Chris Mullin: The Buzz About Golden State Warrior's Career

A real Golden State Warrior.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

The mid to late 1980s may have been dominated by Larry and Magic, and the 1990s may have been Michael's game, but another fellow member of the Dream Team and  Naismith Hall of Famer was an important icon.

A rare figure who was dominant in two of the league's most groundbreaking and popular decades. Wearing a buzz cut that turned into a high-top fade that would have been looked good on the Fresh Prince, this guy looked more like a character out of a family sitcom, but check your old V.T.'s on television or your newspaper clippings, because Chris Mullin was a star.

This 6'7" No. 17 came into the league 26 years ago as the 7th pick in the '85 draft and went on to average 18.2 points and collect 1,530 steals during his tenure in the league. What a career this kid had coming out of Brooklyn, New York, to be a hero in California, his country and around the world like Captain America.

Shielding critical judgement, Mullin wore his star status proudly as he ruled in Golden State, the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and as a veteran with the Indiana Pacers. Every time he ran down the corridor and on to the court, he worked hard. No wonder he's certified this year in both the Naismith and College Basketball Halls of Fame.

This shooting guard and later small forward was so versatile that he saw five All-Star games, a couple of All-NBA teams, two pieces of gold and the legendary John R. Wooden Award, which he garnered in his college senior/NBA rookie year.

He received the U.S. Basketball Writers Association College Player of the Year distinction after a stellar final year at St. John's. He also collected the Big East Men's Basketball Player of the Year for each of his three full college years, even making the amateur USA team, if that wasn't already enough.

Mullin was always going to be big, as he idolised Larry Bird growing up and wore the No. 17 in honour of Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek. Mullin was more than the next "great white hype" generic talk, religiously studying the games of legendary New York Knicks guards Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe for his final pre-draft basketball exam in the finals of the NCAA, all whilst playing with N.Y.'s finest in the Bronx and Harlem, where his game knew no discrimination or dismissal.

His game was part serious strength, part sublime shot with some sensational smarts. With that green-collar Celtic hard work and Boston Irish pride, blended with his hometown New York mind and skill set mixed together for the perfect formula. Chris became a potent player of some power.

After teaming up with the magnificent Mario Elie in high school, Mullin locked it down for Power Memorial Academy before furthering his impact and legacy at the Catholic Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where he showed the all-boys school who the man was.

As Chris Mullin joined St John's, he became the freshest man, averaging 16.6 per and setting scoring records. Before his final year in college and draft declaration, Mullin handled even more pressure as he won his first gold medal with the USA Olympic team in Los Angeles, a year after he won gold in the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas.

He really was that good. In his freshman year, he led St. John's to the formidable Final Four, and while the Bic-haired warrior didn't cut down any nets, but it was a close shave. Plus, the young man had breezed through so many worldwide achievements before he even hit the draft.

Mullin was well received when the big leagues called, as he remained connected with his renowned all-around game and continued to humbly engage himself with his machine-like, crazy work ethic. Mullin fit into any role given to him like a Gary Payton glove as he showed he was a consummate, selfless team player. Even when he was picked as a spot-up shooter next to Eric "Sleepy" Floyd, he just hit everything he was asked of before the team and the world woke up to his talent.

Then after some years of struggle (if you can call 20.2 points per game a struggle), alcoholism, injury and losses to eventual champions like the Los Angeles Lakers, something special happened. Head coach Don Nelson happened, time in rehab and the weight room happened, and Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway happened.

Before "The Rock" and Timmy became stars of their own in Sacramento and Miami, respectively they sounded so good with Mullin as Run-TMC, the freshest classic thing seen since bowler hats, leather jackets and Adidas with no laces. It was just like that, and that's the way it was.

Even with a cross-over point revolution and the most underrated star of the nineties, Chris held his own, cementing his legend as a league Warrior. As he came out to play in his fifth campaign, he averaged 25-plus points a game for five straight seasons, becoming the first man to do that in the NBA since Wilt Chamberlain. How's that for a legacy? Mullin was standing on the stilts of legends.

After some powerful playoff runs and that second gold overseas with the Dream Team, Mullin and the Warriors saw change approaching in the mid 1990s. They lost the 'M' of their TMC trio and gained another 'C' and Chris, as Mitch Richmond was traded and Chris Webber was brought in on draft day after his own legendary ensemble (The Fab Five) ruled the college game for Michigan. Billy Owens was what Golden State received in return for Mitch "The Rock" Richmond, as his strength supplemented the wear and tear that had begun to take its toll on Mullin.

Chris paid the price with time on the pine, but he still cashed in on his time on the floor as he always afforded his best effort. You could take that to the bank. Still, Richmond's trade signalled the end of an era that also featured Nelson's resignation after he couldn't work with Webber, and Mullin's part-replacement by slashing swingman Latrell Sprewell.

After all Mullin did for his franchise, he was traded in the 1996/97 season for a journeyman and a sophomore (okay, the sophomore was impressive centre Erik Dampier, but still). Keeping up pace in Indiana, Mullin was still a sensational star player before becoming a valuable veteran on the East Coast.

Mullin was also coached by his idol, Larry Bird, and even after all the time and experience, Coach Legend still proved to be a memorable mentor. After an 11.3-point season, Bird and Mullin lost again to Jordan and the eventual champion Chicago Bulls, but just like in every other year against Mike, they picked themselves up and carried on together in a wonderful new alliance.

As Mullin's playing career began to wilt (and we're not talking about another Chamberlain comparison), he was replaced by the blooming talents of Jalen Rose (a Webber teammate on the Fab Five), but even then his mentoring and locker room presence were crucial. Indiana even reached the NBA Finals in the dawn of the new millennium, but Chris and his three appearances with his team lost again to the Lakers.

As Mullin retired, he left the game with more then the legacy of being another top star of the 1990s who didn't shine as bright as Mike because of the lack of bling from no rings. He left as a winner who achieved so much on many different levels on the court.

This before-his-time player was worldwide before his prime and had so much potential throughout his career that he made good on his promise. This is why he's guaranteed a walk down the Halls while his famous No. 17 jersey is raised to the rafters of Golden State.

This John Wooden Award winner helped reinvent the sport with his all-around play from college to the pros. He's worthy of accreditation, and that's Naismith's word.