Oscar Robertson is one of the greatest players in NBA history, being one of the biggest names in the Association from 1960 to 1974. The Big O was a well-rounded player, as he could do almost everything due to his skill set and athleticism.
Standing 6’5” and weighing 220 pounds, Oscar was a physical marvel for his era. Those measurements are meant for a modern-day shooting guard, but Robertson utilized his body well, becoming one of the league’s most imposing figures and challenging players to guard.
Former Milwaukee Bucks star Ray Allen is a student of the game, so he once recalled Oscar’s greatness and why he was an inspiration to him and other players of his generation.
“Oscar was one of those guys that when you watch them play, there was not one thing he couldn’t do… He was always in triple-threat form every time on the court,” Allen said via Retro NBA . “I’ve never had a triple-double yet in my career, for him to average a triple-double is so astonishing because that requires a tremendous amount of focus on his behalf to think about the game all the way through correctly.”
Oscar deserves more respect from modern-day fans
When people bring up The Big O, it is usually during comparisons or when discussing triple-doubles. That should not be the case because Oscar was much more than just a player who averaged a triple-double. He was one of the best players in the league and an icon for many people around the country.
Robertson’s accolades also speak for themselves because he’s a 12-time All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, MVP, and a champion. He was crucial in helping the then-Lew Alcindor to win a championship in 1971, cementing their legacies as Bucks legends.
The Big O also deserves more praise for how he played the point guard position at 6’5”. That might be the norm nowadays, but that was extremely rare before. When people saw a player of such stature, they expected them to be a shooting guard or small forward. Oscar was the prototype for modern stars like Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , who are bigger point guards.
How Robertson inspired Allen
Since Ray was a star player for the Bucks for a few years, he was often compared to Oscar. He took inspiration from his predecessor as he strived to make his own impact in Milwaukee and leave a trail similar to the Big O.
Ultimately, Allen also had a legendary career in his own right. He might not have won a ring with Milwaukee, but he still achieved major success in Boston and Miami.
Related: Earl Monroe shares why Oscar Robertson organising a game to honor Martin Luther King Jr. would not succeed today: "You know the NBA would not sanction that today"
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