Bob Davies

The Original Showman Who Pioneered Modern Basketball

Before the fast breaks, ankle-breaking crossovers, and dazzling no-look passes became NBA staples, Bob Davies was already doing it. A true pioneer of the game, Davies was one of basketball’s first great playmakers—a magician with the ball who changed how the game was played before the world even knew what was coming.

Long before flashy ball-handling and lightning-fast transitions became standard, Davies was orchestrating fast breaks, threading impossible passes, and introducing the behind-the-back dribble to professional basketball. His influence can still be seen in today’s game, where speed, creativity, and flair define the league’s best guards.

From Small-Town Star to Basketball Revolutionary

Born in 1917 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Bob Davies grew up in an era when basketball was far different from the high-speed spectacle it is today. Back then, the game was slow, methodical, and rigidly structured. Davies, however, saw it differently.

Playing at Seton Hall University, he helped revolutionize the sport by bringing a fast-paced, up-tempo style that had never been seen before. He was an offensive mastermind, constantly pushing the ball up the court and creating scoring opportunities at a time when most teams preferred to slow the game down.

His dynamic play earned him All-American honors, and after serving in World War II, he joined the Rochester Royals, where he would help change the professional game forever.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Bob Davies may have played in an era before modern stat-tracking, but his accomplishments speak for themselves:

• NBA Champion (1951)
• Four-time NBA All-Star
• Four-time All-NBA First Team selection
• One of the first players to introduce the behind-the-back dribble to professional basketball
• Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970

Though his numbers might not jump off the page compared to modern stars, his impact on the game was revolutionary.

How Bob Davies Changed Basketball

Before Davies, professional basketball was a half-court game, reliant on set plays and slow, deliberate ball movement. His arrival injected speed, flair, and excitement into the sport, laying the foundation for the up-tempo style that defines the NBA today.

• First player to regularly use the behind-the-back dribble in professional play, an innovation that was considered unnecessary—until defenders realized they couldn’t stop it.
• Helped popularize the fast break offense, proving that pushing the tempo and attacking in transition was a winning strategy.
• Elite passer who made teammates better, setting the stage for the great point guards who would follow.

Everything from Magic Johnson’s showtime fast breaks to Stephen Curry’s quick-trigger transition threes can be traced back to the basketball blueprint Davies helped establish.

Two Moments That Define Bob Davies

Leading the Rochester Royals to the 1951 NBA Championship

At a time when teams like the Minneapolis Lakers dominated the league, Davies led the Rochester Royals to their first and only NBA title in 1951. His leadership and playmaking were instrumental in the team’s victory, proving that speed and skill could beat brute force and size.

His fast-paced offense helped the Royals outmaneuver bigger, stronger teams, showcasing a style of play that would later become the norm in the NBA.

Introducing the Behind-the-Back Dribble to the Pros

Imagine a time when even a basic crossover was rare. Now imagine being the first player to confidently pull off a behind-the-back dribble in a professional game.

Davies shocked defenders by using this move to evade pressure, create space, and orchestrate the offense in ways that had never been seen before. What was once viewed as unnecessary showmanship became a staple move in the game—a move that would later be perfected by legends like Pete Maravich, Magic Johnson, and Jason Williams.

Bob Davies’s Most Iconic Basketball Cards

1948 Bowman Bob Davies Rookie Card

One of the earliest professional basketball cards ever made, this Bowman rookie card is a piece of basketball history. As one of the first major stars of the professional game, this card is a must-have for collectors of vintage basketball memorabilia.

1951 Wheaties Bob Davies Card

A rare, unique collectible that captures Davies at the height of his career, just as he was leading the Rochester Royals to an NBA championship.

1952 Berk Ross Bob Davies Card

A beautiful example of a vintage card from the early NBA era, featuring Davies in his Royals uniform during the final years of his career.

Why Bob Davies’s Legacy Still Matters Today

Bob Davies wasn’t just a player—he was a basketball innovator. His fast break style, behind-the-back dribble, and dynamic playmaking helped shape the future of the sport.

Though his name may not be as widely recognized today, his influence lives on in every point guard who thrives in transition, in every fancy dribble move that leaves a defender frozen, and in every team that builds its offense around speed and ball movement.

To own a Bob Davies card is to own a piece of basketball’s very foundation, a tribute to one of the sport’s true pioneers.

Bob Davies isn’t just a forgotten name from the past—he’s a legend whose impact is woven into the very fabric of the game.