Dick Barnett
From Hoopedia
Dr. Richard "Dick" Barnett (born October 2, 1936 in Gary, Indiana) is a former pro basketball player. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA (1959-74), but is mostly known for his 9 seasons with the New York Knicks. Barnett played in the 1968 NBA All-Star Game and was a part of the famous 1970 Knicks team that won the NBA championship against the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 15,358 regular season points in his career.
Playing Career
Barnett starred at Gary Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana. He and teammate Wilson Eison led the Rough Riders to the 1955 state championship game, only to lose to the invincible Indianapolis Crispus Attucks team led by Oscar Robertson.
A three-time All-America player at Tennessee State University, Dick Barnett led his team to three consecutive NAIA national championships for Hall of Fame Coach John McLendon. Barnett was named championship MVP in 1958 and 1959.
Barnett was the fourth pick of the first round of the 1959 NBA Draft, the top choice of the Syracuse Nationals. He played two seasons with the Nationals before moving over to the Cleveland Pipers (owned by George Steinbrenner) of the newly-formed American Basketball League. He led the Pipers to the 1961-62 league championship; the only season completed by the upstart league.
In 1962 Barnett returned to the NBA, playing with the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons. He played on two NBA championship teams with the New York Knicks in 1969-70 and 1972-73. He played in the NBA for 14 seasons averaging 15.8 PPG.
Barnett's most recognizable playing feature was the way he kicked both legs back as he took his jump shot. His shot is sometimes referred to as a "question mark jump shot." He was famous for saying "Fall back, baby," which his teammates knew meant "This jump shot is good, so get back on defense."
Post-Playing Career
Barnett was an assistant coach to the New York Knicks' Red Holzman after his playing days concluded.
Dick Barnett earned a Masters in Public Administration degree at NYU while playing for the Knicks. After retiring from basketball he earned a doctorate in education from Fordham University. He has taught Sports Management at St. John's University in New York. Dr. Barnett is now President of ARM, the Athletic Role Model Educational Institute, a non-profit organization with a focus on education for at risk students in the educational process.
Tennessee State University retired Richard "Dick the Skull" Barnett's jersey in 2006. Barnett is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
