Cleveland Cavaliers Legend, Bobby “Bingo” Smith, Passes Away at 77
CLEVELAND (AP) — Bobby Smith, affectionately known as “Bingo,” a revered small forward whose contributions were instrumental in transforming the Cleveland Cavaliers from an expansion team into a formidable playoff contender during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 77.
The Cleveland Cavaliers officially announced Smith’s demise on Thursday evening. While the immediate cause of death remains undisclosed, it is known that Smith had been contending with health challenges in recent years. Smith holds the distinction of being one of only seven former Cavaliers players to have their jersey numbers retired by the team, with his No. 7 jersey raised to the rafters in 1979.
Smith embarked on his professional career during his rookie season with the San Diego franchise before being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1970 expansion draft. Despite the Cavaliers’ early struggles in their inaugural NBA seasons, Smith consistently stood out as one of the team’s most talented and influential players.
During the 1974-75 season, Smith led the Cavaliers in scoring. The subsequent year, he joined forces with Austin Carr, Campy Russell, and Jim Chones, all of whom are currently associated with the Cavaliers as broadcasters, to guide Cleveland to its first-ever appearance in the NBA playoffs.
In a remarkable turn of events, the Cavaliers staged a historic upset against the heavily favored Washington Bullets in a thrilling seven-game series that has since become iconic as the “Miracle of Richfield.” Three of these intense games were determined in the final two seconds, one extended into overtime, and the Cavs ultimately clinched Game 7. In the euphoria of the moment, jubilant fans stormed the Richfield Coliseum floor, toppling the basket stanchions.
Bobby Smith continued to contribute to the Cavaliers for four more seasons before concluding his illustrious career with the San Diego Clippers.
Campy Russell, currently serving as the team’s director of alumni relations, paid tribute to Smith, saying, “Bingo was one of the most gifted players to ever don the wine and gold, and his impact on the court and within the community left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of crossing paths with him.”
Austin Carr, reflecting on Smith’s tenacity on the court, remarked, “Bingo was consistently a selfless teammate and one of the most tenacious competitors I ever had the honor of playing alongside. This is undeniably a somber moment in our franchise’s history, and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family.”
Bobby “Bingo” Smith’s legacy endures through his prominent position in the team’s record books, ranking among the top players in several statistical categories, including games played (4th), field goals made (3rd), field goals attempted (3rd), minutes played (5th), and points scored (6th).