Sunday, March 1, 2009

57-8 Royals


Well as a kid I tried to like teams that were the closest to me, of course hoping my Dad would take me to see them. Well it worked 2/3 of the time. The Reds and Royals made my must see list but the Bears never have. That is why I am replaying the 1957-58 Cincinnati Royals who are now 5-13 (33-39).This is their first season as they transfered their francishe from Rochester. They would also go on the call Kansas City-Omaha home and finally Sacramento. This season they have an ineresting player named Maurice Stokes. who was 6-7 232 from St.Francis college. I have found him to be more of a guard-foward-center. He seems to play well anywhere.
The Royals lose today's game 114-108. They Royals entered the final 4 minutes with all 5 starters each with 5 fouls. The first to go was Jim Paxson and he was replaced by next years coach Tom Marshall. Jack Twyman was second and Dick Ricketts came in. Finally Stokes fouled out and Dave Piontek went in.Thats was all but it cost the Royals a chance for a win. Now they play the same two teams again, Knicks and Pistons.
The last part of the story is about Maurice Stokes. On March12 the final game of the season Stokes fell and hit his head. He was knocked unconsious. Three days later he was permanently paralyzed after going into a coma. Jack Tywman a teammate and also a Pittsburgh native took care of him. He helped raise money for his medical expenses. Twyman started an exhibition game which established the Maurice Stokes Foundation. They actuall made a film about this called "Maurie" and former NFL star Bernie Casey played Stokes. Twyman said of his teammate "No one had seen a guy with that combinaton of strength, speed, and size." In57-8 he averaged 17.8 points 18.1 rebounds, and led the team with 6.4 assists per contest. This was his 3rd year. He probably would have ended up a Celtic.

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