047 - Flynn Robinson

The Nickname King ... Collected ‘em at almost every stop. Each one told its own story ... Instant Offense—coined by Old Golden Throat, Chick Hearn. Averaged just a tick under 10 points in 16 minutes for the ’71-72 Lakers—winners of 69 games, including 33 in a row. NBA champs. For those without a Texas Instruments SR-10 calculator, that’s a blistering 30 point pace per 48-minutes—third best behind West and Goodrich. “We had a monster team.” … Electric-Eye—because of his pinpoint marksmanship, courtesy of Eddie Doucette, the Voice of the Bucks. Led Milwaukee in scoring with 20.3 per game while dropping 40-plus in three straight during the team’s inaugural season—a feat only two others have matched: Alcindor in ’72, Giannis in ’23. Followed it up with a career-best 21.8, his only All-Star nod, and a mighty .898 from the stripe to lead the league. Cue it up for Fast Eddie: “Bango!” … Flingin’ Flynn—after erupting for a Bulls’ playoff record 41-points against the Lakers in ’68. The mark stood until ’86—when a young Jordan soared past it … Mighty Flynn as a rookie alongside the Big O of the Royals. Late-season thriller: Down one, no time left. Stepped to the line for three—one ties it, two wins it. No joy for the Cincy Five: “The pressure just got too great. I blew all three” … And Firin’ Flynn, while lighting it up in cowboy country for Wyoming. Led the WAC in scoring with 26.2, 25.6, and 27.0 points over three varsity seasons (’63-65). All-time WAC career scoring average leader at 26.3. Finished with 2,049 points in 78 games—becoming the 20th player to break the 2,000-point barrier ... Three-time All-WAC First Team, three-time Helms Foundation All-American, and Chuck Taylor All-American ... Didn’t snag a nickname at his final two pro spots. In Baltimore, he joined Archie Clark, the former Laker who took a swing at him and missed during his record 41-point game years earlier. His career ended in the ABA with San Diego the next season, when Denver rookie Pat McFarland swung and connected with a punch to the jaw—breaking it … Didn’t stop him from eating a lemon pie when jaw was wired shut. Sucked it all up with a straw … Shooting style? Just as unorthodox. Launched long-distance rainbow jumpers from behind his right ear … In ’68 Bulls’ part-owner and GM Dick Klein called him “the best pure shooter in professional basketball.” Lakers’ coach Bill Sharman said he was “a great shooter and very, very quick.” Some said he was in shooting range the moment he got off the team bus. Others claimed it was when the bus was in a nearby county … He set the record straight: “My maximum range was only about 25 feet. But people thought I shot from farther out. It looked that way because I had a higher arc.” … Could also take it to the hoop. Though sporting a toupee made it a risky adventure … Defense was his weakness. His favorite word? “Switch” because he lost his man so often. Unapologetic, though: “You don’t get those handshakes, playing defense.” … Born Flynn James Robinson on April 28, 1941, in Elgin, IL … After basketball, worked with youth in recreational programs … Still hooping in his late 60s. "I'm still pretty good." Named one of top three players in his age bracket … Inducted into the Elgin HOF (1980), UW Athletic HOF (1994). In 2024, a $40,000 outdoor court was dedicated in his honor, in Murphysboro, IL—just blocks from where his journey began … Died at 72 after a long battle with cancer on May 23, 2013, in Los Angeles.

Sources: Casper Star Tribune, 4/30/2013; Charlotte Observer, 4/5/1974 [lemon pie]; Chicago Tribune, 3/28/1968, 4/7/1969, 5/25/2013 [inducted into Elgin HOF, 2013]; Cleveland Press, 2/10/1968; Culver City Observer, 4/11/2012 [Pat Riley quote re hairpiece]; Daily Sentinel, 5/25/2013; [maximum range quote]; Daily Times Advocate, 3/6/1974); Denver Post, 3/4/1974 [Robinson and Pat McFarland both ejected for fighting; Robinson suffered broken jaw in fight]; Los Angeles Times, 3/24/2008 [“We had a monster team.”], 5/24/2013, 7/13/2013; New York Daily News, 1/7/1977; Provo Daily Herald, 3/31/1974.