The former San Antonio winger turns 71 today and has left his mark on the league. Nine-time All-Star, four-time league leading scorer, George Gervin had incredible attacking talent and seemed to float down the pitch and score without difficulty or emotion. Hence his nickname “Iceman“.
Often compared to Kevin Durant for his ease and his long stretches, he unfortunately never won a title and left the NBA in 1986, after a final campaign with the Bulls. Then he played in Europe before becoming addicted to drugs and having to do several stints in rehab.
Mentor of Tobias Harris
Away from the pitch, he had lost the tranquility that an empty gymnasium offered him. In his childhood, George Gervin thus had the right to go and play, alone, in a room whose concierge had given him the keys.
“It brought me loneliness”explains the one who grew up with five brothers and sisters. “I was alone for hours. It was just me and my imagination. I had nothing else to do. In a way, I was very lucky. I never cared about crimes, deceptions, or other tough neighborhood stuff. I was only thinking about basketball”.
For several years, he has been working with Tobias Harris since the Philly winger is none other than the son of his former agent and friend: Torrel Harris. When he was just 13 years old, George Gervin took the young Tobias under his wing and he continues to advise him, but also sometimes to train him since his arrival in the NBA.
“He is someone who has always been there all my life” explained the winger at the time of the Magic. “He helped me get into the position I’m in. He taught me a huge amount of things. »
| George Gervin | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 1976-77 | SAN | 82 | 33 | 54.4 | 83.3 | 1.6 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 23.1 | ||
| 1977-78 | SAN | 82 | 35 | 53.6 | 83.0 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 27.2 | |
| 1978-79 | SAN | 80 | 36 | 54.1 | 82.6 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 29.6 | |
| 1979-80 | SAN | 78 | 38 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 85.2 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 5.2 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 33.1 |
| 1980-81 | SAN | 82 | 34 | 49.2 | 25.7 | 82.6 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 5.1 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 27.1 |
| 1981-82 | SAN | 79 | 36 | 50.0 | 27.8 | 86.4 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 32.3 |
| 1982-83 | SAN | 78 | 36 | 48.7 | 36.4 | 85.3 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 4.6 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 26.2 |
| 1983-84 | SAN | 76 | 34 | 49.0 | 41.7 | 84.2 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 25.9 |
| 1984-85 | SAN | 72 | 29 | 50.8 | 0.0 | 84.4 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 21.2 |
| 1985-86 | CHI | 82 | 25 | 47.2 | 21.1 | 87.9 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 16.2 |
| Total | 791 | 34 | 51.1 | 29.7 | 84.4 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 26.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
