Garfinkel, Dutch

Jack Garfinkel

A member of the very first Boston Celtics team, Dutch was a colorful personality, and great player, in the early days of the NBA. Howie McHugh, the Celtics' publicist for years, said of Garfinkel: "Dutch was a great passer, perhaps the Bob Cousy of his day...I remember him hitting five sets in a row one night and then throwing in the sixth from mid-court and throwing kisses to the crowd." Leonard Lewin, dean of New York sportswriters, made this observation on February 22, 2001: "Dutch was one of the great passers of all time. Dick McGuire learned from him -- and Dick McGuire is considered one of the great passers of all time." Among his many notable distinctions, Dutch is credited with being the first to initiate the "look-away" pass that has become such a crowd-pleasing staple of today's game. He did it not to show off -- an eloquent advocate of team play, Dutch disapproves of ostentation for its own sake -- but to provide easier, open shots for teammates left unguarded by unsuspecting defenders. Of course, his teammates had to adjust to Dutch's phenomenal level of skill, and to the hard "bullet" passes he threw which were so difficult for a rival to intercept. "I broke fingers on the hands of four different players," he observed (in an interview with this NYU Web site on March 2, 2001). Dutch was also one of the referees in the first college game to employ three refs in a single contest.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. June 13, 1918

Career Highlights:
While at St. John's, Garfinkel was an All-Met selection for three straight years. In 1939, he was named Madison Square Garden third team All-America while leading St. John's to its first appearance in the NIT. The Redmen had a record of 17-2, and finished in fourth place in the tournament after losing to Loyola in the semifinals (in overtime), and then to Bradley in the consolation game. Dutch averaged 6.7 points in the tournament. In 1940, Garfinkel helped lead St. John's back to the NIT with a record of 15-3. He scored 8 points in their 38-31 first round loss to Duquesne. In 1941, Dutch was captain of the basketball team, and helped lead them to a record of 11-6. That year, he was the winner of the Haggerty Award, which is still given annually to the outstanding player in the Metropolitan New York area. Walter McLaughlin, St. John's Athletic Director for 39 years, said: "Dutch was the most unselfish player we've ever had. Perhaps he didn't score all that much, but he had a hand in everybody else scoring."

After his stellar collegiate career, Dutch played professional basketball in the NBL and NBA. In 1946, he was a member of the NBL champion Rochester Royals, along with Red Holzman. He played in 28 career NBL games and scored 47 points. In 1946, Dutch also played for the Boston Celtics of the newly formed NBA (then called the Basketball Association of America) -- he played three seasons for the Celtics. In 1946-47, Boston finished in last place in the Eastern Division with a record of 22-38. In 1947-48, the Celtics finished 20-28 and lost to the Max Zaslofsky-led Chicago Stags in the playoffs, 2-1. Garfinkel played in all 3 games of the series, scored 22 points and had 7 assists. The following year, Boston finished 25-35 and again missed the playoffs -- Dutch retired after the season.

After his playing days, Dutch became a coach and referee. He officiated high school games in New York City, collegiate games in the Eastern College Athletic Conference, and in the Eastern Pro League. He is a member of St. John's University Hall of Fame, and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

Origin:
Brooklyn, New York

Career Dates:
Dutch played at St. John's, 1939-1941. He played in the ABL with the Baltimore Clippers and Trenton Tigers in 1941-42, and the Philadelphia Sphas, 1944-45. He played in the NBL with the Rochester Royals in 1945-1947, and in the NBA with the Boston Celtics in 1946-1949.

Physical description:
6'0", 190 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NBA:
Games: 92
Points: 476
Points Per Game: 5.2

Field Goals Made: 207
Field Goals Attempted: 754
Field Goal Percentage: .275

Free Throws Made: 62
Free Throws Attempted: 88
Free Throw Percentage: .705

Rebounds: not available
Assists: 134
Assists Per Game: 1.5
Personal Fouls: 159

NBA playoffs:
Games: 3
Points: 22
Points Per Game: 7.3

Field Goals Made: 7
Field Goals Attempted: 23
Field Goal Percentage: .304

Free Throws Made: 8
Free Throws Attempted: 10
Free Throw Percentage: .800
Rebounds: not available
Assists: 7
Assists Per Game: 2.3
Personal Fouls: 15

In the NBL:
Games: 28
Points: 47
Points Per Game: 1.7

Field Goals Made: 19
Field Goals Attempted: not available

Free Throws Made: 9
Free Throws Attempted: not available

Rebounds: not available
Assists: not available
Personal Fouls: not available

NBL playoffs:
Games: 6
Points: 3
Points Per Game: 0.5

Field Goals Made: 1
Field Goals Attempted: not available

Free Throws Made: 1
Free Throws Attempted: 3
Free Throw Percentage: .333

Rebounds: not available
Assists: not available
Personal Fouls: 1

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