For the 1961-62 season, The NBA returned to Chicago after 11 years after the Stags who made it to the first championship series folded. The new team known as the Packers, who are the first expansion team to join the NBA in 12 years were not very good as they finished in last place with an awful 18-62 record. However, first round draft pick Walt Bellamay became an instant star winning the Rookie of the Year while finishing 2nd to Wilt Chamberlain with an impressive 31.6 ppg, and finishing 3rd in rebounds to Chamberlain and Bill Russell with a 19.0 per game. This would be the only year that the franchise was named the Chicago Packers. During the 1962-63 season, the team name was changed to the Zephyrs. The following year, the team would then move to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Bullets. The New York Knicks are one of the NBA’s storied franchises originating with the original teams in 1946.
This 14” x 22” cardboard advertising broadside was produced by Romo Display Adv in Green Bay, Wisconsin (they made several of the Green Bay Packers advertising broadside posters) and advertised a game to played at the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena (which opened in 1958 and closed/demolished in 2019). The arena was situated on the corner of Lombardi Avenue and Oneida Street across from Lambeau Field.
This game was to be played on January 4, 1962 and the poster features NY Knicks stars, Richie Guerin, Johnny Green, and Willie Naulls. The Chicago Packers were touting Walt Bellamy, Bob Leonard, and Horace Walker. Some definite wear and handling to the poster with some creasing, but it’s definitely a rare NBA survivor that connects Green Bay, the Chicago Packers, and the New York Knicks together.