YouTube Gold: Tiny Archibald
Nate Archibald, aka Tiny, was an NYC legend, but not much of a student for most of high school. Until people recognized his talent and encouraged him to develop it, he was ready to give up on education.
However, he hung in there and spent a year at Arizona Western Community College before transferring to Texas Western (now UTEP), the year after the Miners won the national title in 1966.
He was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals and moved with them to Kansas City. Archibald had a brilliant run with the Royals/Kings, becoming one of just two players to ever lead the NBA in both points and assists in the same season.
Injuries disrupted his career but he recovered and helped lead the Boston Celtics to the first title of the Larry Bird era.
By NBA standards he was fairly tiny - just 6-0 tall - but he was quick, creative and courageous. He was voted one of the 50 Best NBA Players in 1996 and later made the league’s 75th Anniversary Team.
In many ways, Archibald was the model for future players like Isaiah Thomas, Mark Price and Muggsy Bogues, turning his diminutive size into a major advantage through quickness and sheer nerve. He was a brilliant basketball player.