The Wayne Embry Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Monday, January 11th, 2004
Spend a few minutes talking to Wayne Embry, and it isn’t long before you realize that this former NBA All-Star is far more than a link to the days when legends such as Russell and Chamberlain ruled the basketball universe. Embry is as relevant now as he was then, only in areas that extend far beyond the hardwood. Backboards have morphed into boardrooms. Bone-rattling picks have given way to civic stewardship. From trading elbows with Willis Reed to rubbing elbows with Alan Greenspan, Embry is that rare athlete who has eclipsed his own star power in terms of off-the-court accomplishments.
Born and raised in Ohio, Embry began his basketball career at Tecumseh High School before starring at Miami of Ohio, where his number has long since been retired. As a pro, Embry was a five-time All-Star for the Cincinnati Royals, playing alongside such legendary stars as Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. An NBA championship proved elusive, however, as the Royals routinely failed to supplant the Boston Celtics as kings of the East. In a classic case of ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’, Red Auerbach acquired Embry in 1966 as a backup to the incomparable Bill Russell. After being dethroned by Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967, the Celtics – with Embry – were back on top, winning a league-best 10th NBA championship.
In 1972, Embry became the first African-American general manager in professional sports when he was named vice president and general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. To even mention this fact is something of a disservice to Embry, because his accomplishments as an NBA executive transcend race. Two major transactions stand out during Embry’s association with the Bucks: Oscar Robertson’s decision to join the franchise, this based largely on his close relationship with Embry (and a decision that helped the Bucks win the NBA championship in 1971), and the trade of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from the Bucks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Embry was named general manager and vice president of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1985. In 1994 he became the NBA's first African American team president, also with the Cavaliers. Embry’s was honored as the Sporting News NBA Executive of the Year in both 1992 and 1998. On October 1st, 1999, Embry was both recognized and immortalized for his accomplishments by being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Today, Embry serves as a board member for the Bank of Cleveland, a prestigious position that reports directly to Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Celtic Nation was fortunate to spend time with Embry in September, 2003, and is pleased to share his story with all of Celtic Nation.