George McGinnis, the multi-time All-Star who played 11 seasons in the ABA and NBA, passed away last week at the age of 73, writes Harvey Araton for The New York Times. 

McGinnis was a superb basketball star who played a crucial role in the Indiana Pacers winning back-to-back ABA championships in 1972 and 1973, winning the ABA Playoffs MVP the latter year.

His basketball journey in Indiana dated back to his high school and college days.

McGinnis was an athletic 6’8” power forward with an effective game both around the basket and away from it with his unorthodox midrange jumper. 

“Big guys in my era couldn’t handle the ball,” he said in a 2017 interview before getting inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “But I could dribble with my left hand, my right hand and take guys outside.”

After four seasons with the Pacers, McGinnis joined the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975. He made two of his three All-Star game appearances with the Sixers.

“George was the turnaround factor in pro basketball in this town,” Pat Williams, the team’s general manager, told Sports Illustrated in 1982.

McGinnis played three seasons with the Sixers before a trade to the Denver Nuggets. He retired in 1982.

Read more about George McGinnis’ legacy at The New York Times.

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