Читать книгу Indiana University Olympians. From Leroy Samse to Lilly King онлайн

42 страница из 79

Under a new coach, Buddy Jeannette, Bellamy was made captain the next year. Beyond his production—24.8 and 14.6—he led the 37–43 Bullets to the 1965 Western Division finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

After Baltimore traded him, Bellamy helped the Knicks climb out of the cellar and into the playoffs in 1967 and 1968. His presence displaced Willis Reed, a natural center, so the Knicks in turn traded Bellamy and Howard Komives to Detroit for forward Dave DeBusschere.

After the third trade, Bellamy teamed with Walt Hazzard and Lou Hudson to push the Hawks to the 1970 Western Division finals. They were swept by the Lakers 4–0. Bellamy, with “Pistol” Pete Maravich in the backcourt, also made the playoffs in 1971, 1972, and 1973. Bellamy played one game for the Jazz in 1974 and retired at age thirty-five.

His home remained in Atlanta, where his wife, Helen, was a middle school science teacher. He was especially active in the NAACP.

He was a public affairs consultant, four-time delegate to the Democratic National Convention, commissioner of Atlanta’s Police Athletic League, a special events director for a scholarship fund for minority students, a mentor at a local YMCA, a board member for a nursery school, and a member of two African Episcopal Methodist Church boards.