Earl Boykins Carries More Than His Weight

Many have the luxury of playing in the NBA despite having less talent and lesser heart. But for those who are vertically challenged, having a big heart pays dividents. Earl Boykins knows there aren’t many shorter players that get the chance to play in the NBA. He is just 2 inches taller than Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, who stands only at 5 foot 3 inches.

Boykins was an All-Mid-American conference first team honor in his junior and senior year. He held the career assists record in East Michigan University (624) and was second in scoring in the NCAA Men’s Division I basketball, but he was never drafted in the NBA. He thought he had done enough to get a nod from NBA teams, but time and time again he had to prove to them that he was worth the risk. He had to prove that he could be a valuable asset rather than a liability on the team.

In 2004, Boykins scored 32 points against the eventual champion Detroit Pistons team, making him the shortest player to ever score 30 or more points in a single game.

The Washington Wizards signed Earl Boykins in November last year after Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton were facing suspensions for the remainder of the season on a gun incident.

In a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Flip Saunders placed Boykins as a decoy with Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood on the floor. Saunders instinctively knew that if given the chance Boykins will surely deliver.

10.5 seconds left and Earl knew it was his time to shine.

With Brandon Jennings guarding him tightly, a pick and roll was executed by Boykins and Haywood. Haywood rolled and the ball stayed on Boykins hands as he pump faked and drew a foul against Jennings with only a second left in regulation. No one expected Boykins to take the shot. It's been that way his entire career. But he sank two clutch free throws with ease and the Wizards won that game 104-102.

The Milwaukee Bucks recently signed Earl Boykins to a one year contract after losing Luke Ridnour to free agency. The 11 year veteran who played with 11 different teams in the NBA and overseas finally got the respect he wanted.

Sometimes it’s not about a player's stature as much as it is about a player's heart. At 133 pounds who can bench press twice his size at 315 pounds. Somehow, I’m not at all surprised. Earl Boykins carry more than his diminutive size because he carries a bigger heart.