Big Apple Turnover (Ray Williams nickname on New York Knicks, 1979)

American basketball player Ray Williams (1954-2013) was born in Mount Vernon, New York, and played in the NBA for both the New York Knicks (the team that drafted him with the tenth pick of the first round in 1977) and the New Jersey Nets. Because he often turned the ball over to the other team, and also because he played on the New York Knicks (in the city called “The Big Apple”), he was sometimes called “The Human Turnover” and “The Big Apple Turnover.”
 
“People are starting to call Ray Williams ‘The Big Apple Turnover’” was printed in the Daily News (New York, NY) on January 14, 1979. “Last year he was The Big Apple Turnover, a reckless, out-of-control guard with a penchant for turning the ball over at the most inopportune times” was printed in the Asbury Park (NJ) Press on October 20, 1979. “He has only eight more assists than turnovers, and that’s why he’s often called ‘The Human Turnover’ or ‘The Big Apple Turnover’” was printed in the Kansas City (MO) Times on February 14, 1984.
 
“Big Apple Turnover” was later a nickname given to New York Knicks forward Julius Randle in 2019. “Big Apple Turnover” was also the nickname of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones in 2019. “Big Apple Sauce” (Ahmed “Sauce” Gardner nickname on the New York Jets) is another “Big Apple” sports player nickname.
   
   
Wikipedia: Ray Williams (basketball)
Thomas Ray Williams (October 14, 1954 – March 22, 2013) was an American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association from 1977 to 1987. Born in Mount Vernon, New York, he was the younger brother of Gus Williams, who also played in the NBA.
 
Basketball Reference
Ray Williams
Thomas Ray Williams
(Boom Boom, The Big Apple Turnover, Buttersworth, Crazy Eddie)
Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-3, 188lb (190cm, 85kg)
     
Newspapers.com
14 January 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), “Young Ideas” by Dick Young, Sports sec., pg. 4, col. 3:
People are starting to call Ray Williams “The Big Apple Turnover.”
 
Newspapers.com
20 October 1979, Asbury Park (NJ) Press, “Williams’ New ‘Grip’ Helps Knicks to Win” by Michael Amsel, pg. B1, col. 4:
PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP—Last year he was The Big Apple Turnover, a reckless, out-of-control guard with a penchant for turning the ball over at the most inopportune times.
 
This year he’s just plain Ray Williams, a 24-year-old professional with a firm grip on both the basketball and his future.
 
Newspapers.com
14 February 1984, Kansas City (MO) Times, “Knicks’ Ray Williams looking for security wherever he may play” by Tom Friend, pg. C-3, col. 3:
What Williams, 29, gives the Knicks is quickness. And he can also give them heartache. Williams is known for his turnovers, for playing out of control. He has only eight more assists than turnovers, and that’s why he’s often called “The Human Turnover” or “The Big Apple Turnover.”
 
Twitter
Brandon Anderson
@wheatonbrando
lmao is anyone old enough to remember watching Ray Williams?
dude was a Knicks point guard in the late 70s and apparently his nickname was The Big Apple Turnover.
that’s… incredible.
12:57 PM · May 13, 2019
 
Twitter
LB
@Keno_2blk
Thomas Ray Williams a.k.a The Big Apple Turnover himself!!
Y’all want anything from Heaven?
9:38 PM · Jul 23, 2019
 
Twitter
Honest☘️Larry
@HonestLarry1
Ray Williams. Boston Celtics. aka Boom Boom. aka The Big Apple Turnover. aka Buttersworth.
Quote Tweet
REM
@rubicon524
·
Oct 27, 2020
Replying to @HonestLarry1
Ray Williams & Mychal Thompson..
I’d say that was a pretty good team.
4:53 PM · Oct 27, 2020