1964–65 Cincinnati Royals season
The 1964–65 season was the Royals' 19th season in the NBA and eighth in Cincinnati. By the end of the season, Oscar Robertson's career statistics for the first five years of his career averaged out to a triple double: 30.3 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game, and 10.6 assists per game.[1]
The season began with high hopes as the Royals had played well the previous season against Boston and were improving as a team. In addition to Robertson, second-year big man Jerry Lucas rose to superstar status this season. He averaged 21 points and 20 rebounds over 66 games played. He joined Robertson on the All-NBA First Team named at the season's conclusion.
Injuries, though, were a big factor this season. Key guard Bucky Bockhorn was lost to a career-ending injury in November. The other four opening-day starters, Robertson, Lucas, Jack Twyman and Wayne Embry, were each lost for several games or more also.
Lucas was named MVP of the 1965 NBA All-Star Game. But the same day's events saw superstar Wilt Chamberlain traded to the rival Philadelphia 76ers. Now Cincinnati had two strong title contenders to deal with in their own division. Philadelphia would later defeat the Royals in the 1965 playoffs.
Draft picks
[2]
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1964-65 NBA Records |
Team |
BAL |
BOS |
CIN |
DET |
LAL |
NYK |
PHI |
SFW |
STL |
Baltimore |
— | 3–7 | 6–4 | 6–4 | 4–6 | 2–8 | 4–6 | 7–3 | 5–5 |
Boston |
7–3 | — | 8–2 | 10–0 | 7–3 | 7–3 | 5–5 | 9–1 | 9–1 |
Cincinnati |
4–6 | 2–8 | — | 6–4 | 6–4 | 8–2 | 6–4 | 8–2 | 8–2 |
Detroit |
4–6 | 0–10 | 4–6 | — | 3–7 | 5–5 | 4–6 | 8–2 | 3–7 |
Los Angeles |
6–4 | 3–7 | 4–6 | 7–3 | — | 10–0 | 7–3 | 8–2 | 4–6 |
New York |
8–2 | 3–7 | 2–8 | 5–5 | 0–10 | — | 5–5 | 7–3 | 1–9 |
Philadelphia |
6–4 | 5–5 | 4–6 | 6–4 | 3–7 | 5–5 | — | 6–4 | 5–5 |
San Francisco |
3–7 | 1–9 | 2–8 | 2–8 | 2–8 | 3–7 | 4–6 | — | 0–10 |
St. Louis |
5–5 | 1–9 | 2–8 | 7–3 | 6–4 | 9–1 | 5–5 | 10–0 | — |
Playoffs
East Division Semifinals
(2) Cincinnati Royals vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers: 76ers win series 3-1
- Game 1 @ Cincinnati: Philadelphia 119, Cincinnati 117 (OT)
- Game 2 @ Philadelphia: Cincinnati 121, Philadelphia 120
- Game 3 @ Cincinnati: Philadelphia 109, Cincinnati 94
- Game 4 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 119, Cincinnati 112
Season
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
Arnette, Jay !Jay Arnette |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Bockhorn, Bucky !Bucky Bockhorn |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Embry, Wayne !Wayne Embry |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hairston, Happy !Happy Hairston |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hawkins, Tom !Tom Hawkins |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Lucas, Jerry !Jerry Lucas |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Olsen, Bud !Bud Olsen |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Robertson, Oscar !Oscar Robertson |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Smith, Adrian !Adrian Smith |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Thacker, Tom !Tom Thacker |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Twyman, Jack !Jack Twyman |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Wilson, George !George Wilson |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Playoffs
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
Arnette, Jay !Jay Arnette |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Embry, Wayne !Wayne Embry |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hairston, Happy !Happy Hairston |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hawkins, Tom !Tom Hawkins |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Lucas, Jerry !Jerry Lucas |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Olsen, Bud !Bud Olsen |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Robertson, Oscar !Oscar Robertson |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Smith, Adrian !Adrian Smith |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Thacker, Tom !Tom Thacker |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Twyman, Jack !Jack Twyman |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Wilson, George !George Wilson |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Awards and honors
- Oscar Robertson, All-NBA First Team
- Jerry Lucas, All-NBA First Team
References