Introduction and Early Life:
Oscar Palmer Robertson, also known as “the Big O,” is a former American professional basketball player. He played for Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Due to his short height, he played point guard.
Robertson was a 12-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA Team 11 times, and winner of the MVP award in 14 seasons one-time. He was the first player after Russel Westbrook to average a triple-double for the entire season.
Robertson liked playing basketball over baseball. He played tournament basketball in school, where Ray Crowe coached him. He received the title of Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1956. In university, he played for Cincinnati Bearcats. His average score was the third-highest in college history. He had praiseworthy achievements throughout his college career, the most prominent being his selection for the College Player of the Year according to free sports picks websites.
Olympics Career:
In the 1960 Summer Olympics, Robertson and Jerry West captained the U.S. basketball team and won a gold medal. He was the team’s main player and led the team to a 42.4 margin. He played forward and point guard throughout all the nine games of the tournament.
Professional Career with Cincinnati Royals:
The Cincinnati Royals drafted him as a territorial pick in the 1960 NBA draft. The signing bonus he received was a whopping amount of $33,000. In his NBA debut, Robertson recorded 21 points in a 140-123 win against the Lakers. In 1960, he scored 44 points in a 124-115 win against Philadelphia Warriors. He received NBA Rookie of the Year. He was elected to the All-NBA first team and made 12 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. In 1962, he led the Cincinnati Royals in a 134-118 win against the Hawks.
During the 1962-63 season, he proved himself as the greatest player of his generation. In the 1963-64 season, the Royals were second in the Eastern Division. He became the only player apart from Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to win the NBA MVP award. The struggle of the Royals started in the 1964-65 season despite Robertson’s notable performance.
Professional Career with Milwaukee Bucks:
He joined Milwaukee Bucks in the latter part of his career in 1970 and played in the 1970-71 season. He paired up with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and both did wonders for the Bucks. They led the team through a record of 66 wins and 16 losses. It was the best record in the league that year. Robertson played a role in helping the Bucks to win their first and only NBA championship that year. He retired from the Bucks in 1974 but solidified his legacy and added a notable chapter to the Bucks’ history.
Legacy:
He had one of the most remarkable careers in the history of American basketball. The Big O had redefined the role of the basketball guard, laying the foundation for players such as Magic Johnson. No one, however, may match Robertson’s overall greatness. He is listed in top 100 players at a top sportsbook review website.
