I happen to believe Freddie Lewis should have his jersey number retired by the Pacers. I happen to believe it should be obvious. So do many others who saw him play. This story from 2012 attempts to make the case.  

 

[H]ere are career summaries of four former professional basketball players. Find the one that doesn’t fit.

1. Played on three championship teams, and was voted MVP of the finals once … First-team all-league once, second-team all-league twice … Four-time All-Star … Scored 10,498 career points.
2. Played on three championship teams … Voted MVP of the league twice … Voted Rookie-of-the-Year … Seven-time All-Star … First-team all-league four times, second-team all-league once … Scored 11,778 career points.
3. Played on two championship teams, and was voted MVP of the finals once … Voted co-MVP of the league once … Three-time All-Star … First-team all-league twice, second-team all-league once … Scored 17,009 career points.
4. Played on three championship teams, and was voted MVP of the finals once … Four-time All-Star, and MVP of the All-Star game once … Scored 12,033 career points … Team captain throughout his career

Does anything jump out at you? Does anyone not belong?

No, and that’s exactly the point. These four player profiles mesh, just as their performances meshed during the seasons they played together for the Pacers. One of them, however, stands apart for a glaring omission that could quickly, although belatedly, be corrected in one evening with one ceremonial swoop.

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Tagged with: 1975 ABA all-star game, ABA playoff MVP, Cincinnati Royals, Freddie Lewis, Indiana Pacers, jersey retirement