Lovellette played solidly as a rookie, posting averages of 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game.  The numbers jumped to 10.5 points and 9.7 rebounds during the playoffs.  And while he was primarily used as a backup to Mikan (who, at the age of 29, was suffering from creaky knees and was a season away from retirement), there were times when the two big men were used in tandem.  The dual-post strategy gave opponents fits.  "For six years, [opposing teams] have been running up against George Mikan at the pivot," one Minneapolis reporter wrote.  "Now they've got Mikan one minute, and Lovellette the next-and then maybe both of them together."

Had Mikan remained healthy, perhaps the Lakers would have strung together a series of championships to rival Bill Russell's Boston Celtics.  Instead, Mikan retired.  Lovellette stepped into the starting lineup and proved that he was up to the challenge of filling Mikan's shoes.  He finished in the NBA's top 10 in scoring (18.7 ppg), rebounding (11.5 rpg), and field-goal percentage (43.5%).  The Lakers posted a 40-32 record, good enough for a second-place finish behind the Fort Wayne Pistons.  They then fell to Fort Wayne in the playoffs in four games.

After four seasons in Minneapolis, Lovellette was dealt to the Rochester Royals.  The franchise moved to Cincinnati two months later, and Lovellette spent one season toiling in a Royal uniform.  The agile big man averaged a career-high 23.4 points-per-game (fourth in the NBA), and finished fifth in the league in field-goal percentage (44.1%).  Asked to take a pay cut at season's end, Lovellette instead requested a trade and ended up in St. Louis.

Teaming with future hall-of-famers Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan, Lovellette registered two All-Star appearances over the next four seasons.  Still, the Hawks could not get over the hump; Bill Russell and the Celtics were churning out titles on an annual basis, resigning Lovellette – now battling age and injury – to the thought that he might never win another NBA crown.

All of that changed when Red Auerbach picked up Lovellette for the 1962-63 season to provide experienced relief for Russell at center.  (With back trouble taking its toll on Lovellette, the Hawks decided to part ways with the 33-year-old veteran.)  A rejuvenated Lovellette played solid basketball for Auerbach over the next two seasons, winning two championships and securing his place as one of the most prominent players of his generation.

 Lovellette retired after the 1964 NBA Finals and finished his 11-year career with 11,947 points, an average of 17.0 points-per-game.  He exited basketball's grandest stage long before technology could trumpet his accomplishments to millions of people worldwide, and yet to those who know basketball history, he remains one of the game's true icons.  Better yet, Lovellette is far more engaging as a person than he was as a basketball player.  He is kind and courteous, a true throwback to the days before text messages and Internet web casts.  He respects the game that made him a household name, and yet he respects life eternal far more than the temporary glory found in awards and accolades.  He doesn’t begrudge today's athlete for making a ton more money than he ever saw.  He simply warns them that fame and fortune are fleeting possessions, and that the grace of God will stay with them long after the other stuff fades.

Grace, in a word, sums up Clyde Edward Lovellette.  He is simply amazing.

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