@_BrianReichert. They know what it takes to get through a long season, to recover from a loss, to pull out a win when you're hurt or tired. UDM athletic director Keri Gaither and senior associate athletic director Daron Montgomery are attending Mrs. DeBusschere's funeral on behalf of Titan Athletics. DeBusscheres college alma mater, University of Detroit Mercy, decided to honor him and created the Dave DeBusschere scholarship in 2003. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest NBA players of All-Time. If I had $100 for every night Dave played hurt, I could buy a nice car. It was a relief to give up coaching, he later toldNewsday. As a coach I was very frustrated, losing all the time, he said. cause of death. Dave Debusschere Birthday: October 16, 1940 (62 years) Died: May 14, 2003 (19 years Ago) HomeTown: Detroit, Michigan, United States Dave Debusschere is an American forward who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame. In the early 1960s, basketball didnt match the popularity of the diamond. Over the years, DeBusscheres talents were coveted by a number of teams, but the New York Knicks were more persistent than most. He snagged a $75,000 signing bonus from the Chicago White Sox and received a $15,000 contract from the Detroit Pistons, who had claimed him as a territorial draft pick. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The dark-haired, rugged-looking DeBusschere roamed the hardwood with a determined grimace, a set jaw, and a jersey drenched with perspiration. I always knew he was an outstanding player, but not this good. Dave, his face drawn from the long season; and Willis, with his brow furrowed, and heating packs on each knee. However, this stint as coach was not successful and he became a full-time player. In 1968, he was traded to the Knicks and immediately fit in on a team that would win the 1970 and 1973 championships. Visitation and the funeral are scheduled for today and tomorrow in Westhampton Beach, NY. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, 5 stats to know for 76ers-Bucks matchup on ABC, Brooks suspended after receiving 16th technical foul, Grizzlies' Clarke (torn achilles) out indefinitely, Ja issues apology, will miss 'at least' 2 games, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points. At the age of 24, Dave DeBusschere made the remarkable transition to Player/Coach for the Detroit Pistons. I think the fans loved Dave because they sensed what his teammates already knew: he was the real thing. We're not rats', Rectorial address, Glasgow University - 1972, For Geoffrey Tozer: 'I have to say we all let him down', by Paul Keating - 2009, for James Baldwin: 'Jimmy. He was a 1963 All-Rookie Team selection and played for the Pistons until being traded to New York in 1968. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. }, First published on May 15, 2003 / 3:37 AM. During the 1968-69 season, he was traded to the New York Knicks after playing 29 games with the Pistons. I spoke at Peter's college graduation. "To be able to do both of them at the major league level, I was in awe of that. DeBusschere and some partners purchased Ring magazine in 1979.[14]. Dave DeBusschere weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Birthday: October 16, 1940 Date of Death: May 14, 2003 Age at Death: 62. What he said was always so clear and simple that I'd ask myself afterwards, ``Why didn't I think of that?''. Dave was a man of action, not words. It was the teamwork of the Knicks against the glamour of the Lakers, who were led by superstars Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. The Pistons also struggled, finishing 23-59 and missing the playoffs. He averaged 24 points a game in basketball, helping Detroit reach the National Invitation Tournament twice and the N.C.A.A. For DeBusschere, escaping to New York was like being reborn. And he was masterful at sliding past his man to tap in an offensive rebound. And at the hub was gutsy 6-foot-9 Reed. He was relieved of his coaching duties in 1967. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. DeBusschere's son Peter flew in from New York for the event and spoke on behalf of the family. DeBusschere, who lived in Garden City, N.Y., is survived by his wife, Geri; two sons, Peter and Dennis; and a daughter, Michelle. He was 62. According to the NBA, DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street and passed away at NYU Downtown Hospital. Daves education details are not available at this time. His style was a hallmark of the 1970s Knicks and he remains a part of New York lore even after his death at 62 years old in 2003 from a heart attack. Led by a superstar center Patrick Ewing and two captivating coachesPat Riley and Jeff Van Gundythey played David to the Chicago Bulls' Goliath. he still wouldn't wake up, but the snoring would stop. Dave DeBusschere was nicknamed "Big D," where the "D" stood for Defense. and he took off. With the notable exception of himself, his Detroit teams were handicapped by a lack of talent. ''Sure, it says that so-and-so had 30 points and 15 rebounds, but it certainly doesn't show that the man he was guarding may have scored 40 points.''. It was NBA lesson #1; Don't make today's loss the enemy of tomorrow's victory. history. tournament once. He always took responsibility for his mistakes. A beloved Knicks player, Willis Reed was a seven-time All-Star who helped lead New York to two titles in the 1970s. Current Greats: . Playing 12 seasons in the N.B.A., DeBusschere was an All-Star eight times and was named to the all-N.B.A. The Knicks had high hopes that DeBusschere would prove solidify their frontcourt and shore up a run to the title. ', Illustrator of the Year, British Book Awards - 2018, Tina Fey: 'Only in comedy is an obedient white girl from the suburbs a diversity candidate', Kennedy Center Mark Twain Award - 2010, Sacha Baron Cohen: 'Just think what Goebbels might have done with Facebook', Anti Defamation League Leadership Award - 2019, Greta Thunberg: 'How dare you', UN Climate Action Summit - 2019, Charlie Munger: 'The Psychology of Human Misjudgment', Harvard University - 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell: 'The original sin of this country is that we invaders shot and murdered our way across the land killing every Native American that we could', The Last Word, 'Dakota' - 2016. So I say to my big brother: Be proud. 2011-08-12 17:55:10. That's the beauty of having teammates. He was your prototypical power forward in the days before such a term was coined. You brought all these things to the many lives you touched. Dave DeBusschere weighed 225 lbs (102 kg) when playing. You get to know someone when you're with him that much. Or write about sports? He seemed to say, ``What's the point of achieving anything in basketball if you can't share it?'' He was an actor, known for The Cosby Show (1984), The Joe Namath Show (1969) and New Jersey Turnpikes (1999). He was above the petty things in life, and he wasn't impressed easily. Dave DeBusschere brought out his lucky horseshoe to ensure the @nyknicks secured the #1 pick. "He possessed the highest levels of integrity and character and was a very classy guy.". Knicks blossomed after adding DeBusschere. Once after a championship season, the DeBusscheres, Kladis's and Bradleys chartered a boat to tour the Greek islands. Reed, injured and expected to watch from the sidelines, electrified players and viewers alike when he took the court at Madison Square Garden at the start of the game. In 1962, the Detroit Pistons selected DeBusschere in the NBA draft. When the Knicks had Bellamy at center, they were forced to use Reed at forward, where his strengths were sometimes minimized by playing away from the basket. DeBusschere retired as a player in 1974, and his no. myocardial . He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., with Bradley, in 1983. He finished his career averaging 16.1 points and 11 rebounds. In May 2003, DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital. New York Knicks' Legend Dave DeBusschere | New York Knicks 9,543 views May 5, 2020 We're paying tribute to the 1970 Knicks championship with a look back at the incredible journey of one of their. Venus is graceful, charming, sensual and social. DeBusschere died of a heart attack on May 14, 2003, in New York. DeBusschere authored a book entitled The Open Man, a chronicle of the New York Knicks' 196970 championship season. When DeBusschere and Bradley were selected to the Hall of Fame, Bradley recalled his teammate's unselfish play. 9 October 2017. place of death. To start the 1968-69 NBA season, the skinny seven-foot rookie was struggling in the paint, and Detroit GM Ed Coil had to make a move to bring in a veteran post player. May 14, 2003 - Dave DeBusschere passed away. It was my second year in the NBA. DeBusschere enjoyed immediate success in New York, finishing the 1968-69 season with 16.3 ppg and a berth on the All-NBA Second Team. At age 24, he was the youngest coach in N.B.A. An American. In 1996 he was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. They were here I swear it.''. A hard-nosed, tenacious forward, DeBusschere was one of the game's all-time best defenders. The eight-time All-Star, who helped the Knicks win two NBA championships, was 62. Died: May 14, 2003 in New York, NY. He was 62. Dave DeBusschere (David Albert DeBusschere) was born on 16 October, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is an Actor. The strengths of this sign are being cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social, while weaknesses can be indecisive, holding a grudge and self-pity. DeBusschere was interred at Saint Joseph's Church Cemetery in Garden City, New York. Birth Name: David Albert DeBusschere Occupation: Basketball Player Place Of Birth: Detroit Date Of Birth: October 16, 1940 Date Of Death: May 14, 2003 Cause Of Death: N/A Ethnicity: White Nationality: American Dave Debusschere was born on the 16th of October, 1940. Dave DeBusschere, the defensive cornerstone of two championship New York Knicks teams who also was the National Basketball Association's youngest coach and the last commissioner of the rival . Your devotion to your teammates, the depth of your sense of belonging, is something like blood kinship, but without the complications. With Bellamy gone, Willis Reed was able to shift from forward to center. He was renowned for his physical style of play and tenacious defense, and he was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team six times.[12]. Find out more. Michael Cooney was a speechwriter for @, For Dave Debusschere: 'It was as if a lightning bolt hit my heart', by Bill Bradley - 2003. http://shoutsfromthestoop.blogspot.com.au/ For Lorna Colbert: 'We were the light of her life, and she let us know it til the end', by son Steven Colbert, For Sally Crisp: 'A life bloody well lived', by son Angus - 2016 , Jon Stewart: "They responded in five seconds", 9-11 first responders, Address to Congress - 2019, Jacinda Ardern: 'They were New Zealanders. Still no success. In May of 2003, he collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at the New York University Hospital. In 2003 he suffered a tragic death that shocked the NBA world. He played college basketball for the University of Detroit and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1962. I don't want to go out there, but if you do it, I will too.'' Dave DeBusschere's death shocked his old friends and teammates because he always seemed so indestructible, a rugged rebounder and the defensive conscience of two New York Knicks championship teams. DeBusschere was selected by the Detroit Pistons in 1962 NBA draft as a territorial draft selection. After the first 11 games of the 1964-65 season, the Pistons named DeBusschere their player-coach. With basketball training camp beginning, his coaching duties were needed and he had to make a choice. Obituary NEW YORK (AP) - NBA Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere, a forward on two championship teams with the New York Knicks and also the youngest coach in league history, died Wednesday of a. On May 14, 2003, DeBusschere passed away in New York at the age of 62. Whenever I asked him to do something, he was there; and every place he went, he made people feel good. DeBusschere, who later was the vice president of the Nets and Knicks, as well as serving as the last commissioner of the old American Basketball Association, was walking from his office at a downtown real estate firm to a restaurant, accompanied by his son Dennis, around 12:30 p.m. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. Bucking tradition, DeBusschere decided to try his hand at both sports. The players and the teams, the rules and style of play have all changed, but the sharpness of his insights never diminished. His chief role with the Knicks, however, was to collect key rebounds and shut down the opposing teams best forward. Dave DeBusschere Birthday and Date of Death. And we did. The city of Detroit has producedmany great basketball players. 79. By the end of his career, DeBusschere was an eight-time NBA All-Star (1966-68, '70-73) and a first-team All-Defensive Team selection for six straight seasons (1969-74). But he also prized elements not reflected in the box score, particularly defensive play. David Albert DeBusschere (Big D) Position: Power Forward and Small Forward Shoots: Right More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 8x All Star 2x NBA Champ 1968-69 All-NBA 1962-63 All-Rookie 6x All-Defensive NBA 75th Anniv. Wait til my family sees this!'' In the 19641965 season, at the age of 24, he was given the position of player-coach for the Pistons, and thus became the youngest-ever coach in league history. It was speculated that DeBusschere had been given coaching duties to entice him away from baseball. DeBusschere was an immediate hit with the fans, too. 'Guys, I'll tell you something. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Maintained by: Find a Grave People say to me: How come you play him so long? I say because he does a hell of a rebounding job for us, a hell of a job on defense for us.. He then helped the Knicks advance to the Eastern Division finals, which they lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. DeBusschere was the first Titan ever to average more than 20 points in three consecutive college seasons (just tied by Antoine Davis this past year . He was also an All-American baseball pitcher during his days at U of D. DeBusschere was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1962 NBA Draft and a magnificent professional career quickly unfolded. During his 12-year NBA career he represented the epitome of the blue-collar basketball star. Dave Debusscheres mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. Find a Grave memorial ID. He is survived by his wife, Geri, two sons and a daughter. The early 1940s were dominated by World War II. While a member of the Pistons, DeBusschere appeared as himself on the April 29, 1963 episode of the game show To Tell the Truth. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. He was one of the rare two-pro sport players before giving up baseball after the 1963 season. Age, Biography and Wiki. Back Rim Basketball 32.3K subscribers Subscribe 3.8K views 1. No guile. I realize now there were things I wasnt mature enough to handle. However, DeBusschere was injured during his second season and only played in 15 games, resulting in the Pistons finishing with a disappointing record of 2359. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? "He was a hard-nosed, blue-collar hero who gave all of his considerable energy to our game. Rival players knew they were in for a hard nights work when they faced him. As we were coming out of the water, we found a lone man, laying on a towel. Explore How many career 30+ point games does Dave DeBusschere have? Rarely can words express it. Dave DeBusschere, byname of David Albert DeBusschere, (born October 16, 1940, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.died May 14, 2003, New York, New York), American basketball player who became the youngest coach in National Basketball Association (NBA) history when at age 24 he became player-coach for the Detroit Pistons; he later provided tenacious defense In May 2003, DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital. DeBusschere scored 19 points and fellow senior Antoni Vlogianitis added 18 to lead No. The 13 are: Danny Ainge, Frank Baumholtz, Hank Biasatti, Gene Conley, Chuck Connors, DeBusschere, Dick Groat, Steve Hamilton, Mark Hendrickson, Cotton Nash, Ron Reed, Dick Ricketts and Howie Schultz.[7][8][9][10]. As young adults during the McCarthy Era, many members of this generation felt it was dangerous to speak out. Dave and Gerri meant so much to so many Titan alumni and fans for so many years.. '', Dave DeBusschere, 62, Relentless Forward On Knicks' Championship Teams, Is Dead, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/15/sports/dave-debusschere-62-relentless-forward-on-knicks-championship-teams-is-dead.html. Dave, his face drawn from the long season; and Willis, with his brow furrowed, and heating packs on each knee. "His strength, dedication and modesty lay at the core of our great Knick teams. He was a pitcher for the White Sox from 1962 to 1963. DeBusschere is survived by his wife, Geri, sons, Peter and Dennis, and daughter, Michelle. He played on two NBA Championship teams (1970 and '73) with the Knicks. thoughts following the announcement of DeBusschere's death, Vecsey wrote that Dave's #22 was the only jersey he ever wore. Big D is a nickname for Dave DeBusschere. (Please phone the Athletic Department at 313-993-1700 for additional details). Really! Let it go. 3. Dave Debusschere was born in the Year of the Dragon. Edit Search New Search Filters (1) To get better results, add more information such as First Name, Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. If so, the plan worked. '', Dave also was not above practical jokes. This page is updated often with latest details about Dave Debusschere. Updated: May 15, 5:12 PM ET. The Knicks won the first N.B.A. After his career as a basketball executive ended in 1986, DeBusschere joined Williamson, Picket and Gross, where he was a commercial-property executive. ''Both of us, Dave and I, were most interested in the success of the group, much more than individual success,'' Bradley said. At 6-foot-6, DeBusschere played the forward position and could score in many different ways. He averaged 24 points a game in basketball, helping Detroit reach the National Invitation Tournament twice and the NCAA basketball tournament once. DeBusschere averaged 16.1 points a game for his pro career and pulled down 9,618 rebounds. They were too young to see action in World War II and too old to participate in the fun of the Summer of Love. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. DeBusschere spent six and a half seasons playing forhis hometown team. Please check back soon for updates. Like Bradley, he also excelled at sneaking behind picks to find an opening from where he could pop a 5-foot jumper. Hes the man who brought me to New York, Ewing said. I'd shout, ``Dave!'' DeBusschere was a three-time consensus All-American under coach Bob Calihan during his career with the Titans (1960-62) and remains one of the most beloved figures in University athletic annals. As the NBA and ABA start play, teams like the Knicks will be taking their last bows. An 8-time All-Star, Dave DeBusschere was a defensive stopper and keyed the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and '73. Dave DeBusschere left all of himself on the court every game. The physical DeBusschere was indeed the final piece in the Knicks championship puzzle. Until last Wednesday, one of the most enjoyable things in life was talking basketball with Dave DeBusschere. The Knicks had a talented team when DeBusschere played for them. DeBusschere was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 May 14, 2003) was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) player and coach and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. I had just made the Knicks starting team as a forward, and we had lost a close one in Philadelphia on a bad pass I made when the Sixers were applying full court pressure. The Nets, who were defending champions, were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs that season. Over the years he made campaign appearances in New Jersey on my behalf, attended fundraisers to add star power, and sloughed through the snows of Iowa and New Hampshire in 2000. He hated phonies. Bradley. ''Dave was a blue-collar type of player who led by example with his tenacity on the court,'' Frazier said in a statement yesterday. DeBusschere's second year (1963-64) with the Pistons was far less successful as injuries limited him to only 15 games. He played from 1962 to 1974. Dave Debusschere was born on the 16th of October, 1940. 9 October 2017. stated in. He was named to the. Congrats Dave! Im very sorry to hear that Dave passed away today, said the former Knick center, whose number 33 hangs in the Garden rafters along with DeBusscheres 22. Power Forward and Small Forward Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947. We've received your submission. The Dave DeBusschere trades and transactions seen below include all known instances where Dave DeBusschere has been involved in a trade or transaction of any type as it relates to baseball. One day we pulled up off an island beach, and Dave and I dove off the boat to swim ashore. Barely missing a beat, DeBusschere returned to baseball in 1963, and pitched the entire year with the White Sox, finishing 3-4 with a 3.09 ERA. Although he battled for many of his points under the basket, he also proved that he could score with a good, if inconsistent, long-range shot. ''Back in 1969, on a Friday night in April at the Boston Garden,'' Reed said. The Grizzlies say their star guard will be away from the team for 'at least' the next 2 games. General Dave DeBusschere died on May 14, 2003 at the age of 62. "He was the difference in turning a team that was mediocre around," Frazier said. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. All rights reserved. Sometimes hell score only four or six points in 40 minutes, Holzman toldNewsday. Enshrined 1983 Born October 16, 1940 Detroit, MI Died May 14, 2003 College Detroit Professional Career Detroit Pistons New York Knicks Career Stats DeBusschere became a player-coach for the Pistons in 1964, at age 24 the youngest coach in NBA history. Nicknamed 'The Pearl', Earl Monroe was an NBA showman who dazzled with his slick dribbling and one-on-one skills. The pain was obvious. He was previously married to Geri Warnock. As soon as I was back on my own again, I had my best season. Big D was an 8x All-Star, 2x Champ ('70/73 NYK), one of the best defensive forwards ever, plus an ahead-of-his-time outside shooter. Oh my God! David Albert "Dave" DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 - May 14, 2003) was a Detroit native who played for the University of Detroit and was taken as a territorial pick in the 1962 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. ''Even though he often played with nagging injuries, I never once heard him complain.''. Draft Night in 85 Retirement Night in 03 pic.twitter.com/KspeKxTLMA. As a rookie, he averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Rookie Team. And I'd get a few hours of sleep .. until the next time. DeBusschere was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 after a 12-year career (19621974) in which he averaged 16.1 points and 11 rebounds while being named to eight NBA All-Star teams. No pretense. Jul 1, 1974 - Dave DeBusschere, previously with the New York Knicks, became a free agent. Limping up and down the floor, he nevertheless scored the Knicks first two baskets and inspired the team to a 113-99 victory. DeBusschere played professional baseball for four seasons. The Knicks had the second choice in that draft and had hoped to pick him. I can remember those nights on the road in late February. DeBusschere once described himself as having been ''on the brink of senility by pro basketball standards'' when the trade was made, but he provided a key element for the Knicks. You hear about his life; you meet his friends and family; you know what he likes to eat, what he likes to do in his downtime, what forms his daily habits; you learn what he admires in people and what he can't stand. ''We believed in hard work and teamwork.''. Dave DeBusschere played 2 seasons. In college, DeBusschere average 24.8 points and 19.4 rebounds per game for his career at the University of Detroit. DeBusschere was picked on six straight All-Defensive teams and when he retired in 1974, he became general manager of the ABA's New York Nets. All Rights Reserved. They are us', Address to Parliament following Christchurch massacre - 2019, Dolores Ibrruri: "No Pasarn!, They shall not pass! I was in my first year coaching the Philadelphia 76ers (1968), when Dave . ``There are too many games, Sure, you blew it tonight, but when it's over, it's over. Our game has lost an icon and the world has lost a good man, Stern said. If Bush or Madonna or Rockefeller walked into a bar, I bet he'd barely look up from the beer he was sharing with a friend. In December 1968, Detroit finally agreed to send him to the Knicks in return for center Walt Bellamy and guard Howard Komives. DeBusschere, a strong defender and rebounder, played a pivotal role in the Knicks NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, when he played with fellow Hall of Famers Bradley, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and Jerry Lucas. DeBusscheres stint as coach was not successful. Dave DeBusschere. When I saw the newspaper stories after Dave's death, one photo caught my eye. DeBusschere had a heart attack on a street in Lower Manhattan and died at New York University Downtown Hospital, a spokesman for Madison Square Garden said. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He still holds the all-time Titan records for career scoring average (24.8 ppg) and total rebounds (1,552) and remains the third-leading scorer (1,985) in school history as well. Following the end of the war, it was the start of the Baby Boomer years and technology advancements such as the jet engine, nuclear fusion, radar, rocket technology and others later became the starting points for Space Exploration and Improved Air Travel. "He was the final piece of the puzzle.". Brooks will serve his 1-game suspension Sunday when the Grizzlies visit the Clippers. In college, he led the University of Detroit to three NCAA tournament berths as a pitcher. Championship teams share a moment that few other people know. DeBusschere became a regular quickly on the Pistons, and in the off-season pitched for two years with the Chicago White Sox. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. It was in that role that he won the first NBA draft lottery and picked Ewing as the No. Dave Debusschere's Life Path Number is 22 as per numerology. Dave DeBusschere's net worth was about $1.5 million. During the playoffs they shut down the Baltimore Bullets in seven games, then blew past the Milwaukee Bucks and Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in five games to face the Los Angeles Lakers in The Finals. "As a player, coach, general manager, and ABA commissioner, Dave DeBusschere was a winner," NBA commissioner David Stern said. Although DeBusschere began the 1964-65 campaign healthy, the team limped through a poor start. There was a time when I'd slept in a room with Dave DeBusschere more than I had with my wife. DeBusschere, along with future Hall of Famers Willis Reed, Bill Bradley and Walt Frazier, became an NBA champion when the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970 NBA Finals. Died: May 14, 2003 in New York, NY. He became a member of the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Like many famous people and celebrities, Dave Debusschere kept his personal life private. Power, fame, money, were not the currencies he traded in. All of a sudden, DeBusschere starts up. But, there he was, ready to go, when the buzzer sounded--with a strip of plastic over his nose, held in place by white adhesive tape forming an ``H'' above and below his eyes.