Harvey Pollack

Harvey Pollack
Born Herbert Harvey Pollack
March 9, 1922
Camden, New Jersey
Alma mater Temple University
Employer Philadelphia 76ers
Spouse(s) Bea Pollack (d.2002)
Children Ron and Linda

Herbert Harvey Pollack (born March 9, 1922 in Camden, New Jersey) is the director of statistical information for the Philadelphia 76ers. He holds the distinction of being the only individual still working for the NBA since its inaugural 1946-47 season. Because of his proclivity to statistics, then Philadelphia Bulletin writer George Kiseda pinned the moniker of Super Stat on him in 1966.[1] Pollack holds the distinction of keeping score during Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, on March 2, 1962. Pollack made Chamberlain the sign which he holds in his famous post-game photo. Pollack has been responsible for many stats that are now officially recorded by the NBA, such as blocked shots, and he was the first statistician to separate rebounds into offensive and defensive. Some believe Harvey Pollack coined the term "triple-double",[2][3] although others claim that it was coined by former Los Angeles Lakers public relations director, Bruce Jolesch.[4][5]

During the Sixers’ offseason, Pollack analyzes all 1,230 play-by-play sheets from the previous season (every game of the regular season) to produce Harvey Pollack’s NBA Statistical Yearbook, an ever growing book of rare basketball information that takes statistical analysis to a new level.[6] Including stats such as the shot distance of every field goal, who gets their shot blocked the most, and other creative categories like "working-man," which a player has to contribute to every category but no fouls or turnovers, and "trillionaire club" which is when player plays in a game and has all zeros across their name.

Harvey claims that Wilt Chamberlain had not only a quadruple-double, but also a game where he recorded at least double digits in all five primary statistical categories. However, this has not been recorded in the books because the NBA had not officially adopted the statistics yet.

Awards and honors

See also

References

  1. ↑ John Bunn Award Recipient
  2. ↑ Springer, Steve (November 11, 2002). "Magical Statistic Reborn; Triple-double that Johnson made famous serves Bryant well". Los Angeles Times. p. D.1.
  3. ↑ Gelston, Dan (April 18, 2008). "Philly's Pollack has kept track of NBA from the start". USA Today. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  4. ↑ Adande, J.A. (April 20, 2002). "They're Vintage Triple-Doubles". Los Angeles Times. p. D.4.
  5. ↑ Weir, Tom (December 1, 1999). "20th Century This Day in Sports". USA Today. p. 3.C.
  6. ↑ NBA.com: The Original Superstat

External links