Lew Alcindor, the NBA Draft, and an Unforgettable Moment: A Coin Flip Heard 'Round the League

Explore the pivotal 1969 NBA draft moment when Lew Alcindor's destiny was decided by a coin flip, forever altering the fates of the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

The 1969 NBA draft: Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) was the prize. A coin flip between the Bucks and Suns determined who'd land the UCLA superstar, changing basketball history.

The Coin Flip That Changed Everything

In 1969, the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, both expansion teams, found themselves vying for a generational talent: Lew Alcindor. The future Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was coming off a legendary career at UCLA, and everyone knew he was destined for greatness. But how would the NBA decide who got the first pick? A simple coin flip.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel recounts the drama: Phoenix, guided by GM Jerry Colangelo, even polled fans on whether to call heads or tails! The fans voted for heads. But fate, as it often does, had other plans.

Tails Never Sounded So Sweet

The coin landed on tails. Milwaukee won. Alcindor joined the Bucks, and the rest, as they say, is history. He led them to an NBA championship in 1971, solidifying his place as one of the game's all-time greats. Milwaukee almost grabbed another in 1974, narrowly losing to the Celtics in game 7.

Phoenix's Long Wait

The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, are still chasing that elusive NBA title. The irony? They faced the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals, a full 50+ years after that fateful coin flip, and lost. Talk about a long game!

What If? A Look at Alternate Realities

It's tempting to play the "what if" game. What if the coin had landed on heads? Would Alcindor have brought a championship to Phoenix? Would the Bucks have languished in mediocrity? It's impossible to say for sure, but it's safe to assume the NBA landscape would look very different today. It's a testament to the impact a single moment can have.

A Moment Frozen in Time

The 1969 NBA draft coin flip is more than just a footnote in basketball history. It's a reminder that even in a sport dominated by skill and strategy, luck can play a significant role. It's a reminder of the butterfly effect and the drama inherent in professional sports.

So, the next time you're flipping a coin, remember Lew Alcindor and the 1969 NBA draft. You never know, you might just be changing the course of history (or at least deciding who does the dishes).