1 - Nate "Tiny" Archibald
Nate Archibald was selected by the Cincinnati Royals in the second round of the 1970 NBA Draft. He played for six seasons with the Royals/Kings. He first wore #10 (1970-1971) but changed to #1 for 1972-1975. He had his best season in 72-73 when he averaged a career-best 34.0 ppg and 11.4 assists per game, becoming the ONLY player in NBA history to lead the league in both scoring and assists.
Archibald was born in the South Bronx on Sept. 2, 1948. He was the pride of the Patterson housing projects, and because of basketball was able to avoid the drugs and violence that took many of his friends. He was the oldest of 7 children and essentially became the head of the house when his father "Big Tiny" left the family. Tiny was 14.
Although he loved basketball, it was tough for him to get into organized ball because of his shyness and lack of confidence. He tried out for and failed to make his high school team in his sophomore year. He got help from a mentor and not only made the team his junior year but made All-City his senior year.
Tiny attended Arizona Western Community College and, after one year, accepted a scholarship to UTEP, where he averaged 20 points over three seasons. In post-season play, Tiny was magnificent, scoring 51 points in one game and averaging nearly 40 points in total.
He was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals, then coached by Bob Cousy, in the second round of the 1970 NBA draft. Also drafted that year were Bob Lanier, Rudy Tomjanovich, Pete Maravich, Dave Cowens, Sam Lacey and Calvin Murphy.
Archibald, playing guard at 6'1", 160 lbs, broke into the starting lineup for the Royals because of a veteran's contract dispute. He averaged 16 ppg but the team did little, ending the season at 33-49. The main complaints about Tiny were overhandling the ball, leading to turnovers, and spotty defense.
Archibald was nearly traded after his first season, but Cousy and GM Joe Axelson decided to keep him a while longer. When team leader Tom Van Arsdale was injured, Tiny was called on to start and lead the team.
Archibald improved immensely and played solid but was not selected for the All-Star team that year. After not being nominated, Archibald finished the season with 34 ppg, making his average for his second season 28.2 ppg.
Entering into the 1972-73 season, the Royals moved to Kansas City/Omaha and became the Kings. And that season Archibald joined the royalty with his first selection to the All-Stars.
During his career, Tiny was called upon more than once to help his brothers, who were still embroiled in the drug/criminal lifestyle back in the Bronx. Eventually, he brought two of his brothers to live with him in Kansas City and helped a third undergo drug rehab.
In 1973-74, Tiny's season was only 35 games because of an injured Achilles tendon. In 1974-75, he led the team to its first winning record (44-38) since 1966. His 26.5 ppg and 6.8 apg were good enough to get him on the All-NBA First Team. Tiny made the playoffs for the first time although the Kings were defeated in the semifinals by the Chicago Bulls.
In 75-76, Archibald was again impressive with 24.8 ppg and 7.9 apg, but the team faltered and went 31-51. Archibald again made the All-NBA First team.
Archibald went to the Nets after the 75-76 season. He played limited minutes there because of a severe foot injury and was traded to the Buffalo Braves, where he never played a game due to another Achilles tendon injury. He was traded to the Boston Celtics for the 78-79 season.
Archibald struggled in his first year with the Celtics and the team had an absymal record of 29-53. After that season, it didn't look good for Archibald. But things were about to change.
Archibald returned to Boston for the 79-80 season, along with rookie Larry Bird, new owner Henry Mangurian and new coach Bill Fitch, along with a Dave Cowens who was in arguably the best condition of his career.
Archibald became the floor general for the Celtics, taking much fewer shots but amassing 671 assists and leading the Boston squad to a 61-21 record. They lost to the Sixers in the ECF.
In 1980-81, Tiny led the Celtics to a 62-20 record. He earned the All-Star MVP award and topped off his season by leading the Celtics past the Sixers in the ECF, and taking the NBA crown by defeating the Houston Rockets in six.
Archibald continued on for the Celtics and then the Bucks as a free agent. He played only 46 games for the Bucks in 1983-84 and retired at the end of the season.
Even after his professional basketball career was over, Tiny kept on with the game he loves. He returned to NYC to run basketball schools for underprivileged kids and worked many hours as volunteer athletic director for the Harlem Armory homeless shelter.
Tiny was named to the Hall of Fame in 1991, along with his one-time teammate Dave Cowens. In addition, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
Archibald's career stats are:
G.......FG%.....3PG%.....FT%.....RPG.....Assts......APG......Stls.....Blks.....Pts...........PPG
876.. .467 ..... .224 ... .810 .... 2.3 ... 6,476 ..... 7.4 ..... 719 .... 81 ... 16,481 ..... 18.8
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