LYNDHURST, N.J. – Among all the activity of a very busy basketball week, was the sad news of the passing of Dick McGuire. His death last week at the age of 84 certainly gained notice in the New York area. It may not have made news nationally in basketball circles, but for Dick that would have been fine. He was a man of very few words. And a man who epitomized dignity throughout an outstanding life.
McGuire had spent over half a century with the New York Knicks. He was an All-American at St. John’s and later an NBA All-Star. He coached the Knicks, scouted for the organization and most recent was a consultant. Right up until his passing McGuire, though slowed a bit in gait by having to use a cane, was very active on the scouting circuit.
The latter years he would travel and scout with his son Scott, also a member of the Knicks’ scouting staff. Going to Madison Square Garden, you were certain to see the McGuires, Dick and Scott, in the press room than taking their seats for a night’s work.
A man of few words, Dick McGuire would study a player and could recognize a good one. He urged and convinced the Knicks to take a chance on a guard named Walt Frazier out of a then-small college, Southern Illinois. Recently he commented that a certain player he was looking at, “never passes the ball at all.” That was wordy for McGuire.
Everyone who knew the two realized late brother Al had the gift of gab but Dick had the game. Dick McGuire was one of those rare people no one could say a bad word about. He was class personified and respected by younger scouting peers as somewhat of an elder statesman with a link to the NBA’s formative years.
As a writer starting out a little over three decades ago it was exciting to have an opportunity to meet McGuire. The introduction turned to friendship. McGuire might ask you for an opinion on a certain player. Again, if he had a very brief response, he was not disagreeing with you. It was just his way of not being overly talkative.
The talk may have been limited but McGuire just had a way of making you feel comfortable in his company. Sitting by yourself at a table in the press room at MSG or another locale, McGuire would join you rather than glance across the room to see who else was there. In his company you always felt you were with a close friend. In recent years he always got entertained and asked to hear some of my stories from the officiating trail. McGuire simply loved basketball. The bounce of the ball was his favorite rhythmic beat.
During the recent dark days of the Knick franchise before Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni came on board, the one positive link to a proud past was McGuire. By his presence at the college games and his work one had a ray of hope that better days were ahead for one of the league’s charter and respected franchises.
Dick McGuire and his Knicks made it to the NBA finals during his playing days. Once the Knicks did capture the elusive title McGuire could take pride in having played a significant part.
A man who grew up with the game, the “City” game of pick and rolls and asphalt surfaces outside and dance hall floors indoors, McGuire embraced the game right up until his death.
It is almost inconceivable to return to MSG for a game and not see Dick in the press room sipping a beverage while perusing releases and statistics. But his calling came which, at 84, still seems too soon. Dick McGuire led a blessed life. And we who were fortunate to know him were the ones truly blessed.
