The Royals were born in Rochester, New York in the mid 1940's and were original members of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team peaked in 1951 when they made it to the NBA Championship to battle the New York Nicks. It was a sensational series with the Royals winning the first three games, then losing the next three. Game seven saw classic basketball with the Nicks fighting back from a 16 point deficit. With only 40 seconds left on the game clock and the score tied, Royals star, Bob Davies was fouled and subsequently sank two free throws. The Royals prevailed 79-75 and were crowned NBA Champions. Unfortunately, the Royals of Rochester never achieved financial success and the NBA pressured Royal's ownership to relocate to a larger city. Jack Twyman, a Royals player and former University of Cincinnati star suggested a move to Cincinnati.
In 1957 the Royals migrated west to the Queen City and took up residence in the Cincinnati Gardens. Royals stars Marice Stokes and Jack Twyman led Cincinnati to the playoffs during their inaugural season. However, tragedy struck during the final regular season game in Minneapolis when Stokes fell and hit his head on the hardwood floor. The result was a traumatic brain injury that left Stokes a quadriplegic and without the ability to speak. The Royals struggled for the next two years finishing last place in their division.
University of Cincinnati star Oscar Robertson joined the Royals in 1960 and immediately made a positive impact on the team. In 1961 he was named NBA Rookie of the year. The "Big O" was a one man wonder, a superstar on the hardwood. He became the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists. Robertson still holds the NBA record for triple doubles in regular season games with an amazing 181. Compare that with Magic Johnson's 138 and Wilt Chamberlain's 78. In 1964 the "Big O" was named most valuable player in the NBA.
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| Jack Twyman, Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas |
The Royals improved further when Middletown High School and Ohio State University star Jerry Lucas joined the team in 1963. He became a top rebounder and in the 1963/64 season, Lucas recorded four 30-rebound games, including a 40-rebound game on February 29, 1964. Lucas is still today the only NBA forward with a 40-rebound game.
The years 1961-1966 were prime-time for the Cincinnati Royals. They had a winning record in each of those five seasons and made it to the playoffs. Furthermore, in 1963 and 1964 the Royals reached the East finals, but couldn't beat Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics dynasty.
A crowning moment for the Cincinnati Royals came on January 11, 1966 when the Cincinnati Gardens hosted the NBA All star game. It was a nationally televised event with the East versus the West; Red Auerbach coached the East and Fred Schaus, the West. Much of the game focused around Cincinnati's previously named All-Stars; Oscar Robertson, the All-Star MVP in 1964, and Jerry Lucas the All-Star MVP in 1965. Both Robertson and Lucas played for the East along with their Royal's teammate Adrian Smith, who Red Auerbach named as a reserve player. All Star players for the East also included the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, John Havlicek and Bill Russell. The Cincinnati crowd of 13,653 rallied behind the East who won handily 137 to 94. Adrian Smith of the Royals scored 24 points for the East and was named the Most Valuable Player for 1966. The NBA recognized his performance by rewarding him with a Ford Galaxie 500 convertible.
After 1966, it was mostly downhill for the Royals. It was season after season that ended with a losing record. Jack Twyman retired in 1966, Jerry Lucas was traded to San Francisco in 1969 and in 1970 the Big O was sent to Milwaukee. Professional basketball and the NBA was growing, but attendance in Cincinnati was on the decline. The NBA signed a network television contract with ABC and there was a move of teams to larger markets. The Royals, who were losing money, were courted by other cities who promised new public funded arenas and hefty profits. In March of 1972 Royals owners announced that the team would move to Kansas City. Shortly thereafter on March 23, 1972, the Cincinnati Royals won their final game against the Baltimore Bullets 132- 114 before a Gardens crowd of 4,022 and said good bye to the Queen City.
The Royals, renamed the Kings, played in Kansas City until 1985. From there they moved to Sacramento California. The Sacramento Kings continue the Royal tradition, but an NBA championship has eluded them. In retrospect, Cincinnati, like Rochester, was a step along the way for the NBA and professional basketball. The Royals played in Cincinnati when the game of professional basketball was coming of age. The Gardens fit like a royal glove and locals had the good fortune and pleasure to watch hall of famers Jack Twyman, Jerry Lucas and one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Oscar Robertson. It was fun while it lasted and memories will forever remain etched in the history of the Queen City.
1966 NBA ALL STAR GAME HIGHLIGHTS Talking about 1966 All Star MVP, Adrian Smith
Share your memories of the Royals at the Cincinnati Gardens. Email: dwittkamp@cinci.rr.com
Share your memories of the Royals at the Cincinnati Gardens. Email: dwittkamp@cinci.rr.com
