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Rick Barry will be remembered as one of basketball's greatest, though often misunderstood and controversial, figures. Born in New Jersey, he excelled in high school before attending the University of Miami (Florida). Known for his precise outside shooting, Barry brought national attention to Hurricane basketball by averaging 29 and 37 points in his two seasons, leading the country in scoring during his senior year. Selected 4th overall in the 1965 NBA Draft by the San Francisco Warriors, he continued his scoring prowess by averaging 28 points as a rookie and 35 the following season, topping the NBA scoring charts. That year, the Warriors reached the NBA Finals but fell to Wilt Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers in six games. Barry left a lasting impression by averaging 41 points in the series, including a 55-point game.
In 1967, the newly formed American Basketball Association (ABA) attracted several NBA players seeking better pay, including Barry. However, the Warriors insisted he honor his contract. Barry argued that the Oakland Oaks, the ABA team he wished to join, were coached by Bruce Hale, his former college coach and father-in-law. This led to a legal battle lasting nearly a season and a half, during which Barry was portrayed as selfish and egotistical, despite other NBA players pursuing similar moves. Ultimately, Barry prevailed and joined the Oaks with 35 games remaining in the 1968-69 season, becoming the first major NBA star to switch leagues. By then, Alex Hannum had replaced Hale as coach. Barry played enough games to qualify for and win the ABA scoring title, making him the only player to lead both leagues in scoring. More importantly, he guided the Oaks to the ABA championship over the Indiana Pacers.
Like many ABA franchises, the Oaks struggled financially and relocated from Oakland to Washington, D.C., a move Barry disliked, famously saying, "If I wanted to go to Washington, I'd run for President!" Nonetheless, he reported to the team and played the final 52 games of the 1969-70 season. The team then moved again to Norfolk, Virginia, becoming the Virginia Squires. Barry openly opposed playing in the South, telling friends and the media, "I don't want my son coming home and saying 'Howdy, ya'll!'" He compelled the team to trade him to the New York Nets, where he played for two seasons.
In 1972, the Golden State Warriors discovered a contractual loophole that required Barry to return to the NBA and rejoin them. He complied and spent seven seasons with the Warriors, including the 1974-75 campaign when he led them to a surprising four-game sweep of the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals. After the 1977-78 season, the Warriors traded Barry to the Houston Rockets for John Lucas. Barry played two seasons with the Rockets before retiring in 1980.
