Mel Counts: “Olympic Gold; Played With Bill Russell, Wilt, Havlicek & West” | Tom Nelson Pod #399 - Tom Nelson

Mel Counts recounts growing up in a small Oregon town, being mentored by an early coach, his rapid growth to 6'11", and recruitment to Oregon State, where he made a Final Four and later realized he could turn pro. He describes making the 1964 U.S. Olympic team under Hank Iba and winning gold over the Russians, his most cherished team honor. Drafted by the Boston Celtics, he won two championships and shares stories about Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, travel and pay in the era, and later stops including the Bullets, Lakers, and Suns, facing legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem, and Walton. He discusses pensions, family, faith, giving back, and staying active at 84.

00:00 Meet Mel Counts

00:21 Small Town Beginnings

01:29 Oregon State Breakthrough

01:51 Slats Gill Lessons

03:12 Final Four Teammates

04:01 Olympic Tryouts Camp

04:40 Tokyo Gold Medal

06:45 Celtics Rookie Life

08:21 Traded To Bullets

09:25 Scary Team Flight

11:21 NBA Travel Pay Then

14:53 Red Auerbach Stories

16:35 Wilt Chamberlain Era

17:42 Rings Watches Stages

18:32 Physical Game Changes

19:24 Wilt Strength Tales

21:24 Guarding Legends Film

22:26 Lakers Suns Wilt Sweat

23:41 Wilt Helped My Role

24:46 Practice With Russell

25:39 Road Trip Win Streak

26:23 Playing With Jerry West

27:30 Game 7 Balloons Drama

29:27 Bill Russell The Ultimate Winner

30:36 Boston Life Lessons

33:02 Hall Of Famers Era

33:57 Pete Maravich Memories

34:46 Three Point Revolution

37:21 Durability And Old School Training

39:53 Nutrition And Wilt Hot Dogs

41:46 Pensions And Player Benefits

43:40 Money Mistakes Then And Now

45:17 Rings Faith And Family

45:57 Giving Back And Life Advice

48:51 Staying Active And Final Wrap

Basketball Reference: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/countme01.html

Mel Counts highlights: https://youtu.be/7XcO7xAc_r4

Mel Counts NBA2K: https://youtu.be/JllZNFwnn9A

Mel Counts replaces Wilt Chamberlain late in 1969’s NBA championship game seven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnu5vMfPtbw&t=8256s

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