roger Brown. He was blackballed by the NBA. But he went to the ABA and is the greatest pacers of all time.

[@Amick44]

He and Hawk came up in H,S. together. Then battled in the ABA for a couple of years. 2 of the best.

[@beerborn]

I remember him when he was with the Phoenix Suns and the one hand holding a basketball. I was in my high school basketball team and everyone wanted to the hold the basketball with one hand and be like Connie. Not that easy.

[@lilrocnine6658]

Used to go to Brooklyn to stay with my aunt and uncle in the summer as a kid and got to see him play at Rucker park. Didn’t know who he was but saw he was playing like a man among boys back then. R. I. P.

[@benkoops1924]

In 1973 I was at summer camp called YCC with 11th graders. Country and City students all came from MD. My best friend there was Rodney Robinson from City College HS in Baltimore. I lived on the farm he lived in row houses. Every day we played ball he would say"Connie Hawkins" after scoring. I learned connies moves to the rim from a skinny 5'5 Rodney. I found in time that Connie was indeed a basketball supertar I recognized with the likes of Elvin Hayes and rival Dr. J. who I both valued. Connie had such big palms and as a big man moved like Dr. J , had a jumper as good as Jordan, and was smooth as Larry Bird in assists, and reboundedr in the teens each game. I never knew til this video, that he was mistreated by the media (not surprised), who like today often use a witch hunt to attach bad raps to people that are innocent. Connie suffered for many years because of that. And also the colleges and NBA should be ashamed for the way they treated a kid. If anyone deserved to play NBA and, from an with the absolute talent and good hearted character inner city poor family background, Connie and Julius were the best! RIP Connie. Rodney Robinson..., Rodney lived to play Basketball, and whose idols were "Elvin, Julius and Connie". Rodney died in the the night time crime ridden streets of Baltimore's inner city sadly at 16. Rodney was due to come to our farm house that weekend and wanted to but someohow I didn't get back to him in time and missed setting up the greyhound bus ride out to Myersville MD. I heard at school the next Monday he had suffeered death at the hands of drug dealers. RIP Rodney, you turned me, a city white boy from Denver, moved to the country in MD into a better basketball player, to go score 6 points against Gwinn Park in the 1975 state finals against Middletown HS at Cole Field House U of MD. I actually had more fun shooting hoops with you on our home made wooden gym floor and rim nailed to the wall of the corn crib pretending you were 'Connie and I was E'. Thank you so much for the work you put into this peice on Connie Hawkins.

[@loydkline]

Connie hawkin was a basketball magician 🎩 dribbling; scoring points near the basket 🧺 etc etc

[@coerfjoe1]

I saw Connie Hawkins play with the ABA Oaks and Rick Barry. He played like he was on probation for white athletics with his grandma held hostage back east, very reserved. I had an early biography of him then and held him in high esteem as a park player anyway. Having sparse footage of this legend playing at Rucker's is like possessing rare footage of Crazy Horse in battle. You see him bend and contort his body to score; you see him grasp a basketball like one would a tennis ball; and you realize he was a legend before reaching the NBA for good reason. His story ranks as a top injustice from the 60s equal to the medals stripped from Jim Thorpe. When he moved with the ball you were seeing the future of the NBA. Rucker's was the real Show without commercials. RIP.

[@joshrubin122]

My dad knew him

[@hempoki]

I know you dad.

[@Seanm3202]

macarrones_ games/ waddy maldonado I know you

[@jonathonsimmons1090]

i know ur mom

[@grady2540]

Josh Rubin cool

[@lloydkline7245]

Really, one of the greatest basketball players ever

[@philip1123]

great article andy!! keep them coming!

This guy had the biggest hands I've ever seen. One night when he was on the Suns in a game vs the Lakers , I remember that the Suns had just about won the game and Connie was dribbling and being heavily guarded on the baseline corner 20+ feet away and just before the buzzer he casually tossed a hook shot that was nothing but net. That was the kind of talent this man was

[@anthonygilmore5969]

Thanks for this and much respect!

[@danielbice4110]

RIP to a legend... Connie Hawkins

[@bshalon]

He was underrated because outside of New York no one knew his story. The NBA should have been sued also, they did nothing to help him.

[@piquelitojr]

I got his amethist in 2k but never knew who he was Thx andy

[@theronquishow5837]

Only watched him from the NBA documentary "NBA Street Series: Dunks!", as he was nicknamed "The Hawk". One of the dunk pioneers of basketball. RIP.

[@vicrollerson]

Man The Hawk was a beast if he would have gotten in the NBA earlier he would have been one of the greatest ever!!! If you get a chance read Foul one of the great basketball books ever RIP Hawk🙏🏿

[@pdxrailtransit]

I got to see Connie play for the Lakers after I read Foul. I saw him in a breakaway layup where he took off at center court and palmed the ball all the way to the basket like he had rockets on his shoes.....incredible!

[@eroslogan3514]

that's exaggeration gtho

[@cod101wiiowenjaquithoj]

RIP Connie Hawkins 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻. He was very good for me in 2K17 my team

[@bobbresnahan8397]

I LOVED Connie Hawkens. I saw him when I lived in NYV off and on in the 60s. He was a reveleation. I had the same feeling when I first saw DrJ play in the ABA.

[@scottmclaughlin5221]

Highly recommend "Foul"-the Connie Hawkins Story biography.

[@DannyFrio]

3:55 are you kidding me with that shot

[@johnsalchak3498]

They have to make a movie about him.First year in the ABA.MVP,won championship,& was MVP in the playoffs. INSANE!

[@bakgammon]

CAN'T TALK ABOUT CONNIE HAWKINS WITHOUT ROGER BROWN!!!

[@VincentScales]

Thanks for sharing. Did you know about this? Bill Neal put both the "community" and "service" in "community service" for the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for 44 years. Perhaps his most significant, and certainly most notable achievement was "the Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League" which he established in 1975 and supervised until closing it down in 2010.

[@franzdoreza5230]

He also had some of the longest arms and biggest hands in NBA history.

[@metalmike362]

Much respect for this video, props

[@nickyennerell]

Another good Video!

[@jingqi9106]

As a rookie in the NBA and coming off a serious knee injury and surgery, The Hawk could no longer jump as high. However, his rookie season he averaged 24.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg, and 4.8 apg. Not too bad for a rookie.

[@hummuna69demetz29]

My father came from the same projects as Connie "the Hawk" Hawkins, was 2 years younger but rememembers him because they both went to Boy's High School at the same time, was a friend of his, and sometimes played with him on the local playground. My father said that Connie was the best player he had ever seen, standing tall with very long arms and huge hands, and was unstoppable on the court. Rest in peace ☮️ Mr. Hawkins, as well as you Pop.

[@eroslogan3514]

my father was there too, he was connie's left leg

[@mookeychase0907]

Great vid on an all time great thanx a million my guy...

[@chrome2l]

Great video. Thank you.

[@matthewtobar3049]

Connie Hawkins will be on of the greatest what ifs in NBA History BTW Elgin Baylor is older than Connie Hawkins

[@HumpD624]

Read the book “foul” one of the best books ever

[@Amick44]

Yeah. Gets a little dry with all the legal stuff, but it explains why he was (unfairly) blackballed from the NBA for years.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

He couldn't have been Elgin Baylor because Elgin came before the Hawk, he retired just a couple of years after the Hawk came into the league. And probably the largest hands in the NBA.

[@dionysise5008]

underrated

[@BornToBeRollingStone]

It's nice you give him some credit. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind he would have been a top 15/20 player of all time. He could have been better than Julius Erving. Who knows how good he could have been without the NBA being stupid ?

[@jamaalburrows9548]

Wonderful knowledge. They shud teach this stuff in school.

[@crispybacon2588]

Here in Phoenix he's revered as The Original Sun

[@ashmitbhatnagar9027]

RIP Connie Hawkins: The Hawk

[@frffcffghii5170]

Clutch Nation Mike Hawk?

[@daymonharris8696]

FrffC Ffghii his nickname you dumbass

[@sundigest1121]

@@daymonharris8696 the joke went right over your head

[@fuzionrektyt-6580]

Here before 1 mil remember that Andy

[@Theairbiscuit101]

My grandfather used to play doubles in tennis with this legend.

[@trapezemusic]

Is the footage from 23 to 35 seconds show Connie playing for the ABL Pittsburgh Rens in the early 1960's? If so, that is very rare. footage. Also - Glad that you video has good footage of his two seasons with the ABA Pipers.

[@temmere]

Hawkins's story is one every sports fan should know. There's so much wrapped up in what he went through: race, class, athletics, education, money, corruption, and then, finally, perseverance and redemption. He was an innocent young man exploited and then cast to the wolves through no fault of his own. If you can track down a copy of David Wolf's Foul! The Connie Hawkins Story, do so. There are so many more interesting things to say about him. (Did you now that when he was in high school, Red Auerbach visited him to try to persuade him to go to college in Boston so the Celtics could snag him with a territorial draft pick?) Also, just about everything you can say about Hawkins, you can also say about his rival, the first Indiana Pacer, Roger Brown. He went through the same roller-coaster: New York high school and playground stardom, implosion in college due to the point-shaving scandal, and redemption in the ABA.

[@Amick44]

Roger was great too. Kudos!

[@kogoatbryant1555]

I only knew Hawkins from nba street vol 2. Dude was a goat on that game lol

[@ojlott-w4n]

I know used to do my thing with him ,bird and Daryl Dawkins

[@berachtdorian6191]

When I was growing up, our library had a collection of sports encyclopedias that contained biographies of great athletes. I read through just about all of them. I must say that I never forgot the Connie Hawkins bio. Even at the age of ten, I could tell that his shortened career was a horrible, terrible, almost unforgivable waste of talent. What was done to him bothered me greatly then and bothers me greatly now.

[@jonpriest]

loved connie hawkins play was at couple those lakers playoff games

[@pablopabon588]

Elgin Baylor was born 1934 Connie Hawkins born 1942 and Julius Erving born 1950 all were born 8 years apart from each other and all are legends of the game.

[@mattgoldberg4335]

Correct. But Hawk kind of brought the game from Elgin to Doc. 3 absolute legends!

[@pablopabon588]

@@mattgoldberg4335 I agree with you 3 legends of the game and now only one with us. There like will never be seen again in my humble opinion.

[@JJE42224]

Connie Hawkins is insane in 2k. R.I.P Connie Hawkins

[@omoowobhd]

R.I.P. to Connie Hawkins, a b-ball legend & Brooklyn native...

[@Greyareas27]

Hawkins' biggest impact was that he was the first of the swooping high flyers, best exemplified by Dr. J. His leaping ability and large hands led to spectacular dunks and layups more commonplace today. His NBA career, "...wasn't very noteworthy"? Well, career 20ppg and 9rpg averages with bad knees is nothing to sneeze at. But to your point, had he not lost a decade in his prime, he undoubtedly would have been among the greats of the league.

[@TheDagizwiz]

Please do tyreke Evans downfall since his rookie of the year

[@blacksoul4481]

god bless you andy

[@nootherideas2000]

Wow thanks for the video

[@lloydkline7245]

NoOtherIdeas anothet playground and nba legend

[@giaquanleu5256]

can you make a video about Isaiah Austin??

[@delije96kk]

Can you do a video on the team Yugoslavia that beat Usa?

[@changepartners722]

Brooklyn will celebrate Connie Hawkins in the summer of 2019. Kingston Park

[@samerabed2335]

Do a Julius Erving video

[@enragedlez9676]

Do a Nate 'Tiny' Archibald video please

[@escapism7716]

Man, 100% respect for him tho ✊

[@baxy219]

HOW DO PEOPLE NOT KNOW HIM

[@Amick44]

Time. So many people barely know who Elgin Baylor, John Havlicek, Pete Maravich were either. And all of those guys definitely played with some high-level, athletic players as well.

[@flynnd6516]

Was going to get his Pipers jersey soon

[@davidgreen330]

I'm 69 and I've always been an NBA fan. My all-time top five, are: wilt, c, Connie, pf, Bernard King, SF, George gervin, sg, Michael, pg

[@ediizzy6641]

Andy please do a video on manute bol's story

[@imanalien6461]

He palms a basketball the way I palm a baseball.

[@theroadrunnerjarhead4109]

The Hawk could have been one of the greatest ever.

[@Amick44]

For a short period of time, he was. He just doesn't have the longevity.

[@lescw3293]

Good Stuff!!! Connie The God

[@joshthesaintsfan-6784]

Nice video

[@marciaz31]

He was my biggest sports hero when I was a child ...I wish I still owned his poster ...