Marty Friedman (basketball)

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Max "Marty" Friedman (July 12, 1889 in New York, New York - January 1, 1986) was a pro basketball player and coach.

He played almost 20 years of pro basketball (1908-1927), while being mostly known for playing with the New York Whirlwinds.

He is considered to be one of the best defensive guards of his era. Friedman later became coach of the Troy Haymakers of the ABL (1938/39). In a seventeen-year career (1910-27), Friedman played in almost every league in the East, habitually leading his team to championships. In 1921, he hit the hardwood with the New York Whirlwinds, one of the greatest pro teams in history. In the World Championship series, 11,000 people watched Friedman hold Celtics' shooting star Johnny Beckman to one field goal as the Whirlwinds defeated the Original Celtics, 40-27. The Celtics won the second game, 26-24, but officials were afraid that the excitable and unruly crowds would lose control and the deciding third game was never played. When World War I began, Friedman promoted basketball internationally. He organized a 600-team tournament in France, which prompted the Inter-Allied Games, a forerunner to the World Championships and Olympic recognition. He and Barney Sedran were referred to as "The Heavenly Twins". After Basketball they co-owned a parking garage that was located at 49th Street and the East River in NYC,NY - it eventually was bought and demolished to allow for the United Nations.