SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — There were plenty of times over the last 40 years when Richie Guerin doubted he would ever get the call he has dreamt all his life of receiving.
But this spring, Guerin’s wish to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame was finally granted, and the 81-year-old Knicks legend was all smiles while wearing his new Hall of Fame ring and blazer following Saturday’s introductory press conference.
“It’s a very, very, very special time,” Guerin said ahead of Sunday’s induction ceremony, adding he still is working on his speech. “You can think about this for a while and imagine how you might feel and act, but until you experience it, it just blows you away.
“We had a reception [Friday], and meeting some of the other guys that I played against and coached against for so many years and being considered in that group finally is so rewarding.”
Guerin, who was born in The Bronx and was a star at Iona before being drafted by the Knicks in 1954, went on to play seven years for the franchise, racking up stats that still have him within the top 10 in several all-time categories in franchise history, including minutes, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, assists, total points and points per game.
He also was named to six straight All-Star teams from 1958-63, but was only able to lead the Knicks to one playoff appearance in his seven years with the franchise, thanks to the presence of powerhouse franchises like the Boston Celtics, St. Louis Hawks and Philadelphia Warriors at the time.
“You play the cards that are dealt to you,” said Guerin, who was named the greatest Knicks player for the 1950s in a ceremony at the Garden in 2009. “I wasn’t a coach, I was a player. So I did what I was asked to do as a player, and obviously it’s not an individual game, it’s a team game, so you have to have people around you.
“It was a frustrating seven years [with the Knicks]. It was a happy seven years, as far as playing in New York City and with the fans and stuff like that, but when you go professionally, there’s no substitute for winning. Your goals are … the playoffs and winning a championship, and we didn’t come close to doing that.”
Guerin came much closer to achieving that after leaving the Knicks to play for the Hawks, with whom he made the playoffs six times as a player-coach and before focusing on coaching duties after he retired in 1970 at 37.
But while he may never have secured a championship as a player or coach, this weekend is giving Guerin an opportunity to be receive something he said he has been looking forward to his entire life. And, most importantly, that he can share with his family and friends.
“Rick [Pitino] and I chatted on the bus coming over; it’s almost like your family weekend,” said Guerin, who is scheduled to have 18 family members and friends in attendance at the ceremony. “You’re on it, and you’re excited about it, but they’re even more so.”
They’ve lived your anxieties, they’ve lived your career, they’ve heard about your stuff, especially people my age, the kids have.
“So when they get something like this, they’re so happy and proud. I’m just happy to be on this earth to share something with them.”
With a spot in the Hall now accomplished, there is only one recognition left that Guerin hopes to receive: his No. 9 being retired to the rafters inside Madison Square Garden.
Guerin is one of a few candidates — including Hall classmate Bernard King and the already enshrined Harry Gallatin — who have a more than compelling case to receive such an honor, and Guerin hopes he’ll get a chance to experience that distinction sometime in the near future, as well.
“I’m honest about it,” Guerin said. “I’m disappointed that it hasn’t happened … but I’m not going to campaign for it.”