Syracuse Nationals @ Minneapolis Lakers Game 1 1954 NBA Finals 31 March 1954 IN COLOR

“Game of the Week” footage of the first game of the 1954 “World Series of Basketball,” which found the Minneapolis Lakers hosting the Syracuse Nationals, on March 31, 1954 before 4,579 fans...here, for the first time anywhere, IN COLOR
As is evident from the commentary (by Dick Enroth), this is not the “live” NBA Game of the Week which was presented by the Dumont Network; rather, this appears to be a syndicated package, intended for weekly viewing (curiously, during the sign off Enroth says the next week’s game will feature Milwaukee Hawks at Baltimore Bullets-the two-bottom dwellers in the NBA that year; odd programming choice in the middle of the NBA Finals)
Notwithstanding the grand title, the “World Series of Basketball” was, in reality, the NBA finals. Minneapolis-featuring “Mr. Basketball,” George Mikan-was THE dynasty of the early NBA, and was seeking a fifth title in seven years. Their challengers came in battered and bruised; Syracuse stars Dolph Schayes and Earl Lloyd saw limited duty due to injuries suffered in the Eastern Division finals against Boston, and the Nats were never able to get their “run-and-gun” offense on track
Nevertheless, Syracuse kept the game close, leading 13-10 after the first quarter and down only 34-31 at the half. Syracuse closed the gap to 2 early in the 4th quarter, but the Lakers pulled away against the tiring Nationals, outscoring the visitors, 23-18, for a 79-68. The Lakers’ two centers, Clyde Lovelette and George Mikan, led Minneapolis scorers with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Syracuse center Bob Lavoy had 15 for the losers. That centers were the leading scorers gives you an idea of the importance of the pivot position in early professional basketball
Enjoying home court advantage in the series, the Lakers prevailed in seven games, winning their third straight title
Footage from this package was played on ESPN, interspersed with reflections about George Mikan; poor video copies of that presentation have been on RUclips for awhile, along with annoying “pop up” graphics of facts that had been inserted by ESPN. Here, for the first time, is a crystal clear (albeit slightly watermarked) copy of the COMPLETE broadcast. The footage was in seven separate pieces which needed to be cobbled together. Unfortunately, the sound from this source is long gone, so the audio from the ESPN telecast has been dubbed in. As this video includes footage not used by ESPN, the missing audio has been replaced stock gym sounds and occasional crowd cheers

[@hf6150]

How quaint to see the NBA finals being played in March! That colorization certainly was needed to tell the teams apart.

[@thomaswolf723]

Its interesting that the NBA final series was sold as pro basketball's "World Series". This shows how baseball dominated the sports culture of the day.

[@HiNRGboy]

I'm so glad you posted this! There's some footage here I've never seen before. Jim Pollard is one of my favorite players of all time. Any footage of him is great to see! Same with Paul Seymour!

[@brandonmartin7713]

Ben Dallas Thank you for posting! I have been researching and studying putting together my own 75 greatest NBA players list.... And based upon my research Jim Pollard "The Kangaroo Kid" should be on there! He sacrificed his game that Mikan would get most of the Shine! If he had focused on himself and forced a trade or something he probably would have probably the second best stats in the League but he may not have been a 5 time champion either! Did you get a chance to actually see him play in person? Can you describe what made him your favorite player? Finally can you describe what made him such a great unique player in your opinion? Although is not his best game.....his athleticism and speed screams out of him! Hope to hear from you soon.

[@HiNRGboy]

@@brandonmartin7713 hey Brandon, I unfortunately did not get to see him play live, but I know his career well, I'm an oldschool basketball fan from way back, and my favorite era was the 40's and 50's. I've seen a lot of rare footage. Pollard was a big reason the Lakers were so successful. He could take over a game by himself if he wanted to, but he wasn't selfish, and would frequently play like a point guard when passing to Mikan. He was incredible at creating his own shots, whether it be running hooks or quick one handed jump shots. He also had a few other unique shots I've never seen anyone else do. With one he'd be around the foul line, run two steps to the right and leap up with his right leg for a one handed jump shot. The other shot he did was he'd be to the right of the basket, take one step forward with his left, then with the same leg spring quickly to the right and throw up a hook like bank shot..It was basically like a fadeway hook! Pretty cool stuff. Yes this game wasn't his best here but a lot of the way he played you can still see. At Stanford he was incredible, especially in the NCAA tournament/playoffs. He scored rediculous #s for the era...Stanford won the title in '42...thanks mostly to Pollard, he was their biggest star. He didn't play in the final game due to being sick with the flu but all the other tournament games they won with him there, scoring at his best! His early years with Mikan and the Lakers were also really good. I'm glad you like Pollard too, most don't usually acknowledge the early players much anymore, but many of my favorite players of all time are from the 40's!!

[@HiNRGboy]

@@brandonmartin7713 Some other favorite players of mine from that era are Arnie Ferrin, Aud Brindley, Ernie Calverly, Arnie Risen, and John Kotz.. Brindley never really got to play professionally, but he was so good in College. A hook shot master at just 6' 4" same height as Pollard. Calverly at 5' 10" was Cousy before Cousy, and was an even better scorer than Cousy! He was the original point guard wizard of the court. Arnie Ferrin was great at running hooks and other running shots. His battle against Brindley in the final 1944 tournament is legendary.. look up Utah vs Dartmouth 1944...some of the game survives :) Arnie Ferrin (the blonde kid) and Brindley (jersey #3) both played similar to Pollard and all 3 of them were 6' 4." John Kotz was another creative shooter at 6' 3" from Wisconsin. His team won the title in '41 thanks in large part to him. I'd have to show you on the court myself what all these guys could do and all their signature shots lol.... kinda hard to describe on here!

[@brandonmartin7713]

@@HiNRGboy THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK! ! A fadeaway hook! These players are look down on so bad by current fans and players.... I don't. Do you know about a year ago I found out Arnie Ferrin was still Alive! He is 96. I tried to reach out to him and ask him some questions through facebook.... But no body responded. Maybe you should try. I also found out Bob Harrison is alive as well. I tried to reach him too. Didn't get to him either yet.... Maybe you should try. Also Thank you for your wonderful insight about Ferrin and others. I have never heard of. A couple of years ago I found out about Larry Foust.... And I researched him for about 2 months..... I got a small thesis together to send to some voters in the hall of fame for them to consider Larry Foust..... I think he should be in the Hall of Fame. If Arnie Risen is in, Larry should be in.... ( I have no problem with Arnie) What do you think about Foust) I am also curious about how you feel about the 75 greatest list? I have some severe issues with who they allowed to vote and some of their selections? How about you?

[@HiNRGboy]

@@brandonmartin7713 I had a long post made up that accidently got deleted, oh well.. it happens! lol
The top 75 list is severly biased in my opinion..they're leaving out and ignoring so many great players from the early era. Larry Foust should be in the HOF, he was a top player for a long time! Risen should definitely be in...In '51 he helped the Royals knock off the Lakers and Knicks to win the only championship in franchise history. Beating the Lakers in the playoffs was almost unheard of back then! They were that good. But Risen had a really good season that year, and it helps to have one of the best Point Guards in the game, the "Blonde Bomber" Bob Davies! ^_-

[@elquebi]

23:10 Fake the hook shot, no look pass.

[@master-kq3nw]

last title for mineapollis lakers nats won next year

[@amazing50000]

It was also the last (and only) title the Nats won the following year, as they moved to Philadelphia to become the 76ers in 1963.

[@master-kq3nw]

@@amazing50000 yep that owner sold team to Philly,nats were popular in Syracuse sad ending