Joe Lapchick
Inducted:
1966
Stats
6 foot-5 inch; 185lb
Born
April 12, 1900
Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Died
August 10, 1970
Monticello, New York, U.S.
Position
Center
College
NA
Joe Lapchick was one of the dominant centers of early professional basketball and a major star of the Original Celtics. Known for his size, strength, passing ability, and competitive style, Lapchick helped make the Celtics one of the most successful touring teams of the 1920s and 1930s.
Though he later served as head coach of the NBA's New York Knicks (1947–1956). Standing 6'5", Lapchick was widely regarded as the premier center of basketball's early era, anchoring the dominant Original Celtics and Cleveland Rosenblums teams. Revered for his mobility, tip-off control, and passing, he later transitioned into a legendary head coach at St. John's University and guided the Knicks to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
For his pioneer impact as the big man who revolutionized center play, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1966.
Lapchick's Awards and Honor
- 4× ABL champion (1927–1930)
- All-Time Pro Stars Second Team (1945[1])
- 3× NBA All-Star Game head coach (1951, 1953, 1954)
- 4× NIT champion as coach (1943, 1944, 1959, 1965)
- 6× Metropolitan New York Conference regular season championships as coach
NBA Teams
Original Celtics (1923–1928)
Cleveland Rosenblums (1928–1930)
Toledo Red Man Tobaccos (1930–1931)
Number Worn:
4, 7
NBA Records
Position:
Center
Professional Career:
1923–1931
Games Played:
199
Total Points:
968
ABL titles:
4