Former Laker Flynn Robinson Dies At 72


Former Lakers player Flynn Robinson died on Thursday at the age of 72. Robinson, who played on the Lakers’ championship 1971-1972 team, died after a two-year fight with cancer.

The former NBA guard’s passing was announced by his wife, Nancy Pitts-Robinson, who informed the team. Late Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn nicknamed Robinson “Mr. Instant Point.”

The six-foot-one player averaged 9.9 points and 2.2 assists in 61 games during the 1971 to 1972 season. He helped the Lakers win an NBA-record 33 consecutive games, along with the franchises first-ever title in Los Angeles. Jeanie Buss, the executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers, stated of Robinson’s death:

“We are very sad to hear of the passing of Flynn Robinson. Flynn played an important role on the 1971-72 Lakers team.”

Buss added that Flynn Robinson’s nickname was perfect, because he averaged 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench. He led the reserves in scoring their championship season. She added:

“He was a proud part of our Lakers heritage, participating in numerous reunions and special events over the years, and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.”

Before joining the Lakers, Flynn was named an All-Star in 1970 with the Milwaukee Bucks. And 1970 was arguably Robinson’s best year. The guard averaged 21.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 81 games.

In seven NBA seasons with Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, the Lakers, and Baltimore, Robinson averaged 14.5 points and 3.1 assists. He finished his basketball career in the ABA with the San Diego Conquisatadors in 1973-1974.

When asked in an interview in 2008 if the 71-10 Chicago Bulls of 1995-1996 could have defeated the 1971-1972 Lakers, Robinson replied, “I don’t think none of them could’ve beaten us … I mean, we had a monster team.”

It is not clear what he did after retiring. Flynn Robinson passed away at Keck Hospital in Los Angeles after a two year battle with multiple myeloma.

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