1963 Chicago Zephyrs vs. St. Louis Hawks 3-5-63 NBA basketball program 1 year team

1961/62: The NBA returned to Chicago after 11 years after the Stags who made it to the first championship series folded. The new team known as the Packers, who are the first expansion team to join the NBA in 12 years were not very good as they finished in last place with an awful 18-62 record. However, first round draft pick Walt Bellamay became an instant star winning the Rookie of the Year while finishing 2nd to Wilt Chamberlain with an impressive 31.6 ppg, and finishing 3rd in rebounds to Chamberlain and Bill Russell with a 19.0 per game.

1962/63: For their 2nd season the team changed its name to Zephyrs, but did not do much better finishing in last place again with a record of 25-55. Once again the Zephyrs would draft well salting Terry Dischinger who won the Rookie of the Year with a solid 25.5 ppg. The Zephyrs had the seed for a solid contender with back-to-back rookie of the year winners Bellamay and Dischinger. However, Chicago Fans would not get a chance to see it bear fruit as the team moved to Baltimore following the season.

We offer a home program from March 5, 1963  (the team would play 6 more games before changing the team name and moving to Baltimore) – Zephyrs vs. St. Louis Hawks in Chicago.  #23 Nick Mantis of the Zephyrs are pictures on the cover.  This is from the only season of the Zephyrs existence.

The program measures 5.5 x 8.5. The binding is tight, no missing pages, or tears that we could see.  It is in NR MT condition with the only writing on the cover printed neatly with the date and their opponent, St. Louis and the scores and stats inside (scored). There is a piece of tape on the spine (top left) even though there doesn’t appear to be any splitting. The program has pictures of Chicago owner – David Trager, coach – Jack McMahon, players – Slick Leonard, Johnny Cox, Larry Steverman, Maurice King, Si Green, Bill The Hill McGill, Don Nelson, Terry Dischinger, and other Chicago players. Also features pictures of  St Louis  – Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan.  There is also a section with photos of NBA stars such as Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Walt Bellamy, etc.

Chicago won 116-93. Chicago star and future HOFer, Walt Bellamy led the Zephyrs with 27 points while Terry Dischinger would put up 24.  St. Louis was without Bob Petit for the night and would be led by Lenny Wilkens with 19, Bill Bridges 18, and Woody Sauldsberry with 15.  It wouldn’t be enough in this losing effort to the very mediocre Chicago team.



Item: 7209

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1963 Chicago Zephyrs vs. St. Louis Hawks 3-5-63 NBA basketball program 1 year team