It’s the summer of 1975. David Thompson, from North Carolina State, the best college player in the land, is drafted with the first pick by the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. The third pick in the draft was Marvin Webster of Morgan State, also by the Hawks. The NBA is shocked when both these players sign with the other league, the American Basketball Association, the ABA. Many in the NBA had felt that the ABA was mainly a nuisance, really just a minor league. Signing the best player, and then the third pick to go with him, put the ABA in a completely different light. It definitely got the attention of the NBA hierarchy, and people will tell you that these two signings were a major push toward the eventual merger of the two leagues June17, 1976.
Many felt that it wasn’t so much Thompson’s signing with the ABA that alarmed them. Some NBA people put it off to a relationship between Larry Brown, Carl Scheer ( Denver’s head coach and GM) and Thompson. They were all from North Carolina and knew each other, plus Denver was to sign Thompson’s good friend Monte Towe. Evidently, some NBA people didn’t understand the rivalry between UNC and North Carolina State.
No, what really bothered them was the signing of Marvin Webster by the Nuggets, out from under the Atlanta Hawks. That got to them. No connection other than Denver just went out and signed him away. It meant that the ABA had signed 2 of the top three picks. The NBA was now on a course to take the ABA seriously, and regard them as a threat. For the first time, there was even preliminary talk amongst the NBA owners about approaching the ABA to discuss a merger.
I got to know Marvin Webster that fall, in Denver’s training camp. I had been traded during the summer to the Nuggets, with the rights to Thompson. Marvin quickly fell out of favor with the coaches, because he was having a very hard time keeping up in a rigorous training camp. It was quickly discovered that Marvin was sick. His liver was not functioning well, and the Doctors felt he had a form of hepatitis. He was put to bed rest, and then, limited activity, increasing the activity gradually, in an effort to get his strength back.
Late in exhibition season, I blew my knee out. An ACL, although it was not diagnosed that way at first. After staying off my knee for a couple weeks, I was ready to start rehabbing, about the same time Marvin was ready to start rehabbing. So we started working out together, on a daily basis. Marvin trying to get his health back, me trying to strengthen my knee. When the team was at home, we would work with one of the assistant coaches, either Doug Moe or Frank Hamblen. When the team was on the road, just the two of us would work out, sometimes twice a day. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time together. We got to know each other quite well. Marvin had come into camp at about 260-270 pounds. With his illness, he got down to under 225.
It was a trying time for the two of us. Both of us working hard, but wondering about our future abilities to be able to play again. Marvin eventually got his health to the point that he ended up playing in 30 some odd games that season and continued into the playoffs, helping the Nuggets get to the ABA Finals. He only got there because of hard work and dedication. Unfortunately for me, I blew out my knee again, and ended up having to have another operation.
Marvin ended up playing the next season with the Nuggets, our first season in the NBA, where he helped us win the Mid-West Division, but we lost in the playoffs to Portland, who went on to win the NBA Champonship. He got traded to Seattle the next year, mainly because the Nuggets were afraid he was never going to be able to be completely healthy. Ironically, he was a big part of the Sonics that went on to beat us (the Nuggets) in the playoffs that year, and eventually, the Sonics went on to lose in the Finals to Washington. He averaged 14 points, 12.6 rebounds and over 2 blocks a game. After that season, Marvin was traded to the Knicks, where he spent the next 6 seasons. He got sick again, and after a couple of years, he tried to make a comeback with the Bucks but only lasted a few games and finally retired in 1987. Known as the “Human Eraser” for his ability to block shots, I believe he still holds the Sonics’ record for the most rebounds in a half, 21.
Yesterday, Marvin was found in a hotel room in Tulsa, having passed away. A giant of a man, he was very kind and gentle by nature . A religious man, who loved to read. Bright, always ready to laugh, yet quite introspective and quiet. More of a loner than a social butterfly, more comfortable with a friend, than a group. I will always appreciate his friendship, especially because it evolved during a tough time. Hopefully, he felt the same way. I think he did. I don’t believe that Marvin ever fully recovered from his initial bout with hepatitis, but he fought his way to have a good career.
I”m so sorry that you left us, Marvin. It was way too early. May God bless you.
Image Source: NBA
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Another wonderful tribute that you have written. Thanks for sharing. Marvin, may you RIP.
I met Marvin and Mederia when Marvin played for the Nuggets. He lived next door to my brother. He was a very kind and quiet young man then. He will be missed.