Slater Martin, the four-time NBA champion guard best known as the guy running the offense for the Minneapolis Lakers, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86.
Martin was a high-scoring guard at Texas who came to the NBA and altered his game to be a slow-it-down, ball distributing guard who got the ball in the paint to George Mikan, or maybe get the rock to Jim Pollard. He shot at a high percentage for the era, but only scored 9.8 points per game as a pro. Most on long set shots.
But he was tough and knew how to win, and he won three titles with those Lakers.
But what sealed his eventual Hall of Fame induction (1982) was him moving on to the St. Louis Hawks and guiding them to an NBA title, too.
He is survived by sons Jim and Slater Jr.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
