Bob McAdoo (Part 1)

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14 Mar 2024

Bob McAdoo (Part 1)

Robert Allen McAdoo Jr. is a renowned American former professional basketball player and coach, born on September 25, 1951. His illustrious career spanned 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he earned recognition as a five-time NBA All-Star and secured the prestigious title of NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1975. McAdoo's legacy includes two NBA championships attained with the Los Angeles Lakers during the famed Showtime era of the 1980s. His contributions to the sport were immortalized in 2000 when he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Furthermore, his stellar achievements were honored as he was selected for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Primarily occupying the center position throughout his career, McAdoo showcased his prowess on the court during his 21-season playing tenure. After spending 14 seasons in the NBA, he concluded his playing journey with seven seasons in the Lega Basket Serie A in Italy. McAdoo stands out as one of the select few players who have claimed victory in both the NBA and the FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) titles as a player.
Transitioning into the coaching realm, McAdoo continued to leave his mark on the basketball landscape. He added to his championship count by securing three more NBA titles in 2006, 2012, and 2013, serving as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat. Through his multifaceted career, McAdoo solidified his status as a legendary figure in the world of basketball, leaving an indelible imprint on the sport's history.

McAdoo's upbringing was rooted in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he was nurtured by his parents, Vandalia and Robert. His mother, Vandalia, dedicated her talents to education, serving as a teacher at his grade school, while his father, Robert, worked as a custodian at North Carolina A&T University. McAdoo's formative years unfolded at Ben L. Smith High School, where he not only excelled on the basketball court and track but also showcased his musical talents as a saxophone player in the marching band.
During his senior year, McAdoo left an indelible mark on Smith High School's athletic legacy. He propelled the basketball team to the state semifinals and simultaneously made waves in the state track tournament, where he shattered the state high-jump record with an impressive leap of 6 feet and 7 inches. Notably, he outperformed his future North Carolina Tar Heels teammate, Bobby Jones, solidifying his status as a standout athlete with immense potential.

Following his high school graduation, McAdoo encountered initial hurdles due to lacking the academic test scores mandated by Division I schools. Consequently, he opted to enroll at Vincennes University, then a junior college located in Vincennes, Indiana, where he spent the years 1969 through 1971. McAdoo's stint at Vincennes proved fruitful as he played a pivotal role in the team's triumph at the NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1970, notably scoring 27 points in the championship game. During this time, he formed a close bond with teammate Foots Walker, with whom he shared living quarters.
Displaying his prowess on the court, McAdoo showcased remarkable statistics during his tenure at Vincennes. He averaged 19.3 points and 10 rebounds in the 1969-70 season, followed by an impressive increase to 25.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in the subsequent 1970-71 season. Additionally, McAdoo represented Team USA at the 1971 Pan American Games, contributing an average of 11.0 points per game during the summer event.

Dean Smith, the esteemed coach of the University of North Carolina (UNC), initially did not actively pursue McAdoo. However, McAdoo's mother took the initiative to reach out to UNC, prompting Smith's attention. Consequently, McAdoo became the only junior college player Dean Smith recruited throughout his career. Teaming up with Bobby Jones at UNC, McAdoo played a pivotal role in guiding the Tar Heels to a commendable 26–5 record during the 1971–72 season, culminating in a Final Four appearance in the NCAA University Division basketball tournament. McAdoo's remarkable performance earned him first-team All-American honors, along with MVP recognition at the ACC tournament.
Despite his collegiate success, McAdoo faced familial challenges prompting him to seek early eligibility for the 1972 NBA draft under the "hardship" clause, a provision that remained in effect until 1977. After consulting with Coach Dean Smith, who supported his decision, McAdoo made the pivotal choice to transition to the NBA. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, McAdoo acknowledged the conflicting emotions surrounding his departure but emphasized the support he received from Smith and his father in making the transition.

Amidst McAdoo's pursuit of early eligibility for the 1972 NBA draft, rumors swirled regarding his potential engagement with the Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association (ABA), a rival league to the NBA. Speculation arose following an alleged "secret" ABA draft, during which the identities of those selected were not disclosed publicly. Despite McAdoo's denial of any such arrangement and the absence of a documented contract, reports emerged suggesting that NBA Commissioner Walter Kennedy cautioned NBA teams against drafting McAdoo.
Contradictory accounts surfaced regarding the purported contract with the Virginia Squires. Some sources indicated that a contract had indeed been signed but was subsequently voided due to McAdoo's age rendering him ineligible to sign legally. Additionally, there were suggestions that the Buffalo Braves, who eventually secured McAdoo in the draft, were privy to this information.
Ultimately, McAdoo's name emerged as the No. 1 pick in the 1972 American Basketball Association Draft, despite the swirling controversies and uncertainties surrounding his draft status and potential ABA involvement.