Golden State Warriors tickets

"When I played, I was the Warriors' rebounder, but believe me 1 wasn't big enough the past few years. When you're 6-8, you're just average." Neil Johnston during his tenure as Golden State Warriors coach. Neil Johnston of the Golden State Warriors was no average player, though baseball-not basketball-was his first love. After two relatively modest basketball seasons at Ohio State, he gave up his final two years of college eligibility to sign a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, with dreams of becoming a big-league ace. Johnston pitched for three years in the Phillies' minor-league system, but a sore arm slowed his progress and it soon became clear the 6-foot-8 athlete was better off on the hardwood than the mound. It was especially clear to Golden State Warriors News coach Eddie Gottlieb, who recognized Johnston's vast potential and signed him in 1951.

Some might have wondered what Gottlieb was thinking when Johnston averaged just six points per game in his debut season. Any doubters received their answer the next year, when Johnston began a run of three consecutive NBA scoring crowns with averages well over 20 PPG. He also won the rebounding title in 195455, becoming the first player in league history to lead in both categories in the same campaign.
Though Johnston downplayed his rebounding abilities in later years, that 1954-55 season also saw him corral 39 boards in one game against Syracuse-one of the top efforts in the history of the NBA. His accurate hook shot, relentless style and willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team earned him six trips to the All-Star game and four consecutive All-NBA First Team selections in the 1950s. Those traits also helped him become a champion.

In 1955-56, Johnston teamed up with fellow Hall of Famers Paul Arizin and Tom Gola in leading the Warriors to the best record in the NBA and a championship. They needed just five games to stop Fort Wayne in the Finals. After suffering a career-ending knee injury, Johnston went on to coach the Warriors, Pittsburgh of the ABL and Wilmington of the EBL.