Brandon Dawayne Roy

Roy was born in Seattle, Washington on July 23, 1984. He first started taking basketball seriously while playing for the Amateur Athletic Union, one of the largest sports organizations in the United States.
He attended Garfield High School in Seattle. Roy was considered one of the state's best high school players. He was an early-entry candidate for the 2002 NBA Draft straight out of high school, but he withdrew his name after consideration.


Roy attended Nate McMillan's basketball camp in the 1990s when the current Blazer coach was still playing for the Seattle Supersonics.

Roy's NBA debut was in his hometown against the Seattle SuperSonics. He scored 20 points in that game, and 19 in the following game. An impingement in his left heel kept him out of 20 games early in the season, but he scored his first career double-double shortly after his return, on December 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors. At the end of January 2007, Roy led all NBA rookies with 14.5 points per game. He became the fourth Trail Blazer to be selected for the rookie squad of the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge since its inception in 1994. He was the first Trail Blazer to participate in the All-Star Weekend since Rasheed Wallace's selection as an all star reserve in 2001.

Roy's uniform number is 7. He was the Western Conference's Rookie of the Month in January, February, and March 2007.After averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game during the 2006–07 NBA season, Roy was named NBA Rookie of the Year. He received 127 out of 128 first-place votes. Due to injury, he played in only 57 games in that season, the second-fewest games for a Rookie of the Year. He was the third Trail Blazer to win the award, the others being Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks.

Roy started in the first 48 games of the 2007–08 season, averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds. He also led the Blazers to a 13-game winning streak in the month of December. Roy was selected as a reserve for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. He scored 18 points in that game, and also had 9 rebounds. He injured his right ankle in the final game before the All-Star Weekend. Although he earned accolades for his play over the weekend, the injury impacted his play in the following weeks.

He played in the Rookie Challenge for the second time, this time as a "sophomore"; teammate LaMarcus Aldridge was also on the sophomore squad. Roy played nearly 29 minutes in the All-Star game, the most of any Western Conference player. He also tied Chris Paul and Amare Stoudemire for the most points with 18.

In the 2008 preseason, Roy underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in Vancouver, Washington, during which team physician Don Roberts removed a piece of cartilage that was causing irritation in Roy's left knee. Roy missed several weeks of action because of the rehabilitation, but was ready on the opening day of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers.On November 6, against the Houston Rockets, Roy hit a game-winning 30-foot jumper at the buzzer in overtime. On December 18, Roy scored a career-high 52 points against the Phoenix Suns. He made 14 of 27 shots from the field, 19 of 21 from the free-throw line, and 5 of 7 from the three-point line. He also added six assists, five rebounds and a blocked shot, all without a turnover. On January 24, Roy tied a Blazers franchise record with 10 steals against the Washington Wizards. On February 8 with the Blazers trailing by 1 against the Knicks, Roy made a layup at the buzzer to win it 109-108. As of February 16, 2009, Roy has had 24 shots where he tied or won the games with 35 seconds or less.

Roy was again selected as a reserve in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored 14 points in 7-for-8 shooting, grabbed 5 boards, and dished out 5 assists in a game-high 31 minutes of action. On April 13, Roy was named Western Conference Player of the Week, the fourth time he has won the award. Roy and Clyde Drexler are the only Portland Trail Blazers to win the award four times. Roy finished 9th in MVP voting for the 2008-09 season, garnering one 4th place vote and four 5th place votes for a total of 7 points. Roy was named to the All-NBA Second Team on May 13, and was the first Blazer to make an All-NBA team since the 1991-92 season.

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Ronald William "Ron" Artest, Jr.

born November 13, 1979is an American professional basketball player who currently plays with the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Artest gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004. He was also criticized for assaulting a fan in the Pacers–Pistons brawl. Artest was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th pick of the 1999 NBA Draft. In the 1999–00 season he was named to the Second All-Rookie Team. In 2 1/2 seasons with Chicago he averaged 12.5 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 2.9 assist per game, and 2 steals per game.

While playing for the Bulls, Artest was Michael Jordan's "favorite Bull"
In 2002, Artest was traded by the Bulls to the Pacers, along with Ron Mercer, Brad Miller, and Kevin Ollie, in exchange for Jalen Rose, Travis Best, Norman Richardson, and a second-round draft pick. Artest had his best season in the 2003–2004 season. He averaged 18.3 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game. He made the 2004 All-Star Game as a reserve and he was the Defensive Player of the Year.

On November 19, 2004, Artest took center stage in arguably the most infamous brawl in professional basketball history.

The game took place in Auburn Hills, Michigan between Artest's Pacers and the home team Detroit Pistons. The brawl began when Artest fouled Pistons center Ben Wallace as Wallace was putting up a shot. Wallace, upset at being fouled hard when the game was effectively over (the Pacers led 97–82), responded by shoving Artest, leading to an altercation near the scorer's table. Artest walked to the sideline and lay down on the scorer's table. Reacting to Wallace throwing something at Artest, Pistons fan John Green threw a cup of beer at Artest, hitting him. Artest jumped into the front-row seats and confronted a man he incorrectly believed to be responsible which in turn erupted into a brawl between Pistons fans and several of the Pacers. Artest returned to the basketball court, and punched Pistons fan A.J. Shackleford, who was apparently taunting Artest verbally. This fight resulted in the game being stopped with less than a minute remaining. Artest teammates Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson were suspended indefinitely the day after the game, along with Wallace.

On November 21, the NBA announced that Artest would be suspended for the remainder of the season (73 games and playoff), the longest non-drug or betting related suspension in NBA history. Eight other players (four Pacers and four Pistons) received suspensions, without pay, which ranged from one to thirty games in length. Each of the Pacers players involved were levied fines and ordered to do community service. Several fans were also charged and were banned from attending any events at the Palace for life. Artest lost approximately $7 million in salary due to the suspension.

On July 29, 2008, it was reported that Artest was to be traded to the Houston Rockets along with Patrick Ewing, Jr. and Sean Singletary for Bobby Jackson, recently drafted forward Donté Greene, a 2009 first-round draft pick, and cash considerations.[11] The deal was made official on August 14, due to Greene's rookie contract signing on July 14. In response to the trade, Yao Ming was generally positive, but jokingly said that "hopefully he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands." In response, Artest said, "This is Tracy (McGrady) and Yao's team, you know. I'm not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto. That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture."

Since then, Artest and Yao have exchanged extensive phone calls. Artest has also said, "Whatever Adelman needs me to do, whether that's come off the bench, sixth, seventh man, start, I don't even care. Whatever he needs me to do, I'm 100 percent sure it's going to work out."

On October 30, 2008, Artest received his first technical as a Houston Rocket, as he raced towards a group of Mavericks players and then quickly went to Yao Ming who bumped Josh Howard after play stopped. Artest was trying to pull Yao Ming away from the play and to the foul line, but contact was made with Maverick players. The TNT broadcast crew felt this technical was not warranted, and was based upon Artest's prior reputation as a feisty player in the league.

On May 6, 2009, Ron Artest was ejected in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers after Kobe Bryant committed what was later ruled to be a Flagrant 1 foul in which his elbow was thrown into Artest. Artest was indignant after having Kobe's forearm jabbed into his throat but finding himself called for the offensive foul. He preceded to give Bryant a piece of his mind after the play and then gave the officials lip as well, which resulted in an ejection by Joey Crawford.

On May 8, 2009, Artest was again ejected from Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter after a hard foul on Pau Gasol, who was attempting to dunk on a fast-break. Commentators and even Kobe Bryant whom had had an altercation with Artest in Game 2 in which Artest was ejected agreed the flagrant two foul and subsequent ejection was not warranted. True enough, it was determined the next day that the foul was not serious enough to warrant an ejection, and the flagrant two was downgraded

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Rafer Jamel "Skip to My Lou" Alston

born July 24, 1976 in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New Yorkis an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's Orlando Magic. Alston grew up in Jamaica Queens, New York and is widely regarded as one of the best streetball basketball players of all time. He is often referred to by his streetball nickname "Skip to My Lou", a name he received for skipping while he dribbled the ball.

He has been associated with shoe manufacturer And 1's "Mix Tape Tour" promotional streetball team.
Alston first played college basketball for Ventura College, a junior college, before finishing at Fresno State.

Alston struggled early in his NBA career, but was able to very successfully transition from streetball to the professional game. After sitting on the bench for most of the time he was with the Milwaukee Bucks, he emerged as a starter for the Miami Heat in 2004. He did not disappoint, averaging 12 points and 4 assists on a young Miami team that made it to the first round of the playoffs. During that season, in a March 26 game against the Dallas Mavericks, he hit a game-winning shot in overtime with 0.5 seconds left over the outstretched arms of Shawn Bradley to catapult Miami to a 119-118 victory. He signed with the Toronto Raptors during the summer of 2004.
Following a tumultuous tenure with the Toronto Raptors, Alston was traded to the Houston Rockets for guard Mike James on October 4, 2005. Although Alston frequently was criticized for his attitude while in Toronto, it is believed that Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy conferred with his brother, Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy, who coached Alston during the 2003-2004 NBA season, about Alston's work ethic and attitude. Jeff Van Gundy's reputation for toughness and his ability to get the most out of players previously considered "trouble-makers" or "temperamental" led to optimism on the part of the Rockets' staff In the 2006-2007 season, as the Rockets starting point guard, Alston averaged 13.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He finished the season ninth in steals among all NBA players, fourth in three pointers made, and 20th in assists.

On November 12, 2008, Alston was suspended for two games without pay for his role in a fight after a non-call foul with Matt Barnes and Steve Nash.Alston was traded to the Orlando Magic for Brian Cook on February 19, 2009. On April 30, 2009, Alston helped the Orlando Magic defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in a best of 7 series in the NBA Playoffs first round. Alston had 21 points to go along with 10 assists.

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Rashard Quovon Lewis

born August 8, 1979 in Pineville, Louisianais an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Orlando Magic as a power forward and occasionally small forward.

Despite being recruited by Florida State, Kansas, and the University of Houston, Lewis bypassed college and opted for the 1998 NBA Draft, wherein he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the third pick of the second round (32nd overall). At the time of his selection, he was the last player remaining in the "green room", where 15 of the top draft prospects sit until their selection. His hometown's team, the Houston Rockets, declined to select Lewis with any of their three first-round picks and instead chose Michael Dickerson, Mirsad Türkcan and Bryce Drew, much to the disappointment of Lewis and a large majority of Rockets fans.
He has since had a solid career as a forward including two All-Star berths - in the 2004-2005 season and in the 2008-2009 season. In 2001, Lewis was selected to play for the USA in the Goodwill Games in which they won the gold medal. On October 31, 2003, Lewis scored 50 points to pass Clyde Drexler (41 points) for the most points scored in a single game while playing in Japan. Lewis holds the SuperSonics' record for most three-pointers made, having passed Dale Ellis for second place on November 22, 2005 and Gary Payton for first place on March 13, 2007, when Lewis made his 918th three-pointer in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons.
After playing his first nine seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics, Lewis joined the Orlando Magic, having agreed to a six-year sign-and-trade deal worth $118 million on July 11, 2007.[1]On May 25, he had opted out of the last two years of the 7-year, $60 million deal he signed before the 2003-04 season. The final two years of his contract were worth a guaranteed $21 million.
In his first season with the Orlando Magic, Lewis was moved into the power forward position instead of his usual small forward positions. His three point shooting was not affected with his change in position though as he scored 53 more 3 pointers than he had ever scored in his career.
Rashard was just as crucial in the playoffs for the Magic, where they got to the second round of the playoffs, including a 33 point performance in their only win against the Detroit Pistons. Rashard finished the play off run as the Magic’s top scorer in the playoffs and also claiming his highest numbers in points, rebounds and assists.
Rashard started the season brilliantly as the the teams second top scorer and for his excellent play Rashard was rewarded with only his second appearance in the 2009 All-Star and will join team mates Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard.
Over his 10-year career, he holds an average of 16.8 points per game, with his career high of 22.4 points per game coming in 2006-07.

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LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge

born July 19, 1985, in Dallas, Texasis an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. He is a 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) power forward–center. Aldridge attended Seagoville High School, where he became a Parade All-American and Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Class 4A Player of the Year prior to graduating in 2004 and attending the University of Texas at Austin

He declared for the 2004 NBA Draft but ultimately withdrew his name According to one report, Aldridge's initial decision to attend college rather than entering the pro ranks directly from high school was influenced by Shaquille O'Neal's personal advice that he should go to college and then evaluate his NBA prospects. However, in April 2006, near the end of his second year at UT, Aldridge announced that he would leave college to enter the 2006 NBA Draft. Aldridge was drafted 2nd overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, only to have his draft rights traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for their pick, Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa, shortly after. The Bulls acquired the pick from the New York Knicks in the 2005 Eddy Curry trade.

Aldridge missed the first seven games of the 2006-07 NBA season due to off-season shoulder surgery, but returned ahead of schedule due in part to an injury to fellow rookie teammate Brandon Roy. Aldridge made an immediate impact on offense, averaging 8.4 points on 54% shooting from the field through his first 14 games. After the loss of starting center Joel Przybilla in February 2007 to season-ending knee surgery, Aldridge was awarded the starting center position and improved his scoring to 14.7 points alongside 8.0 rebounds per game in the month of March. This placed him second in the voting for the Western Conference Rookie of the Month to Roy. On March 31, 2007, in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers, Aldridge was taken to Providence Hospital in Portland for shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat. He was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome on April 9, 2007, and missed the remaining eight games of the 2006-07 season.

Aldridge was one of six players named to the 2007 NBA All-Rookie first team; he tied for fifth place along with Toronto Raptors player Jorge Garbajosa.[
Aldridge increased his play in his sophomore year, with career highs in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals, and finished third in voting for the Most Improved Player award. During this season, Aldridge had injury troubles due to plantar fasciitis, which caused him to miss games from December 11 to December 18, 2007. After the time missed, Aldridge still had some trouble with the foot but was able to play effectively..

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Dwight David Howard

GROWING UP

Dwight David Howard was born in Atlanta on December 8, 1985, to Dwight and Sheryl Howard. (Click here for today's sports birthdays.) Sheryl lost seven children to miscarriage before Dwight was born, so he was always called “The Miracle Child.’’ Dwight's dad was—and is—a Georgia State trooper who also serves as Athletic Director of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Both parents were very athletic. Sheryl played on the inaugural basketball team at Morris Brown College. Dwight got serious about hoops around the age of nine.


Dwight spent his childhood years in the small town of Swainsboro, then moved to Atlanta with his family. They maintained their small-town values in the big city, which helped keep Dwight grounded when he started flying around the local courts. He was a prodigy almost from the moment he first wrapped his long fingers around a basketball. Dwight was big and fast and strong. He had quick feet, a decent shot, and was as comfortable handling the ball as most guards. In seventh grade, he wrote a paper listing his seven goals for life and listed one of them as being the top pick in the NBA Draft.

Dwight’s early basketball hero was Michael Jordan. He had the shoes, the short, and even some of the hang time. As he grew, he came to appreciate Magic Johnson's combination of size and ballhandling skills.

Later, Dwight gravitated toward Kevin Garnett, modeling himself after the versatile and athletic big man. The youngster was also drawn to "Da Kid"because he had jumped directly from high school to the pros. Dwight found this idea very intriguing.

Something basketball people found intriguing about Dwight as he began making a name for himself around Atlanta was how much his teammates enjoyed playing with him. He had serious game, but never took the game so seriously that he didn’t have fun. In fact, no one laughed louder on the court—it was Dwight’s trademark. This kept his teammates loose. Basically, he was just a big, goofy kid with an ear-to-ear smile. And playing ball made him smile the most.

Dwight enrolled at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy as a seventh grader in 1998. He was still running the show as a point guard at this point, but that ended as soon as he made the varsity in 2000, when he began working out as a small forward. He had sprouted seven inches to 6-9 the previous off-season, and was penciled in as the team’s power forward.

Prep basketball is big in Atlanta and Dwight played for a small school against some weaker opponents. Consequently, he did not get the notoriety of some stars in other area programs. But by the end of Dwight’s junior year, the SACA gym was full of college and pro scouts. Word of a 6-10 forward with big-man footwork and little-man ballhandling skills tends to get around. He averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds that season, and helped SACA reach the Class A championship game.

As a senior, Dwight led SACA to the 2004 state title. He scored 25 points, grabbed 18 boards, blocked eight shots and and added 3.5 assists per game. Dwight finished his prep career with 2,146 points, 1,728 rebounds, and 811 blocked shots in 129 varsity games. He was given the Naismith and Morgan Wooten High School Player of the Year award, the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award, and the prestigious McDonald’s National Player of the Year Award. Howard was also named Mr. Basketball for the state of Georgia. For good measure, he was voted co-president of the student body and had a strong voice in the school choir.

ON THE RISE

Kevin Garnett, 2000 SI for Kids

By this time, Dwight had been told by enough objective observers that he would draw first-round interest from the NBA in the June draft. After much thought, he decided to go from the prom to the pros. Had he settled on school, it would only have been for a year or two of seasoning—the education component was not really an issue.

When the NBA lottery was held, Dwight watched with great interest—still hoping to fulfill his seventh-grade prophecy. When the ping-pong balls delivered the first pick to the Orlando Magic, Dwight knew he had a chance at being number one. The Magic definitely needed help on the front line.

From Orlando’s perspective, the decision on draft day came down to Dwight versus UConn senior Emeka Okafor. Okafor had the polish after four years in the Big East and one national championship, but Orlando saw Dwight’s upside—and were impressed by his maturity. The team went with the gangly prepster with the top pick.

Dwight joined a moribund Magic squad that had finished with only 21 victories the previous season. Over the summer, the club had had lost Tracy McGrady, Drew Gooden and Juwan Howard. In fact, not one of the team’s opening night starters from 2003 was wearing an Orlando uniform anymore. The star veterans on the current squad were meteoric Steve Francis and oft-injured Grant Hill. The Magic’s front line included journeymen Tony Battie, Hedo Turkgolu and Kelvin Cato, while Jameer Nelson and Cuttino Mobley were paired with Francis in the backcourt. Doug Christie, acquired later in the year, ended up as the team’s starting two-guard.

Dwight made an immediate impact. Orlando fans had forgotten what is was to have a multi-skilled, high-energy big man on the floor, having lost Shaquille O’Neal in 1996. He got off the floor so quickly that opponents simply could not keep him off the offensive glass. If the enemy center jogged back on defense, Dwight would sprint right past him to finish the Orlando break. And after just a few weeks, he and Francis had the alley-oop working to perfection.

Dwight Howard, 2005 Bowman

With Hill relatively healthy and Dwight enjoying more good nights than bad, the Magic managed to ambush a number of top teams. They finished the year with 36 wins, defeating the New Jersey Nets and Indian Pacers three times each, and posting wins over that year’s playoff finalists, the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.

Dwight began the year in the starting lineup and never came out, starting all 82 games forst for coach Johnny Davis and and then Chris Jent, who replaced him on an interim basis in the spring. Dwight led the club in games, starts, rebounds and blocked shots. He averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds, and finished third in voting for NBA Rookie of the Year. The teenager achieved a ranking of eighth in the league in rebounding, 10th in field goal percentage, and 19th in blocked shots.

Dwight was no longer a wiry power forward when he reported to camp for his second NBA campaign. Team physicians expected him to keep growing (up and out), and they were right—he had added 20 pounds of muscle. It was time to start grooming him to be an NBA center. This was one of the prime reasons the Magic selected Brian Hill to be their new coach. He was on the sidelines when Shaq arrived in Orlando, and built a championship-caliber team around the big guy in a hurry. Hill identified two areas where Dwight needed to make immediate improvement—his post-up game, and his defense. He placed extra pressure on his second-year star, announcing that the Magic would need him to emerge as a force in the middle before the team had a chance to make the playoffs. When Orlando started 2005-06 sluggishly, it looked like Hill was right. Dwight may have improved in all areas of his game, but he still played tentatively at times.

MAKING HIS MARK

Finally, in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he served notice on the league that his rookie days were over. LeBron James swooped into the lane for one of his signature dunks, which Dwight had no chance to block. But he did have time to send a "Not In My House” message, dropping LeBron to the hardwood with a thud that had NBA execs gasping for air.

The Magic arrived at a major decision in February, dispatching Francis to the New York Knicks and essentially putting the team in the hands of a 20-year-old. The fans were unhappy to see Orlando kiss off its season, but they understood the importance of establishing a new direction.

Grant Hill, 2005 ESPN The Magazine

What happened next was nothing short of remarkable. With Dwight leading the charge, the Magic became one of the league’s best teams in the second half. They went on a tear, winning seven straight at one point, and launched an improbable run from the division cellar to the brink of the playoffs. On April 15th, Dwight scored 28 points and grabbed 26 rebounds, coming tantalizingly close to one of the NBA’s rarest achievements, a 30-30 game. He was named the conference’s top player in the season’s final month. Alas, the Magic fell three games short of a post-season berth, losing a couple of heart breakers at the end of the schedule.

Dwight’s year was simply astonishing, regardless of his age. He became the youngest player in history to lead the league in rebounds with 1,020. He finished second to Ben Wallace in offensive rebounds, and second behind Garnett in rebounds per game and double-doubles. Dwight was a model of consistency, averaging 15.8 points and 12.5 boards at home and 15.7 and 12.4 on the road.

With the prospect of their best player building on these numbers—and some room under the cap—the Magic are in position to assert themselves in a division that has practically been conceded to the downstate Heat since Shaq arrived. Well, Dwight has arrived, too. And watch out if he has some friends to bring to the party.

DWIGHT THE PLAYER

Dwight Howard, 2005 Uper Deck
When asked to describe his rebounding technique, Dwight can’t. He just feels that he wants the ball more than other players, describing rebounding itself as a “mental game.” That may be so, but in Dwight’s case he gets off the floor incredibly fast, using his long arms and growing upper body to pluck balls out of the air.

On offense, he is murder around the rim, but still must develop post-up moves. Opponents often make an effort to force him to handle the ball outside the lane, hoping he will try a jumper or pass off. A little further out, Dwight can turn and face his defender, and take almost every big man in the NBA off the dribble. On the break, he is a good, athletic finisher.

Dwight’s defense is adequate for his position. With increased size and experience, the Magic expect him to become a defensive force.

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Kenyon Lee Martin

born December 30, 1977, in Saginaw, Michigan
is an American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "K-Mart", he currently plays power forward for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. Martin was a talented and extremely boisterous player in college, playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats under the direction of Bob Huggins. As a senior, he averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. He was the consensus National Player of the Year, earning numerous awards from various organizations, but suffered a broken leg in the Conference USA Tournament, keeping him out of the NCAA Tournament that year.

Cincinnati retired his #4 jersey on April 25, 2000. Later that year, he was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. Martin is currently the last American-born college senior to have been the top overall pick; the top picks since him consist of three high school players (Kwame Brown, LeBron James and Dwight Howard), one international player with two years of U.S. college experience (Andrew Bogut), two international players with no American college experience (Yao Ming and Andrea Bargnani) and two college freshmen (Greg Oden and Derrick Rose).

Kenyon graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice.
As a rookie for the New Jersey Nets, Martin brought his trademark intensity to the NBA. Moving from center to power forward, he averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In his second season, Martin averaged 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in helping the Nets rise from last place in the Atlantic Division to an Eastern Conference title and the best season to date in the Nets' NBA history. Along with Nets stars Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, Martin led the Nets to the 2002 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his third season Martin again helped his team into the NBA Finals, where the Nets lost in six games against the San Antonio Spurs. The next year, Martin averaged 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks en route to his first NBA All-Star selection, as a backup forward for the Eastern Conference

All-Stars. In the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, Martin scored 17 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 assists.

Martin and teammate Alonzo Mourning almost fought when Martin mocked Mourning's life-threatening kidney disease. Martin later admitted that he had made a mistake and apologized to Mourning. He received a taste of his own medicine when then Knicks forward Tim Thomas remarked on Martin's speech impediment and eye twitching tic during a game, as well as calling Martin a "fugazi", a slang term for a fake or fraud.
At the end of the 2003-04 NBA season, Martin was traded to the Denver Nuggets for three future 1st round draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal.
Martin had a solid start to his Nuggets career before off-the-court issues and injuries began to snowball.

Martin played in 70 games during the 2004-2005 season, averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. However, a problem with his knee was detected shortly into the off-season, and on May 16, 2005, Kenyon underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee.
During 2005-2006, Martin missed 26 games due to knee tendinitis, but was able to return in time for the playoffs. However, during that playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers,

Martin was suspended from the Denver Nuggets indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team." During halftime of game two of the first round series, Martin got into an argument with head coach George Karl over his playing time, and proceeded ironically to refuse to play for the second half of the game. During the offseason, Karl and Martin apparently "patched things up."
Believing injuries were behind him, Kenyon and the Nuggets were crushed to learn the swelling now occurring in his right knee would require another microfracture procedure. On November 15, 2006, after playing just two regular season games, Martin underwent his second knee operation in less than two years.

During the third-quarter of a 2006 game against the Chicago Bulls, a fan sitting two rows behind Martin yelled at him, "Suit up, you chump," referring to the fact Martin was in the midst of one of his increasingly frequent stints on the injured reserve and in street clothes behind the Nuggets bench. All accounts indicate that the fan did not use any profanities. At that point, Martin is said to have stood up, pointed at the heckler, and then motioned to one of his 'bodyguards' to go confront the heckling fan, ordering "shut him up". His friend then stood up and yelled at the heckler, "Shut your mouth before we take you outside and beat your (expletive)!." He also apparently screamed at a Nuggets fan named Don Miller--who, along with his teenage son, happened to be sitting next to the heckler--calling him a "fat (expletive) white boy." Martin was subsequently fined $15,000 and cautioned to no longer bring his entourage to games.

On February 11, 2006, after a Denver win over the Dallas Mavericks, a volatile Martin was involved in a heated and profanity-laced locker room exchange with a local sports radio personality.

To symbolize a fresh and healthy restart to his career, Kenyon changed his uniform number from 6 to the number 4, which he wore in college, for the 2007-2008 season.
The 2008-2009 campaign witnessed a mentally refurbished Kenyon Martin continuing his infamous commitment on the defensive end, helping lead the Nuggets to a franchise record-tying 54-28 record

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Chauncey Billups

born September 25, 1976, in Denver, ColoradoAmerican professional basketball player. Billups is the starting Point guard for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball at the University of Colorado, where he was honored in 2004 as the fifth player to have his jersey, number 4, retired. He was the 2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

American professional basketball player. Billups is the starting Point guard for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball at the University of Colorado, where he was honored in 2004 as the fifth player to have his jersey, number 4, retired. He was the 2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
n June 2002, Billups signed with the Detroit Pistons as a free agent to be the team's new starting Point guard.

When he signed with the Pistons, he was forced to take the number 1 because number 4 was retired in honor of Joe Dumars.
Billups quickly earned respect from Pistons fans and colleagues for his tenacious defense and clutch shooting. He helped Detroit win the 2004 NBA Finals over the Los Angeles Lakers, four games to one. He averaged 21 points and 5.2 assists per game during the series to earn the NBA Finals MVP Award.

The following season, Billups was named to the 2005 NBA Second All-Defensive Team, along with teammate Tayshaun Prince, while teammate and co-captain of the Pistons Ben Wallace took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Pistons reached the NBA finals but lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

In 2006, Billups was co-captain of the team. Although he captained the Pistons to a franchise best 64–18 record, they failed to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in three years. He also led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.

On July 11, 2007, Billups signed a $46 million, four-year contract with the Pistons (which includes a team option for a fifth year at $14 million). He had been an unrestricted free agent for several days after he opted out of the previous contract, which he had signed in 2002.

During a game three playoff game against the Orlando Magic, Billups pulled a hamstring after going for a ball. He missed game four, but the Pistons defeated the Magic, 90–89, to take a 3–1 series lead when Tayshaun Prince hit the game-winning shot with 8.9 seconds left.

On November 3, 2008, Billups was traded to the Denver Nuggets, along with Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb, for Allen Iverson. Billups chose the number 7 jersey to honor Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, since two of his other favorite numbers, 1 and 4, were already worn by J. R. Smith and Kenyon Martin, respectively.[3] He played his first game of the Nuggets' 2008–09 season on November 7, 2008. He recorded 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of play in a 108–105 Nuggets' home win.[4] He finished the season averaging 17.7 ppg, and 6.4 apg.

Along with Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets accomplished a great deal of franchise milestones. Their 54-28 record matched the most wins the franchise has gotten since their induction in the NBA, their 27-14 start was also a record for wins in the first half of a season. This also marked the first time in the franchise's history the team has gotten back-to-back 50-win seasons. They led the Northwest division for much of the season, eventually winning the division and placing for #2 in the Western Conference, matching the highest the team has ever been seeded for the playoffs. In the first round, they defeated the New Orleans Hornets in 5 games, which included a record-equaling 58-point margin victory. Billups also set a Nuggets franchise record with the most 3 pointers in a playoff game with 8, and his 19 3-pointers in total is also a Nuggets record for 3s made in a playoff series. Billups averaged 22.6 ppg, 7.4 apg, and 3.8 3PM in that series.

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Pau Gasol

born July 6, 1980 in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spainis a 2.13 m (7 ft.) Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He was born to Marisa Sàez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood growing up in Spain. Gasol's brother, Marc Gasol, is also a professional basketball player. Gasol was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2001 NBA Draft, but his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He currently holds the Memphis Grizzlies franchise records for career games played, minutes played, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, offensive, defensive, and total rebounds, blocked shots, turnovers, and points. After seven seasons with the team, Gasol was traded to the Lakers on February 1, 2008, and a USA Today newspaper article said he was "the major factor in turning around a storied NBA franchise and making it hip to be a Lakers fan again." In Gasol's first season with the Grizzlies, he won the Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the

All-Rookie first team. He averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and was also the only team member to play in all 82 games that season. Gasol led the team in scoring (19.0 points per game) in his second year with the team, and for the second year in a row, played in all 82 games. Gasol missed the first game of his career, during his third year, with a foot injury on April 5, 2004, which snapped his string of 240 consecutive games played. He grabbed the 1,500th rebound of his career on November 12, 2003, against the Orlando Magic and scored his 3,000th career point on October 31, 2003, against the Boston Celtics. Despite having 22 points in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, the highest by a Memphis players in the playoffs, his team was eliminated in the first round, not winning a single game against San Antonio. This was both the Grizzlies and Gasol's first trip to the NBA Playoffs. He scored 31 points and blocked four shots on January 11, 2005, against the Indiana Pacers to earn 5,000 points and 500 blocks in his career, becoming the 10th fastest player to reach 5,000 points/500 blocks since 1973-74.

He also helped his team make it to the playoffs for the second time in his career, but they were eliminated in the first round and did not win a single game against the Phoenix Suns. Gasol is currently in his eighth year in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is very athletic and quick for a 7 footer, and plays the power forward and center positions. He has often been compared with fellow European players Toni Kukoč and Dirk Nowitzki, holding career averages of 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He is a refined scorer from both inside and midrange, his overall game is near-ambidextrous, and makes it difficult for opposing teams to defend. Gasol uses a variety of midrange jumpers, hook shots, up-and-under moves and shot fakes to score very efficiently. He is also an above-average shot blocker, with a career average of 1.8 blocks per game. Statistically, he shoots 22.7 percent when it comes to three pointers. Before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2007-08 season, he had only played with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2001-2008. When he was traded to the Lakers, he maintained the same number on his jersey, still playing with the number 16. In his career, Gasol has never been ejected. Gasol scored his 10,000th point in a game against the Jazz on the 2nd of January 2009.[35] He finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in the win.

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Derrick Martell Rose

born October 4, 1988 is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6 foot 3 inch point guard had the 11th best selling jersey in the league the past season.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rose won two state championships in high school and was rated by scouts as the top point guard prospect after his senior year. He decided to play basketball for the University of Memphis Tigers and reached the NCAA National Championship Game in 2008. Shortly after his freshman year ended, Rose declared for the 2008 NBA Draft and was selected first overall by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. In his first year of professional basketball, Rose led the team (and all rookies) in assists and was voted the Rookie of the Year and an unanimous pick to the All-Rookie Team as the Bulls returned to the playoffs. Chicago then fell to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

In 2003, Rose enrolled at Simeon Career Academy and played freshmen and JV basketball in his first year of high school. He wore #25 in honor of "Benji" Wilson, a 1980s Wolverine player who was murdered by a gang member. Rose wasn't allowed on varsity due to a long-standing tradition that head coach Bob Hambric, who had been with the school since 1980 had; no freshman on the varsity team. That rule didn't lessen Rose's play and he went on to put up 18.5 points, 6.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game and led both the freshmen and sophomores to city championships with a 24–1 record. Hambric softened his stance and allowed the freshman a chance to play on varsity in the state tournament, but Rose declined, wanting the players to get due credit. The next year Hambric retired and Robert Smith was hired, opening the path to varsity. In Rose's much-publicized debut, he had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals over Thornwood High School in a sold-out game filled with college scouts and coaches. He led the Wolverines to a 30–5 mark, while averaging 19.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.4 steals but lost in state regionals. Rose's play garnered him his first national award: a Parade Third Team All-American spot.

During his junior year in 2006, the Simeon Wolverines broke through and won the Chicago Public League championship held at the United Center. Rose earned rave reviews with 25 points and crowd pleasing dunks. The team went to the Class AA state championship against Richwoods High School, where a fourth quarter buzzer beater by Richwood forced overtime. The score was knotted at 29 late in the extra period when Rose stole the ball and buried the game winning jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining. The title was the Simeon's first since 1984. The Wolverines finished up 33–4, nationally ranked,and Rose was awarded with an All-State Illinois mention, EA Sports All-American Second Team pick and another Parade All-American selection

Entering his senior year, Rose was ranked a top five prospect in the nation after strong summer performances at various camps. The season highlight was a nationally televised contest on ESPN against Virginia perennial power Oak Hill Academy in January 2007. Matched up with hyped junior guard Brandon Jennings, Rose had 28 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds and held Jennings to 0 points in the first three quarters, 17 overall in a 78–75 win. For his performance, USA Today named him their high school player of the week. Simeon went to repeat as Public League champions and went on to defend their state championship, defeating O'Fallon High School 77–54. In doing so, Simeon became the first Chicago Public League school to win two straight state championships. In his final high school game, Rose scored 2 points, but pulled down 7 rebounds and totaled 8 assists. The Wolverines ended the season 33–2 and ranked 1st in the nation by Sports Illustrated and 6th on USA Today's Super 25. Rose averaged 25.2 points, 9.1 assists, 8.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals.
Overall, Rose's career record in high school was 120–12. After his senior year, Rose was again All-State after being named Illinois Mr. Basketball and was named to the McDonald's All-American team. He was also awarded with First Team honors by Parade selection and USA Today and USA Today First Team All-American. He also played in the Jordan Brand All-Star Game and Nike Hoop Summit. In 2009, he was named to RISE magazine's all-decade team.
College

Rose accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Memphis Tigers under John Calipari, who recruited him after seeing the high schooler cry in a AAU game.[25] Strong efforts were made by the Indiana University and in-state University of Illinois to sign Rose to their own programs. Illinois in particular planned to pair Eric Gordon and Rose together. Gordon however retracted his verbal commitment, opting to play for Indiana and Rose subsequently gave his verbal commitment before the start of his senior season. Rose chose Memphis because of the school's history of putting players in the NBA and the prospect of Rod Strickland, a 17 year veteran of the league, of mentoring him. Rose switched to #23, unable to wear his customary #25, retired in honor of Penny Hardaway.

With the addition of Rose and veteran teammates Joey Dorsey and Chris Douglas-Roberts, the Tigers started out the season ranked third in the nation. Memphis sprinted to a 26–0 start and claimed the number one ranking in the country for the first time in over 25 years before falling to the University of Tennessee Volunteers 66–62 in February. Memphis was able to bounce back and capture the Conference USA Tournament to qualify for the "Big Dance" at a 33–1 record. Rose averaged 14.9 points per game, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season and earned All-American Third Team honors among others. He finished as a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award as well as the John R. Wooden Award.

Memphis was ranked as a No. 1 seed in the South Region and blew out most of their competition their way into the Final Four. Rose earned high praise for his increased focus on defense, hounding Texas Longhorn guard D.J. Augustin into a low-percentage game in the Elite Eight. In a match-up against the UCLA in the Final Four, Rose finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds while applying tight pressure on Bruins' point Darren Collison to lead the Tigers to the the NCAA championship game against the University of Kansas Jayhawks with a 85–67 victory. The win set a NCAA mark for most wins in a season (38). Against Kansas, Rose scored 17 points on 7–17 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished seven assists, but missed a critical free throw at the end of the 2nd half and fell in overtime 75–68. Memphis concluded the season 38–2. He was named to the All-Final Four team after averaging 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 assists during the tourney.
On April 15, Rose declared for the 2008 NBA Draft.

Rose was selected first overall in the draft by the Chicago Bulls, an unlikely event considering that Chicago had only a 1.7% chance of capturing the top pick in the draft lottery held that past May. He was selected to the U.S. Select Team to scrimmage and prepare National Team for the Olympics in Beijing. Jay Triano praised him for going against the veteran All-Stars and Rose credited the experience for preparing him for the professional grind.[44] In mid-July, he played two games in the Orlando Pro Summer League until forced out by tendinitis in his right knee, ending his summer. In October, Rose played in all eight games of the preseason.

He started his rookie year strong, becoming the first Bulls draftee to score 10 points or more in his first 10 games since Michael Jordanand eventually earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for November by averaging 18.9 points and 6.1 assists on nearly 50 percent shooting. He followed up by winning the award for December, highlighted by a 20-point and 13-assist game against the New Jersey Nets. Rose participated in February's All-Star Weekend events. In the Rookie Challenge, he scored 4 points and led the rookies in assists with 7. He was also invited to the Skills Challenge where he beat out several All-Stars to become the first rookie to claim the trophy.

Overcoming a mid-season slump, Rose returned to form and won monthly rookie honors in March. Meanwhile, the Bulls, re-engerized by the trade deadline acquisitions of John Salmons and Brad Miller, finished the regular season on a 12–4 squirt to qualify for the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. Chicago's late push contributed to Rose winning the NBA Rookie of the Year, joining Michael Jordan (1985) and Elton Brand (2000) as the Bulls to do so. He averaged 16.8 points on 47.5% field goal shooting, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game and was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

In his playoff debut against the defending champions Boston Celtics, Rose recorded 36 points on 63% shooting, 11 assists and 4 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics in a 105–103 overtime win. The 36 points tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record for points scored by a rookie in his playoff debut and also became just the second player in NBA history to record 35 points and 10 assists in his playoff debut. For the rest of the series, he remained at a high level, but was overshadowed by the emergence of Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. The Celtics would defeat the Bulls in seven games.

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Kevin Maurice Garnett

Kevin Maurice Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Greenville, South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics. After graduating from Farragut Career Academy, he was the fifth player drafted in 1995. He became the first NBA player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years. His accomplishments include an Olympic Gold Medal in 2000, being voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 NBA season, NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the 2007-08 season and being named to twelve All-Star teams and nine All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams, respectively. He is also the all-time leader in NBA seasons played with averages of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.

Early years

Kevin Garnett was born in Greenville, South Carolina to Shirley Garnett and O'Lewis McCullough, and was the second of his mother's three children. After divorcing McCullough, Shirley Garnett raised Kevin and his two siblings. She then re-married and moved the family to Mauldin, South Carolina when Kevin Garnett was twelve.

Garnett fell in love with the sport of basketball while attending Hillcrest Middle School, although he did not play organized ball until high school. In his first three high school years, Garnett played for Mauldin High School. However, during the summer prior to his senior year of high school, Kevin was in the general vicinity of a fight between black and white students. Although not directly involved, Garnett was arrested. Due to the racially charged incident and fearful of being a target, Garnett decided to leave Mauldin.He transferred to Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois for his senior year of high school. He led Farragut to a 28–2 record and was named National High School Player of the Year by USA Today. He was named Mr. Basketball for the State of Illinois after averaging 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 6.5 blocks while shooting 66.8% from the field. In four years of high school, Garnett posted an impressive 2,553 points, 1,809 rebounds and 737 blocked shots. He was named the Most Outstanding Player at the McDonald's All-American Game after registering 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocked shots, and then declared himself eligible for the 1995 NBA Draft. Garnett played alongside Ronnie Fields in high school, who also followed a professional career. Garnett also excelled in soccer during his high school days.

NBA career

1995–97: First years

Garnett was drafted with the fifth pick of the 1995 NBA Draft by the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, and became the first player to be drafted directly out of high school since 1975. After joining the NBA for the 1989-90 season, the Timberwolves had not won more than 29 games in any season. In Garnett's rookie season, the Timberwolves were in the midst of a transition phase; they replaced Bill Blair with Flip Saunders as head coach early in the season and made several trades. Garnett initially came off the bench in his rookie year, but moved into the starting lineup soon after Saunders became head coach. In his rookie year, Garnett and fellow newcomer Tom Gugliotta carried the scoring load. Garnett did not immediately leap to stardom as later prep-to-pro prospects such as Amare Stoudemire, LeBron James and Dwight Howard would, but he did have a very respectable rookie year. He averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game and was voted into the All-Rookie Second Team. Despite having some promising players, the Timberwolves suffered through their seventh consecutive sub-30 win season and failed to make the playoffs. At the time Garnett was the youngest NBA player in history at 19 years and 11 months of age.

Before the next season, the Timberwolves made a draft-day trade for point guard Stephon Marbury of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. During the season Garnett posted improving averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals. He also had two games where he registered eight blocks. With a 40–42 record, the Timberwolves made their first playoff appearance in franchise history, Garnett and Gugliotta made their first All-Star appearances, and Marbury established himself as a valuable young lead guard. However, the Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Charles Barkley proved to be too much as the Timberwolves were swept 3–0 in the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs.

1997–2001: Franchise player
Garnett as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves

During the 1997-98 NBA season, the Timberwolves and Garnett agreed on a six-year contract extension that was worth an unparalleled $126 million.This was met with shock around the NBA, and the Timberwolves were used as scapegoats for the lockout that occurred the next season.[citation needed] The contract was a risky move and many pundits[who?] speculated that the deal would make it impossible for the Wolves to sign new players or even keep their own. Despite the furor over his new contract, Garnett continued to improve, averaging 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. Again, he was an All-Star, and the Timberwolves finished with their first winning record in franchise history (45–37 for the season). For the second consecutive year the young Timberwolves bowed out of the playoffs in the first round, this time losing 2–3 against the Seattle SuperSonics and superstar point guard Gary Payton. The two wins against the Sonics marked the Wolves' first-ever playoff game wins. The off-season started poorly for the Timberwolves though as 20-point per game scorer Tom Gugliotta left for the Phoenix Suns.

In the lockout-shortened season that followed, Garnett broke through as a superstar. Putting up stats of 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team. However, midway through the season Stephon Marbury was traded to the New Jersey Nets after a dispute over his possible contract extension.[citation needed] Although the Wolves received two-time All-Star Terrell Brandon in return, they were not able to overcome the discord and limped into the playoffs as the 8th seed with a 25–25 record. The Wolves were defeated in the first round again, this time losing 1–3 to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs who were led by young superstar and eventual NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan. In the next season, Garnett continued his notable play, averaging 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game and made the first of his four All-NBA First Team appearances. Assisted by sharpshooting rookie forward Wally Szczerbiak and steady veteran Brandon, the Wolves posted a franchise-best 50-32 record, but succumbed in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers 3–1.

In the 1999-00 NBA season, Timberwolves' guard Malik Sealy was killed by a drunk driver and the NBA ruled that the free agent signing of Joe Smith was illegal. The NBA punished the team for the illegal signing by stripping the team of three first-round draft picks, fining Glen Taylor (the owner of the team) $3.5 million, and banning general manager Kevin McHale for one year. Garnett led the Wolves to a 47–35 record and made the All-NBA Second Team, but again, the Wolves did not survive the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Spurs 3–1.

2001–04: Playoff success

In the 2001-02 NBA season, Garnett posted another notable season, his averages of 21.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game enough for another All-NBA Second Team nomination. However, the Timberwolves bowed out in the first round for the sixth consecutive time, this time getting swept 3–0 by the Dallas Mavericks led by Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. Garnett's next season was one of the best of his career, his 23.0 ppg / 13.0 rpg / 6.0 apg / 1.6 bpg / 1.4 spg season earning him his second All-NBA First Team nomination and second place in the MVP voting. The Timberwolves posted a good 51–31 record, but for the seventh consecutive time, they did not make it out of the first round, this time losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 2.

In the 2003-04 NBA season, things finally seemed to come together for Garnett. In past years, the Wolves had practically been a one-man show, but now, the Timberwolves had made two valuable acquisitions: highly talented but volatile swingman Latrell Sprewell and the seasoned two-time NBA champion Sam Cassell, who supplanted Troy Hudson at point guard. In addition, defensive center Ervin Johnson complemented the inconsistent Michael Olowokandi. Powered by the best supporting cast in his career, Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game for the season, earning his first Most Valuable Player award.With a franchise-record 58 wins, the Wolves stormed into the playoffs, and finally vanquished their playoff bane by defeating the Denver Nuggets 4–1 in the first round. After disposing of the strong Sacramento Kings 4–3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, Garnett and the Timberwolves met the Lakers. Against the Lakers, playmaker Cassell went down with a back injury. With reserve point guard Hudson also injured, the Timberwolves alternated between third playmaker Darrick Martin and shooting guard Fred Hoiberg at the "one", or even running Garnett himself as point forward or a real point guard. The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 4–2 series win.

2004–07: Frustration

In the 2004-05 NBA season, Garnett was named to the All-NBA Second Team, but with a mediocre 44–38 record, the Timberwolves failed to make the playoffs after eight consecutive years. The 2005-06 NBA season brought more frustration for Garnett. With Sprewell and Cassell refusing to stay and stuck with a mediocre squad, the Timberwolves skidded to a 33–49 record. Despite Garnett's play, the team logged the second worst record since Garnett joined the franchise. On 10 May 2007 Garnett was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

During the 2007 off-season, Taylor admitted that although he had planned on retaining Garnett, he would finally listen to trade offers. Garnett's name was mentioned in various trade rumors involving the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks.

2007–present: Boston Celtics
Sister project Wikinews has related news: NBA: Minnesota ready to trade Kevin Garnett to Boston
Garnett dunking a ball in a game against the Washington Wizards

On July 31 2007, Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, cash considerations, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top 3 protected) and the 2009 first-round pick Minnesota had traded to Boston in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade of 2006.[14] The 7-for-1 deal constitutes the largest number of players traded for a single player in league history.[15] At the time of the trade, Garnett had the longest current tenure of any player in the NBA with one team, having played for the Timberwolves for his first 12 seasons (a total of 927 games). Garnett said that he was proud to be a part of the Celtics, and hoped to continue its proud tradition and basketball success. On the day the trade was announced, Garnett signed a three-year $60 million contract extension that will start after his current deal runs out in 2009.

On August 1, the day after signing his Celtics contract, Garnett threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park prior to a Red Sox-Orioles game. Garnett has claimed to be a long-time Red Sox fan.


Garnett led all players in voting for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Garnett received 2,399,148 votes, the sixth highest total in NBA All-Star balloting history. Among active players, Garnett's 11 All-Star selections rank second to Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, who has appeared 14 times in the All-Star Game.However, Garnett was unable to play due to an abdominal strain, and Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace him. East All-Star head coach Doc Rivers replaced Garnett with Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh in the starting lineup.

On March 8, Garnett passed 20,000 points for his career, becoming the 32nd player in NBA history to reach the mark,with a layup in the 2nd quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies. The only other active players who have passed that mark are Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant.

On April 22, Garnett was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2007-08 season. It was the only major award a Celtic player had not claimed since the franchise's foundation in 1946. However, Garnett claimed it was a team effort which helped him win the award.

On June 17, Garnett helped the Celtics to their 17th NBA Championship, with 26 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

On October 31, 2008, Garnett became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career games, at 32 years and 165 days.

Personal life

Garnett married long time girlfriend Brandi Padilla during a private ceremony in California. The wedding was the reason he did not take part in the Athens 2004 Olympic games. Garnett is a cousin to former Los Angeles Lakers player Shammond Williams,and is the half brother of Louis McCullough, who played for the ABA's Syracuse Raging Bullz.

In the New England area, Garnett is a resident of Concord, Massachusetts, owning a home worth roughly $4.6 million.

Although Garnett is officially listed as 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) by the NBA, many, including the Celtics organization, believe he is 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m). During the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, Garnett admitted in an interview with Craig Sager to be 6 ft 11.75 in (2.13 m) tall.

His nicknames include "The Big Ticket", "KG", "Da Kid", and formerly "The Franchise" (after being known as the Minnesota Timberwolves' franchise player).

Garnett missed two Celtics practices leading up to the playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks to attend the birth of his baby on April 18, 2008.

In 2009 Garnett was mentioned in The Lonely Island's single I'm on a Boat. The song quotes Garnett as saying "Anything is possible!" — an exclamation he made after the 2008 NBA

Finals.

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Paul Anthony Pierce

Paul Anthony Pierce (born October 13, 1977 in Oakland, California), nicknamed The Truth,[1] is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He earned First Team All-America honors in his junior year at Kansas, and has been a starter every season since being selected by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. He is an 8-time All-Star and led Boston to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002 and the 2008 championship. He was named the 2008 NBA Finals MVP in his first trip to the NBA Finals.



High school

Pierce was raised in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles, California, where he was the star of Inglewood High School's basketball team during his junior and senior years. He was cut from the varsity team his freshman and sophomore years, and even thought about transferring schools, but eventually decided to work harder and keep trying to make the team. He also participated in the 1995 McDonald's All-American Game alongside future NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Vince Carter, and Antawn Jamison, and was a contestant in the game's Slam Dunk Contest, which was won by Carter.

College

Pierce averaged 16.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in his three seasons at the University of Kansas, where he majored in Crime and Delinquency Studies, and earned MVP honors in the Big 12 Conference Tournament in both 1997 and 1998. Pierce played for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams at Kansas. He entered the NBA Draft after his junior year and was selected with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.

NBA career

Early career

After his NBA debut, Pierce's ability to score, rebound and play defense, and a healthy dose of late-game heroics led to his emergence as a top player in the Eastern Conference. Along with forward Antoine Walker, Pierce led the Celtics to the playoffs in 2002 for the first time in seven years and on to the Eastern Conference Finals. In the historic Game 3 of that series, he led the Celtics to the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA playoff history. Pierce scored 19 of his 28 point total during the fourth quarter, and the Celtics recovered from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New Jersey Nets.


Pierce has averaged 22.9 points per game over his 11-year NBA career and is a 7-time NBA All-Star. Trade rumors involving Paul Pierce swirled when Danny Ainge returned as the Executive Director of Basketball Operations in May 2003. Ainge laid most of these rumors to rest in the 2006 off-season by signing Paul Pierce to a 3-year, $59 million contract extension.Ironically, Pierce is the only player left from the moment Ainge took over.

Pierce has often played his best games against the best individual competition, such as LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, and Kobe Bryant. For instance, Pierce scored a career high 50 points in a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 15, 2006. After the game, James stated that he feels that Pierce is the top at the position in the Eastern Conference.

In the 2005-06 NBA season, Pierce had the highest points-per-shot average among the top 30 scorers in the league, indicating that he is an efficient and consistent player. On March 8, 2006, Pierce extended his franchise-record streak of 30-point games at 8. On March 7, he scored seven points in overtime to beat the Washington Wizards on a "buzzer beater" , and the next night the Celtics eked out a victory against Philadelphia on the strength of two late-game improbable shots by Pierce, one a three-pointer, the other an off-balance "buzzer beater" for the win. He scored at least 30 points for the 13th time in 14 games (between February 4 and March 12), the best such stretch in Celtics history. He has six career triple-doubles, the most recent on March 8, 2006.

He followed up this stellar season with an injury-riddled 2006-07 campaign that saw him miss the first significant stretch of games in his career, due to a stress reaction in his foot. In spite of this injury, he still managed to put up his usual stellar numbers in the 47 games in which he saw action.


2007-08 NBA season
Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics being defended by the NBA All-Star LeBron James.

Prior to the 2007–08 season, he expressed great excitement at the Celtics' acquisitions of fellow All-Stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and at the chance to contend for a championship. He slimmed down to his college weight of 235 lb (107 kg; 16.8 st) and vowed to pay more attention to defense, as he wouldn't have to carry the offense anymore.

Pierce, who has been with the Celtics for 11 seasons, is tied with Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks for fourth place among active players who have played their entire NBA careers for one team. Pierce became the first Celtics player since Larry Bird to reach 2,000 points in a single season.

On April 28, 2008, Pierce was fined $25,000 by the NBA for an alleged menacing gesture after falling to the ground and being taunted by Al Horford in Game 3 of the first round in the 2008 Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks on April 26, 2008. Sources claimed this gesture was a gang-related hand sign, but Danny Ainge, general manager of the Celtics, stated that Pierce has been repeatedly doing it before and that it was not gang-related, but rather a symbol used within the team. Pierce himself denied it, adding that his foundation was committed to helping urban youth keep away from gangs.
Pierce at the championship parade of the 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics.

On May 18, 2008, Pierce recorded the second-highest point total in franchise history in a Game 7 with 41 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.On June 5, 2008, in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Pierce was injured in the third quarter and was carried off the court in serious pain. However, he came back to the court only a few minutes later to spark the Celtics with 15 points in the third quarter en route to a 98–88 victory. He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after the Celtics' 131–92 victory in Game 6 on June 17, 2008.



Stabbing incident
On September 25, 2000, Pierce was stabbed 11 times in the face, neck, and back and had a bottle smashed over his head while at the Buzz Club, a late night dance club in Boston's theatre district. He had to undergo lung surgery to repair the damage. Nevertheless, Pierce was the only Celtic to start all 82 games in the 2000–01 season. Also, witnesses say that Pierce was attempting to separate the fighters when he was stabbed. Tony Battie, Pierce's teammate at the time, along with his brother, saved him by rushing him to a nearby hospital after the near-fatal stabbing.

International

Pierce was a member of the US national team for the 2002 FIBA World Championship, starting all nine games and averaging 19.8 ppg. Pierce was also selected for the United States National Basketball team for the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but did not compete because of minor off-season surgery.

Personal

* Has been featured in several video games. In the video game NBA Ballers, Pierce gives viewers a tour of his hometown of Inglewood in a helicopter over Los Angeles.

* His half brother Jay Hosey played basketball for Wyoming, and another half brother Steve Hosey played right field for the San Francisco Giants.

* Has a charitable foundation known as The Truth Fund, which lends support to children from the greater Boston area and California inner cities.

* His nickname, The Truth, was accorded him by Shaquille O'Neal. After a Lakers' victory over the Celtics in 2001, O'Neal pulled a Boston reporter over and gestured toward his notepad. "Take this down," said O'Neal. "My name is Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce is the truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."

* Made a cameo appearance in the movie The Game Plan.

* Made a cameo in the music video "Tight Whips" by the 504 Boyz.

* Starting on September 19, 2008, pre-recorded footage of him speaking and screaming is part of the Hangin' Tough encore of New Kids on the Block: Live tour.

* On April 4, 2008 he had a baby girl, Prianna Lee, in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Walter Ray Allen

Walter Ray Allen (born July 20, 1975), referred to as Ray Allen, is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics at the position of shooting guard. He has also played professionally for two other organizations, the Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics, and collegiately at the University of Connecticut. One of the most accurate 3-point shooters in NBA history, he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 2000 United States Men's Basketball Team. Allen has also acted in two films, including a co-starring role in the 1998 Spike Lee film He Got Game.


High school

The third of five children, Allen was born at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California. A military child, he spent time growing up in Saxmundham in England, Altus in Oklahoma, Edwards Air Force Base[2] in California, and Germany.[3] He attended high school in Dalzell, South Carolina, where he led Hillcrest High School to a basketball state championship.[4]

College career

Allen attended the University of Connecticut from 1993 to 1996, where he earned All-American status and was named USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year in 1995. In 1995-96, his final college season, Allen was a first-team All-American and won the Big East Player of the Year award. Allen finished his UConn career third on the Huskies' career scoring list with 1,922 points and set a single-season school record by connecting on 115 three-pointers in 1995-96.

In 2001, he was named honorary captain of the 25-member UConn All-Century Basketball Team. On February 5, 2007, his name and number were honored at Connecticut's Gampel Pavilion during the "Huskies of Honor" ceremony at halftime of the men's basketball game against the Syracuse Orange.[5]

NBA career

Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)

Allen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick of the 1996 NBA Draft. Immediately after his selection, Allen and Andrew Lang were traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to fourth pick Stephon Marbury. Allen was a member of the NBA's All-Rookie 2nd Team in 1996. His most successful season with the Bucks occurred during the 2000-01 season as he won the 3-point shootout during All-Star Weekend, was selected to the All-NBA Third Team, and led the Bucks, as part of Milwaukee's "Big Three", alongside Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson, to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost in seven games to the Philadelphia 76ers.[6]

Seattle Super Sonics (2003–2007)

Allen remained with the Bucks midway through the 2002-03 season, when he was dealt to the Sonics, along with Ronald Murray, former UConn teammate Kevin Ollie, and a conditional first round draft pick, in exchange for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason. After an injury-riddled 2003-04 season, he was named to the All-NBA 2nd Team and, alongside teammate Rashard Lewis, led the Sonics to the Conference Semifinals in 2005. After the 2004-05 season, Allen signed a 5-year, $80 million contract extension. In the 2006-07 regular season, he averaged a career-high 26.4 points per game while adding 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

During his Seattle tenure, Allen achieved many individual accomplishments. On March 12, 2006, Allen became the 97th player in NBA history to score 15,000 points. On April 7, 2006, Allen moved into second place on the NBA's list of all-time 3-point field goals made, trailing only Reggie Miller. On April 19, 2006, Allen broke Dennis Scott's ten-year-old NBA record for 3-point field goals made in a season against the Denver Nuggets.

On January 12, 2007, Allen scored a career-high 54 points against the Utah Jazz in a 122-114 overtime win, the second most in Sonics history. Shortly after, he had ankle surgery on both ankles and missed the remainder of the 2006-07 season.

On June 28, 2007, the Sonics traded Allen and Glen Davis, the 35th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, to the Celtics in exchange for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the fifth overall pick, Jeff Green.

On November 4, 2007, Allen passed 17,000 points for his career with his first of two 3-pointers in overtime in a 98-95 victory against the Toronto Raptors, in which he sank the game winning 3-pointer with three seconds remaining in overtime.[7]

On February 13, 2008, Allen was named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards, who was out with a left hip flexor strain, for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. While LeBron James was given the All-Star MVP Award, many analysts, including the TNT commentators of the game, felt it should have gone to Allen, who scored 14 points in a stretch of 2 minutes and 30 seconds in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the East team.

On March 28, 2008, Allen was honored as the 3rd best of the 20 greatest players in franchise history during Milwaukee's 40th Anniversary Team Celebration, but couldn't attend the festivities because of the Celtics' game against the New Orleans Hornets.[6][8][9]

On June 17, 2008, in the series-ending Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Allen tied an NBA Finals record with seven three-pointers in the Celtics' 131–92 victory of the Los Angeles Lakers,[10] and also broke the record for three-pointers made in a NBA Finals series with 22, eclipsing the previous record of 17 by Dan Majerle and Derek Harper.[11]

On February 5, 2009, Ray was named as the All-Star replacement for Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson. This marks Allen's ninth time on the All-Star team and the second straight year he has made it alongside teammates Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

On February 22, 2009, with his streak ending at 72, Allen broke the Celtics franchise record in consecutive free throws made previously set by Larry Bird (71).

In the first round of the 2009 playoffs against the Chicago Bulls, game one proved to be tough for Allen. He ended up shooting 1-11 from the field, and the Celtics lost by two. In game 2 however, Allen nailed the game winning three-pointer at the end of regulation with two seconds left to cap off an impressive 30 point night.[12] Boston ended up winning the series in 7 Games. He reunited with former teammate and co-captain of the Seattle Sonics, Rashard Lewis in the Conference Semifinals, this time as opponents, however. After 4 games and a 2-2 series tie, his highest scoring game was a 22 point performance in a Game 2 victory. [13]

Acting career

In 1998, Allen co-starred alongside Denzel Washington in the Spike Lee movie He Got Game as high school basketball phenomenon Jesus Shuttlesworth. Roger Ebert praised Allen as a "rarity: an athlete who can act,"[14] while New York magazine described him as "graceful and fast in the basketball scenes" while giving "a somberly effective minimalist performance."[15] His role as Shuttlesworth earned him the nickname "Jesus" from teammates and fans.[16]

Allen also appeared as Marcus Blake in the 2001 film Harvard Man.

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Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili

Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili (born 28 July 1977 in Bahía Blanca, Argentina), is an Argentine professional basketball player. Coming from a family of professional basketball players, he is a member of the Argentine men's national basketball team and the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Ginóbili spent the early part of his basketball career in Argentina and Italy, where he won several individual and team honors. His stint with Italian side Kinder Bologna was particularly productive, earning two Lega A Most Valuable Player awards, the Euroleague 2000-01 Final Four MVP and the 2001 Euroleague championship. The shooting guard was selected as the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft and is considered one of the biggest draft steals of all time. Ginóbili returned to Italy and only joined the Spurs in 2002. He did not take long to establish himself as a key player for the Spurs, and has since won three NBA championships as well as being named an All-Star in 2005. In the 2007–08 season, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

With the Argentina national team, Ginóbili has also enjoyed success. He made his debut with the national team in 1998, and was a member of the team which won the gold medal during the 2004 Olympics Basketball Tournament. Hailed as one of the finest European-based players to grace the NBA with his high-tempo and intensive game, Ginóbili is also the only player ever to win a Euroleague title, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
Ginóbili comes from a family of basketball players. His eldest brother, Leandro, retired in 2003 after seven years in the Argentina basketball league, while Sebastián has played in both the local league and the Spanish Liga Española de Baloncesto. Their father Jorge was a coach at a club in Bahía Blanca, where Ginóbili learned to play the game. He was also very popular at the club among his team. He was the most talented one there. Given the proliferation of basketball clubs in Bahía Blanca and his idolization of Michael Jordan, Ginóbili's love for basketball grew rapidly.
Like many Argentines, Ginóbili is a descendant of Italian immigrants, and he has dual citizenship with Argentina and Italy. As a result of his travels, he can speak Spanish, Italian and English fluently. In his free time, Ginóbili enjoys surfing the internet, listening to Latin music, watching movies and relaxing with his friends. In 2004, he married Marianela Orono.
It was not until after the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis that Ginóbili joined the Spurs. There, he made the All-Tournament team alongside future NBA star Yao Ming and established NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Peja Stojakovic, and helped lead Argentina to a second-place finish. In his first season in the NBA, Ginóbili played backup for veteran guard Steve Smith. He spent much of the early season injured, and found it hard to adjust to the NBA's style of play. As his injury improved, so did Ginóbili, winning the Western Conference Rookie of the Month in March, and being named to the All-Rookie Second Team at the end of the season. Still, he only started in five games as the Spurs chalked up a 60–22 regular season win-loss record. The Spurs then entered the playoffs eager to upend the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers, and this was when Ginóbili rose to prominence. In contrast to his regular season, Ginóbili became an integral part of Gregg Popovich's rotational set up in the playoffs, playing in every game. The Spurs eliminated Phoenix and Los Angeles and in those games his scoring threat took opponents by surprise, giving them one more thing to cope with against the now highly-favored Spurs. He helped guide them past the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals and then the New Jersey Nets in the Finals, securing San Antonio's second championship. After the win, Ginóbili won his first Olimpia de Oro ("Golden Olympia") as Argentina's sportsperson of the year, and even met Argentine president Néstor Kirchner. A gym in Bahía Blanca was dedicated in Ginóbili's honor as well.
In the 2003–04 season, Ginóbili began featuring more regularly for the Spurs, starting in half of the 77 regular season games he played in. His statistics improved in all major categories, as he averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. During the 2004 playoffs, the Spurs met their perennial rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the Western Conference Semifinals. Following a controversial Game 5 where Derek Fisher scored a buzzer-beating jumpshot, the Spurs lost Game 6 and the series 4–2. While Ginóbili did not start in a single playoff game as he did in 2003, his playoff statistics improved significantly, with 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Ginóbili is 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), 93 kg (205 lb) left-handed shooting guard who has been deployed either as a sixth man or starter for the Spurs. He has established himself as a reliable and versatile backcourt presence, and is a relatively late bloomer, entering the NBA at age 25 in a period where entering the NBA as a teenager was very common. Alongside teammates Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, he forms one of the centerpieces of San Antonio's game.
Apart from his up-tempo and aggressive style of play, Ginóbili is known for his clutch play. This is documented by his numerous European league MVP awards, 2004 Olympic tournament MVP, and his performances in San Antonio's championship-winning campaigns. Ginóbili's modus operandi however, is a source of consternation for some of his opponents. A fierce attacker of the basket, he often lowers his head when driving to the basket, and is willing to draw charges on defense.[1] He was even listed by ESPN writer Thomas Neumann at #6 on the list of greatest floppers in NBA history.
But having traversed the major basketball continents in his basketball career, Ginóbili is one of the few players who have enjoyed success under both the physical, one-on-one play of the NBA and the more technical, jumpshooting rule set of the FIBA. He is the only player in basketball history to win the Euroleague, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA Championship ring (although Bill Bradley won the Euroleague's predecessor, the European Champions Cup, along with an Olympic gold and two NBA titles). He is also the first non-U.S. player to win both the NBA championship ring and the Olympic gold medal, and only the second Latin American to be selected to play in an NBA All-Star game (after Panama's Rolando Blackman).[ In 2007, ESPN sportswriter John Hollinger even ranked Ginóbili as the sixth best international player in the history of the NBA, describing the 57th draft pick as the "one of the great draft heists of all time", and attributed the trend of NBA teams drafting developing European players to the success of the Argentine. The following year, Ginóbili was named by ESPN as one of the best Euroleague players to have graced the NBA.

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