NBA: the Picture Dictionary

I'm sure there exists an NBA Dictionary, Encyclopedia, or Almanac. If I were to create my own, the following pictures would be attached to the various definitions in order to clearly define that aspect of the game.

So in the interest of..."Next to $^*% in the dictionary, there is a picture of you"...

Three-Pointer

Steve Kerr has the highest career three-point percentage of any NBA player in history. He hit a cool 45 percent of his long-range bombs.

He was the league's top three-point shooter three times, twice hitting more than 50 percent of his 3-point shots.

There is a possibility that Jason Kapono could end up with a higher percentage than Kerr. But seriously, who would you rather have shoot the rock?

Assist

Although not the career leader in assists (John Stockton has 15,806), Magic Johnson does possess the highest career assists-per-game record, with 11.2.

The three-time MVP was the league-leader in assists four times in his career. His best year being 1983-1984 when he averaged 13.1 assists per game.

Considering that Chris Paul has the highest active percentage at 9.89, it is very doubtful that Magic will be toppled anytime soon.

Benchwarmer

Jack Haley averaged nine minutes per game over his 10-year career with his six teams in the NBA.

His most productive season was 1989-1990 with the Nets, when he averaged 18 minutes and six points.

However, it's his 1995-1996 contribution to the record-setting Chicago Bulls that lands him on this list.

Brought to the Bulls simply to keep Dennis Rodman in check, Haley appeared in only one game during the regular season and scored six points in his seven minutes of play.

He was not kept on the roster for the playoffs.

Many people think of Kurt Rambis as the ultimate benchwarmer. Rambis averaged more than 18 minutes per game for his career and even started 74 games for the 1985-1986 LA Lakers. He was also the leading rebounder for the 1988-1989 Charlotte Hornets.

Block

At 3.5 blocks-per-game for his career, Mark Eaton averaged almost one entire block more than any active player (Marcus Camby has 2.63).

The two-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 5.6 blocks in a single season (1984-1985) and once blocked 14 shots in one game (1989, against the Spurs).

Career

"The Chief", Robert Parish, played 21 years in the NBA for four different teams--most notably for the Boston Celtics.

One of the NBA's "50 Greatest of All Time", Parish played in more games than any player in NBA history—1,611.

This is probably a record that will never be surpassed. Kevin Garnett has the best shot at it, and he has only played in 1,055 games.

Coach

As much as the "Zen Master" gets a bad rap for "piggy-backing" off of star players like Jordan, Shaq, and Kobe, it must be said that out of the all the rings those players have (14), only one was won without Phil Jackson.

Having the most rings in coaching history (10), Phil Jackson has made the playoffs every year he has coached and has made it to the finals 12 out of those 18 years.
Simply Amazing.

Foul

Shawn Kemp averaged 3.6 fouls-per-game during his career—more than any other player.

The six-time All-Star three times was the league leader in hacks.

Free Throw

Mark Price was a career 90 percent free-throw shooter—better than anyone in the history of the game.

The four-time All-Star has Steve Nash on his heals, however, as Nash is only 3.6 one-thousandths of a percentage point behind Price.

Rebound

At 6'7", Wes Unseld was a very small center. But he had the ability to dominate on the inside, capturing almost 14 rebounds per game for his career, which is the most of any player who has played in the NBA since 1980.

The five-time All-Star averaged more than 15 rebounds per game five times during his nine-year career, even averaging over 18 during his rookie season. He won Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1969.

Shooter

Adrian Dantley has the best field-goal percentage of any non-"big man" in NBA history, at 54 percent.

Compare that with today's active career field-goal-percentage leader (Tony Parker at 49 percent) and Dantley's success is even more amazing.

He was the league's leading scorer for two years in his career and once made 28 free throws in a single game (a record shared with Wilt Chamberlain).

All this coming from a man who has one leg three inches shorter than the other.

Steal

At 2.71 steals per game, Alvin Roberston is the NBA's career steals-per-game record holder, and there appears to be no contender in sight.

The four-time All-Star and 1986 Defensive Player of the Year is the only player in NBA history to have three 10-steal games.

Turnover

How fitting. Isiah Thomas averaged 3.8 turnovers per game for his career, with four seasons averaging at least four or more turnovers-per-game.

During a game against the Atlanta Hawks in 1987, Thomas had 10 turnovers and 11 assists. The Pistons lost that game by two points.

Score

A no-brainer on this one, as Michael Jordan averaged more points per game than any player in the history of the game.

The five-time MVP was the league leader in points per game for ten straight seasons, topping off at 37.1 ppg his sophomore season in the league.

Since 1986, Jordan had 25 games scoring at least 51 points, far more than any other player (Kobe Bryant has 17, LeBron James has 7).

Technical Foul

Rasheed Wallace will probably always hold the record for the most technical fouls in a season.

'Sheed had 41 in 2000-2001. That's a staggering 0.5 technicals per game average for that season.

Amazingly, he didn't receive a technical or a fine during the famous brawl between the Pacers and Pistons.

"Both teams played hard."

Winner

Robert "Big Shot Rob" Horry really didn't do anything significant in his career but hit the "big shot" during the playoffs.

For his career he averaged seven points, five rebounds, and two assists.

He played in 244 playoff games with the Rockets, Lakers, and Spurs, winning at least two titles with each team.

He is the only non-Celtic to win at least 7 titles over a career.

Although Horry had many clutch playoff shots during his career, ask any Kings or Pistons fan and they will tell you about the most memorable.

It must be noted that from 1994-2007, either Steve Kerr or Robert Horry were on the championship team except for the 2004 and 2006 teams (Pistons and Heat).