George McGinnis: Big Mac

On August 12th, 1950, George McGinnis was born in Harpersville, Alabama. McGinnis went on to be a 2 time ABA Champion, an ABA MVP and a 3 time All Star.

McGinnis went to Indiana for 1 year (1970-1971). He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers from the ABA league. McGinnis immediately became a great player in the league. He played a key role in the franchise’s back to back championships in 1972 and 1973. He was named ABA Playoffs MVP in 1973 for averaging 23.9 points and 12.8 rebounds. His best season came in 1974-75, his last season with the Pacers. He averaged 29.8 points, winning his first MVP award. He almost averaged a triple-double in the playoffs, 32.3 points, 15.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. They lost to Kentucky in the ABA Finals that year. McGinnis went to the NBA the following season, and he was still great. He went to the Philadelphia 76ers, who had drafted him in 1973. He and Julius Irving helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 1977, only to lose to Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers in 6 games. McGinnis was traded to the Nuggets in 1978. The Pacers reacquired him in 1980, giving up future All-Star Alex English. But, McGinnis was out of his heyday and retired shortly after in 1982. Overall, McGinnis was a 2x ABA Champion, ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player (1973), ABA MVP (1975), 3x All Star, All NBA 1st Team (1976), All NBA 2nd Team (1977), 3x ABA All Star, 2x All ABA 1st Team, All ABA 2nd Team (1973), ABA All Rookie 1st Team (1972), ABA All Time Team. He was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

McGinnis was a great player for both the ABA and NBA, being successful in both leagues. He was overshadowed by Kareem-Abdul Jabbar at the time in the NBA, but don’t get this wrong, McGinnis could play ball.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of This Day In History, please leave a comment on which player I should do next and on which day.