He played under the nickname “Tiny”
I’m unsure who bestowed the moniker of “Tiny” on him; he was taller and heavier than later NBA players Spud Webb (5-7) or Muggsy Bogues (5-3). Wikipedia claims he was 6-1 and weighed in at 150 pounds. The weight might be correct but I have my doubts if he was really 6-1, my guess 5-10 or 5-11. Nate Archibald holds a distinction unique to his name and one perhaps no other NBA player will ever duplicate not even LeBron James. A number of players have led the NBA in scoring or assists; none has managed to accomplish the feat in the same season. The 1972-73 season would prove to be monumental for Archibald. Playing for the Kansas City-Omaha Kings he led the NBA in scoring at a 34 point per game clip, he also dished out 11.4 assists per game.
The only problem the Kings had few offensive weapons besides him that year; the team finished 10 games under .500 with a 36-46 record. This Hall of Fame player had a 14-year NBA career compiling an 18.8 per game scoring average along with 7.4 assists. He tasted further success as a member of the NBA Champion Celtics in 1981. Archibald fell short of graduating while at Texas-El Paso so he completed an undergraduate degree prior to his NBA retirement. He later attended Fordham University graduating with a Masters Degree. *“He began long-distance correspondence work toward a doctorate from California Coast University in 2000 but ceased his studies because of "his lack of funds and the motivation to complete a long-distance correspondence curriculum." He has stated his hope to complete the degree in the future at Fordham.” *Wikipedia
I have no clue
There are countless questions facing the Lakers in the 2013-14 season, fans are unsure what to expect from our favorite NBA team. They have questions on and off the court and that don’t include the coach. Just a few of the questions, the Kobe injury, 40-year old point guard Steve Nash and the possible departure of Dwight Howard. Can Pau Gasol recover from his disconnected season? In addition a number of Laker fans still resent the D‘Antoni hire as head coach. The end of the Lakers playoff run and the 2013 draft waited. Would it be a point guard, small or power forward or maybe a center chosen? The pick turned out to be power forward Ryan Kelly of Duke, Kelly could aid the Lakers in one area at least, becoming a younger team. He has the size (6-11 and 230 pounds), he won’t become a starter however it’s my belief he’ll gain a spot on the roster.
Can Kelly play, Duke and the ACC is not the NBA so don’t misunderstand my statement. According to scouting reports the one area he lacks is rebounding skill. Kobe is Kobe, he will return in January or February somewhat tentative but will return and play at Kobe level. It’s my belief youngster Darius Morris will allow Nash to play fewer minutes at the point. Despite the doom and gloom of the experts it’s my belief the Lakers might be somewhat better if Howard leaves. As for Gasol he’ll recover and if he is not traded will adjust to the D’Antoni system. If reports are true the D’Antoni offense is not going to change over the next few weeks Howard might as well go somewhere he can be the alpha dog. D’Antoni has never won an NBA Championship but keep this in mind; he managed to win consistently in Phoenix without a topnotch center. If it appears to be positive and upbeat that is the point, the Lakers might not make the playoffs but they will compete. Of course this assessment will not be complete until the middle of the NBA season.
Just in case you thought it was just me
My desire was to point out someone besides me has issues with the Champion Heat. Charles Barkley is that someone, when questioned on the team this is his statement last week. *“He told Dan Patrick on Friday (June 21) that even though Miami has the best player, Indiana and San Antonio have better teams. “That team is very flawed," Barkley said. "They're old and slow. They've got to break that team up. "Unless they do something, LeBron is not going to stay there. He's smart enough to know if he has to play like he plays now, it's going to shorten LeBron's career. You think Karl Malone and I would be licking our chops playing the little Miami Heat?” *Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
This is not official
I had to discuss the Celtic-Nets trade due to the pure shock of it. I think most of us were aware change was probably in the wind but certainly not this drastic for the Celtics. They were a playoff team this past season however I don’t think anyone considered them serious contenders for an NBA Championship. Ever played the game where you stacked dominos on end? You push over the first domino and all others lined up fall in succession, that’s the Celtics. The first domino to fall was Doc Rivers, was it the Rondo factor or the fact of a non-contending team or something else? Most of us thought Celtic Paul Pierce would retire in green, same for Kevin Garnett. The trio of Garnett, Pierce and Allen were key contributors to the Celtics 2008 NBA Championship.
Allen left last year for South Beach; Pierce and Allen along with Jason Terry are headed to Brooklyn. Because the trade is not official the names are subject to change. According to draft night reports the Celtics will receive Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and first round picks in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Once again the trade cannot become official until July 10 however it’s a done deal. Last week I wrote of contenders for the Eastern Conference Championship in 2013-14. Listed were the Pacers, Bulls and I indicated the Nets were on the outside of contention. I tried to point out trades and free agent signings could improve a team’s position, the Nets are in the category of contenders with this trade.
Mizzou recruiting
Frank Haith and staff received their first 2014 commit last weekend. Chris Sandifer announced a verbal commitment while visiting the Columbia campus. Rivals.com rates Sandier a 4-star prospect while ESPN Recruiting Nation awards him 3-stars. Even more confusing is the position he plays and his size, he’s either a 6-6 190 pound small forward or a 6-4 180 pound shooting guard. Stats aside it proves one again Mizzou can attract athletes from everywhere. Sandifer is from Gardena (CA) near Los Angeles. As stated earlier Sandifer is yet to sign on the dotted line however he states his commitment is binding, no requirement for other schools continuing to recruit him. Rick Pitino lost a player from his NCAA Championship team. Zach Price is leaving Louisville headed to Columbia Missouri. *“Never found a regular spot in coach Rick Pitino's rotation as Louisville made its run toward the national title.” Price is a 6-10 250 pound center who would be entering his junior year. According to PowerMizzou.com Price will sit out the 2013-14 season and have two years of eligibility remaining. Mizzou has two remaining scholarships for the Class of 2014. *St Louis
Post-Dispatch
