Rick Barry, born in 1944 in New Jersey, arguably one of the twelve greatest basketball players ever to play professional basketball. Was an All-Pro forward for the NBA San Fransisco/Golden State and also the New York Nets of the ABA, 1966-1979. Very athletic player with high stamina who was also a highly-skilled shooter, passer and defender. A college star at the University of Miami ( FL ) in the early-mid 1960's, the 6'7" Barry led the NCAA in scoring and was it's most exciting player. Teamed with star center Nate Thurmond in San Fransisco, Barry led the NBA in scoring and led the Warriors to the NBA Finals in just his second season. Angered at not receiving incentive monies he felt owed for these feats from San Fransisco manager Al Bianchi, Barry sat out his next season and jumped to the ABA for a much larger contract. He easily starred in the less-talented league ,often averaging well-over 30 points per game. He led one of his ABA teams, the Oakland Oaks , to the league championship in 1970. Seeking better competiton and a return to the his old team, Barry returned to the NBA in 1972. In 1976, he led the now-Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship. They nearly repeated, but lost to eventual champion Portland, and it's star Bill Walton, in the West Conference playoffs in 1977. Named one of the 50 Greatest Players Ever by the NBA, Barry is still today considered one of the very best forwards in history. Controversial and outspoken, Barry continues to work in the field of broadcasting, a career he began after retiring from pro basketball. Three of his sons, Brent, Jon, and Drew, have learned from their old man and are players today in the NBA themselves. Brent is a high-flying All-Star with the Seattle Supersonics.
