In the history of professional basketball, few figures loom as large—both literally and figuratively—as Spencer Haywood.The Hall of Famer didn’t just change the game on the court; he changed the league’s fabric forever by winning the landmark 1971 Supreme Court case that allowed players to enter the NBA before their college classes graduated.
Recently, I caught up with the legend to discuss the current state of the league. From the hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama to the inevitable return of his beloved Seattle Supersonics, Haywood remains as unfiltered and insightful as ever. We dived into the evolution of the “big man,” LeBron James’ retirement roadmap, and why “girth basketball” still matters in a three-point world.
This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity and space. Make sure to check out the Full Interview with Spencer Haywood here.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: People are calling Victor Wembanyama a “one-of-one” talent that the NBA has never seen before. Do you agree with that assessment?
Spencer Haywood: [laughing] Man please! I got on Ralph [Sampson] early about that mess for him not taking his crown because Ralph was the original. And so, I’ve seen this before and one thing I can say about Ralph is that I wish that he’d have left college early because he would have had a LOT of good years in his legs before he got hurt. My gosh… what a player.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking toward the end of LeBron James’ career, would you rather see him have a final run in Cleveland or perhaps a stint in Dallas?
Spencer Haywood: Cleveland I would say because that’s where he’s from and all of that but, Dallas seems really intriguing. But then again, I’m a Laker so I can’t let him go from the Lakers here! There’s also one other possibility—if he hangs around a few more years, he can be in Las Vegas and own some of that new franchise.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: There is a lot of buzz about NBA expansion. Do you believe a franchise is returning to Seattle, and will they officially be the “Supersonics” again?
Spencer Haywood: Yeah. We just had our event with Lenny Wilkens where we put up his statue in front of the Climate Pledge Arena and we’re coming back. Both teams are coming—Las Vegas and the Seattle Supersonics. It is the Sonics, you know? We didn’t lose our name or anything, they just sold the team to Oklahoma City. The OKC Thunder, congratulations, but it’s originally a Sonic.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: At this stage of his career, especially if he were to team up with a floor general like Luka Dončić, do you prefer LeBron as a primary scorer or a playmaker?
Spencer Haywood: I like him better now as more of a semi-playmaker, but I always want him to play “bully ball” and give it some girth down low and around the basket. You know the world now is a game of three-point shooting and so on and so forth, but I like LeBron when he’s playing girth basketball.
The Verdict
Whether he is advocating for the physical “bully ball” of yesteryear or championing the return of professional basketball to the Pacific Northwest, Spencer Haywood remains a vital bridge between the NBA’s storied past and its expansive future.
His perspective serves as a reminder that while the league continues to evolve with players like Wembanyama, the blueprint for greatness—and the soul of cities like Seattle—remains timeless.
As LeBron James eyes his next move and the league looks toward expansion, Haywood’s voice continues to be the conscience of the game.
