Vujacic hustle and hair definitely drew some attention and ire. Here is Simmons' breakdown:
07.03.2026 02:52
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Vujacic hustle and hair definitely drew some attention and ire. Here is Simmons' breakdown:
Hollinger POTD Sasha Vujacic. Pesky Slovenian G was drafted 27th by LAL in 04. Was key role player for the Kobe/Gasol title teams. Peaked at 10 ppg in 10-11. Also played w/NJ, LAC, NY & abroad thru 2019. First NBAer to wear the ropey hair net headband?
Sleepy & Hakeem in the 88 playoffs v DAL:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5Ny...
Bonus Hollander POTD Sleepy Floyd. Georgetown PG was drafted 12th in 82 by NJ but traded 43 games into rook season for Sugar. Became All-Star in GS and dropped 51 on LA in playoffs. Traded to HOU in 87-88 + was just ok there. Ended career in NJ in 94-95 for symmetry.
Our deep dive on the Shaq-Penny Years: hoopsanalyst.com/the-penny-sh...
Hollander POTD Shaquille O'Neal. LSU C was huge star at age 18. Drafted 1st by ORL in 92 & dominated before going to LA in 96. Traded to MIA in 04. Led NBA in FG% 10x, won 4 rings. Also played w/PHO, CLE +BOS before retiring at age 38 in 11. Bio notes his famous role in Kazaam.
Finley getting props in Simmons' 03 Trade Value column: www.espn.com/espn/page2/s...
Hollinger POTD Michael Finley. Chicago HS star went to Wisconsin. Drafted 21st by PHO in 95 +was good immediately. Traded in 96 to DAL in the Kidd deal. Had 21 ppg from 97-04 on 41 mpg. Wore down after + became role player for SA + briefly BOS before retiring 2010. Great dunker.
From "Can't Knock The Hustle," a good recount of Kenny Atkinson's exit from Brooklyn:
-His relationship w/"The Max Guys" wasn't great
-Tsai regularly conferred w/injured KD & Kyrie who were not fans
-Morale was low after a few bad losses too
-Atkinson was happy to get out
Bonus Hollander POTD Greg Ostertag. Kansas C was drafted 28 in 95 by UTA. Not smooth but had good moments w/Stockton-Malone. Best yr was 96-97 (7.3 ppg/7.3 rpg). Annoyed Malone cuz he got a big contract before Karl. Played 10 of 11 yrs w/UTA (04-05 in SAC). Was slapped by Shaq.
Michigan State assists leaders: www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/...
Hollander POTD Scott Skiles. Michigan St PG was drafted 22nd by MIL in 86. Bench guy before he was picked by ORL in expansion in 89. Became starter peaking at 17 ppg, 9 apg. Broke down quickly, retiring in 96. Per bio, "will challenge anyone to a fight if situation warrants."
Highlights from that epic 03-04 Game 7 between MIN & SAC. KG had 20 pts, 21 rebs, 5 blks, 4 stls. Wally had 10 pts in 19 minutes and was the only MIN bench player to score that game: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cePU...
Hollinger POTD Wally Szczerbiak. LI native starred at MIA(OH). Drafted 6th by MIN in 98. Good scoring SG, who peaked in 01-02 w/18.7 ppg + all-star selection. Not really healthy much after that w/exception of 05-06. Injuries ended his career in 09 at age 31. Now, MSG TV guy.
And traded back to BOS for the 04-05 stretch run....
Bonus Hollander POTD Reggie Williams. Dunbar HS & G'Town star was drafted 4th in 87 by LAC. Struggled for a few years and looked like he was heading out of the NBA til going to DEN in 91 where he became starter & team leader. Peaked at 18.2 ppg in 91-92. Retired in 97 at age 32.
Hollander POTD Brian Grant. Xavier PF drafted 8th by SAC in 94. Banging PF had 14.4 ppg 7.0 rpg in 95-96. Got big free agent contract from POR in 97, was key player. Sent to MIA 00-01 where he peaked at 15 ppg. Injuries wore him down by 04 + retired in 06 at age-33.
KJ's record v the PGs mentioned above & GP:
-v Stockton, 15-24 reg season, 4-5 in playoffs
-v Price, 6-5 reg season
-v T-Hard, 12-5 reg season
-v Isiah, 6-9 reg season
-v Payton, 17-12 reg season, 6-6 in playoffs
From Mike Tulumello's Breaking the Rules, about the 90s Suns, KJ's change from choir boy to chippy:
-He was pissed that Stockton, Price, Hardaway & an old Isiah were named to US teams when KJ thought he was better
-He began fighting in practice & on court most notably w/NY in 93
Some 90s PGs compared: www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tin...
Bonus Hollander POTD Kevin Johnson. Super quick CAL PG was drafted by CLE in 87 but was traded halfway thru 1st season to PHO. Became star by yr 2, scoring 20+ ppg 4x. Had great hops too. Only issue was leg issues that made him miss time. Retired early. Still HOF-quality player.
In honor of Jayson Tatum's bday, here are the most career points thru age-26...Tatum is 7th just below MJ and just ahead of T-Mac & Wilt. Tatum falls to 14th thru age-27 (so far). If JT does comeback this season he may catch KG & Oscar. The age 26 list:
www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tin...
Moore with 17 assists v LA in the 83 playoffs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9ma...
Hollander POTD Johnny Moore. Texas PG was drafted 43 by SEA in 79 but cut. Made SA in 80. Led NBA in assists per game in 81-82 & started thru 86 when scary brain fever derailed career. Barely played after 86 but did have comeback w/SA in 89-90 as backup before retiring.
Wennington vs. Hassell - P-I-G Game
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhs6...
Hollinger POTD Trenton Hassell. Austin Peay St SG/SF was drafted 30th in 01 by CHI. Defensive hustler made CHI & even started a bit before going to MIN in 03 where he was key role player thru 07. Really couldn't score but made impact anyway. Finished up w/NJ from 07-10.
In 20 years as GM in IND, Walsh made a ton of great moves. Here is his 1st and last moves:
-6/17/86: Draft Chuck Person
-6/27/13: Draft Solomon Hill
www.basketball-reference.com/executives/w...
