Tri-Cities Blackhawks Formation
Along the banks of the Mississippi River in the area known as tri-cities, where the cities of Moline, Illinois; Rock Island, Illinois; and Davenport, Iowa form a consolidation the newest franchise in the National Basketball League began play after starting the season as the Buffalo Bisons for a few games, with General Manager Leo Ferris who was instrumental in developing the shot clock. Playing in the 6,000-seat Wharton Fieldhouse in Moline and known as the Blackhawks (115 years earlier it was the location of the Blackhawk war) the team struggled finishing in fifth place with a 19-25 record. Among the players on the team was pioneer Pop Gates, who was a star on the all black New York Renaissance that won 68 straight games in the early days of professional basketball.
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Hire “Red” Auerbach
After losing their next six games Coach Roger Potter was fired and replaced by Arnold “Red” Auerbach. Under Auerbach the Blackhawks would go on to finish in third place with a 29-35 record finishing in third place in the Western Division. IN the playoffs the Blackhawks would be knocked off by the Anderson Packers in a three game series. Following the season Auerbach would not renew his contract
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Cousy to the Chicago Stags
Following the season Auerbach would not renew his contract taking the coaching job with Boston Celtics where he would go on to build a dynasty, along with Bob Cousy who the Blackhawks would trade to the Chicago Stags shortly after the draft. Cousy who end up in Boston after the Stags folded prior to the start of the next season.
