Webin a time of chaos, a breakout year for black athletes. Spencer haywood, a member of the u. s. Basketball team at the mexico city olympic games, shows his. The basketball world is discovering — make that rediscovering — spencer haywood. The joy that makes him feel is immense, all the. He had also changed the face of pro and college ball, paving the way for many like him to use. Webby taking the nba to the supreme court (and winning), spencer haywood helped pave the way for all the players that came after him. Webwhen spencer haywood came to los angeles in 1979 to be the lakers' ultimate weapon at power forward, he made an interesting discovery. Webspencer haywood (born april 22, 1949) is an american former professional basketball player and olympic gold medalist. Haywood is a member of the naismith memorial. Webthe hardship rule, inspired by spencer haywood, was one of the earliest and most impactful examples of this, an initial sign that american sports were evolving. Webspencer haywood kicked open doors in the 1970s and had others slammed in his face for his success. Now a new film brings his remarkable story to life. Webmissing from that list was spencer haywood, the trailblazing forward who grew up picking cotton in mississippi and wound up reshaping the league in a way that.