Allen Robert “Bob” McAdoo is a former basketball player and coach who spent most of his career in the NBA. He was named an NBA All-Star five times and the NBA MVP in 1975 as a member of the Braves team. In the 80s, he won two NBA championships with the legendary Showtime squad of the Los Angeles Lakers.
He played for the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Lakers in the NBA. In his 21-year professional career, he spent 14 years in the NBA and the final seven with Lega Basket Serie A club Olimpia Milano. He was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
McAdoo won both the NBA and FIBA European Champions Cup as a player during his career. He then added three more NBA crowns as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat in 2006, 2012, and 2013.
Bob McAdoo – Early life
Since his early years, Bob McAdoo exhibited an interest in basketball. Being only three years of age, he made his first attempt to score a basket. While he wasn’t exceptionally talented when it came to regular education, he also showed promise as a saxophone player, making his Smith High School’s marching band apart from being chosen to play basketball for the school.
He has chosen a mixed school because his chances of being recognized were better there. Civil rights in the USA were still taking their baby steps at the time, so he was more likely to be chosen for extracurricular activities in an integrated school. That was his main motivation to go to Smith High School.
Talented not only in basketball and saxophone, McAdoo also managed to beat a high jump record for the school. As a pure coincidence, he met Bobby Jones at the tournament, who would become his teammate with the Sixers almost 20 years later as well as at the University of North Carolina squad in 1971.
Apart from his success on the track, McAdoo also led his high school basketball team to the state semifinals.
Bob McAdoo – NBA career
While McAdoo was eligible for the 1972 NBA draft, there were some rumors that he might have signed with the ABA’s Virginia Squires following a secret draft. Some reporters argue that the then-NBA commissioner Kennedy tried to convince NBA franchises not to take McAdoo in. Still, he appeared as the number one pick in the ABA draft from 1972.
Bob McAdoo – Buffalo Braves (Los Angeles Clippers)
Even though they were reportedly advised against picking Bob, the Braves did it anyway as the second pick of the draft. It quickly became visible that McAdoo was a superstar which he proved in his first season, winning the Rookie of the Year award, which was the first season of his three consecutive NBA scoring titles.
In 1973-74, McAdoo wasn’t done. Like a plow, he cut through the opposing teams, scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds per game, a feat that would not be repeated anytime soon.
McAdoo was comfortable with his shooting skills, leading the league with over 54% accuracy from the field. This made him an almost unstoppable force in the offense, as shooting from the perimeter wasn’t all that popular at the time. All that despite being a large, 6 foot 9 inches tall man.
In the following season, McAdoo earned the NBA MVP Award, scoring 34.5 points per game. McAdoo had a 50 point and 20 rebound game, which made him the youngest player to achieve that, a record that would not be beaten until 40 years later when Anthony Davis scored 59 points and got 20 rebounds when he was just 22.
During his time with the Braves, McAdoo averaged 26.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals.
Bob McAdoo – New York Knicks
The trade to New York, which was not a pleasant experience for McAdoo in 1976-77, was not successful in his second season with the franchise. During McAdoo’s time in charge, the Knicks were plagued with internal squabbles.
The competition between McAdoo and star teammate Spencer Haywood was especially fierce. Despite finishing third in the league in scoring with 26.5 points per game in 1977-78, McAdoo was traded halfway through the 1978-79 season to Boston for Tom Barker and three first-round draft picks.
Bob McAdoo – Boston Celtics
McAdoo discovered the trade when reading a newspaper. The same went for Boston general manager Red Auerbach, who was not consulted by Celtics owner John Brown and felt let down. During the 1978-79 season, when he averaged 24.8 points in 60 games, McAdoo felt unwanted and found himself sitting when Cowens played center. The Celtics subsequently traded McAdoo to the Detroit Pistons as compensation for Carr’s free agency with Boston.
Bob McAdoo – Detroit Pistons
In 1979-80, McAdoo became a part of the Pistons and went 16-66 coached by Dick Vitale and Richie Adubato after he had given support to the deal. In 58 games played with Bob Lanier, McAdoo managed a 21.1 points and 8.1 rebounds average.
On February 19, 1981, with McAdoo having been hurt and wanting to be brought back into the Pistons’ starting lineup, he claimed to be healthy and requested reinstatement. Scotty Robertson, coach, refused his request, stating that McAdoo had not trained and was not in ideal physical condition. He asked if he might go home and was permitted to depart. The following day, Detroit general manager Jack McCloskey told McAdoo that he would not return during the remainder of the campaign and subsequently released him.
Bob McAdoo – New Jersey Nets
In a short bout, McAdoo played only 10 games with the Nets for a bitter finish of 24-58.
When a season-ending injury to the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mitch Kupchak halfway through 1981-82 had the team scrambling for a second big man, fate stepped in. On Christmas Eve 1981, the Nets surprised most people by giving up McAdoo’s rights to the Lakers for cash and a future second-round draft pick of 1983.
Bob McAdoo – Los Angeles Lakers
Tired of being constantly traded, McAdoo found solace in playing with the Lakers as a substitute. He had an average of 15.0 points per game in 1982-83, but he was on the bench for 32 games due to a toe ailment and only played in 31 games. The Lakers fought their way into the NBA Finals once again. Still, they were defeated by a strong Philadelphia 76ers squad in four straight matchups.
The next season, the Lakers blew through the regular season and postseason, facing the Boston Celtics in the match for the title. Even though McAdoo had a 14.0 average in the playoffs, the Celtics prevailed in a classic seven-game series.
For McAdoo’s fourth and final appearance, Los Angeles returned to the Finals in 1985. This time, the team would win, taking vengeance against the Celtics in six games. During the regular season, McAdoo averaged 10.5 points per game and 11.4 points per contest during the playoffs.
Bob McAdoo – Philadelphia 76ers
Despite his contributions to two NBA championships, McAdoo spent the time between seasons attempting to work out a contract with the 76ers. He scored more than 10 points in 29 games before arriving without an agreement at the end of the season for the second time.
Bob McAdoo – Italian League career
At age 35, McAdoo signed with Tracer Milan of the Italian League. During that time, he got another item to his unusual career. At the age of 35, he helped Milan to a European and Italian Championship, posting averages of 26.1 ppg and 10.2 rpg during his first season. He took part in seven seasons for Milan and Fabriano, ending with statistics of 26.6 points and 8.7 rebounds on his way out at the age 41 years old.
Bob McAdoo – Coaching career
After returning from Italy, McAdoo reunited with his coach Pat Riley when he joined the Miami Heat’s coaching staff. McAdoo served on the Heat’s staff for three championship teams in 2006, 2012, and 2013.
He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Bob McAdoo – Net Worth
Bob McAdoo is an American NBA star who has an estimated net worth of $30 million. He made his fortune through playing in the NBA as well as winning several championships and MVP awards during his career. McAdoo’s wealth also comes from endorsements and investments in various businesses.
Is Ryan McAdoo related to Bob McAdoo?
Yes, Ryan is Bob McAdoo’s son. He was born on April 30, 1999 and is currently playing for Basket College Novara.
Is Bob McAdoo a Hall of Famer?
Bob McAdoo was a Hall of Fame basketball player who achieved success at the collegiate and professional levels. He was a 5-time NBA All-Star, a 3-time NBA scoring champion, and a 2-time NBA Most Valuable Player. McAdoo’s career accomplishments earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
When did Bob McAdoo win MVP?
Bob McAdoo was an incredibly talented basketball player who achieved great success in his career. In 1975, he was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player after leading the league in both scoring (34.5 points per game). McAdoo had an impressive shooting ability and was able to hit shots from all over the court.
Where did Bob McAdoo go to college?
McAdoo’s exam score was lacking, and so he chose to enroll at the Vincennes Junior College, where he would spend two years. In his sophomore year, he helped his school to an NJCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship title, scoring 27 points in the final game and earning him the honors of becoming a Junior College All-American.
McAdoo averaged 19.3 points and 10 rebounds at Vincennes in 1969-70 and 25.0 ppg and 11.0 rpg in 1970-71. In the summer of 1971, he played for the USA Team at the Pan American Games, scoring 11.0 points per game on average.
McAdoo attended the University of North Carolina, where he played for Bobby Jones and the 1971-72 Tar Heels under Dean Smith. McAdoo was a first-team All-American for the 1971-72 Tar Heels, who went 26-5 under his leadership. McAdoo had an average of 19.5 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game during his career at North Carolina. He received first-team All-ACC accolades in addition to MVP honors after helping lead Virginia to victory in the ACC Tournament.
McAdoo obtained early eligibility in 1972’s NBA draft under the “hardship” exemption that existed until 1977, citing family adversity. Coach Smith advised him to pursue a career in the NBA, saying it was “the greatest league in the world.”
Encouraged by both his father and coach Smith, McAdoo went to the NBA despite his mother showing stern disagreement.
