NFT: RIP: Dave The Rave Stallworth of 1970 champion Knicks

Thought he was a damm fine player. However, when we got Earl the Pearl in the trade it was a steal.

He was great at Wichita State and in his first two seasons with the Knicks, then after the two seasons off for heart troubles was more limited as a sub, but still a good one. And always seemed like a great guy, which apparently he was reading the article linked above.

Now those were great teams. Frazier, Monroe, Stallwirth, Reed, Bradley, Debush, Jackson, etc.

and Cazzie Russell were the minutemen - great bench play for the 1970 champions.

Didn't realize that Nate Bowman, another reserve on that team, was a teammate of Stallworth at Wichita State. Both recruited out of Texas at a time when the top southern programs didn't allow black players.

that cost him a year, as Jackson't back cost him the first title year. When Willis was out in the first finals against the Lakers, Stallworth gave it his all against Wilt. He and Riordan did end up going for Earl, and both were key guys. Though I think it was Riordan who stepped out of bounds on the winning basket, that year we lost to the Bullets.

What a sweet 2nd five that was: Cazzie, Stalls, Meminger, Riordan and Bowman.

in games 5 & 6 vs. the Lakers in 1970 and defended, pretty ably against Wilt -- with DeBusschere and Nate Bowman as well.

My buddy and I came into town to watch game 5 on TV (not available outside NYC) and got incredibly lucky when a customer of his provided two tix to game 7.

He blossomed with the Knicks under Holzman.

in the Catskills. Gentle man, ferocious instructor. He used to joke he was so "explosive" because he was taking nitro glycerin pills.

Told us stories about Willis Reed and Elvin Hayes, said Hayes would close his eyes when he blocked shots because the force he hit the ball with would cause the sweat from his arm to get in his eyes.

We're getting old

RIP

maybe Irving Mitchell Felt and Ned Irish will be reincarnated, buy back the Garden and right the Knicks.

from 69-70. Red played his starters almost the entire game with the exception of Cazzie. That's why Stallworth, Riordan, Hosket, May and the rest got that nickname. Pearl and Dean were not on that team. They were part of the 72-73 team when Red played a lot more guys because he had a deeper bench.

Game 5 when Willis got hurt was Stallworth's greatest moment. In game 6 Wilt destroyed him and anyone else the Knicks tried.

If I live to 100 I'll remember that season like it was yesterday. If you were a Knick fan in those days it was magical.

In comment 13396219 arniefez said:

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from 69-70. Red played his starters almost the entire game with the exception of Cazzie. That's why Stallworth, Riordan, Hosket, May and the rest got that nickname. Pearl and Dean were not on that team. They were part of the 72-73 team when Red played a lot more guys because he had a deeper bench. Game 5 when Willis got hurt was Stallworth's greatest moment. In game 6 Wilt destroyed him and anyone else the Knicks tried. If I live to 100 I'll remember that season like it was yesterday. If you were a Knick fan in those days it was magical.

Game 7 was magical. Reed limping on the court at the buzzer (no social media then), the crowd goes wild and he hits his first 2 shots, and the Knicks playing inspired ball and beat the mighty Lakers with Chamberlain, West, Goodrich. I had the same feeling watching that game that I had watching the 1986 Giants win the Super Bowl. Sort of surreal.

When it's written, Willis coming out of the tunnel will be judged the building's greatest moment. Not to be overlooked was Frazier's performance in that game and against West too. Might've been the single greatest game by a Knick. Certainly in the top 3 all time.

And anytime you get a Bill Hosket reference on BBI from another old time Knick fan, it's a good day. RIP Dave, you are remembered fondly and with great appreciation.

In comment 13396331 Frank in Silver Spring said:

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When it's written, Willis coming out of the tunnel will be judged the building's greatest moment. Not to be overlooked was Frazier's performance in that game and against West too. Might've been the single greatest game by a Knick. Certainly in the top 3 all time. And anytime you get a Bill Hosket reference on BBI from another old time Knick fan, it's a good day. RIP Dave, you are remembered fondly and with great appreciation.

Too bad that tunnel no longer exists. It was removed in the latest renovation

at Center against Wilt? Dave "The Rave"Stallworth of course. I can remember the game like it was yesterday. Sitting by my transistor radio (It was blacked out in NY?NJ area), listening to Marv go crazy-he was hoarse by the end of the game. "Stallworth under the basket,around Wilt, up & in. Dave Stallworth w/an unbelievable move against Wilt the Stilt" If it wasn't for Stalls heroics in Game 5, Willis' tunnel appearance & Clyde's unbelievable Game 7 would never have come to fruition & the Knicks would not have won their first championship (Yes younger Knicks fans,they were good once upon a time) RIP Stalls!

Another thing old timers remember is the seat color sequence from the floor (or ice) up. Red, yellow, gold, green and blue.

Bowman, DeB, Memimger and Bowman now gone.

And Stallworth now gone.

In comment 13396846 Frank in Silver Spring said:

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Another thing old timers remember is the seat color sequence from the floor (or ice) up. Red, yellow, gold, green and blue. Bowman, DeB, Memimger and Bowman now gone.

yep. For years I referred to my seats as "the old orange seats" or wherever they were :-)

I once caught a puck from the first row of the red seats. Rangers vs. Blackhawks, I think it was maybe 191-72 season. Bruce McGregor vs. someone from Chicago. Still have the puck going on half a century later. Loved the old Garden.

In comment 13397078 Frank in Silver Spring said:

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I once caught a puck from the first row of the red seats. Rangers vs. Blackhawks, I think it was maybe 191-72 season. Bruce McGregor vs. someone from Chicago. Still have the puck going on half a century later. Loved the old Garden.

Wow! that's a great keepsake. Around the same time frame I was at a Rangers vs. Toronto game in the yellow seats with my father. Some guy jumped out to catch a SCREAMING shot that came up. He caughtit, but he broke his hand! :-)

that is sad, loved Dave the Rave, a warrior
rip, big soul