Jerry Lucas is often overlooked when talking about the great big men of all time. As a sophomore in high school, the sharpshooting rebounder was already being heralded as the greatest high school player in ohio history. He didn't dispel that opinion his junior and senior years when he lead Middletown High School to consecutive state championships while being named All American both years.The 6'8" phenom, who was recruited by over 150 schools, elected to play for Ohio State. And he did not disappoint Buckeyes coach Fred Taylor.As a freshman, "he seemed lackadaisical, like he didn't care", remarked Taylor. Freshmen weren't allowed to play varsity college ball back then so nobody knew until his sophomore year came around whether he would be a failure, a bust. When his sophomore year rolled around, it was evident that this was not to be the case.The twenty year old sophomore was consensus first team all america, shooting an astounding 64% from the field, leading the nation by a mile. Teaming up with John Havlicek, Lucas stormed through the NCAA tournament capturing the prize and cutting down the nets his first season in the national spotlight.After his first season with the Buckeyes, Lucas teamed up with rival and future NBA teammate Oscar Robertson to form arguably the greatest amateur team ever assembled with Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Walt Bellamy. Lucas outshone them all en route to a gold medal.The following season, Lucas and Havlicek rampaged through the season, their undefeated record solidifying Lucas' spot as National Player of the Year. The team wasn't stopped until overtime of the NCAA championship. Lucas didn't come away empty handed, however, taking away the tournament's most outstanding player trophy.At the end of his junior year, the brilliant Lucas had already gotten his bachelors degree, had a wife, and was pursuing his masters degree. He still had another year of basketball eligibility and how could he refuse it after just barely losing in the finals with a team that returned nearly everybody.The next season went much the same, with Lucas winning national player of the year and the team being taken down in the finals by a lesser talented Cincinatti team. Lucas finished his career as OSU's all time leading scorer, rebounder, and field goal shooter and had led them to a UCLAlike record of 78-6. He was given SI sportsman of the year for his troubles. Havlicek left for the Boston Celtics and immortality, Lucas didn't even want to pursue professional basketball. He ended up signing with George Steinbrenner's ABL team the Cleveland Pipers. Lucas was so coveted that the ABL shortened their schedule, started their season later, and gave lucas ownership stock, just to accommodate the three time all american. The NBA attempted to merge with the ABL but no dice. He had to sit out the year due to his contract with Cleveland.In 1963, Lucas joined superstar and rival Oscar Robertson on the Royals. Robertson had enjoyed similar success to Lucas for Cincinatti in college so there was immediately bad blood. Oscar generally had beef with anybody not named Oscar Robertson so this posed a problem for Lucas as the two didn't get along in the slightest.As a rookie, Lucas' teammates almost unanimously disliked him as they thought the coach favored him for being white. This hazing resulted in Lucas rarely touching the ball. His coach instructed him to shoot whenever he touched the ball unless he was double teamed and Lucas did so, forcing him to establish range previously unheard of for a big man at the time. He was only able to launch thirteen shots per game despite playing over forty minutes; less shots per minute than any other player on the team. Despite all that, Lucas led the league in field goal percentage while averaging eighteen points and seventeen rebounds en route to the rookie of the year award and an allstar appearance. With Oscar Robertson headlining the allstar team, Lucas was again afforded less shots per minute than any other player on the team.As a sophomore, Lucas was more trusted by his teammates, and performed monstrously. Teams had no clue how to guard a big man who could also nail a 25 footer and he ended up averaging over 20 points and 20 rebounds per game in the regular season and the playoffs.......and repeated the feat the next year, becoming one of only two players to have multiple 20-20 seasons in their careers.After several seasons of great individual success, Lucas was traded to the Warriors and became clinically depressed. Nobody knows whether it was the weather, being uprooted, or not being able to work things out with the Big O but Lucas had the worst season that he had ever had, still putting in strong numbers, but once again being disliked by his teammates - taking less than twelve shots per game. Lucas stopped trying in games and began spending more and more time working on becoming a successful businessman. Finally, over the summer he was moved to a contending team.The New York Knicks were an ideal place for Lucas. He no longer had to put in obscene amounts of minutes that his body couldn't handle. They were a contender and they made good use of his outside shot, hard nosed defense, and passing skills. The Knicks made the finals the first year Lucas got there and won it all the next. Lucas was now a role player who rebounded, shot, and, showing that he could add seemingly anything to his game, passed as well as any big man save wilt ever had at the time. Lucas retired after eleven seasons with two high school state championships, an NCAA championship, an olympic gold medal, and an NBA championship to his name as well as his numerous individual accomplishments.Did I mention he's written 30 books, one of which was a best seller for over 50 weeks?
One of the greatest rebounders of all time, and a good offensive player too. He was underrated. Hardly ever talked about.
He sure was, he averaged 20 rpg one season, and pulled down 40 in a game once. He was the best player at reading the ball off the rim. He had it down to a science, he knew exactly where each rebound was going before it got there. Young players today should really follow his game, they'd benefit greatly.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Jan 21 2007, 12:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Played with Houndu and The Big OLucky guy, but definetley very good</div>Not actually that lucky. - Hondo was the #2 option on his college teams. Lucas was indisputably his superior in college - Robertson hindered him because he hated Lucas. Lucas never got to take many shots because Robertson was there, refusing to pass the ball to him. On another team he probably would have averaged 30-20
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>One of the greatest rebounders of all time, and a good offensive player too. He was underrated. Hardly ever talked about.</div>I agree. I can't believe he is never talked about. When you have 2 seasons averaging 20-20 you should be talked about a lot.
Stud player at his time, he had a solid career at OSU (Damn Buckeyes), pulling down rebounds left and right, and scoring much also.
