Attles has seen history made with scoring performances
OAKLAND, Calif. — Al Attles made all eight of his field-goal tries for 17 points for the Philadelphia Warriors during Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game on March 2, 1962. Attles coached Rick Barry the day he scored 64 against Portland in 1974.
He watched with a smile high above the Oracle Arena floor on Monday night as Klay Thompson scored an NBA season-high and career-best 60 points in three quarters for the Golden State Warriors in a 142-106 win against Indiana — the highest Warriors scoring performance since Barry’s.
Not that you will ever find Attles playing favourites when it comes to special games by individual players. He coached the Warriors to their first championship since moving west in 1975, then Golden State won again 40 years later in 2015.
Attles joked he passed to Chamberlain for all those points. He actually had six assists, while Guy Rodgers had 20 of the team’s 39 overall in the 169-147 win against the Knicks.
“I think 50,” Attles said with a chuckle of his assists total in the record-setter. “I don’t know. Guess what? We won the game. That’s all that matters.”
While Attles, now 80, was close with Chamberlain, when people ask about the 100-point performance, he still keeps it separate from other sensational showings like the onslaught by Thompson in just 29 minutes and three quarters against the Pacers.
“I enjoy any great performance. I’m very happy to be here tonight.”