Max "Marty" Friedman enshrined as a player in 1971

Max "Marty" Friedman

Enshrined 1971
Born: July 12, 1889
New York, NY
Died: January 1, 1986

During his era, Marty Friedman was the greatest defensive guard in pro basketball. In a seventeen-year career (1910-27), Friedman played in almost every league in the East, habitually leading his team to championships. In 1921, he hit the hardwood with the New York Whirlwinds, one of the greatest pro teams in history. In the World Championship series, 11,000 people watched Friedman hold Celtics' shooting star and future Hall of Famer Johnny Beckman to one field goal as the Whirlwinds defeated the Original Celtics, 40-27. The Celtics won the second game, 26-24, but officials were afraid that the excitable and unruly crowds would lose control and the deciding third game was never played. When World War I began, Friedman promoted basketball internationally. He organized a 600-team tournament in France, which prompted the Inter-Allied Games, a forerunner to the World Championships and Olympic recognition.