Category Archives: 1970’s
Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem
Charge: Marijuana Possession
Arrest Date: October 6, 1972
Franchise: Milwaukee Bucks
Age 25
Details: While Abdul-Jabbar and fellow Milwaukee Buck Lucius Allen smoked a joint while driving, cops pulled them over and arrested both for marijuana possession.
Van Lier, Norm
Charge: Inciting a riot, assaulting and obstructing a police officer, and surety of the peace
Arrest Date: August 1, 1972
Franchise: Chicago Bulls
Age 25
Details: Van Lier, upset after hearing that a local police officer had accused him of selling drugs, stormed into the police station and demanded to speak to the officer. Their discussion became heated, and Van Lier punched the officer in the face and fled. He later returned to the station with ten others and a brawl broke out, resulting in his arrest.
Howard, Greg
Charge: Cocaine Possession
Arrest Date: June 20, 1972
Franchise: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age 24
Payne, Tom
Charge: Rape & Attempted Rape
Arrest Date: May 19, 1972
Franchise: Atlanta Hawks
Age 21
Details: Payne was arrested for raping a 22 year old in a parked car in Atlanta. He was eventually convicted and faced 11 years in prison, ending his playing career shortly after it began. After his release he returned to prison for yet another rape and served another 14 years.
Maravich, Pete
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Arrest Date: April 18, 1971
Franchise: Atlanta Hawks
Age 23
Monroe, Earl
Charge: Disorderly Conduct
Arrest Date: February 11, 1971
Franchise: Washington Wizards
Age 26
NBA Crime Library 