Joe Lapchick

Joseph B. "Joe" Lapchick ( born April 12, 1900 in Yonkers, New York; † August 10, 1970 in Monticello, New York ) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He is best known for his time with the Original Celtics in the 1920s and 1930s. Lapchick is considered the first true Big Man of basketball; despite its huge ( for that time ) 1.96m he was unusually agile. After his playing career, he coached several professional teams and the varsity team of the Saint John 's University. Between 1951 and 1953 led Lapchick the New York Knicks three times in a row in the NBA Finals, but was defeated each time.

Lapchick was recorded in 1966 in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. At the age of 70 years he died of a heart attack.