Basketballography: Oscar Robertson

Oscar Palmer Robertson (born November 24, 1938), nicknamed "The Big O", is an American retired National Basketball Association player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. The 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m), 220 lb (100 kg) Robertson played at point guard and was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and one-time winner of the MVP award in 14 professional seasons. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season. He was a key player on the team which brought the Bucks their only NBA title in the 1970-71 NBA season. His playing career, especially during high school and college, was plagued by racism.

[@vantablack9535]

The things Black Athletes had to deal with in those days make it the Hardest era to play sports in hell to live in really, Jim, Ali, Hank, Bill ect will all be pioneers forever

[@williammier760]

Oscar was simply the best all around basketball player ever.

[@buckfan1969]

I was fortunate to grow up watching the Big O's entire pro career. Still in my mind the greatest all-around player ever. He was not flashy; he was silky smooth and strong as hell. Most people don't know he wanted to play for Indiana but Branch McCracken, the IU coach at the time, didn't want a black player on his team. That's the way it was in the 50's. In those days the Indiana state H.S. champs had a parade to downtown, but when Attucks won (twice) they moved the parade to the west side; the city didn't want the black people downtown. At UC they traveled to play in Texas and Robertson wasn't allowed to stay in the team hotel. So, yes, he's bitter, and rightfully so. Kids today disparage his play because he didn't do the flashy stuff, but they don't know shit about basketball. They just know the playground moves they see on tv, and confuse flashiness with athleticism. He could do anything he wanted on a basketball court.

[@theprofessor8589]

ESPN has brainwashed a lot of these younger fans into thinking that to be a great player is to either dunk or stand and shoot three's. A real player, like Oscar, can do everything and has a high I.Q. in how the game is played. That is why in my opinion, Oscar Robertson is the greatest pound for pound player ever.

[@vantablack9535]

Damn that's hard...best player on the team can't stay in the same hotel as his team cause of his skin color...like he asked to be black... infinite respect for Mr Oscar

[@ricthornton2958]

Anyone who doesn't think that Oscar Robertson is in the conversation for the "greatest of all time" just doesn't understand the game. He played in an era where black athletes were not allowed to be "flashy" or they'd be labeled as one who played out of control or a clown. Things like thunderous dunks, behind the back passes, dribbling between the legs, and other "flashy" plays just were NOT part of the game in the 50's & 60's. If you want to know what a player who can completely control a game looks like look no further than Oscar Robertson. He was as fundamentally sound as any basketball player in the history of the sport. At the University of Cincinnati, led the nation in scoring in three consecutive years with his PPG average being above 30 each year. It would have been four straight years except the NCAA did not allow freshmen to play at the varsity level at that time. Having a guard lead a team in scoring much less the nation was unheard of at the time as it was truly a "big man's" game. At 6'5", his ball handling skills were without equal . . his jump shot deadly . . his ability to post up amazing . . his court awareness beyond compare . . and all the while hit his free throws at close to a 90% clip. He was the first (and only for 50 plus years) to average a "triple double" for a season in the NBA. And this was before anyone ever knew what a "triple double" was. However, he actually averaged a "triple double" for his first 5 seasons combined in the NBA. That means averaging double digits in points, rebounds and assists over a 5-year (400 plus games) stretch in an era dominated by big men like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed, etc. Perhaps it was his misfortune for playing the bulk of his professional career in a small midwestern city for an underfunded franchise and thereby never having the chance to compete on a consistent basis with the Celtics, '76ers, etc. But if you listen to just about anyone who played or coached the game at that time and most everyone since, "The Big O" is always at or right near the top for consideration as the GOAT.

[@buckfan1969]

@@ricthornton2958 Well said! I totally agree.

[@jerroldcarl9562]

@@ricthornton2958 try

[@roberta-ls9lr]

I saw Oscar play against the Lakers at the old Sports Arena. In those days refs favored the home team and Oscar was very upset at some of the calls. When averaged a triple for the season, it wasn't as if it was a goal or target like it was for Westbrook. Oscar's skills were better than most in an era when offensive players were not allowed to carry the ball as they have done for the last 40 years. Watch the difference when he or Jerry dribble and you will see their hand on top of the ball. This is a very humble man that wants to see his Black folks get better education, housing, jobs etc. I have nothing but the highest admiration for athletes like him, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King.

[@martysomoco]

Thank you for your most insightful comment.

[@edwinjones1000]

You REALLY know your history AND the game of basketball. You are spot on with your observations.

[@PoliticusRex632]

I love how he said, "I didn't shoot much". Retires as the number 2 all time scorer behind Wilt.😄

[@jerryday9838]

like he said. he could do all the flashy stuff.but know the game. had the chance to see him in Detroit

[@johnperrigo6474]

I love watching the broadcast of old games. So much more enjoyable than the circus they put together now on television.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

1st player to record a triple double in a season

[@mariposamoon6585]

In the 80's, my husband came home and asked me if I would like to meet Oscar Peterson. Being a big jazz lover, I was thrilled. Of course. We lived in Columbus, Ohio and the affair was in Cincinnati. It was a fund raiser with Oscar Peterson being the celebrity guest. Well, standing in a group with my glass of wine, I kept hearing "Oscar Robertson" It finally penetrated my brain and I asked, "Oscar Robertson?" I got looks like I had lobsters climbing out of my ears. "Yes, Oscar Robertson, the celebrity guest." I was disappointed and said so. Later in the evening, a gentleman approached our table and asked if I was the lady who wanted to meet Oscar Peterson, I said, "Yes." He said someone had told Oscar Robertson what happened, and Oscar Robertson said he would like to meet Oscar Peterson, too. I want to know, Did Oscar Robertson ever meet Oscar Peterson? I never did.

[@clu4u]

Wonderful story, most peeps don’t know either man was a genius.

[@martysomoco]

I believe that Oscar is one of the all-time greats and the greatest guard of his era. However, regarding Oscar's talks about his focus on doing what was necessary to win, I believe that Oscar did all he could to accomplish that goal - involving his teammates, taking only high-percentage shots, being unselfish, accomplishing the most triple doubles in a season. However, his actual achievements were successful to a very limited extent - one NBA championship. Oscar's record pales in comparison to the achievements of Bill Russell. Bill Russell led a formerly floundering Celtic fanchise to 11 championships in 13 years, including 8 championships in a row. Bill Russell was the ultimate franchise player who was able to contribute what was necessary to win. Again, and again, and again.

[@cliffordnewell2445]

If Oscar was playing today everyone would be drooling over him like they did Jordan, Kobe and Lebron.

[@lizabethscott9297]

BACK THEN ROBERTSON SAID IF YOU DIDN'T SCORE YOU DIDN'T GET PAYED THAT IT SELF MADE YOU LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE GAME HELL YOU HAD TO LEARN THE GAME

[@paul_devos]

That music is too loud with respect to the commentary. Very distracting from the speakers.

[@unclequack5445]

Big O = Legend Likely the highest Basketball IQ ever to play.

[@anansi1641]

I agree, Highest BB IQ, next Russell, then whomever.

[@edwinjones1000]

The greatest of all time. Only Larry Bird is close to him in doing everything on the court.

[@williammier760]

Oscar was simply the best all around player of all times

[@edwinjones1000]

Agreed. Oscar filled Hinkle Fieldhouse and stopped traffic when he played. Today, he could have gone pro after highschool.

[@restlessmind5770]

He seems bitter but I understand why. Sign of the times. Uphill battles.

[@theprofessor8589]

Being Black MAKES you bitter!

[@edwinjones1000]

He was bitter but held it inside. When he played, the city stopped to go to his games. He was more popular in high school than Jordan was in the pros. I was at one of his games in Hinkle Fieldhouse. SRO. No seats available. ( before fire marshal rules )

[@cwatson5761]

Too much other noise interferes with interview

[@youtuber3328]

please tell me how you all feel about me asking what if jeff van gundy lenny wilkens larry brown don nelson pat riley john wooden phil jackson and/or red auerbach were the head coaches of the legendary oscar robertson

[@Clarkthefaceofwnba]

So intelligence in basketball

[@darrylhayes3662]

GREAT was the Big O as a guard as he articulated it was putting together players who had a common cohesive in the game. Today the same make up applies.

[@lizabethscott9297]

HELL WHEN YOU GOT YOUR PAYCHECK EITHER LEARN THE GAME/FIND ANOTHER SPORT wow HELL THEY WERE SERIOUS BACK THEN YOU GREW UP QUICK

[@loydkline]

Original big guard

[@earldeanpowell]

O and John W...two college MVPs, two All-Anericans, two HoF players, check me if I'm wrong, TWO 3x COLLEGE MVPs? Above all, just two Indiana boys who love bball.

[@charlescharles1694]

Best man to. Where shoes

[@Walidx-gq3hz]

I started playing and watching around she age 11. I don't remember much of him. He was a great person.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

The 2nd best point guard in history (Aside from Earvin Johnson)

[@patrickgray5633]

He was better then Magic & I loved Magic, Oscar Robertson could do anything on a basketball court.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Patrick Gray What does Oscar do better than Earvin does besides shoot a ball?!

[@RexStewartoriginals]

@@dumisatonyjohnson8145 He was a 'play-maker'...He orchestrated plays that mind-boggled fans wherever they played. Magic was a great player in his own right as a scorer; but Oscar was the think-tank that set up plays which was (and is) why he's the only player in the history of the game that hold that accolade...As @the professor, @A.K. and @robert a confirmed...the "Big O" was a classy player who worked with his team. He wasn't the only man on the court. Like business, you can't be at the top without the crew. This what makes a champion of champions.

[@anansi1641]

@@patrickgray5633 I agree. Magic just pass for assists; he was sorely deficient in a slow down half court offense bcuz he probably couldn't read defenses; he couldn't shoot; he couldn't but his man 1 v 1 off a dribble drive to the basket; like Stockton, the ball never left his hands, so his teammates were often confused when the tempo slowed and defenses pressured. IMO, his poor play and lack of understanding of game situations cost KAJ 2 chips 81, 84)

[@ricthornton2958]

@@dumisatonyjohnson8145 shooting is kind of important . . no?

[@a.k.4486]

@8:58 Unfortunately what's Oscar is describing here is a lost mentality/art in today's game where point guards are nothing else than gunners. No wonder why teams are not playing in strong systems. It starts in college where players don't stay long enough (should the NCAA pay them?) to learn this combined with the fact they all want to be Michael Jordan. Well, Jordan used to understand the system...

[@johnperrigo6474]

I enjoy the game of the 70's so much more than today, for many different reasons, but you named one of them.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

80s/early 90s were way better than today's game if we were really honest with ourselves

[@philwilson609]

@@dumisatonyjohnson8145 Oscar Robertson's rookie season is the midpoint between the turn of the century and today. Isn't it obvious that if Oscar Robertson of 1960 was transported back in time to 1900,when clumsy kids in leather shoes and knickerbockers were hurling stitched balls at peach baskets, he would just completely dominate those unskilled yokels from the deep past. What is even more amazing is that if you transported that same 1960 Robertson 60 years into the future that he would dominate those future 2020 ballers just as bad as he ruled over those peach basket beginners from the horse and buggy era. He would just have his way with those future ballers....say...some guys named....we'll just make up some future names - Steph, Kyrie, James and Damian .....we'll call them....and Oscar would destroy them as easy as drinking lemonade, because basketball players improved mightily from 1900 to 1960, but then got worse and worse for the next 60 years (except for Bird and Magic and MJ, who also represent the good old days.)

[@unclequack5445]

I swear the hoop looked bigger in those days ? @ 06:32 .

[@patek9789]

they had double rims