ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In 1951, the Rochester Royals were on top of the basketball world, but growing up the son of an NBA champion might not be what you’d think.
Michael Saul’s father, Pep Saul, played on the championship team but rarely talked about his accomplishments.
“We had to pull it out of him kind of. He was not one to brag about anything,” Michael Saul said.
Pep Saul was one of three former Seton Hall Pirates on the team. In ways, it helped him adjust to the NBA.
“He was kind of happy that he was playing with guys he knew but at the same time he also realized that he was good enough to play in the NBA and behind those two guys he wasn’t going to get much of a chance,” Michael Saul said.
Michael Saul said the other former Pirate, Bob Davies, told Rochester management to draft Pep Saul so another team couldn’t take him. They listened and were later proven right.
“Sure enough, he was traded to the Lakers the following year and the Lakers won the championship the next four times,” Michael Saul said.
But before Pep Saul was teammates with George Mikan on those championship teams, it was all about that 1950-51 Royals season, where Rochester were Kings. The Royals were a top team before they won the championship. Beating the Knicks was a win Pep Saul enjoyed and would reminisce about.
In 2026, it’s interesting to think about what winning an NBA Finals must have felt like, but nothing like it is today.
“They partied in the locker room and then they kind of got dressed and went their separate ways,” Michael Saul said. “It was kind of like winning the JD power award and having a celebration in the office and going along with the rest of your life.”
“The only artifact he actually has was Rochester in 2001 celebrated their 50th anniversary and they bought all the players back and they gave them gold watches, because back then when they won the championship, there was no ceremonies,” Michael Saul said.
Rochester’s championship might still hang in the rafters in Sacramento, which is where the franchise is now. It’s still the only one they have, even if it was a small deal back then.
Watch the full story:
Son of 1951 Rochester Royals champion shares what life was like after winning NBA title WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about son of 1951 rochester royals champion shares what life was like after winning nba title was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Son of 1951 Rochester Royals champion shares what life was like after winning NBA title )
Also on site :
- Country Star Tearfully Breaks Down During Major Awards Show While Sharing a Powerful Message on Mental Health
- Nicolas Winding Refn On Making ‘Her Private Hell’ After A Brush With Death: “I Had To Start All Over Again”
- The top pandemic threats as WHO declares Ebola emergency