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Former NBA player Earl Lloyd made history in 1950

By Jason Jones, McClatchy Newspapers, Source: MCT News Service

Earl Lloyd could be called a pioneer. But one thing you wouldn't call the first black to play in an NBA game is self-centered.

Lloyd made his debut Oct. 31, 1950, with the Washington Capitols against Rochester Royals. But as Black History Month comes to a close, Lloyd credits the Boston Celtics for making his NBA dream a reality.

Lloyd was a ninth-round draft choice of the Capitols in 1950. The Celtics made Chuck Cooper the first black player drafted by taking him in the second round the same year. In all, four blacks played in the NBA that season. Lloyd said a "scheduling quirk" shouldn't diminish Cooper's place in history. Cooper made his debut with the Celtics the following night.

"You would have never convinced me that if the Celtics would not have taken Chuck in the second round they would not have taken me in the ninth round," Lloyd said in a phone interview from his home in Crossville, Tenn. "I don't believe they would have, I really don't. Chuck, his day should not be demeaned in any way."

Nevertheless, history will forever remember Lloyd as the first to play. He played in seven games before the team folded and he went to the Army.

Lloyd would later be claimed off waivers by the Syracuse Nationals and eventually win an NBA Championship with the Nationals in 1955. He played nine seasons, likening himself to Bruce Bowen.

Lloyd, 81, was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, as a contributor.

Lloyd recounts his experiences in the NBA in his book "Moonfixer: The Basketball Journey of Earl Lloyd." Encouraged for years to share his experiences, Lloyd's memoir was released last fall.

"I guess what I was saying in this book without saying it is don't let someone tell you what you cannot do," Lloyd said. "You cannot buy into people's hate."

Lloyd starred at West Virginia State before being drafted by the Capitols. Even though he was playing in the nation's capital, Lloyd wasn't precluded from the racism of the times.

"It was bad," Lloyd recalled. "Sitting up the in the balcony watching movies, segregated restaurants. It was easier for me probably than Chuck for one reason. Chuck was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I was born in Virginia _ Alexandria, the cradle of the confederacy."

Lloyd understood he was more than just a basketball player. His every move would be watched.

Being a good person was just as important as being a good player. Character issues could cost today's prospects a lot of money.

But a problem with Lloyd in the 1950s could have meant an entire generation of black players might not have the chance to play at the highest level.

While many of today's players bemoaned the player dress code, Lloyd always wore a coat and tie because he said he didn't want to give anything but the best impression.

"Nobody had to tell me I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders," Lloyd said.

That meant handling even the most insulting of situations with grace.

While out with a teammate at a restaurant that was nearly empty, Lloyd was informed of the eatery's policy.

"They said 'we don't serve coloreds,'" Lloyd said. "I said we don't have a problem, we don't eat them."

Lloyd also has a humorous way to explain how he got into coaching at the urging of Dick McGuire.

First he had to stop playing for the Detroit Pistons.

"Our second exhibition game was against the Philadelphia Warriors with Wilt (Chamberlain)," Lloyd said. "And I told him, it's over. He took what I thought was a gut-wrenching decision into a no brainer. By halftime I had my street clothes on coaching."

Lloyd credits McGuire and then Detroit owner Fred Lomas for the opportunity to coach. Lloyd coached the Pistons, compiling a 22-55 record from 1971-73.

Lloyd had the misfortune of losing Hall of Fame guard Dave Bing during the 71-72 season to an eye injury. But as he reflected on his time, he expressed nothing but gratitude over his journey.

He enjoys watching today's NBA. He's fond of players like Bowen _ key players to title teams that accept their roles _ along with Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal.

Lloyd loved that Barkley excelled as an undersized power forward and admires O'Neal infectious personality.

"I've had a good run," Lloyd said. "These kids, some oldtimers really criticize them. In this capitalistic society we've been taught a fat salary is what the market will bear. These players have to get what they can get because he can go up and get one rebound and it's over."

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(c) 2010, The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.).

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.