In sports, certain names stand out. Certain players have unique names that are memorable. A cool name can add character to a player's legacy. However, a cool name is not enough. A player must have talent in order to make his mark in athletic lore. Word B. Free was a talented player who has a memorable name.
In an interview with sixers.com, Free was asked why he changed his name from Lloyd Bernard Free to World B. Free in 1981. Free said "The name was given to me from the streets of Brooklyn, in the Brownsville section, for being one of the talents from there they thought might have a chance to make it to the NBA." Perhaps, his friends thought he would be "all world" as a player. In any event, it was a name his friends gave him at a young age. Free has said that even in junior high, he could do a 360 dunk. As Free said "My nickname was "All-World" for doing 360 slam dunks."He was dunking and leaping high in junior high school and in high school. His athletic talent was evident while he was in school.
He was asked by sixers.com what kind of significance the name has. Free said "That was very important to me. I saw how things were going and I just wanted the world to be at peace and be free." Free believes the name has social significance.
Free said that he had to fill out the paper work to officially change his name. He also said that initially some announcers did not want to call him "World" and that some players continued to call him "Lloyd." When players did not acknowledge the name change, it inspired him to want to score more points against them.
Free had an extensive basketball repertoire. He was good shooter, passer and dribbler. He moved well on the basketball court. He moved with a purpose.
Free could make left handed layups in the midst of defenders around the basket. Free glided along the baseline and would finish with a reverse layup. Free could make jump shots from the corner while he was being defended.
While in midair, Free would pass to an open teammate. Free was so talented in midair, that he became known as the "Prince of midair." Free could spin around a defender and then make a shot. Free could use the backboard, dunk, make lay ups, move around defenders, hit open jump shots, make decisions in midair and do other things on the court. Free was a very talented basketball player.
Free played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Buffalo Braves, San Diego Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets. He also played with the Miami Tropics of the American Basketball Association. Free averaged 20.3 points a game for his career in the NBA. He changed his name while he was a member of the Golden State Warriors.
Steve Tater writes that Free helped saved basketball in Cleveland in the mid 1980s. During the early to mid 1980's, the Cavaliers were a struggling team that played before few fans. Due to poor attendance, their owner considered moving the team to Toronto. He even had a name picked out. The team would be called the "Toronto Towers."
The Cavaliers' owner also considered renaming the team the "Ohio Cavaliers." According to Greg Popelka, under this scenario, the team would play home games in Cleveland, Cincinnatti, Toronto and Pittsburgh. Popelka also points out that the NBA considered merging the Cavaliers with the Indiana Pacers. Clearly both the NBA and Cavalier ownership were concerned about the team's poor play and lackluster attendance.
Tater writes "In the 1984-85 season, Free would carry the team on his back to the playoffs after a wretched 2-19 start. Tater writes "Helping the team make the playoffs for the first time in seven years was not his only contribution to Cleveland basketball. More importantly, it was the way he played the game that got people to actually become fans of the Cavs." Attendance increased during this season. Free brought enthusiasm and excitement back to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He gave hope to the team's fan base.
World B. Free is one of the more memorable basketball players from the 1970s and the 1980s. He played well on the court and he will always be remembered for his name. Currently, Free Is a community ambassador for the Philadelphia 76ers. He also helps the 76ers team in the area of player development.
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