NBA Admits Worry Over NIBL Loop

April 28, 1952

Milwaukee -- National Basketball Association officials admitted Saturday they were worried over competition from the Amateur National Industrial Basketball League.

The professional circuit magnates, holding their annual draft session to select players for the next season, declined for the first time to reveal the order of their choices "because it would give our opposition an idea of who we think are the best collegiate prospects."

Earlier NBA President Maurice Podoloff announced that two of the strongest NIBL clubs--the Phillips Oilers and the Peoria Caterpillar Tractors--were being invited to join the pro loop "because their plan of operation was such as to warrant and justify the offer."

Although the draft choices announced after a three-hour closed session were listed by teams rather than rounds, it was revealed that eight of the 10 league clubs passed big Clyde Lovellette of Kanas as thier opening pick. The Minneapolis Lakers, already owners of George Mikan chose the 6'-9' KU all-American center, who before the draft started was said to have turned down a $60,000 annual salary offered by the Milwaukee Hawks. Loveellette has said he will play with the Phillips team in the NIBL and be employed in the orl firm's plant.

"We have Mikan and we can gamble on signing Lovellette," explained Max Winter, Lakers general manager. "We don't know how much longer Mikan will last, but if he's in there next year and we do get Lovellette, I'll see if I can't make a deal for him with Milwaukee.

Source: Associated Press,