The 1 and Solely … Knick to ever lead the NBA in rebounding
Harry Gallatin
The Time: 1953-54 season
The Background
Gallatin joined the Knicks in 1948, once they have been nonetheless a member of the Basketball Affiliation of America, and made seven All-Star Recreation appearances in his 9 years with the group earlier than ending his profession with the Pistons in 1957-58. Dubbed “The Horse,” Gallatin averaged a double-double his final eight years in professional ball. He additionally performed minor league baseball within the Cubs’ and Reds’ organizations.
The Skinny
As his nickname hints, Gallatin was not. He was simply 6-foot-6 however was a robust 225 kilos and recurrently fought (and gained) battles beneath the boards with the likes of George Mikan and Dolph Schayes. Gallatin was a centerpiece of Knicks groups that reached three straight Finals from 1951-53, shedding twice to Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers and as soon as to the Rochester Royals. His 15.three rebounds per sport in 1953-54 was virtually a full board higher than runner-up Mikan.
The Others Who Got here Closest
Remarkably, Gallatin’s 1954-55 follow-up season was the one time one other Knick completed as excessive as runner-up within the rebounding class, when he completed behind Philadelphia’s Neil Johnston. Willis Reed and Patrick Ewing by no means even completed within the prime three, although David Lee was third in 2009 (11.7), one-tenth of a rebound per sport behind Troy Murphy (and a pair of.1 behind Dwight Howard).
The Quote
“Competitors has all the time been my cup of tea. And to me, there isn’t a fiercer competitors than when there’s three or 4 individuals going for a rebound and also you come down with it. That’s awfully satisfying to me.” — Gallatin, in 1954
The Aftermath
Gallatin was inducted into the Naismith Corridor of Fame in 1991, and for years old-time Knicks followers have clamored that his No. 11 jersey deserves to sit down within the rafters with the remainder of the Knicks’ legends. He served as basketball coach at Southern Illinois after retiring, however left to educate the NBA’s St. Louis Hawks a yr earlier than the Knicks’ most well-known Saluki, Walt Frazier, was recruited there.
The Legacy
Gallatin grabbed 33 rebounds in opposition to the Fort Wayne Pistons on March 15, 1953, a single-game Knicks report that also stands (later matched by Willis Reed). No load-management for the Horse, both: He performed in 746 consecutive video games, additionally a group report.