Flynn Robinson’s time with Lakers ‘one of best moments’ in his life

NBA champion Flynn Robinson died Thursday after a battle with cancer.

Robinson, who played with the Lakers during their 1971-72 championship season, contributed to the team’s historic 33-game win streak.

“My favorite memory is the 1971 draft, when they said, ‘Flynn has been traded to Los Angeles,’ said Robinson in an interview that can be found in the audio vault of veteran radio personality Ted Sobel, recorded in December 2012.

Robinson was traded from the Cincinnati Royals, spending just one year with the Lakers.

“It was beautiful,” Robinson said. “Once we got together. We became real tough. I could kind of tell -- our first four games were on the road and we won all four of them. I remember Chick Hearn said, ‘No Laker team has ever hit the road and won four in a row ... this is the making of something special.’”

Robinson was an All-Star in 1970 for the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 14 points and three assists a game from 1966-1974 (playing in both the NBA and ABA).

“It was a great thing. It was one of the best moments in my life,” said Robinson on his experience with the Lakers.

Robinson spoke briefly with Sobel about his illness.

“I’ve been dealing with this cancer,” said Robinson. “I’m hanging in there. The good thing is my cancer has been in remission for a long time.”

Unfortunately, the Lakers family lost a champion Thursday.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.