Su Fox stood at Coconino High School in Flagstaff, Arizona, observing Wilt Chamberlain, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player who was entering his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain was dressed in a style typical of the era, complete with a standup collar, rhinestone buttons, and white boots.
Fox, the wife of a baseball coach, was there to assist. The presence of the expansion Phoenix Suns in Flagstaff for a matchup against a Lakers team featuring stars like Jerry West and Elgin Baylor was quite significant. Fox couldn’t help but wonder what Chamberlain, who passed away 25 years ago this October, felt as he walked into the small gymnasium. Most likely, he pondered, “How in the world did I end up here?”
On that day, October 2, 1968, Bob Gibson and the Cardinals faced off against Denny McLain and the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the World Series in St. Louis. Meanwhile, in Denver, Broncos coach Lou Saban announced that Marlin Briscoe would make history by starting as the first Black quarterback in the Super Bowl era during Sunday’s AFL game against the Bengals.
A preseason basketball game in Flagstaff barely registered on the radar, yet it offered a glimpse into what the NBA was like 60 years ago, when the league consisted of two divisions and only 14 teams. The evening began with the Suns and Lakers sharing transportation from their hotel to the gym and concluded with Chamberlain, who was traveling back to Phoenix with injured Suns forward David Lattin, changing a flat tire on Interstate 17—an incredible moment that rarely gets told.
In a recent interview, Jerry Colangelo admitted he didn’t recall much about that time. The former Suns general manager, who was just 28 years old then, mostly remembered the chaos of preparing Phoenix for its inaugural NBA season. He thought about aspects like the uniforms, the exhibition schedule that included games in Mesa and Globe, Arizona, and, crucially, the effort to raise awareness about the NBA’s arrival in the desert.
To facilitate this, Suns promotions director Paul Goebel delivered 176 speeches over nine months. He would arrive at work and receive his speaking assignments from secretary Ruthie Dryjanski. “You’re discussing this with a group over breakfast. Then, you’ll meet another group for lunch, and yet another for dinner.” Some audiences mistakenly assumed Goebel was presenting about a newspaper called The Sun. Goebel would courteously clarify, “No, we’re a professional basketball team.”
In August, Colangelo, Goebel, and Suns coach Johnny “Red” Kerr drove north for over two hours to check out the newly opened Coconino High. They were photographed for the local newspaper in Flagstaff, all wearing white short-sleeved shirts and slim ties. For the following six weeks, regional newspapers promoted the upcoming exhibition, although it was apparent that not everyone understood professional basketball.
One publication urged readers to “Come see the NBA stars,” but mistakenly billed it as “The Phoenix Suns vs. The Los Angeles Lopers.”
Many individuals who participated in that Flagstaff game have since passed away, while others are now in their 80s and recall little, if anything, about that night. Preseason exhibitions held in high school gyms were common back then, and memories inevitably fade with the passage of time.
Suns rookie Eddie Biedenbach reminisced about boarding the bus in Phoenix for the journey north and noticing that his teammates wore heavy coats. Given Phoenix’s warm climate, he was perplexed, not realizing that nighttime temperatures in Flagstaff could dip into the 30s during October.
Gary Gregor, another rookie for the Suns, recalled thinking he had played in larger gyms during his high school career in West Virginia. He was particularly thrilled to compete against West, a player he admired in his youth, and to have the chance to see Chamberlain up close. At the University of South Carolina, the 6-foot-7 Gregor had encountered large opponents, but none quite like Chamberlain, who towered at 7-foot-1 and weighed 275 pounds.
Suns guard Dick Snyder had faced Chamberlain, then a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, during his rookie season a couple of years prior. Snyder had played for the St. Louis Hawks, and one night, following a sluggish start, coach Richie Guerin sent him and fellow guard Tommy Kron into the game to apply full-court pressure on Philadelphia. As the Hawks prepared for a free throw, Snyder found himself standing next to Chamberlain and was left stunned.
“Wilt’s upper arms were as big as my thighs,”
Snyder remarked.
This period was quite significant for Chamberlain. Despite having completed nine seasons, the 32-year-old was still in his prime and had secured three consecutive MVP awards.
Following the 1967-68 season, Chamberlain found himself in a peculiar situation—an established superstar with an expired contract. As noted in Robert Cherry’s biography, “Wilt: Larger Than Life,” the towering athlete had requested three things from the 76ers: an annual salary of $250,000, a three-year contract, and ownership equity in the team.
Rumors circulated regarding Chamberlain potentially taking on a player-coach role, but those plans never materialized. On July 9, the 76ers traded Chamberlain to the Lakers in a four-player deal that Chamberlain discreetly helped orchestrate. Sportswriter Jim Murray from the Los Angeles Times drew a parallel between the Chamberlain-West-Baylor trio and a legendary outfield of Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, and Roberto Clemente—an impressive superteam on paper.
However, in Flagstaff, the synergy was absent. In a lackluster game, the Lakers triumphed over the Suns, 107-88, in front of 2,100 spectators. Chamberlain contributed with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Baylor scored 16 points and West added 11. For the Suns, Gail Goodrich and Dick Van Arsdale combined for 30 points, but their shooting performance was particularly poor.
Kerr, the coach of the Phoenix team, attempted to find a silver lining. “Perhaps I’m overly disappointed,” he commented. “After all, this is the team (the Lakers) that’s expected to take it all.”
Lattin had made the drive to Flagstaff alone. Just days prior, the Suns forward had fractured his right hand during an exhibition match against Seattle. Sporting a cast, Lattin watched the game from the Phoenix bench.
As he approached his second season in the NBA, Lattin had previously met Chamberlain at a summer event. Their conversation revolved around Lattin’s time at Texas Western and how the Miners, featuring an all-Black starting five, had triumphed over Kentucky for the national championship—a groundbreaking moment in sports history. Lattin and Chamberlain had maintained their connection, planning to visit the Playboy Club in Phoenix after the Flagstaff exhibition.
Chamberlain, who disliked bus rides, often opted for alternative modes of transport. For instance, after his iconic game when he scored 100 points against the New York Knicks in Hershey, PA, Chamberlain had hitched a ride back to New York—his home at the time—with three Knicks players.
Years later, during an interview with Bob Costas, Chamberlain recounted dozing off during the three-hour journey and waking to hear the Knicks perplexed over how they had allowed him to score 100 points.
On their drive back to Phoenix, Lattin experienced a blowout with a rear tire. He steered his green Cadillac Seville off the interstate and turned to Chamberlain. It was past 10 p.m. and chilly. Lattin reminded Chamberlain of his broken wrist, explaining that he couldn’t change the tire. Chamberlain, who had worked for a tire company during his college days, exited the vehicle. He had encountered this scenario before.
In a 1965 article, Haskell Cohen, the former public relations director of the NBA, recounted a time when he had a flat tire and no jack available. Chamberlain came to his aid.
“Wilt was only 17 then, but he began lifting the back of the car off the ground with his bare hands until I stopped him,” Cohen recalled. “I was worried he might injure himself.”
Cherry’s biography also noted that during Chamberlain’s stint with the Harlem Globetrotters, he would lift both ends of cars for his teammates’ amusement.
In Arizona, however, there was no necessity for superhuman strength—only patience. With Lattin holding a flashlight, the four-time MVP changed the tire. In a recent interview, Lattin mentioned that the Phoenix team bus passed by as Chamberlain worked, but it continued without slowing down.
Later that evening at the Playboy Club, Chamberlain and Lattin stood for a picture with a Playboy bunny. Lattin extended his right arm towards Chamberlain, who held a pen, ready to sign Lattin’s cast. Today, that photograph decorates Lattin’s home.
In Texas, an unforgettable moment from an evening that seems lost in time.
Wilt Chamberlain signing David Lattin’s cast at the Playboy Club in Phoenix, just hours after their exhibition game in Flagstaff, Arizona, in October 1968. (Courtesy of David Lattin)
That season, the Lakers triumphed in the Western Division but fell to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Los Angeles failed to clinch a championship during both playoff seasons that featured Chamberlain, West, and Baylor.
“I’m not diminishing what Baylor, West, and Chamberlain accomplished,” remarked Mel Counts, who was part of both Lakers teams. “They were among the best ever to play the game, yet we didn’t take home any titles. These superstars — may they rest in peace, they are all gone — didn’t secure any championships.”
The Suns, who subsequently held their training camp in Flagstaff, ended their inaugural season with the league’s worst record at 16-66. Over the years, Colangelo, who later served as the chief executive and chairman of the Suns, has frequently been asked about Chamberlain. He shares three anecdotes, blending sincerity with humor.
The first occurred in 1957 when Colangelo signed to play basketball at the University of Kansas, eager to team up with Chamberlain for a chance at a national title. Shortly after Colangelo arrived, Chamberlain announced he would leave school to join the Globetrotters. Without Chamberlain, Colangelo opted to depart Kansas and transfer to Illinois. Upon informing coach Dick Harp of his decision, Harp labeled him a quitter and insisted he would never succeed in life.
The second story unfolded in 1970, during Phoenix’s second season when Colangelo took over as coach after Kerr resigned midseason. The Suns made a strong finish and reached the playoffs. They built a 3-1 series lead over the Lakers in the first round, putting them in a strong position for a significant upset. All they needed was one more victory.
Instead, Chamberlain dominated with averages of 26 points, 22.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists, leading the Lakers to three straight wins to progress. (Goebel, who was a promotions director for the Suns back then, was also a Phoenix high school coach. He recalls the Lakers practicing in his gym, where coach Joe Mullaney lined his players up against a wall, tossing a basketball just above their heads and shouting, “ARE YOU GOING TO LOSE TO THE PHOENIX SUNS?!”)
The third story took place in 1972 during a game against the Suns in Phoenix, where Chamberlain became the first NBA player to hit the milestone of 30,000 career points. Following the game, Colangelo had the task of presenting the game ball to Chamberlain in an on-court ceremony—a man who had let him down during college and frustrated him during his professional career.
Unlike that preseason game in Flagstaff, some moments are indeed harder to forget.
GO DEEPER
NBA 75: At No. 6, Wilt Chamberlain made the impossible ordinary, setting records that might never be broken
(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Getty; Focus on Sport, Frank O’Brien / The Boston Globe)
A Night to Remember: Wilt Chamberlain’s Unexpected Journey to Flagstaff and the Phoenix Suns’ First NBA Season
Introduction
In the annals of NBA history, certain events stand out not just for their impact on the game, but for the stories that surround them. One such tale involves the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and his unexpected journey to Flagstaff, Arizona, during the inaugural season of the Phoenix Suns. This article delves into that unforgettable night, the broader context of the Phoenix Suns’ first season, and how Chamberlain’s presence transformed the basketball landscape.
The Phoenix Suns: A New Dawn in the NBA
Established in 1968, the Phoenix Suns became one of the first NBA teams to emerge in the Western Conference, with a mission to bring professional basketball to the Valley of the Sun. Here’s a brief overview of their inception and early days:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Team Founded |
| 1968-1969 | First NBA Season |
| 1970 | First Playoff Appearance |
| 1976 | Reached NBA Finals |
Wilt Chamberlain: A Basketball Legend
Wilt Chamberlain, often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, dominated the NBA during his career with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Renowned for his scoring ability, rebounding, and athleticism, Chamberlain’s presence on the court was a game-changer. In the 1967-68 season, he was still an active player and a force to be reckoned with, bringing fans excitement wherever he played.
Chamberlain’s Legacy in the NBA
With numerous records to his name, Chamberlain’s impact on basketball extends beyond just statistics:
- Scored 100 points in a single game (1962).
- Led the league in scoring for seven seasons.
- Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979.
The Unexpected Journey to Flagstaff
In the midst of the Suns’ inaugural season, a unique event caught the attention of fans and players alike: Wilt Chamberlain’s visit to Flagstaff, Arizona. This unexpected journey was significant for several reasons, not least because it highlighted the growing interest in basketball in non-traditional markets.
Reasons for Chamberlain’s Visit
Chamberlain’s trip to Flagstaff was initially intended to promote basketball and engage with fans in smaller markets. Here are some key points about this journey:
- Grassroots Engagement: Chamberlain aimed to inspire young athletes and encourage community involvement in sports.
- Media Attention: His presence attracted media coverage that raised awareness of the growing NBA and the Phoenix Suns.
- Basketball Clinics: He conducted clinics that provided young players with skills training and mentorship.
Impact on Local Communities
The visit had a profound impact on the local community in Flagstaff, fostering a love for basketball that continues to resonate today. Here are some benefits:
- Inspiration: Local athletes were motivated to pursue basketball more seriously.
- Community Building: Events brought together families and fans, enhancing community spirit.
- Increased Participation: Youth basketball programs saw a surge in interest following the visit.
The Phoenix Suns’ First Season: A Rollercoaster Ride
The 1968-1969 season was a pivotal year for the Phoenix Suns, filled with ups and downs. Below are some highlights:
- Innovative Coaching: Head Coach Johnny Kerr introduced a fast-paced style of play that engaged fans.
- Key Players: The Suns featured talents such as Dick Van Arsdale and Neal Walk, who played significant roles in the team’s performance.
- Fan Engagement: The Suns made efforts to connect with fans through promotions and community events, setting a foundation for their future success.
Statistics of the First Season
The Phoenix Suns’ inaugural season saw a mix of victories and challenges. Here’s a snapshot of their performance:
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total Wins | 16 |
| Total Losses | 66 |
| Average Points Scored | 103.3 |
| Average Points Allowed | 115.0 |
Chamberlain’s Influence on the Suns
Wilt Chamberlain’s visit to Flagstaff not only left a lasting impression on the community but also influenced the Phoenix Suns in multiple ways:
- Boosted Morale: The excitement generated by his presence lifted the spirits of both players and fans.
- Inspiration for Young Players: His engagement with local youth inspired a generation of basketball players in Arizona.
- Cultural Impact: The event highlighted the importance of basketball in community building and sports development.
First-Hand Experiences and Testimonials
Several attendees of Chamberlain’s Flagstaff visit shared their memories, reflecting on the night’s significance:
Local Coach’s Perspective
A local high school coach recalled, “Having Wilt in our town was a dream come true. He didn’t just teach us skills; he ignited a passion for the game that I still see in my players today.”
A Young Player’s Memory
A former young athlete who attended the clinic stated, “I’ll never forget how he made us feel like we could achieve anything. That night changed my life.”
Conclusion
Chamberlain’s journey to Flagstaff during the Phoenix Suns’ first NBA season remains a significant moment in basketball history. His commitment to promoting the sport, along with the Suns’ efforts to engage with local communities, laid the groundwork for a franchise that has grown into one of the most respected teams in the league. As fans and players alike look back on that unforgettable night, the impact of Wilt Chamberlain’s legacy continues to endure.
