NBA's Greatest Players in History: George Gervin

• Four-time NBA scoring champion
• Nine-time NBA All-Star
• Averaged 26.2 points per game over his NBA career
• Member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team

George "Iceman" Gervin was a smooth, effortless scorer who captivated audiences with his finger roll and helped establish the San Antonio Spurs as an NBA powerhouse.

Overview

George Gervin's velvety smooth playing style and prolific scoring ability made him one of the most electrifying players of his era. Nicknamed "Iceman" for his cool demeanour on the court, Gervin captured four NBA scoring titles and was selected to nine consecutive All-Star games during his illustrious career. His trademark finger roll and effortless shooting touch allowed him to pour in points with remarkable efficiency, finishing his NBA career with a 26.2 points per game average.

Career snapshot

After beginning his professional career in the ABA, Gervin joined the San Antonio Spurs in 1974 and quickly established himself as one of the league's premier scorers. He led the NBA in scoring four times between 1978 and 1982, including three consecutive seasons. Gervin's scoring prowess was on full display in 1978 when he edged out David Thompson for the scoring title by dropping 63 points on the final day of the season.

Playing style

Gervin possessed a silky-smooth offensive game that seemed almost effortless. His go-to move was the finger roll, which he could execute with either hand and from impressive distances. At 6'7" with long arms, Gervin could shoot over smaller defenders with ease. He had a knack for gliding to the basket and finishing with soft touch. While known primarily as a scorer, Gervin was also an underrated defender, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and block shots.

Why George Gervin is on our list

Few players in NBA history could score the basketball with the same artistic flair and efficiency as George Gervin. He was a scoring machine, capable of taking over games offensively while barely breaking a sweat. Gervin's four scoring titles and career 51.1% field goal percentage as a perimeter player demonstrate his elite offensive skill. He was the San Antonio Spurs' first superstar, helping establish the franchise's winning culture. Gervin's smooth style influenced a generation of players and his iconic finger roll remains one of the most recognisable moves in basketball history.

Five Fast Facts

1. Scored 33 points in a single quarter in 1978, an NBA record at the time
2. First guard to win three consecutive NBA scoring titles
3. Averaged over 30 points per game in two different seasons
4. Scored 60 or more points four times in his NBA career
5. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996

Career Highlights Timeline

1972: Begins professional career with Virginia Squires of the ABA

1974: Joins the San Antonio Spurs midway through the season

1976: Makes NBA debut as Spurs join league through ABA-NBA merger

1978: Wins first NBA scoring title, averaging 27.22 points per game

1979: Repeats as scoring champion and finishes second in MVP voting

1980: Captures third straight scoring title with career-high 33.1 ppg

1982: Wins fourth and final scoring championship

1985: Traded to Chicago Bulls after 12 seasons with Spurs

1986: Retires from NBA after one season with Bulls

George Gervin's smooth scoring ability and effortless style made him one of the most captivating players of his era. His impact on the game, particularly his influence on future generations of scorers, cements his legacy as one of the most dominant players in NBA history. The "Iceman" brought cool to the court and heat to the scoreboard, forever changing the way the game was played.

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