Marty Friedman (basketball)

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Max "Marty" Friedman (July 12, 1889 – January 1, 1986) was an American pro basketball player and coach.


He played almost 20 years of pro basketball (1908–27), while being mostly known for playing with the New York Whirlwinds.

He is considered to be one of the best defensive guards of his era. Friedman later became coach of the Troy Haymakers of the ABL (1938/39). In a 17-year career (1910–27), Friedman played in almost every league in the East, habitually leading his team to championships. In 1921, he played with the New York Whirlwinds. In the World Championship series, 11,000 people watched Friedman hold Celtics' shooting star Johnny Beckman to one field goal as the Whirlwinds defeated the Original Celtics, 40–27. The Celtics won the second game, 26–24, but officials were afraid that the excitable and unruly crowds would lose control and the deciding third game was never played.[citation needed]

When World War I began, Friedman promoted basketball internationally. He organized a 600-team tournament in France, which prompted the Inter-Allied Games, a forerunner to the World Championships and Olympic recognition.

He and Barney Sedran were referred to as "The Heavenly Twins". After his retirement from basketball, Friedman became the owner of a parking garage (his father had owned a pushcart stable), located at 49th Street east of First Avenue in NYC, NY, which served Tudor City Apartments and environs. He sold his garage and retired in 1959 at the age of seventy.

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