I said that the clip posted earlier today would be a preview of today's profilee, and here it is. The profilee won three NBA titles with the "Showtime" Lakers of the 1980s, where he was a key to their explosive fast break. He was named to seven All-Star teams, was named Finals MVP in 1988, and was chosen as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He is James Worthy.

James Worthy was born February 27, 1961 in Gastonia, North Carolina. At Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, Worthy was an All-American player as a senior, leading the team to the state title game. He then attended the University of North Carolina, where in three years there, he led the school to a national title as the leader of a team that featured future NBA players Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins. Worthy scored 28 points in the title game against Georgetown in 1982, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. In three years, Worthy averaged 14.5 PPG and 7.4 RPG. After his junior year, Worthy was selected first overall in the 1982 NBA Draft by the defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers. It was like fitting a hand into a custom-made glove.

As a rookie, Worthy was chosen to the All-NBA Rookie 1st Team, averaging 13.4 PPG and 5.2 RPG in 77 games before breaking his leg, causing him to miss L.A.'s entire postseason run. During his second year, he replaced Jamaal Wilkes as the starter at small forward, and while he sparkled in the playoffs (21.5 PPG), he made several mistakes that helped contribute to the Lakers losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games. In game two, Worthy threw the pass that Gerald Henderson stole and scored to tie the game (the Lakers lost it in overtime), and he shoved Cedric Maxwell from behind in game six, which L.A. won, but showed that they were frazzled by the Celtics' physical play. It was the Lakers' eighth title loss to the Celtics.

But in 1984-85, the Lakers and Worthy broke through. Worthy averaged 19.6 PPG in the 1985 playoffs, helping the Lakers finally beat the Celtics and win the NBA title. The series helped turn Worthy into a star; he made his first All-Star team in 1986 (he made the team every year after until 1992), and by 1986-87, Worthy was the key playoff scorer for the Lakers; he averaged 23.6 PPG, leading the team and helping L.A. to another world title. In 1987-88, Worthy helped the Lakers become the first team since 1969 to repeat as champions, defeating the Detroit Pistons in seven games. Worthy once again led the team in playoff scoring (21.1 PPG), with his defining pro moment coming in the deciding game against the Pistons. In that game 7, Worthy achieved his only career triple-double with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to give L.A. the title.

Worthy remained a capable scorer as the Lakers transitioned in the late 80s and early 90s; his two highest scoring came in 1989-90 (21.1 PPG) and 1990-91 (21.4 PPG), but the Lakers wouldn't win another title, and after Magic Johnson retired in 1991, the Lakers were no longer title contenders. Worthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in 1992, and the injury cost him the quickness essential to his game. After struggling with injuries for two more seasons, Worthy retired in the preseason in November 1994. When he retired, he had scored 16,320 points (17.6 PPG career) and had 4,708 rebounds (5.1 RPG). He was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and in 2003, he was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Season-by-Season Statistical Review:
1982-83: 77 GP, 1 GS, 13.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 57.9 FG%, 62.4 FT%
1983-84: 82 GP, 53 GS, 14.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 55.6 FG%, 75.9 FT%
1984-85: 80 GP, 76 GS, 17.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, 57.2 FG%, 77.6 FT%
1985-86: 75 GP, 73 GS, 20.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 57.9 FG%, 77.1 FT%
1986-87: 82 GP, 82 GS, 19.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 53.9 FG%, 75.1 FT%
1987-88: 75 GP, 72 GS, 19.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 53.1 FG%, 79.6 FT%
1988-89: 81 GP, 81 GS, 20.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 54.8 FG%, 78.2 FT%
1989-90: 80 GP, 80 GS, 21.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 54.8 FG%, 78.2 FT%
1990-91: 78 GP, 74 GS, 21.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 49.2 FG%, 79.7 FT%
1991-92: 54 GP, 54 GS, 19.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 44.7 FG%, 81.4 FT%
1992-93: 82 GP, 69 GS, 14.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 44.7 FG%, 81.0 FT%
1993-94: 80 GP, 2 GS, 10.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 40.6 FG%, 74.1 FT% 

Since the last clip I uploaded was about the 1985 NBA Finals (I've already profiled that series), today's profile is about a key player from that series. He starred with Larry Bird and Robert Parish on the Boston Celtics' three title teams of the 1980s, was a seven-time All-Star, was All-NBA 1st Team in 1987, and won two Sixth Man awards. He is Kevin McHale.

Kevin McHale was born December 19, 1957 in Hibbing, Minnesota. McHale was named "Mr. Basketball" as a senior at Hibbing High School, then stayed home to attend the University of Minnesota, where he averaged 15.2 PPG and 8.5 RPG over his four years there (his best year came as a junior, with averages of 17.9 PPG and 9.6 RPG) and was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection. After trading down from the first overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected McHale third overall. Also acquired in the trade was center Robert Parish. Together with Larry Bird, the trio became the finest frontcourt in the NBA in the 1980s.

As a rookie, McHale was solid as a reserve, averaging 10 PPG and 4.4 RPG while playing mainly as a defensive force. The Celtics won the NBA title in McHale's rookie season, and the highlight came in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals, when he blocked an Andrew Toney shot that would have won the game for the Philadelphia 76ers and got the rebound to seal Boston's win. McHale played solidly for the next two seasons, but the Celtics never got past the conference finals either year, and McHale (among others) grew weary of coach Bill Fitch's hard hand.

McHale came close to bolting for the New York Knicks in 1983, signing an offer sheet, but when the Celtics signed three Knicks to offer sheets, New York pulled away. Fitch was fired and replaced by K.C. Jones, whose easy hand was a welcome site for the Celtics. McHale played his best ball to date in 1983-84, winning the Sixth Man award with averages of 18.4 PPG and 7.4 RPG, helping the Celtics reach the NBA Finals. There, he made more headlines, but this time, it was for a defining physical moment. In game four of the 1984 NBA Finals, with Boston trailing the Los Angeles Lakers 2-1 in games, and also trailing in the game, McHale clotheslined Kurt Rambis on the way to an easy basket, nearly igniting a brawl. The play rejuvenated the team, and Boston used the physical edge gained to beat the Lakers in seven games for another NBA title.

In 1984-85, McHale repeated as Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 19.8 PPG and 9.0 RPG. But in February, he was forced to become a starter when regular starter Cedric Maxwell injured a knee. No problem; on, March 3, McHale set a franchise record (which, ironically, was broken nine days later by Bird!) for points in a game with 56 against the Detroit Pistons, then scored 42 two night later against the Knicks; the 98 points in two straight games remains a team record. Boston reached the Finals again, but lost to the Lakers in six games, even as McHale led the Celtics in scoring (26 per game) and rebounding (10.7 RPG) in the series. After the season, Maxwell was traded, making McHale the permanent starter.

In 1985-86, McHale made his second All-Star team (he made the team prior to this in 1984, and also made it in 1987-91), averaging 21.3 PPG and 8.1 RPG as Boston rolled to the best record in the NBA and won their third title of the decade over Houston in six games. When the 1986-87 season began, McHale was playing the best ball of his career; his final season averages were 26.1 PPG (a career best) and 9.9 RPG (also a best). But in a win at Chicago on March 27, McHale broke the navicular bone in his foot. While he continued to play (and play well), it proved to be the beginning of the end of his career.

McHale's role fluctuated between 1988-89 to 1990-91, as he went from starter back to reserve, and his injuries affected his play. By the 1992-93 season came along, McHale was ready to retire. The end came in an unexpected setting; McHale announced his retirement on the court of the Charlotte Coliseum after the Celtics were eliminated by the Hornets in the first round in 1993. In a fitting end, McHale led the Celtics in scoring (19.6 PPG) in the series. FOr his career, he scored 17.335 points (17.9 PPG career) and grabbed 7,122 rebounds (7.3 RPG). He was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. He joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as an executive after he retired as a player, and worked as executive VP from 1994-2008, and is currently serving as the team's head coach.

Season-by-Season Statistical Review:
1980-81: 82 GP, 10.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.7 APG, 53.3 FG%, 67.9 FT%
1981-82: 82 GP, 33 GS, 13.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 53.1 FG%, 75.4 FT%
1982-83: 82 GP, 13 GS, 14.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 54.1 FG%, 71.7 FT%
1983-84: 82 GP, 10 GS, 18.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 55.6 FG%, 76.5 FT%
1984-85: 79 GP, 31 GS, 19.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 57.0 FG%, 76.0 FT%
1985-86: 68 GP, 62 GS, 21.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 57.4 FG%, 77.6 FT%
1986-87: 77 GP, 77 GS, 26.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 60.4 FG%, 83.6 FT%
1987-88: 64 GP, 63 GS, 22.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 60.4 FG%, 79.7 FT%
1988-89: 78 GP, 74 GS, 22.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 54.6 FG%, 81.8 FT%
1989-90: 82 GP, 25 GS, 20.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 54.9 FG%, 89.3 FT%
1990-91: 68 GP, 10 GS, 18.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 55.3 FG%, 82.9 FT%
1991-92: 56 GP, 1 GS, 13.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 50.9 FG%, 82.2 FT%
1992-93: 71 GP, 0 GS, 10.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 45.9 FG%, 84.1 FT%

 

Hello to everybody who checks out the Pro Basketball Zone! I'm posting this to say that I'll crank out an actual profile tomorrow; I've been knee-deep in school work, so I haven't really had the time to do so. Also, if you want to check out some of my NBA videos, check out my Youtube channel (DownsA530's channel). It features about 20 videos devoted to the NBA, and will expand as I add more material. Thanks to everyone!

As mentioned in prior profiles here in the Zone, the NBA has had plenty of characters in its history. Today's profilee certainly had character; he was named All-NBA Interview for each of his final thirteen seasons as a pro. He may not have won a title, but he has won a regular season MVP and a All-Star Game MVP. He is the "Round Mound of Rebound", "Sir" Charles Barkley.

Charles Barkley was born February 20, 1963 in Leeds, Alabama. Barkley didn't become a starter at Leeds High School until his senior year, but he was spectacular, averaging 19.1 PPG and 17.9 RPG, leading the school to the state semifinals. That performance led him to attend Auburn University where, as an undersized (as far as height goes) center, he was 3rd team All-America in 1984, won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) player of the year award in 1984, and was All-SEC 1st team twice and All-SEC 2nd team twice. For his college career, he averaged 13.6 PPG (high of 15.1 in 1983-84) and 9.3 RPG (best of 9.8 in 1981-82). After his junior year, Barkley declared for the 1984 NBA Draft, and was selected fifth overall in the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

As a rookie, Barkley posted respectable numbers of 14 PPG and 8.6 RPG, earning a spot on the All-NBA Rookie team and helping the Sixers reach the conference finals. As the decade progressed and the Sixers' nucleus aged, Barkley began to assume more of the load offensively. In his second year, he averaged 20 PPG and 12.8 RPG, and in 1986-87, he became the shortest player (six foot six officially) to win the rebounding title (14.6 RPG). That year, Julius Erving retired, leaving Barkley as the face of the entire franchise.

Barkley had his best season to date in the 1987-88 season, with averages of 28.3 PPG and 11.9 RPG, making his second straight All-Star Game (his other appearences were from 1989-96, and he was selected but did not play in 1994 and 1997). Two seasons later, in 1989-90, Barkley finished second to Magic Johnson in the MVP voting, averaging 25.2 PPG and 11.5 RPG and leading the Sixers to their first division title since 1982-83. However, Barkley and Sixer management didn't see eye-to-eye, and after missing the playoffs in 1991-92, the Sixers traded Barkley to the Phoenix Suns for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew Lang.

In his first season with the Suns, Barkley had a great season, averaging 25.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG and 5.1 APG, leading Phoenix to a league-best 62-20 record and the Pacific Division title, for which he won the regular season MVP award. Barkley led the Suns to the NBA Finals, where they came up just short, losing to the Chicago Bulls in six games. The Suns played well throughout Barkley's tenure; they won another division title in 1994-95, and won better than 56 games in three of his four seasons, but never won a NBA title. In an attempt to facilitate that title, after winning his second Olympic gold medal in 1996 (he was also a part of the famous "Dream Team" in 1992, and in fact led both teams in PPG), Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets for Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Chucky Brown and Mark Bryant.

In 1996-97, Barkley played only 53 games, but averaged a solid 19.2 PPG and 13.5 RPG (his second-best average), but the Rockets were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the conference finals. Barkley's final three seasons were beset by injuries; he missed 14 games in 1997-98 and eight games in 1998-99 before tearing a quadricep muscle after 19 games in 1999-2000. But, in his last memorable moment, Barkley returned for one more game against Vancouver late in the season, grabbing an offensive rebound and putting the ball in for a score, receiving a standing ovation from the hometown crowd. Barkley retired after that game with career marks of 23,757 points (22.1 PPG career, 18th all-time) and 12,546 rebounds (11.7 RPG, 16th all-time), and was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He has worked for TNT as an NBA analyst since 2000.

Season-by-Season Statistical Review:
1984-85: 82 GP, 60 GS, 14.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 54.5 FG%, 73.3 FT%, 16.7 3P%
1985-86: 80 GP, 80 GS, 20.0 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 57.2 FG%, 68.5 FT%, 22.7 3P%
1986-87: 68 GP, 62 GS, 23.0 PPG, 14.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 59.4 FG%, 76.1 FT%, 20.2 3P%
1987-88: 80 GP, 80 GS, 28.3 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, 58.7 FG%, 75.1 FT%, 28.0 3P%
1988-89: 79 GP, 79 GS, 25.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 57.9 FG%, 75.3 FT%, 21.6 3P%
1989-90: 79 GP, 79 GS, 25.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 60.0 FG%, 74.9 FT%, 21.7 3P%
1990-91: 67 GP, 67 GS, 27.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 57.0 FG%, 72.2 FT%, 28.4 3P%
1991-92: 75 GP, 75 GS, 23.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 55.2 FG%, 69.5 FT%, 23.4 3P%
1992-93: 76 GP, 76 GS, 25.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 5.1 APG, 52.0 FG%, 76.5 FT%, 30.5 3P%
1993-94: 65 GP, 65 GS, 21.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, 49.5 FG%, 70.4 FT%, 27.0 3P%
1994-95: 68 GP, 66 GS, 23.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 48.6 FG%, 74.8 FT%, 33.8 3P%
1995-96: 71 GP, 71 GS, 23.2 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 50.0 FG%, 77.7 FT%, 28.0 3P%
1996-97: 53 GP, 53 GS, 19.2 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.7 APG, 48.4 FG%, 69.4 FT%, 28.3 3P%
1997-98: 68 GP, 41 GS, 15.2 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 48.5 FG%, 74.6 FT%, 21.4 3P%
1998-99: 42 GP, 40 GS, 16.1 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 47.8 FG%, 71.9 FT%, 16.0 3P%
1999-2000: 20 GP, 18 GS, 14.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 47.7 FG%, 64.5 FT%, 23.1 3P%

Today's finals review profiles the 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. Could the Jazz break through and win their first NBA title? Or would Michael Jordan and Co. end their spectacular run with their sixth NBA title in eight years? Let's find out!

In the 1997 NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz staged a tough battle for the NBA title. The series stretched to six games, and featured the expected moments (Michael Jordan's buzzer beater in game 1) to the classic (Jordan's flu game in game 5) to the unexpected (Steve Kerr hitting the game-winner in the deciding game 6). It may have been the toughest Finals the Bulls had ever been in. But the 1997-98 season held siginificance, because it was expected to be the Bulls' "Last Dance" as a unit; Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and coach Phil Jackson were all free agents after the season, and most expected some if not all to leave. Could the team of the 90s do it one more time?

The Jazz themselves had questions of their own; they had several mental breakdowns in their loss to the Bulls, and many wondered if the aging Jazz, in particular John Stockton and Karl Malone, could maintain their championship-caliber level. Those were just some of the questions that dominated the 1997-98 season.

The Bulls overcame an injury-plagued season from Pippen (he missed 38 games due to injury) and finished 62-20, their fifth 60-win season of the 1990s. Jordan won his third straight scoring title and tenth of his career (28.7 PPG) and won his fifth MVP, tying Bill Russell for second most all-time (behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's six). Jordan was All-NBA 1st Team and All-NBA 1st Team defense with Pippen. Rodman also won his seventh straight rebounding title (15 RPG). Meanwhile, the Jazz also finished 62-20 and won home court advantage by winning the season series with Chicago despite losing Stockton for 18 games with injury. Malone finished third in scoring (27 PPG) and Stockton fifth in assists (8.5 APG).

The Bulls' run to the title started off simple enough; they swept the New Jersey Nets 3 games to 0, then defeated the Charlotte Hornets 4 games to 1. But they got a serious scare from the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals. Buoyed by Reggie Miller and coached by former Celtics great (and 1998 Coach of the Year) Larry Bird, the Pacers extended the Bulls to seven games for only the second time during their run. In the end, a late-game collapse in game 7 allowed the Bulls to win 88-83 and advance to the Finals. The Jazz got an early scare from the Houston Rockets in round one, but won the series 3 games to 2, then stomped the San Antonio Spurs 4 games to 1, and dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep to return to the Finals. For the first time, the Bulls faced a return opponent, and for only the second time, they didn't have the home court advantage.

Game 1 at the Delta Center in Utah saw both teams fire blanks early; Chicago shot only 37% in the first quarter and Utah 35% as the teams were tied at 17. Utah eventually pulled out to a five-point halftime lead as Stockton scored four straight to end the half. With Jazz coach Jerry Sloan using six different players to defend Jordan, the MVP struggled, shooting only 2 for 7 in the third. The Jazz eventually built a 75-68 lead with 4:02 left in regulation when Chicago went to work; they tied the game at 75, and eventually forced overtime with the score knotted at 79. There, Stockton dominated, scoring seven of the Jazz' nine points in the period as the Jazz won 88-83. Jordan and Pippen scored 54 of the Bulls' 83 points (only one other Bull, Luc Longley, scored in double figures) while Stockton (24 points and 8 assists) and Malone (21 points, 14 rebounds) led Utah. Game 2 saw Jordan, Pippen and Toni Kukoc carry the Bulls' offense; they shot 62 of the Bulls' 80 field goal attempts, and scored 71 of their points (though Kukoc didn't score in the second half after scoring 13 in the first). The Jazz were sloppy in the game; they turned over the ball 20 times (leading to 33 Bulls points) and gave up 18 offensive rebounds (five each to Kukoc and Rodman) leading to 19 second-chance points. Though Utah took a late 86-85 lead, Chicago recovered and took a 93-88 decision behind Jordan's 37 points. The series was now tied at one heading back to Chicago.

Game 3 was a disaster of epic proportions for Utah. The Bulls played suffocating defense held Utah to 17 points or fewer in every period. Pippen scored 10 points to lead Chicago in the first half, while only Malone had any touch for the Jazz. Utah trailed 59-31 at halftime, and things only got worse in the second half; they scored a paltry 23 total points after the half. With Jordan scoring an efficient 24 points and Kukoc 16, the Bulls won in a 96-54 rout. The 54 points remains a record-worst for any team in the Finals, and after Malone's 22 points, no other Jazz player scored better than 8 points (Shandon Anderson). Game 4 was more competitive; Chicago led 39-37 at halftime behind Pippen hitting three triples. Chicago led by seven early in the fourth period before Utah rallied behind Stockton to take a 70-69 lead. Eventually, Jordan and (most improbably) Rodman held off the Jazz; Jordan scored three baskets and Rodman hit four free throws to allow Chicago to win 86-82. The Bulls now stood just one win away from another title.

However, the Jazz didn't go quietly. Game 5 saw Chicago take a lead early in the first half, as Jordan and Kukoc led the way, before settling into a 36-30 halftime lead. However, Malone took over in the third quarter; he scored 17 of the Jazz' 29 points and forced Rodman and Longley to the bench with four fouls each. The Jazz led by four after three, then rode a strong performance by reserve Antoine Carr (eight points in the fourth) and Malone's 39 points to win 83-81. The series shifted back to Utah for game 6, and the Bulls came out firing to a 17-6 lead early, only to see Utah go on a 17-5 run to take a 25-22 lead. In the second, Pippen left the game with a back injury (the same injury that affected him during the season) and wasn't effective when he returned. Though Jordan scored 15 in the period. Malone was very effective in the first half with 20 points, leading the Jazz to a 49-45 halftime lead. But he was held to 11 points in the second half as Rodman played tough defense. Utah still led by three after the third quarter (depsite two controversial calls that may have swung the game; a Howard Eisley shot called no good despite beating the 24-second clock, and a Ron Harper shot called good after the buzzer) and led 86-85 late when Jordan (who scored 16 points in the fourth) pulled one more magic trick out of his sleeve; he stole the ball from Malone, took the ball down court, and after juking out Bryon Russell, drained a jumper with five seconds left, prompting NBC commentator Bob Costas to quip "That may have been the final shot Michael Jordan will ever take in the NBA". When Utah couldn't get off a desperation heave, the Bulls won 87-86 to take the series four games to two. Jordan capped off the series by winning his record sixth Finals MVP. After the series, as expected, the Bulls were dismantled; Jordan and coach Jackson retired, Pippen was signed and traded to Houston, and Rodman signed with the Lakers, ending the NBA's preeminent dynasty of the 1990s.

1998 NBA Finals Leaders: Scoring per game
Chicago: Jordan, 33.5 PPG; Pippen, 15.7 PPG; Kukoc, 15.5 PPG
Utah: Malone, 25.0 PPG; Jeff Hornacek, 10.7 PPG; Stockton, 9.7 PPG

1998 NBA Finals Leaders: Rebounds per game
Chicago: Rodman, 8.3 RPG; Pippen, 6.8 RPG; Longley, 4.8 RPG
Utah: Malone, 10.5 RPG; Russell, 5.0 RPG; Adam Keefe, 3.4 RPG

1998 NBA Finals Leaders: Assists per game
Chicago: Pippen, 4.8 APG; Ron Harper, 2.8 APG; Kukoc, 2.7 APG
Utah: Stockton, 8.7 APG; Malone and Howard Eisley, 3.8 APG; Hornacek, 2.7 APG

Profiles are back, as I promised. Today's profilee was the original playmaker in the NBA, a man who pioneered fancy passing and crowd-pleasing ball. He is a former league MVP and six-time NBA champion. He is Bob Cousy.

Bob Cousy was born August 9, 1928 in New York, New York. He was cut from his freshman team at Andrew Jackson High School in St. Albans, New York. As a senior, he led the school to the Queens division championship, and after not originally intending to go to college, he changed his mind and attended the College of the Holy Cross, where he was a member of an NCAA championship team as a freshman and a second-place finish in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). In addition, he was a three-time All-American despite not initially getting along with coach Alvin Julian. After graduating in 1950, Cousy was available in the 1950 NBA Draft. But the road to the Boston Celtics wasn't a straight path.

The Celtics were pressured by locals to take Cousy, but coach Red Auerbach refused and drafted Charlie Share, saying "I'm supposed to win. not draft local yokels!". Cousy was taken in the first round by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (now the Atlanta Hawks), but didn't want to play so far away from home. His salary demands eventually forced the Blackhawks to trade him to the Chicago Stags. The Stags folded before the 1950-51 season, however, and Cousy was one of three Stag players available in a dispersal draft. Boston, choosing third, ended up with Cousy, upsetting Auerbach and owner Walter Brown, showing once again that those who should know, sometimes don't. Auerbach and Brown weren't upset for long.

Cousy had a solid rookie season, averaging 15.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG and 4.9 APG, helping the Celtics to their first winning season in franchise history (39-30) and earning the first of thirteen All-Star births (1951-63, with MVP awards in 1954 and 1957). Cousy proved to be the perfect guard for Auerbach's up-tempo attack. Cousy earned his first selection to the All-NBA 1st Team in his second season (he made nine other 1st Teams from 1953-61), and by 1952-53, he won the first of eight straight assists titles (7.7 APG that year). Cousy averaged over 20 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 7 APG each year from 1952-53 to 1955-56, and had one of the greatest scoring games in NBA playoff history in game 2 of the 1953 Eastern Division Semifinals against the Syracuse Nationals (today's Philadelphia 76ers) where he scored 50 points, including a NBA record 30 free throw attempts in a 111-105 in quadruple-overtime victory. Despite this, the Celtics never made the NBA Finals.

Then, in 1956, the Celtics landed three future Hall of Famers in the draft, including Bill Russell. In that 1956-57 season, Cousy won league MVP honors with averages of 20.6 PPG and 7.5 APG, piloting the Celtics to their first NBA title in a tense seven-game series over the St. Louis Hawks. Cousy had his two best assists seasons in 1958-59 and 1959-60, where his 715 assists were a league record until Oscar Robertson broke it in 1961-62. Cousy helped Boston win the league title in each of his final five seasons, and in 1962-63, he retired from the game at age 35. In his last home game, he was the guest of honor as the Boston Garden was packed with his fans. Cousy was speechless after an expected seven minute speech stretched to twenty minutes, before a fan screamed out "We love ya, Cooz!", prompting the crowd to erupt into cheers. He even received a call from President John F. Kennedy complimenting him.

Cousy retired into college coaching, leading Boston College to three NIT tournaments (including the 1969 title game) and three NCAA berths before returning to the NBA as coach of the Cincinnati Royals (Sacramento Kings) in 1969-70. Cousy feuded with Oscar Robertson during his first season, which saw Cousy even make a brief playing comeback, playing in seven late-season games. Cousy coached the team until he stepped down early in the 1973-74 season. Today, he is a marketing consultant with the Celtics, and does occasional appearences as a commentator on home games. Cousy finished with career marks of 16,960 points (18.4 PPG career) and 6,955 assists (7.5 APG; 13th all-time) and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.

Season-by-Season Statistical Review:
1950-51: 69 GP, 15.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.9 APG, 35.2 FG%, 75.6 FT%
1951-52: 66 GP, 21.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 6.7 APG, 36.9 FG%, 80.8 FT%
1952-53: 71 GP, 19.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 7.7 APG, 35.2 FG%, 81.6 FT%
1953-54: 72 GP, 19.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 7.2 APG, 38.5 FG%, 78.7 FT%
1954-55: 71 GP, 21.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.8 APG, 39.7 FG%, 80.7 FT%
1955-56: 72 GP, 18.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 8.9 APG, 36.0 FG%, 84.4 FT%
1956-57: 64 GP, 20.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.5 APG, 37.8 FG%, 82.1 FT%
1957-58: 65 GP, 18.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 7.1 APG, 35.3 FG%, 85.0 FT%
1958-59: 65 GP, 20.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 8.6 APG, 38.4 FG%, 85.5 FT%
1959-60: 75 GP, 19.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 9.5 APG, 38.4 FG%, 79.2 FT%
1960-61: 76 GP, 18.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 7.7 APG, 37.1 FG%, 77.9 FT%
1961-62: 75 GP, 15.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 7.8 APG, 39.1 FG%, 75.4 FT%
1962-63: 76 GP, 13.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 6.8 APG, 39.7 FG%, 73.5 FT%
1963-64 to 1968-69: did not play (retired)
1969-70: 7 GP, 0.7 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 33.3 FG%, 1.000 FT%

I'm sorry that I haven't posted much recently; I've been in the hospital for several days and have been hobbled for most of the last week. I hope to post another profile tomorrow. If not, please be patient as I recover. Thanks!

To thrive in the NBA, being a gifted athlete is usually the norm for success. Today's profilee wasn't a gifted athlete physically, but few players were mpre talented metally, or were more dedicated to their craft. He led the Boston Celtics to three NBA titles in the 1980s and won three straight league MVPs. He is Larry Bird.

Larry Bird was born Decemeber 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana. He grew up in West Baden and nearby French Lick, Indiana, in extreme poverty. His family scraped by with the little income the could muster, and his father committed suicide in 1975. Despite this, Bird was a standout player on West Baden/French Lick's high school team, becoming a hot college prospect. He eventually went to the University of Indiana in 1974, but he dropped out and worked in French Lick for a year before enrolling at Indiana State University. There, Bird led the Sycamores to an undefeated regular season as a senior in 1978-79, winning the Naismith, Wooden and USBWA awards for college player of the year and leading Indiana State to the championship game, were they lost to Michigan State in what remains the highest-rated NCAA game in history. Bird left college as the fifth all-time leading scorer (30.3 PPG career, along with 13.3 RPG). But his NBA future was decided before that magical season.

The year before his senior year at Indiana State, the Boston Celtics selected Bird sixth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft. They were able to do this because the rules at the time allowed a team to draft a player four years removed from high school and hold their rights for a year before he was eligible to re-enter the draft. Bird signed for $650,000 a year, a record for a NBA rookie, and the rule was changed to prevent that from happening in the future. The Celtics were in desperate need for a savior; they finished 29-53 in 1978-79, and dissention ruled the day.

Bird immediately made an impact in Boston; he won Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team for the first time (he was selected twelve times and played in ten games (1981-88, 1990, with a game MVP in 1982) missing the game with injury in 1991-92) with averages of 21.3 PPG and 10.4 RPG, leading the Celtics to the then-biggest turnaround in league history (from 29 wins to 61 wins). In his second year, management surrounded Bird with two new teammates, center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale via trade with the Golden State Warriors. This frontcourt was considered the best in the NBA in the 1980s, and they lived up to the promise in their first year together, as the Celtics finished 62-20 and beat Chicago and Philadelphia (the latter in a dramatic seven game series after being down 3-1) before dispatching the Houston Rockets 4 games to 2 for their first title since 1976.

Bird reached his career peak during the mid-1980s, after being beaten in he conference finals in 1982 and being swept in 1983. In 1983-84, Bird won his first league MVP with averages of 24.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 6.6 APG, en route to Boston securing the league's best record at 62-20. After beating Washington, New York and Milwaukee to reach the Finals, the Celtics faced the Los Angeles Lakers, where they trailed 2 games to 1 after a 137-104 blowout loss in game 3. After the game, Bird claimed that he and his team "played like sissies", and the Celtics responded with a 129-125 overtime win in game 4, and eventually won the series in seven games. Bird was named Finals MVP and avenged his NCAA title game loss to Lakers guard Magic Johnson, who led Michigan State in that game. Bird repeated as league MVP the next season, but the Celtics lost to the Lakers in the Finals for the first time ever, and it was clear that Bird needed more help to win another title.

In 1985-86, Bird had won of the greatest statistical seasons of all time; he finished the season in five categories; scoring (25.8 PPG, fourth), rebounding (9.8 RPG, seventh), steals (2.02 per game, ninth), free throw shooting (89.6%, first) and three-point shooting (42.3%, fourth) as Boston rolled to the best record in the league at 67-15, including a staggering 40-1 home record. They then went 15-3 in the playoffs, finishing their run with a 4 games to 2 triumph over the Rockets for the title. For the decade, Bird led Boston to three NBA titles, five conference titles and eight division titles.

Eventually, age and injury forced Bird into retirement. In 1989, he missed 76 games when he had surgery to remove bone spurs from his heels, but his more serious troubles came with his back. He missed 22 games with a compressed nerve root in his back, and then missed 37 games in 1991-92 with more back problems. The Celtics lost in the playoffs to Cleveland, and after playing for the original "Dream Team" in that summer's Olympic Games (winning a gold medal), he announced his retirement on August 18, 1992. He was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.

Season-by-Season Statistical Review:
1979-80: 82 GP, 21.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 47.4 FG%, 83.6 FT%, 40.6 3P%
1980-81: 82 GP, 21.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 47.8 FG%, 86.3 FT%, 27.0 3P%
1981-82: 77 GP, 58 GS, 22.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 5.8 APG, 50.3 FG%, 86.3 FT%, 21.2 3P%
1982-83: 79 GP, 79 GS, 23.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 5.8 APG, 50.4 FG%, 84.0 FT%, 28.6 3P%
1983-84: 79 GP, 77 GS, 24.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, 49.2 FG%, 88.8 FT%, 24.7 3P%
1984-85: 80 GP, 77 GS, 28.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, 52.2 FG%, 88.2 FT%, 42.7 3P%
1985-86: 82 GP, 81 GS, 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, 49.6 FG%, 89.6 FT%, 42.3 3P%
1986-87: 74 GP, 73 GS, 28.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 7.6 APG, 52.5 FG%, 91.0 FT%, 40.0 3P%
1987-88: 76 GP, 75 GS, 29.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 6.1 APG, 52.7 FG%, 91.6 FT%, 41.4 3P%
1988-89: 6 GP, 6 GS, 19.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 47.1 FG%, 94.7 FT%, 0 3P
1989-90: 75 GP, 75 GS, 24.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.5 APG, 47.3 FG%, 93.0 FT%, 33.3 3P%
1990-91: 60 GP, 60 GS, 19.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.2 APG, 45.4 FG%, 89.1 FT%, 38.9 3P%
1991-92: 45 GP, 45 GS, 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 46.6 FG%, 92.6 FT%, 40.6 3P%