1957–58 Cincinnati Royals season

NBA season

team = Cincinnati Royals
end_year = 1958
wins = 33
losses = 39
division_place = 2^nd
conf_place = 2^nd
coach = Bobby Wanzer
arena = Cincinnati Gardens
playoffs = Lost 1st Round

The 1957/58 season was the Royals first season in Cincinnati. Interest in the team was created by a draft deal that brought Lakers All-Star Clyde Lovellette to the team. The team then lured guard George King, the former Syracuse starter back from college coaching. Both additions added talent and veteran leadership to a still young squad.The roster included star shooter Jack Twyman, bigman Dick Ricketts, who also pitched in the major leagues, and star swing man Tom Marshall. In their first year in Cincinnati, the Royals ended a 2-year playoff drought by finishing in a tie for 2nd place in the NBA's West Division. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/cincy/cincyroyals.html Cincinnati Royals (1957-1972) ] ] The Royals finished with a record of 33-39. One of the team leaders was Maurice Stokes, who finished second in rebounding with 18.1 rebounds per game. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/cincy/cincyroyals.html Cincinnati Royals (1957-1972) ] ] The 6'8 240-pound Stokes, arguably the NBA's first black superstar, also amazed by rating third in the NBA in assists. Lovellette was fourth in the NBA in scoring, while Twyman led the NBA in shooting accuracy. The entire frontline of Stokes, Lovellette and Twyman were named NBA All-Stars that first season. The team had the makings of a real contender, but the backcourt was debilitated by injuries to Marhsall and King, plus promising Si Green and Johnny McCarthy had been lost to mandatory military service. The team's first-year promise took a tragic turn in mid-March. In the final game of the regular season, played on March 12th, Stokes suffered an injury when his head hit the hardwood floor in a game versus the Minneapolis Lakers. Despite being knocked unconscious, Stokes would play in the playoffs against the Detroit Pistons. On the flight home after losing to the Pistons, Stokes suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital upon landing. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/cincy/cincyroyals.html Cincinnati Royals (1957-1972) ] ] As the Pistons swept the Royals, Stokes lapsed into a coma. It was revealed that Stokes suffered encephalopathy, a traumatic brain injury that damaged his motor control center. The injury would leave Maurice Stokes as a quadriplegic without the ability to speak. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/cincy/cincyroyals.html Cincinnati Royals (1957-1972) ] ] Fellow teammate Jack Twyman would serve as Stokes legal guardian until his death in 1970.The Stokes tragedy would ultimately decimate the team, with six other players not returning for next season. The team was also suddenly sold to local Cincinnati buyers, and coach Bobby Wanzer would also later be replaced. This first year, therefore, stands out from all the Cincinnati teams.

Offseason

NBA Draft

[ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1958_games.html 1957-58 Cincinnati Royals Games - Basketball-Reference.com ] ]

The first Cincinnati Royals game ever was a home game against Syracuse, 10/26/1957, a 110-100 win behind local star Jack Twyman. The team opened to good crowds with home games in their first ten.Nov 7-7, Dec 5-13 with injuries and extra road games, January 11-5, Feb 4-12 with a season-ending injury to Marshall, March 5-2, plus two playoff losses to Detroit, due to the permanent loss of Stokes.

Player stats

"Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average"

Awards and Honors

Maurice Stokes, 2nd in rebounds, 3rd in assists, Second Team All-NBA.Clyde Lovellette, 1st in field goals made, 4th in scoring, 4th in shooting accuracy, Second Team All-NBA.Jack Twyman, 1st in shooting accuracy, NBA All-Star.George King, among top ten in NBA assists.

References

* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1958.html Royals on Basketball Reference]