The 7th Annual NBA All Star Game was an exhibition basketball game held on January 15, 1957, at the Boston Garden in Boston, home of the Boston Celtics. This was the third NBA All-Star Game to be held in Boston, after the first two editions were held there in 1951 and 1952.
The coaches were the Celtics' Red Auerbach for the East and the Rochester Royals' Bobby Wanzer for the West, as both the Celtics and the Royals had led their respective divisions entering the month of January. With the score 43–39 in favor of the West and with time running out in the first half, the East's Bill Sharman attempted to throw a long pass to Bob Cousy. Instead, the play resulted in him making a remarkable shot to end the first half, narrowing the West's lead by just two. The East eventually came back and won the game 109–97. Bob Cousy was named the Most Valuable Player.
Aside from the game, the event was the first to feature a side event, particularly the inaugural NBA Old-Timers Game featuring retired players. After which, the side game entered a hiatus until it was restored in 1964.
Roster
+Eastern All-StarsPos.PlayerTeamNo. of selectionsStartersFPaul ArizinPhiladelphia Warriors5thGBob CousyBoston Celtics7thF/CHarry GallatinNew York Knickerbockers7thF/CDolph SchayesSyracuse Nationals7thGBill SharmanBoston Celtics5thReservesGCarl BraunNew York Knickerbockers5thF/CNathaniel CliftonNew York Knickerbockers1stGJack GeorgePhiladelphia Warriors2ndFTom HeinsohnBoston Celtics1stCNeil JohnstonPhiladelphia Warriors5thHead coach: Red Auerbach (Boston Celtics)
+Western All-StarsPos.PlayerTeamNo. of selectionsStartersGDick GarmakerMinneapolis Lakers1stGSlater MartinSt. Louis Hawks5thF/CBob PettitSt. Louis Hawks3rdF/CMaurice StokesRochester Royals2ndF/GGeorge YardleyFort Wayne Pistons3rdReservesF/CMel HutchinsFort Wayne Pistons4thCClyde LovelletteMinneapolis Lakers2ndF/CEd MacauleySt. Louis Hawks7thF/CVern MikkelsenMinneapolis Lakers6thGRichie ReganRochester Royals1stG/FJack TwymanRochester Royals1stHead coach:Bobby Wanzer (Rochester Royals)
Legend Starter MVP MIN Minutes played FG Field goals FGA Field goal attempts FT Free throws FTA Free throw attempts REB Rebounds AST Assists PF Personal fouls PTS Points
Eastern Division Head Coach: Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics
Player Team MIN FG FGA FT FTA REB AST PF PTS Boston Celtics284142257010 Philadelphia Warriors266131250213 Syracuse Nationals25461110119 New York Knicks24470211138 Boston Celtics235172265112 New York Knicks24492232210 Philadelphia Warriors238123391219 Boston Celtics235172270312 New York Knicks234110011318 Philadelphia Warriors2136221518Totals240471121518682516109
Western Division Head Coach: Bobby Wanzer, Rochester Royals
Player Team MIN FG FGA FT FTA REB AST PF PTS St. Louis Hawks3181856112221 Rochester Royals3181933127119 St. Louis Hawks31411002318 Fort Wayne Pistons25410119029 Minneapolis Lakers185100071210 Fort Wayne Pistons264122370010 Minneapolis Lakers21310049136 Rochester Royals2127004104 St. Louis Hawks1936125307 Rochester Royals1718130113 Minneapolis LakersDid not play due to injuryTotals24042111132266191297
NBA Old-Timers Game The first NBA Old-Timers Game was held. Joe Lapchick, former coach of the New York Knicks, was named as a coach, while retired players Sonny Hertzberg and Connie Simmons also participated in the game. The Eastern Old Timers beat the Western Old Timers, 42–38.
References