Dick McGuire, American basketball player and coach (b. 1926)

Richard "Dick" McGuire: An NBA Pioneer and Knicks Legend

Richard Joseph McGuire (January 26, 1926 – February 3, 2010), affectionately known as "Dick the Hustler," was an esteemed American professional basketball player and coach whose impactful career spanned a pivotal era of the National Basketball Association (NBA) development. Renowned for his exceptional court vision, precise passing, and tenacious defense, McGuire carved out a significant legacy across eleven seasons in the league, primarily as a standout guard.

As one of the premier backcourt talents of the 1950s, McGuire spent the majority of his playing career with the New York Knicks, where he famously wore jersey number 15 for eight seasons (1949–1957). He then concluded his professional playing tenure with three seasons for the Detroit Pistons (1957–1960), also wearing the number 15. His remarkable talent was evident from his very first year: during his rookie season in 1949–50, McGuire led the entire league in assists with a then-unprecedented 386 dimes, setting a new NBA record for a single season. This groundbreaking achievement underscored his extraordinary playmaking ability, a skill he consistently demonstrated by ranking among the league's top ten facilitators for an impressive ten out of his eleven professional seasons.

A Prolific Playmaker and Seven-Time NBA All-Star

McGuire's consistent excellence and vital contributions to his teams were widely recognized, earning him numerous accolades during his playing career. He was selected as an NBA All-Star an impressive seven times, participating in the prestigious annual showcase in 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, and 1959. Furthermore, his outstanding performance during the 1950–51 season was acknowledged with a prestigious selection to the All-NBA Second Team, solidifying his status as one of the era's elite guards.

Transition to Coaching and Enduring Knicks Connection

Towards the end of his illustrious playing career, McGuire seamlessly transitioned into a player-coach role for the Detroit Pistons during his final season on the court, 1959–60 – a common yet challenging dual responsibility in the nascent NBA. He continued to lead the Pistons from the sidelines as head coach until 1963. His coaching journey later brought him back to his beloved New York Knicks, the franchise where he had achieved so much as a player. He served as the Knicks' head coach for three seasons, beginning in 1965. Across his various coaching stints, McGuire compiled a professional coaching record of 197 wins and 260 losses.

McGuire remained deeply connected to the New York Knicks organization for decades after his coaching tenure. At the time of his passing on February 3, 2010, at the age of 84, he was actively serving as a senior consultant for the team, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to the sport and the franchise. His death was attributed to a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

A Unique Family Legacy in Basketball

Beyond his individual accomplishments, Richard McGuire was an integral part of a truly remarkable basketball family, a lineage that left an indelible mark on the sport. His younger brother, Al McGuire (1928–2001), was a legendary and colorful figure in collegiate basketball, famously coaching the Marquette University Warriors to their historic NCAA Division I men's basketball championship in 1977. This extraordinary sibling duo holds the distinct honor of being the only pair of brothers to be individually inducted into the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts – Dick as a player (inducted in 1993) and Al as a coach (inducted in 1992). The family's deep connection to basketball continued with his nephew, Allie McGuire (Al's son), who also had a brief career in the NBA, playing for the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

Honored by the New York Knicks and Beyond

In a profound testament to his lasting impact on the franchise, the New York Knicks took the rare step of retiring McGuire's iconic number 15 jersey for a second time in 1992. This was a particularly unique and significant gesture, as the number had previously been retired just six years earlier in 1986, in honor of another Knicks great, Hall of Famer Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. This rare re-retirement underscores McGuire's immense contributions and the deep respect he commanded within the organization. His legacy is also preserved in his home state; McGuire was fittingly inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island as part of its Basketball Category Class of 1994, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport from a regional perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dick McGuire

What was Dick McGuire's nickname?

Richard McGuire was affectionately known as "Dick the Hustler," a nickname that reflected his tenacious defensive play and relentless effort on the court.

How many seasons did Dick McGuire play in the NBA, and for which teams?

Dick McGuire played 11 seasons in the NBA. He spent eight seasons with the New York Knicks (1949–1957) and three seasons with the Detroit Pistons (1957–1960).

What was Dick McGuire's notable achievement as a rookie?

In his rookie season (1949–50), Dick McGuire led the NBA in assists with a then-record 386 assists, demonstrating his exceptional playmaking ability from the start of his career.

Did Dick McGuire also have a coaching career?

Yes, Dick McGuire transitioned into coaching. He served as a player-coach for the Detroit Pistons in his final playing season (1959–60) and continued as their head coach until 1963. He then coached the New York Knicks for three seasons starting in 1965.

What is unique about the McGuire brothers' basketball legacy?

Dick McGuire and his brother Al McGuire hold the unique distinction of being the only pair of brothers to be individually inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Dick was inducted as a player (1993), and Al was inducted as a coach (1992).

Why was Dick McGuire's jersey number retired twice by the Knicks?

The New York Knicks retired Dick McGuire's number 15 jersey in 1992. This was a rare occurrence because the same number had already been retired for Earl Monroe in 1986, signifying the profound and dual impact both players had on the franchise.