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1966–67  Cincinnati Royals season
Head coach Jack McMahon
Owners Louis Jacobs
Arena Cincinnati Gardens
Results
Record39–42 (.481)
PlaceDivision: 3rd ( Eastern)
Playoff finish Division semifinals
(lost to 76ers 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television WKRC-TV
Radio WLW
< 1965–66 1967–68 >

The 1966–67 season was the Royals 22nd overall, and their tenth in Cincinnati. [1]

The season opened in the glare of their disappointing loss to Boston in the previous season's playoffs. It was considered a rebuilding season with some key roster changes. Long-time stars Jack Twyman and Wayne Embry had both retired, both unhappy with their roles on the team the previous year. Tom Hawkins had rejoined the contending Los Angeles Lakers.

Local college star Conrad 'Connie' Dierking was promoted to starting center, with promising rookie Walt Wesley his backup. First Team All-Pros Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson were again the focus of the team. Happy Hairston and Bobby Love saw minutes at forward next to Lucas, while Adrian Smith and Flynn Robinson saw minutes at guard next to Robertson.

Clearly rebuilding, the Royals had little hope of matching rivals Boston and Philadelphia this season, as they had a season ago. The team finished third in the NBA's Eastern Division.

Individual performances and off-court activities by Robertson and Lucas marked the season. Robertson was head of the NBA's Player Union and fought for the advancement of players' rights on a number of issues. He also posted another Hall Of Fame-caliber season as a scorer, accurate shooter, passer and free thrower. Lucas was involved in several off-court business ventures, including his own fast-food chain, Jerry Lucas Beef-N-Shakes. While injuries affected him this season, he remained one of the best rebounders in NBA history. He also continued to see time at center for the team as well as at forward. Both he and Robertson continued to play huge minutes for the team, rarely leaving the court during games.

Art Modell, head of the NFL Cleveland Browns, agreed to sponsor nine home games at the Cleveland Arena over the course of the season. The Cleveland crowds were consistently among the largest the Royals were cheered by that season.

The Royals made the playoffs for their last time while based in Cincinnati. They drew 68–13 record-setting Philadelphia as their opponent. With a victory on their own court in Game One, the Royals were then routed over the remaining games of the series to conclude their transitional season.

Roster

1966–67 Cincinnati Royals roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 17 Chappell, Len 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1941–01–31 Wake Forest
C 24 Dierking, Connie 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1936–10–02 Cincinnati
SF 22 Hairston, Happy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1942–05–31 NYU
PG 19 Lewis, Freddie 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1943–07–01 Arizona State
PF 21 Love, Bob 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1942–12–08 Southern
PF 16 Lucas, Jerry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1940–03–30 Ohio State
SF 11 McGlocklin, Jon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1943–06–10 Indiana
PG 14 Robertson, Oscar 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1938–11–24 Cincinnati
PG 20 Robinson, Flynn 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1941–04–28 Wyoming
SG 10 Smith, Adrian 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1936–10–05 Kentucky
PF 18 Ware, Jim 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1944–05–02 Oklahoma City
C 13 Wesley, Walt 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1945–01–25 Kansas
C 17 Wilson, George 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1942–05–09 Cincinnati
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Eastern Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
x- Philadelphia 76ers 68 13 .840 – 28–2 26–8 14–3 28–8
x- Boston Celtics 60 21 .741 8 27–4 25–11 8–6 30–6
x- Cincinnati Royals 39 42 .481 29 20–11 12–24 7–7 14–22
x- New York Knicks 36 45 .444 32 20–15 9–24 7–6 11–25
Baltimore Bullets 20 61 .247 48 12–20 3–30 5–11 7–29

Record vs. opponents

1966-67 NBA Records
Team BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL NYK PHI SFW STL
Baltimore — 1–8 3–6 3–6 2–7 2–7 2–7 1–8 2–7 4–5
Boston 8–1 — 8–1 8–1 6–3 5–4 9–0 5–4 6–3 5–4
Chicago 6–3 1–8 — 5–4 4–5 6–3 3–6 1–8 3–6 4–5
Cincinnati 6–3 1–8 4–5 — 7–2 3–6 6–3 1–8 5–4 6–3
Detroit 7–2 3–6 5–4 2–7 — 5–4 4–5 0–9 2–7 2–7
Los Angeles 7–2 4–5 3–6 6–3 4–5 — 4–5 1–8 3–6 4–5
New York 7–2 0–9 6–3 3–6 5–4 5–4 — 1–8 5–4 4–5
Philadelphia 8–1 4–5 8–1 8–1 9–0 8–1 8–1 — 7–2 8–1
San Francisco 7–2 3–6 6–3 4–5 7–2 6–3 4–5 2–7 — 5–4
St. Louis 5–4 4–5 5–4 3–6 7–2 5–4 5–4 1–8 4–5 —

Game log

1966–67 game log
# Date Opponent Score High points Record
1 October 15 Detroit 99–103 Oscar Robertson (37) 1–0
2 October 18 @ Detroit 112–114 Oscar Robertson (28) 1–1
3 October 22 @ St. Louis 123–133 (OT) Oscar Robertson (30) 1–2
4 October 26 @ Baltimore 116–122 Oscar Robertson (37) 1–3
5 October 27 St. Louis 118–121 Oscar Robertson (22) 2–3
6 October 29 San Francisco 127–115 Adrian Smith (27) 2–4
7 November 2 New York 129–131 Jerry Lucas (35) 3–4
8 November 4 @ Detroit 120–115 Oscar Robertson (36) 4–4
9 November 5 Chicago 113–99 Oscar Robertson (33) 4–5
10 November 10 Boston 113–112 (OT) Oscar Robertson (48) 4–6
11 November 11 @ Baltimore 119–104 Oscar Robertson (39) 5–6
12 November 12 Philadelphia 112–98 Oscar Robertson (22) 5–7
13 November 16 N Los Angeles 124–112 Hairston, Robertson (24) 5–8
14 November 19 @ Philadelphia 110–134 Oscar Robertson (25) 5–9
15 November 20 Baltimore 123–125 Oscar Robertson (40) 6–9
16 November 22 @ New York 121–118 Oscar Robertson (34) 7–9
17 November 23 Philadelphia 106–111 Oscar Robertson (28) 8–9
18 November 25 N New York 109–115 Oscar Robertson (27) 9–9
19 November 26 @ Boston 87–118 Adrian Smith (15) 9–10
20 November 30 New York 119–115 Oscar Robertson (26) 9–11
21 December 3 Los Angeles 130–118 Adrian Smith (28) 9–12
22 December 7 @ Boston 91–119 Flynn Robinson (22) 9–13
23 December 9 Boston 117–99 Oscar Robertson (22) 9–14
24 December 10 @ San Francisco 120–123 (OT) Dierking, Love (26) 9–15
25 December 11 @ Los Angeles 118–119 Oscar Robertson (33) 9–16
26 December 13 @ San Francisco 126–112 Oscar Robertson (36) 10–16
27 December 14 @ Los Angeles 126–124 Jerry Lucas (29) 11–16
28 December 16 N Chicago 120–128 Oscar Robertson (23) 11–17
29 December 18 Baltimore 114–138 Happy Hairston (30) 12–17
30 December 25 San Francisco 124–112 Oscar Robertson (38) 12–18
31 December 26 @ Philadelphia 118–134 Hairston, Robertson (24) 12–19
32 December 27 Detroit 123–131 Oscar Robertson (33) 13–19
33 December 29 Los Angeles 125–114 Oscar Robertson (30) 13–20
34 December 30 N San Francisco 107–102 Oscar Robertson (25) 13–21
35 December 31 @ New York 103–107 Oscar Robertson (32) 13–22
36 January 3 @ Chicago 111–116 Oscar Robertson (40) 13–23
37 January 7 Chicago 112–125 Oscar Robertson (43) 14–23
38 January 8 @ Baltimore 126–94 Happy Hairston (22) 15–23
39 January 11 @ Chicago 106–102 Oscar Robertson (36) 16–23
40 January 13 N Los Angeles 115–125 Oscar Robertson (41) 17–23
41 January 14 St. Louis 105–116 Oscar Robertson (27) 18–23
42 January 18 Boston 119–106 Oscar Robertson (36) 18–24
43 January 19 @ Baltimore 118–122 Oscar Robertson (36) 18–25
44 January 21 Detroit 108–122 Oscar Robertson (35) 19–25
45 January 24 @ New York 126–118 Oscar Robertson (37) 20–25
46 January 25 New York 125–132 Oscar Robertson (37) 21–25
47 January 26 N Detroit 118–110 Oscar Robertson (35) 21–26
48 January 27 @ Philadelphia 107–110 Oscar Robertson (39) 21–27
49 January 28 St. Louis 112–113 Oscar Robertson (30) 22–27
50 January 29 San Francisco 118–121 Oscar Robertson (35) 23–27
51 February 2 N Baltimore 131–125 Adrian Smith (29) 24–27
52 February 3 @ Chicago 113–118 Oscar Robertson (35) 24–28
53 February 4 @ Baltimore 99–109 Oscar Robertson (34) 24–29
54 February 5 @ Boston 121–137 Lucas, McGlocklin, Smith (19) 24–30
55 February 7 N Boston 123–138 Oscar Robertson (35) 24–31
56 February 8 Philadelphia 118–106 Jerry Lucas (25) 24–32
57 February 10 Detroit 104–133 Oscar Robertson (28) 25–32
58 February 11 @ Detroit 132–117 Jerry Lucas (31) 26–32
59 February 12 @ St. Louis 115–118 Oscar Robertson (36) 26–33
60 February 13 @ Philadelphia 123–131 Jerry Lucas (29) 26–34
61 February 15 New York 118–127 Oscar Robertson (46) 27–34
62 February 16 N Detroit 110–122 Oscar Robertson (34) 28–34
63 February 17 N Philadelphia 127–118 Oscar Robertson (27) 28–35
64 February 18 @ New York 123–124 Happy Hairston (33) 28–36
65 February 20 N St. Louis 104–112 Oscar Robertson (36) 29–36
66 February 22 @ Los Angeles 102–103 Flynn Robinson (29) 29–37
67 February 24 @ San Francisco 137–122 Oscar Robertson (35) 30–37
68 February 25 @ San Francisco 129–116 Oscar Robertson (36) 31–37
69 February 26 @ Los Angeles 127–141 Oscar Robertson (40) 31–38
70 February 28 N Philadelphia 127–107 Oscar Robertson (24) 31–39
71 March 1 Los Angeles 116–122 Oscar Robertson (25) 32–39
72 March 3 @ Boston 104–111 Oscar Robertson (26) 32–40
73 March 4 Baltimore 102–109 Oscar Robertson (43) 33–40
74 March 5 @ Chicago 106–113 Oscar Robertson (37) 33–41
75 March 6 N St. Louis 122–129 Oscar Robertson (27) 34–41
76 March 11 Chicago 119–147 Happy Hairston (30) 35–41
77 March 12 @ St. Louis 119–120 Oscar Robertson (30) 35–42
78 March 13 @ Chicago 133–117 Oscar Robertson (43) 36–42
79 March 15 Boston 108–112 Oscar Robertson (31) 37–42
80 March 16 N St. Louis 111–114 Oscar Robertson (32) 38–42
81 March 18 San Francisco 112–127 Adrian Smith (23) 39–42

Playoffs

1967 playoff game log
Division semifinals: 1–3 (home: 0–2; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 March 21 @ Philadelphia W 120–116 Oscar Robertson (33) Dierking, Lucas (18) Oscar Robertson (16) Philadelphia Convention Hall
5,097 		1–0
2 March 22 Philadelphia L 102–123 Oscar Robertson (29) Connie Dierking (17) Oscar Robertson (9) Cincinnati Gardens
5,276 		1–1
3 March 24 @ Philadelphia L 106–121 Oscar Robertson (25) Jerry Lucas (23) Oscar Robertson (13) Philadelphia Convention Hall
8,987 		1–2
4 March 25 Philadelphia L 94–112 Happy Hairston (26) Jerry Lucas (25) Oscar Robertson (7) Cincinnati Gardens
2,624 		1–3
1967 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Len Chappell
Connie Dierking
Happy Hairston
Freddie Lewis
Bob Love
Jerry Lucas
Jon McGlocklin
Oscar Robertson
Flynn Robinson
Adrian Smith
Jim Ware
Walt Wesley
George Wilson

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Len Chappell
Connie Dierking
Happy Hairston
Freddie Lewis
Jerry Lucas
Oscar Robertson
Flynn Robinson
Adrian Smith
Jim Ware
Walt Wesley

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ 1966–67 Cincinnati Royals
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