Caldwell Jones: An appreciation

The Philadelphia 76ers from 1976 to 1983 were the rock stars of local sports.

Big-time names like Julius Erving, Doug Collins, Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks or big-time personalities like Darryl Dawkins and World B. Free populated the roster.

Caldwell Jones was neither a big name or personality, but he was an important part of the success the Sixers enjoyed during that stretch as anyone.

Jones passed away on September 22 at the age of 64. Not surprisingly, he died quietly, having a heart attack at a golf course in Georgia.

For youngsters, it might be hard to believe there was a time when the 76ers were one of the elite teams in the NBA. They were not trying to lose games from the mid-70s to the early 80s, they were doing everything they could to win the NBA title.

Jones started out in the old ABA playing for the San Diego Conquistadors. Their coach was Wilt Chamberlain so Jones got the best possible tutorial on how to play center.

He was a double-digit scorer in the ABA but when he arrived in Philadelphia in 1976, he saw all the firepower on the team and quickly realized his role: Play defense, rebound and keep your mouth shut.

His scoring average plunged from 16 points a game to 6 but it kept Jones in the starting lineup throughout his career with the 76ers.

As a sort of nod to his unselfishness, on the first offensive play of the game, coach Billy Cunningham would always call a play for Jones. It was also a way to remind defenses he was on the court and had to guard him.

While he was not much of a talker with the press, with major talkers like Dawkins and Dr. J, there was not much room in the newspapers for others. He apparently was very funny off the court and popular with teammates.

Jones helped the Sixers to three NBA finals, losing all three. He got traded for Moses Malone in 1983, the move that put the 76ers over the top as they rolled to the championship that year.

He lasted in the NBA until the age of 39. He had learned that other teams also liked players who rebounded, played defense and did not cause trouble in the locker room.

No one ever called Caldwell Jones stupid. He kept collecting a paycheck long after the big-name guys he started out with were no longer playing.

As a sort of big guy with limited skills, I always appreciated that.

Stuart London’s views on basketball can be found on this website. You can contact him at Slondon@Calkins.com or on Twitter @Realstuartl.