Marvin Webster: A West Coast Shot-Blocker That Left Us Far Too Early

It’s the summer of 1975.  North Carolina State's David Thompson, the best college player in the land, is drafted with the first pick by the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.  The third pick in the draft was Marvin Webster of Morgan State, also by the Hawks.

The NBA was shocked when both these players signed with another league, the  American Basketball Association.  Many in the NBA felt that the ABA was mainly a nuisance, really just a minor league. 

Signing the best player, and then the third pick to go with him, put the ABA in a completely different light.  It definitely got the attention of the NBA hierarchy, and people will tell you that these two signings were a major push toward the eventual merger of the two leagues on June 17, 1976.

Many felt that it wasn’t so much Thompson’s signing with the ABA that alarmed them.  Some NBA supporters put it off to a relationship between Larry Brown, Carl Scheer (Denver’s head coach and GM) and Thompson. 

They were all from North Carolina and knew each other, plus Denver was to sign Thompson’s good friend Monte Towe.  Evidently, some NBA folks didn’t understand the rivalry between UNC and North Carolina State.

No, what really bothered them was the signing of Marvin Webster by the Nuggets, out from under the Atlanta Hawks.  That got to them.  No connection other than Denver just went out and signed him away. 

It meant that the ABA had signed two of the top three picks.  The NBA was now forced to take the ABA seriously and regard them as a threat.  For the first time, there was even preliminary talk amongst the NBA's owners about approaching the ABA to discuss a merger.

I got to know Marvin Webster that fall in Denver’s training camp.  I had been traded during the summer to the Nuggets, with the rights to Thompson.  Marvin quickly fell out of favor with the coaches, because he was having a very hard time keeping up in a rigorous training camp. 

It was quickly discovered that Marvin was sick.  His liver was not functioning well, and the doctors felt he had a form of hepatitis.  He was put to bed rest, then to limited activity, increasing his activity gradually in an effort to get his strength back.

Late in exhibition season, I blew my knee out.  An ACL, although it was not diagnosed that way at first.  After staying off my knee for a couple weeks, I was ready to start rehabbing, at about the same time Marvin was ready.

So we started working out together on a daily basis.  Marvin trying to get his health back as I was trying to strengthen my knee.  When the team was at home, we would work with one of  the assistant coaches, either Doug Moe or Frank Hamblen. 

When the team was on the road, just the two of us would work out, sometimes twice a day.  Needless to say, we spent a lot of time together, and got to know each other quite well.  Marvin had come into camp at about 260-270 pounds.  With his illness, he got down to under 225.

It was a trying time for the two of us.  Both of us working hard, but wondering about our future abilities to be able to play again.  Marvin eventually got his health to the point that he ended up playing in 30-some odd games that season, continuing into the playoffs and helping the Nuggets get to the ABA Finals. 

He only got there because of hard work and dedication.  Unfortunately for me, I blew out my knee again, and ended up having to have another operation.

Marvin ended up playing the next season with the Nuggets, our first season in the NBA, where he helped us win the Mid-West Division. We lost in the playoffs to Portland, who went on to win the NBA championship. 

He got traded to Seattle the next year, mainly because the Nuggets were afraid he was never going to be completely healthy.  Ironically, he was a big part of the Sonics team that went on to beat us (the Nuggets) in the playoffs that year only to eventually lose in the Finals to Washington. 

He averaged 14 points, 12.6 rebounds and over two blocks a game.  After that season, Marvin was traded to the Knicks, where he spent the next six seasons. 

He got sick again, and after a couple of years, he tried to make a comeback with the Bucks. He only lasted a few games and finally retired in 1987.  Known as the “Human Eraser” for his ability to block shots, I believe he still holds the Sonics’ record for the most rebounds in a half, 21.

Yesterday, Marvin was found in a hotel room in Tulsa, having passed away.  A giant of a man, he was very kind and gentle by nature; a religious man who loved to read. 

Bright, always ready to laugh, yet quite introspective and quiet.  More of a loner than a social butterfly, more comfortable with a friend than a group.  

I will always appreciate his friendship, especially because it evolved during a tough time for me.  Hopefully, he felt the same way.  I think he did. 

I don’t believe that Marvin ever fully recovered from his initial bout with hepatitis, but he fought his way to have a good career.

I”m so sorry that you left us, Marvin.  It was way too early.  May God bless you.