1 reference. [6], He is one of only 13 athletes to have played in both the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Jul 1, 1974 - Dave DeBusschere, previously with the New York Knicks, became a free agent. We were honored that the DeBusscheres have asked their family and friends for memorial gifts to their Dad's scholarship fund, instead of flowers, Gaither said. He was reportedly unhappy that Chicago hadnt kept him on the major league roster that spring. Today, Willis asked me to speak for him, for Clyde, Earl and all the Knicks who loved Dave. playoffs by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division finals. Dave DeBusschere was born on October 16, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. ', Illustrator of the Year, British Book Awards - 2018, Tina Fey: 'Only in comedy is an obedient white girl from the suburbs a diversity candidate', Kennedy Center Mark Twain Award - 2010, Sacha Baron Cohen: 'Just think what Goebbels might have done with Facebook', Anti Defamation League Leadership Award - 2019, Greta Thunberg: 'How dare you', UN Climate Action Summit - 2019, Charlie Munger: 'The Psychology of Human Misjudgment', Harvard University - 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell: 'The original sin of this country is that we invaders shot and murdered our way across the land killing every Native American that we could', The Last Word, 'Dakota' - 2016. In 1962, he signed with the Chicago White Sox as a free agent. The players and the teams, the rules and style of play have all changed, but the sharpness of his insights never diminished. I admired him and his dedication.". DeBusschere was a folk hero in that city, where he grew up and starred at baseball as well as basketball. When I saw the newspaper stories after Dave's death, one photo caught my eye. I always looked forward to our one-on-one lunches, our dinners with Ernestine and the irrepressible Geri, our family visits to Long Island, and on occasion a game like the one last spring when Willis, Dave, Earl and I went to New Jersey for a Lakers/Nets playoff game with loyalties split between Willis's Nets and Phil's Lakers. DeBusschere had a heart attack on a street in Lower Manhattan and died at New York University Downtown Hospital, a spokesman for Madison Square Garden said. Over the years, DeBusscheres talents were coveted by a number of teams, but the New York Knicks were more persistent than most. Bucking tradition, DeBusschere decided to try his hand at both sports. Dave, his face drawn from the long season; and Willis, with his brow furrowed, and heating packs on each knee. 22 jersey was retired by the Knicks, though not until many years later; it is thought the delay was due to his taking a front office job with the rival New York Nets of the American Basketball Association upon his retirement. No pretense. The next year he was traded to the Knicks. Some of the most moving and brilliant speeches ever made occur at funerals. Full Site Menu. If Bush or Madonna or Rockefeller walked into a bar, I bet he'd barely look up from the beer he was sharing with a friend. David Albert DeBusschere was an American professional National Basketball Association player and coach and Major League Baseball player. Dave DeBusschere. David Albert DeBusschere is part of the Silent Generation, which followed after the G.I. DeBusschere was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983. DeBusschere averaged 16.1 points a game for his pro career and pulled down 9,618 rebounds. Dave Debusschere American ex-basketball player and coach Birthday: October 16, 1940 Birthplace: Death Date: May 14, 2003 : 62 years old : Libra About Dave Debusschere Dave Debusschere [David Albert DeBusschere] is famed for his remarkable achievements in big-league American Sports. All rights reserved. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons from 1962 through 1968 and for the New York . DeBusschere was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as a territorial pick -- outside of the regular N.B.A. He was 62. . As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. One night, Dave caught an elbow in the face that broke his nose. - YouTube 0:00 / 2:19 Dave Debusschere Career Highlights - KNICKS LEGEND! Together they set the character tone for the team in a kind of shared leadership that rarely needed words. In the nonverbal world of basketball, it's like grace and beauty and ease, and it spills into all areas of your life. In contrast to Frazier and Bradley, DeBusschere was a regular guy a plain-spoken working stiff who enjoyed drinking beers in the locker room after games. And as a player all I could look backward on was six years of losing. Power Forward and Small Forward We were roommates on the road for six years. 3.3K views. A hard-nosed, tenacious forward, DeBusschere was one of the game's all-time best defenders. I always knew he was an outstanding player, but not this good. He was 62. While a member of the Pistons, DeBusschere appeared as himself on the April 29, 1963 episode of the game show To Tell the Truth. No excuses. Playing every game in the rookie season, he compiled 1,018 points, 694 total rebounds and 207 assists and was named to . AKA David Albert DeBusschere. Gerri DeBusschere, wife of the legendary NBA basketball great and former Titan All-American Dave DeBusschere, passed away last week after her courageous battle with cancer. "As a player, coach, general manager, and ABA commissioner, Dave DeBusschere was a winner," NBA commissioner David Stern said. 7441173. subject named as. The Nets, who were defending champions, were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs that season. Team 22 22 SUMMARY Career G 875 PTS 16.1 TRB 11.0 AST 2.9 FG% 43.2 FT% 69.9 PER 15.5 WS 60.8 Dave DeBusschere. "He finally made the choice to go to the NBA, but he was a rare two-sport athlete," McCraw said. He was also a force on the glass and knew how to get in good positions to secure rebounds. Ruling Planet: Dave Debusschere had a ruling planet of Venus and has a ruling planet of Venus and by astrological associations Friday is ruled by Venus. As a rookie, he averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Rookie Team. Rarely can words express it. display: none; DeBusscheres muscle and his rebounding prowess at the power forward position allowed the Knicks to play sharp-shooting Cazzie Russell and to use finesse player Bill Bradley at the other forward spot. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, 5 stats to know for 76ers-Bucks matchup on ABC, Brooks suspended after receiving 16th technical foul, Grizzlies' Clarke (torn achilles) out indefinitely, Ja issues apology, will miss 'at least' 2 games, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points. Dave, his face drawn from the long season; and Willis, with his brow furrowed, and heating packs on each knee. Colleges everywhere beckoned, but DeBusschere stayed home and attended the University of Detroit. All of a sudden, DeBusschere starts up. You dont realize how good a guy is until you see him play every night., Former Hawks coach Richie Guerin shared Holzmans high opinion of DeBusschere: Dave is one of the 10 best forwards I have ever seen play basketball, and he just may be one of the five or six best I have ever seen.. During the 19681969 season, DeBusschere was traded to the New York Knicks for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives. His teams went 79-143 before he was replaced late in the 1966-67 season by Donnis Butcher. In 1969-70, the talent-laden Knicks found themselves in the national spotlight. Although he battled for many of his points under the basket, he also proved that he could score with a good, if inconsistent, long-range shot. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? The world seems like a diminished place today for me, for his family, for hundreds of his friends and thousands of his fans., The Knicks issued a statement that read in part: Dave DeBusscheres character off the court eclipsed even his most celebrated on-court heroics. ", "Dave DeBusschere was someone for whom I have always had the utmost respect, not only as a basketball player but as a great human being," said Baylor, now general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers. He was an actor, known for The Cosby Show (1984), The Joe Namath Show (1969) and New Jersey Turnpikes (1999). 0 references. DeBusschere broke his leg and played in only 15 games and Detroit managed only 23 wins. He hated phonies. He snagged a $75,000 signing bonus from the Chicago White Sox and received a $15,000 contract from the Detroit Pistons, who had claimed him as a territorial draft pick. He was also the youngest player-coach ever (23 w/Det), a MLB pitcher, and the ABA's last commissioner. The Knicks had high hopes that DeBusschere would prove solidify their frontcourt and shore up a run to the title. Who are the richest people in the world? It turned out he was right. Or write about sports? When the Knicks had Bellamy at center, they were forced to use Reed at forward, where his strengths were sometimes minimized by playing away from the basket. He was one of the rare two-pro sport players before giving up baseball after the 1963 season. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. He was the picture of good health, he never complained about anything.. Reed, injured and expected to watch from the sidelines, electrified players and viewers alike when he took the court at Madison Square Garden at the start of the game. DeBusschere had a heart attack on a street in Lower Manhattan and died at New York University Downtown Hospital, a spokesman for Madison Square Garden said. DeBusschere was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. Dave DeBusschere died on May 14, 2003 at the age of 62. #inline-recirc-item--id-92bd021e-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { Dave DeBusschere was born on October 16, 1940 and died on May 14, 2003. During the 1962-63 season, he averaged 12.7 ppg and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Team. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. DeBusschere was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 after a 12-year career (19621974) in which he averaged 16.1 points and 11 rebounds while being named to eight NBA All-Star teams. He was like a brother to me.". he still wouldn't wake up, but the snoring would stop. He pitched for two seasons for the White Sox, going 3-4 in 36 games. When coach DeBusschere asked the general managers of other teams which Pistons they would trade for, the answer was always the same: You.. Dave DeBusschere, the defensive cornerstone of two championship New York Knicks teams who also was the National Basketball Association's youngest coach and the last commissioner of the rival . The 40s also brought us the Slinky, Velcro, Jeep, Tupperware and Frisbee. Eager to revamp the club, he wanted new players, and DeBusschere was the teams most marketable star. '', ''Dave was the strong, silent type,'' Phil Jackson, the Los Angeles Lakers' coach and DeBusschere's former Knicks teammate, wrote in ''Maverick''(Playboy Press, 1975). During the playoffs they shut down the Baltimore Bullets in seven games, then blew past the Milwaukee Bucks and Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in five games to face the Los Angeles Lakers in The Finals. Birthday: October 16, 1940 Date of Death: May 14, 2003 Age at Death: 62. He averaged 24 points a game in basketball, helping Detroit reach the National Invitation Tournament twice and the N.C.A.A. The Knicks won the first N.B.A. Detroit Pistons, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 1962 NBA Draft (territorial selection), Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1983 (Full List), More Dave DeBusschere pages at Sports Reference. Dave DeBusschere's net worth was about $1.5 million. After DeBusschere was fired in 1986, he was in and out of the public eye, being named to the top 50 players in the NBA's history in 1996. The scholarship provides support to two worthy Titan student-athletes. He was an actor, known for The Cosby Show (1984), The Joe Namath Show (1969) and New Jersey Turnpikes (1999). He still holds the all-time Titan records for career scoring average (24.8 ppg) and total rebounds (1,552) and remains the third-leading scorer (1,985) in school history as well. 2011-08-12 17:55:13. The eight-time All-Star, who helped the. He continued to be a double-double machine for the Knicks, and in 1970, DeBusschere was a part of the Knicks team that won the NBA Finals as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. Rival players knew they were in for a hard nights work when they faced him. But, there he was, ready to go, when the buzzer sounded--with a strip of plastic over his nose, held in place by white adhesive tape forming an ``H'' above and below his eyes. Anyone can read what you share. Finally I'd get out of bed, put my hands on his back and push him over on his side. He also starred as a pitcher for the Titans baseball team, which played in three NCAA tournaments. In 1968, he was traded to the Knicks and immediately fit in on a team that would win the 1970 and 1973 championships. We present them here for purely educational purposes. The Pistons also struggled, finishing 23-59 and missing the playoffs. Family (1) October 16, 16. But he could also hit a long-range jumper --. In college, he led the University of Detroit to three NCAA tournament berths as a pitcher. There was a time when I'd slept in a room with Dave DeBusschere more than I had with my wife. New York City. Although DeBusschere began the 1964-65 campaign healthy, the team limped through a poor start. You get to know someone when you're with him that much. Dave DeBusschere. #inline-recirc-item--id-92bd021e-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-92bd021e-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { We're not rats', Rectorial address, Glasgow University - 1972, For Geoffrey Tozer: 'I have to say we all let him down', by Paul Keating - 2009, for James Baldwin: 'Jimmy. The moment I heard the news last Wednesday, it was as if a lightning bolt hit my heart. On May 14, 2003, he collapsed while walking in Lower. In May 2003, DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital. He helped bring about the merger between the NBA and the ABA that year. He was previously married to Geri Warnock. But he also prized elements not reflected in the box score, particularly defensive play. David Albert DeBusschere 194010162003514 NBA 1962NBA NBA 1 2 3 4 [ ] Special to ESPN.com. Dave DeBusschere's death shocked his old friends and teammates because he always seemed so indestructible, a rugged rebounder and the defensive conscience of two New York Knicks championship teams. He finished his career averaging 16.1 points and 11 rebounds. He was a pitcher for the White Sox from 1962 to 1963. Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere died Wednesday of a heart attack. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. But Vecsey also wrote of a dark side, which I'm not convinced was necessary for him to do so, though it's worth mentioning for the purposes of this piece. Join our linker program. after the 1975-76 season. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons from 1962 through 1968 and for the New York Knicks from 1968 to 1974. We could hear him shout. He was also the head coach for the Pistons from 1964 through 1967. With the notable exception of himself, his Detroit teams were handicapped by a lack of talent. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He did not have any siblings. DeBusschere, who later was the vice president of the Nets and Knicks, as well as serving as the last commissioner of the old American Basketball Association, was walking from his office at a downtown real estate firm to a restaurant, accompanied by his son Dennis, around 12:30 p.m. As we were coming out of the water, we found a lone man, laying on a towel. DeBusschere was the first Titan ever to average more than 20 points in three consecutive college seasons (just tied by Antoine Davis this past year . He missed most of the second season due to injury and only played in 15 games. And he was masterful at sliding past his man to tap in an offensive rebound. Pallbearers. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? He was your prototypical power forward in the days before such a term was coined. This answer is: It's been a long time since the Knicks were champions and I roomed with Dave. The strengths of this sign are being cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social, while weaknesses can be indecisive, holding a grudge and self-pity. The Dave DeBusschere trades and transactions seen below include all known instances where Dave DeBusschere has been involved in a trade or transaction of any type as it relates to baseball. Edit your search or learn more. He was relieved of his coaching duties in 1967. } 2011-08-12 17:55:10. Chaminade Flyers Basketball Retweeted. Dave Debusschere was a Libra and was born in the Silent Generation. Inexperience and youth probably limited his effectiveness DeBusschere was barely 18 months out of college when he assumed coaching duties. DeBusschere once described himself as having been ''on the brink of senility by pro basketball standards'' when the trade was made, but he provided a key element for the Knicks. 2003 The Associated Press. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. A defensive catalyst, DeBusschere put his coaching experience to good use for New York, leading a smart, cagey Knicks unit that sacrificed individual achievements for team goals. ``I saw them! An American. He may have looked like a bruiser, but he was smart, analytical and cool-headed on the court. It was my second year in the NBA. It was a relief to give up coaching, he later toldNewsday. He played from 1962 to 1974. Dave DeBusschere was born on October 16, 1940. Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947. Live. I spoke at Peter's college graduation. The heart and soul of the 1970s Knicks, DeBusschere was a defensive stopper who could take the air out of opponents with his physical brand of ball. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund at University of Detroit Mercy, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI , 48221. Knick legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere collapsed in the street and died yesterday of an apparent heart attack, authorities said. I didnt realize he was as good as he was until we got him, Holzman said. 22 jersey was retired in special ceremonies in 1978. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Dave Debusschere was born in 1940s. Discover Dave DeBusschere's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 'Guys, I'll tell you something. > Archive 75: Dave DeBusschere | 75 Stories: Dave DeBusschere. DeBusschere was on his way to Michaels of Broadway restaurant where he was a regular to lunch with Larry DiGarbo, a consultant. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in the league's first half-century. Dave DeBusschere played 12 seasons for the Knicks and Pistons. A year later, he became the ABAs commissioner for the 1975-76 season. As a coach I was very frustrated, losing all the time, he said. DeBusschere, who lived in Garden City, was survived by his wife, Gerri (who died of cancer in 2009),[15] sons Peter and Dennis, and daughter Michelle. I can remember those nights on the road in late February. The championship round was pure drama. } "He will be missed by all of us who knew him so well. You brought all these things to the many lives you touched. An 8-time All-Star, Dave DeBusschere was a defensive stopper and keyed the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and '73. May 14, 2003 - Dave DeBusschere passed away. The scholarship provides support to two student-athletes that must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have shown exceptional leadership skills. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:46PM. People say to me: How come you play him so long? I say because he does a hell of a rebounding job for us, a hell of a job on defense for us.. If Walt Frazier was the flash and dash of those old Knicks and Willis Reed was the rock hard presence in the middle, then DeBusschere was final piece of the puzzle, the man who did the defensive dirty work. If he can get the rebounds and play good defense, we got the other guys on this team who can shoot. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons from 1962 through 1968 and for the New York Knicks from 1968 to 1974. Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. He averaged 16.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 875 regular-season games. He was 62. All Rights Reserved. 9 October 2017. place of death. Until last Wednesday, one of the most enjoyable things in life was talking basketball with Dave DeBusschere. How many seasons did Dave DeBusschere play? 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. "He was the final piece of the puzzle.". DeBusschere was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "He was a hard-nosed, blue-collar hero who gave all of his considerable energy to our game. Championship teams share a moment that few other people know. Please check back soon for updates. The Hall of Famer became the assistant coach and director of basketball operation of the Knicks during the 1980s. 11.01.09. Big D is a nickname for Dave DeBusschere. DeBusschere was selected by the Detroit Pistons in 1962 NBA draft as a territorial draft selection. People born under this sign are energetic and excitable. Big D was an 8x All-Star, 2x Champ ('70/73 NYK), one of the best defensive forwards ever, plus an ahead-of-his-time outside shooter. ''I remember it really raining. DeBusschere retired as a player in 1974, and his no. '', Dave DeBusschere, 62, Relentless Forward On Knicks' Championship Teams, Is Dead, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/15/sports/dave-debusschere-62-relentless-forward-on-knicks-championship-teams-is-dead.html. The 13 are: Danny Ainge, Frank Baumholtz, Hank Biasatti, Gene Conley, Chuck Connors, DeBusschere, Dick Groat, Steve Hamilton, Mark Hendrickson, Cotton Nash, Ron Reed, Dick Ricketts and Howie Schultz.[7][8][9][10]. In 22 career at-bats, he had only one hit, a single off Bennie Daniels on July 17, 1963. baseball tournament berths. Buried: St. Joseph Church Cemetery, Garden City, NY High School: Austin Catholic HS (Detroit, MI) School: University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, MI) . "His strength, dedication and modesty lay at the core of our great Knick teams. DeBusschere also displayed uncommon maturity for a rookie. Wait til my family sees this!'' DeBusschere often said that he learned a great deal about basketball from his experience as a coach but that he found it burdensome. He was 62 years of age. From 1966 to 1968, he made the All-Star team as a member of the Pistons and during the 1966-67 season, he averaged a career-high in points (18.2) and averaged 11.8 rebounds. Dave DeBusschere, the Hall of Fame forward whose tenacious defensive play, rebounding prowess and timely scoring helped propel the Knicks to their only two N.B.A. Colleges everywhere beckoned, but DeBusschere stayed home and attended the. Dave DeBusschere was born in Detroit, Michigan. In May 2003, Dave DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital. He seemed to say, ``What's the point of achieving anything in basketball if you can't share it?''