When @NBACobwebs posted on April 5 a quote from an old Sports Illustrated issue, about the 1973 Boston Celtics v New York Knicks series, that had local Celtics fans with a banner that read in part, “THE KNICKS EAT WET CHICKEN FOR BREAKFAST.” I just had to find a picture of that sign so I went down a rabbit hole of basketball research.
That’s when I found out about the 1973 Draft instead.
That’s when I found out about the 1973 Draft instead.
I put the date range of the 7-game series of the @BostonCeltics / @NYKnicks into the search engine of Newspapers.com, but something else popped up instead in the local Boston papers. It turns out that the @NBA draft, slated for Monday April 16th, was going to be postponed by the league in order to deal with an issue that arose between the @SeattleSuperSonics and the @Philadelphia76ers.
It turns out, the Sixers had the negotiation rights to John Brisker, an ABA player for the past 3 seasons, as they drafted him in 1969 in a supplemental draft conducted by the NBA. While the league didn’t allow teams to draft players that hadn’t yet finished college in the regular draft, they could draft a player that was playing in the ABA in a supplemental draft even if their college class had not yet concluded. Brisker was playing with the Pittsburg Condors of the ABA until the team folded after the 1971/72 season. Brisker decided to jump leagues after the Condors folded and he signed with the Sonics in Aug of 1972. The Sixers filed a grievance with the NBA but Brisker played with the Sonics during the 1972/73 season despite the Sixers protests. In November of 1972, NBA Commissioner Walter Kennedy sided with Philadelphia and granted the Sixers the Sonics 1st round pick in the coming 1973 Draft, a pick that would turn into the 4th overall. |
This was the same Sonics team that signed had Spencer Haywood in mid-season of 1970/71, when he claimed the ABA team he was playing for, the Denver Rockets, had breached their contract with him. Haywood had not yet been eligible to draft in the NBA and the league attempted to void the contract before the US Supreme Court ruled in his favor. The Sonics appeared ready to fight the NBA again as they filed a suit, accusing Kennedy of “usurping” his authority.
March 11
The same day the Blazers were losing in Omaha, Nebraska, they lost the coin flip for the right to select the 1st pick in the 1973 NBA Draft. Philadelphia received the chance at the number one pick while Portland will choose second. The rumor of Bill Walton looking to turn pro after this, his junior season at UCLA, would be false and he would return for his senior year. |
Apr 11
The @NBA approved 11 players as "Hardship" entries to draft for April 16. Prior to current 1-&-done rule, players could not be drafted prior to their 4-yr college career conclusion. The 1973 Draft was considered to be weak even w/hardship additions. The @trailblazers are looking to draft @IllinoisStateU and @usabasketball star #DougCollins w/#2 pick. According to reports, Collins is asking $1.2M which is making #Blazers question drafting him & looking at #BoLamar or #BarryParkhill instead. The draft is scheduled to be held in 5 days, April 16, though late in the day reports started to circulate of a potential issue that could postpone the draft. |
Apr 12
The @NBA Draft, scheduled for Apr 16, has been postponed until Apr 19 so that Commish Kennedy can settle a dispute between @SeattleSonics and @sixers regarding #JohnBrisker, who played the 72/73 season w/#Sonics despite #76ers having the rights to him. Brisker signed w/@SeattleSonics after #PittsburghCondors folded in summer 1972. @NBA Commish Kennedy fined #Sonics 10K & gave their 1st RD pick (#4) to @sixers as compensation. The Sonics filed a suit to get their pick back.2
The @NBA Draft, scheduled for Apr 16, has been postponed until Apr 19 so that Commish Kennedy can settle a dispute between @SeattleSonics and @sixers regarding #JohnBrisker, who played the 72/73 season w/#Sonics despite #76ers having the rights to him. Brisker signed w/@SeattleSonics after #PittsburghCondors folded in summer 1972. @NBA Commish Kennedy fined #Sonics 10K & gave their 1st RD pick (#4) to @sixers as compensation. The Sonics filed a suit to get their pick back.2
April 12 1973 - @PeppBasketball guard 'Bird" Averitt, the @WCCsports Player-of-the-Year for 1973, is looking to turn pro in either #ABA or @NBA Drafts. The @trailblazers are looking to draft the guard who avg 33.9 pts last season
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Apr 13
The @NBA Draft, originally scheduled to be held on Apr 16, has been officially pushed to Apr 19 in order to settle the compensation to @sixers for the @SeattleSonics signing #JohnBrisker. @NBA Commish Kennedy gave @sixers the @BringBackSonics pick (#4 overall) as compensation but @SeattleSonics have sued to stop that action. The #NBA Board of Governors will meet to be held on Apr 18, a day before the Draft has been moved to. |
Apr 14
With the @NBADraft delayed by 3 days due to the #JohnBrisker situation, the #ABA will delay their draft to after the @NBA has their draft. #OregonJournal columnist #GeorgePasero writes about the 1973 draft, #SidneyWicks, & @uograd66 |
Apr 15
It is announced today that @NBA Board of Governors will meet on 4/18 to determine if 4th pick of draft will be @SeattleSonics or transferred to @sixers for signing #JohnBrisker. The @trailblazers have 2nd pick and are looking at drafting #DougCollins
It is announced today that @NBA Board of Governors will meet on 4/18 to determine if 4th pick of draft will be @SeattleSonics or transferred to @sixers for signing #JohnBrisker. The @trailblazers have 2nd pick and are looking at drafting #DougCollins
Apr 17
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Apr 18
The @NBA Board of Governors are scheduled to meet today to settle the dispute between @SeattleSonics and @sixers regarding #JohnBrisker.
In the midst of dispute, the @Iconic_sonics owner #SamSchulman is rumored to become #USAmbassador to The Netherlands
The @NBA Board of Governors are scheduled to meet today to settle the dispute between @SeattleSonics and @sixers regarding #JohnBrisker.
In the midst of dispute, the @Iconic_sonics owner #SamSchulman is rumored to become #USAmbassador to The Netherlands
Apr 20
The @NBA announces that Draft that was scheduled for today has been postponed again but the dispute over #JohnBrisker has been settled @SeattleSonics will not lose their 1st RD pick (#4) but have to pay 10K fine & send @sixers two 2nd RD picks |
In other @NBA news, #BobMcAdoo of the #BuffaloBraves was named Rookie-of-the-Year, beating out @trailblazers#LloydNeal
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Apr 23
The @NBA is getting ready for 27th annual Draft tomorrow, 8 days & 2 postponements after original date. The @Sixers are expected to pick #JimBrewer at #1 & @trailblazers are expected to select #BarryParkhill with 2nd pick. The @cavs, who originally had the 5th pick and who now select 15th, are looking to move up in the draft. Some reports say the @trailblazers might move their pick. |