George Gervin - Smooth. Graceful. Creative. Unstoppable. As a basketball player, George "Iceman" Gervin could use those four adjectives to describe his game, but, no pun intended, they would be the tip of the "iceberg." Gervin was one of basketball's most electrifying and scintillating players, a talent that doesn't often grace the hardwood. Many basketball observers suggest that the key to Gervin's success at the collegiate and professional level can be traced back to high school. As a scrawny 5-foot-8 sophomore, Gervin barely made the jayvee team. In order to improve his game, Gervin would spend his nights shooting baskets in a gym by himself. here was a hitch: before Gervin could use the gymnasium, the school janitor made him sweep the floor.
That passion and desire and willingness to succeed¾combined with extraordinary athletic ability and God-given talents¾made Gervin a player whose talent and knack for scoring seemingly anytime he wanted, will be discussion for ages to come.
In winning the closest individual scoring race in NBA history on April 9, 1978, against fellow Hall of Famer David Thompson, the "Iceman" established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in his era. In the final game of the season, Gervin scored 63 points to nip Thompson by just .06 points. One of only three players in NBA history to win four or more league scoring titles (1978, 1979, 1980, 1982), Gervin enraptured fans for 14 ABA/NBA seasons with the Virginia Squires (1972-74), San Antonio Spurs (1974-85) and Chicago Bulls (1985-86).
Whether he was laying in a sweet finger roll over a center in the paint or spotting up for a long jumper in the face of a guard, Gervin always found a way to put the ball in the basket. An All-Star in 12 of 14 seasons (three ABA, nine NBA), Gervin's total of 20,708 career points placed him 19th best on the NBA's all-time scoring list. His career scoring average of 26.2 ppg ranks sixth best on the NBA's all-time list and his combined ABA and NBA career point total of 26,595 ranks eighth best in basketball history. Among guards, Gervin's combined point total places him second behind Oscar Robertson.
The San Antonio Spurs' all-time leader in points, games played, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, and steals, Gervin is one of seven players to score 2,000 points in six consecutive NBA seasons (1977-78 to 1982-83). The MVP of the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, Gervin's scoring talents guided the Spurs to five Divisional titles in nine years. A five-time All-NBA First Team selection (1978-82), Gervin spent two years at Eastern Michigan, where he earned All-America honors following his sophomore season.
