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After acquiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) from the Bucks, Lakers coach Bill Sharman and owner Jack Kent Cooke were quite pleased. Getty Images

June 16 in sports history: Lopsided trade 'heavenly' for Lakers

By Yardbarker Staff | Last updated 6/15/20

Here's a look back at notable sports news on June 16 through the years:

What an epic date in NBA history, filled with the crowning of new champions and games before massive crowds. But June 16 was also earth-shattering in the Association for two major reasons other than the Finals.

In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was traded by the Bucks to the Lakers for center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters and Los Angeles' two first-round draft picks, forward David Meyers and swingman Junior Bridgeman. And in 1999, the Lakers announced the hiring of Phil Jackson as head coach, replacing Kurt Rambis

First, The Big Trade, one of the most lopsided in sports history. "A heavenly day, a delightful day," Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke called it.

Abdul-Jabbar, who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 1972, was unhappy after six seasons in Milwaukee, clearly not one of the NBA's glamour cities. On a scale of zero to 100, team president William Alverson said the efforts to keep the 7-foot-3 face of the franchise were "about 102." But Kareem forced their hand.

Abdul-Jabbar's first choice was a trade to Knicks and a return to his hometown, where he starred at Power Memorial High School. But the Knicks reportedly didn't offer enough. Los Angeles, where Abdul-Jabbar won three titles and lost only two games with UCLA, was a pretty decent landing spot.

"The Lakers made a sincere effort to get me here," Abdul-Jabbar said at a news conference. Only 28, Kareem was a three-time league MVP who averaged 30.7 points and 17 rebounds.

In Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar added five more NBA titles to his Hall of Fame resume. Milwaukee? Bridgeman and Winters became pretty good players, but Meyers was a bust. Smith only played a season for the Bucks, who haven't won a title since Kareem left town.

Jackson sat the 1998-99 NBA season after coaching the 1997-98 "Last Dance" Bulls to the sixth, and final, title of the Michael Jordan era. His addition was just what the Lakers needed to bring the most out of the Shaq-Kobe dynamic duo.

"We're trying to build a team that not only will win games," Lakers executive Jerry West said, "but win championships." Mission accomplished: Jackson won five titles with the Lakers.

BASEBALL NUGGETS

1953: The St. Louis Browns, who entered a game against the Yankees with 14 consecutive losses, somehow snapped the Yankees' 18-game winning streak. St. Louis beat the Bombers and Whitey Ford, 3-1. The Browns were aided by relief pitching from former Negro League star Satchel Paige, who may have been 46...or even older.

1976: Mark Fidrych tossed his sixth consecutive complete game for the Tigers, beating Kansas City, 4-3. "It's almost uncanny, the way the 21-year-old rookie seems to inspire his teammates," wrote Jim Hawkins of the Detroit Free Press. "But it keeps happening."

1993: At Wrigley Field in Chicago, the 100th anniversary of Cracker Jack was celebrated with a party that included distributing the candy-coated popcorn and peanut treat. Cracker Jack was introduced at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893.

"The basic thing about Cracker Jack is that it has an amazing collection of good taste — it's bad for you — (and it) made a lot of kids feel good during a time when there weren't as many ways for kids to feel good as there are now," a Northwestern University sociology professor told The Associated Press.

"And, of course," he added, "there's that prize."

LAKERS KO'D?

1988: In the Pontiac Silverdome, 41,732 fans — then the best-attended NBA playoff game — watched the Pistons take a 3-2 Finals lead with a 104-94 win. "I still believe this team is going to win the championship," Lakers coach Pat Riley told reporters. He was right: Days later, the Lakers closed out their second straight title.

HIS AIRNESS RULES

1993: In Game 4 of the Finals in Chicago, Michael Jordan poured in 55 points in the Bulls' 111-105 win. His Airness' scoring total was the second-best in Finals history, behind Elgin Baylor's 61 in 1962. "He inflicted his will on us," Suns coach Paul Westphal told reporters. "The difference was they had Michael, and we didn't."

Wrote Bernie Lincicome of the Chicago Tribune: "This is the legacy of Michael Jordan to Chicago. He is the man for the ages. Not Ernie Banks, not Luis Aparicio, not Walter Payton, not Bobby Hull. It is Jordan and then there is a gate."

The Bulls closed out the series in six games in Phoenix.

Three years later on this date, Chicago won the fourth of six titles of the Jordan Era in Chicago with an 87-75 win over Seattle in Game 6. After winning 72 games during the regular season, no one thought the outcome of this season was in much doubt.

The series-clinching win drew an estimated 60 million viewers on NBA, making it the most-watched NBA game ever on television.

Jordan, who scored 22 points in the clincher, became the only player to win the Finals MVP Award four times. He averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the series.

"This is the sweetest," MJ said afterward. "This is the most special of all."

'PURE JOY' FOR WARRIORS

2015: In Game 6 of the Finals in Cleveland, the Warriors closed out LeBron and the Cavaliers, 105-97, for their first title since 1975. Golden State superstar Steph Curry wasn't named MVP. That honor went to Andre Iguodala. He admirably defended against The King, who was "held" to 32 points on 13-of-31 from the floor.

"It was chaos in there, pure joy," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of the Warriors' locker room celebration after the 105-97 win.

Happy birthday ...

Former NBA star Darrell Griffith, “Dr. Dunkenstein.” After leading Louisville to its first national championship, Griffith was drafted second overall in 1980 by Utah, where he spent his 10-year career. (62)

Roberto Duran, boxing champion in four weight classes. Duran made headlines when he beat the undefeated Sugar Ray Leonard in 15 rounds in the Brawl in Montreal.” Their rematch four months later was his infamous “no mas” loss. (69)
Al Cowlings, drafted fifth overall in 1970 by the Bills. He spent nine seasons in the NFL but is better known for driving his pal OJ Simpson in a white Bronco chase in L.A. in 1994. (73)
Pro golfer Phil Mickelson, winner of five majors including three Masters. (50)

R.I.P.

1970: Brian Piccolo, running back for the Bears who shared a backfield and close friendship with Gale Sayers. Piccolo played for four years before being stricken with embryonal cell cancer. His story inspired the movie “Brian’s Song.” He died at age 26.

2014: “Mr. Padre” Tony Gwynn, who played 20 seasons with San Diego. The Hall of Famer won eight batting titles and led the NL in hits seven times. He died of cancer at 54.

1996: Voice of the Yankees Mel Allen, known for his signature “How about that” call. Allen also was the voice of “This Week in Baseball.” He was 83.

June 15: You can't stop the reign

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