Marty Blake

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Starting his 33rd in the National Basketball Association and 41st year in professional basketball, Blake has long been regarded as the number one authority on college and professional basketball in this country. He was the General Manager of the St. Louis-Atlanta Hawks for 17 years during which time his record was the second best (to Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics). Under his guidance, the Hawks won eight (8) Divisional titles, finished second seven times, third once and fourth once. The Hawks won the NBA title in 1957-58 beating the Boston Celtics, one of the few clubs ever to accomplish that feat. He also served as President of the Pittsburgh Condors of the American Basketball Association for one year. In 1971 he formed Marty Blake and Associates – an organization devoted primarily to consultation in the field of professional basketball. In an era in which two rival basketball leagues – the ABA and the NBA – were in direct conflict (with each other) Blake’s mark for integrity was held in such high regard that he worked for both leagues simultaneously. He is credited with establishing the scouting system used by the NBA teams and has instituted many of the promotional ideas now considered standard in professional sports. His sports background is not limited to basketball. He has been affiliated with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and New York Giants in baseball, the Detroit Lions in football and operated the Wilkes-Barre (PA) Bullets of the American Football League. He has served a number of National Football League teams as a consultant. He helped start the Continental Basketball Association (along with Harry Rudolph and Eddie White) when it was known as the Eastern Basketball League.