It is quite ironic that two of my favorite all-time NBA players are white and both are considered legends from different eras which both made their marks while playing for the Golden State Warriors. They are Rick Barry and Chris Mullin.
Richard Francis Dennis Barry III was born on March 28, 1944 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He is the record books as the only US player to lead the NCAA, ABA and NBA in scoring. He averaged at least 30 points in four pro seasons, saw action in eight all-star games and amassed more than 25,000 career points. Barry attended Roselle Park High School and later played for the University of Miami. He led the US NCAA in scoring during his senior year in 1964-65 while posting an incredible 37.4 points per game.
The then San Francisco Warriors selected Barry in the first round of the 1965 NBA draft. Barry took the league by storm during his rookie campaign as he poured in 25.7 ppg and was named rookie of the year. He likewise was selected to the 1966 All-NBA first team. Barry improved further during his sophomore year as he led the NBA in scoring with an scorching average of 35.6 ppg. Then on Dec. 6, 1966 against the New York Knicks, Barry set an NBA record for most free throws made in one quarter when he canned 14, a record later matched by others.
However, a court dispute over his obligation to the Warriors sidelined Barry for the entire 1967-68 season. In 1968, Barry made the jump to the fledgling American Basketball Association (ABA) by signing with the Oakland Oaks. But the jump affected Barry’s image. It was perceived by fans as being driven by greed, even though other players were also taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the upstart ABA. Barry was driven by the said controversy as he posted a league-leading norm of 34.0 ppg and led the Oaks to the ABA title in 1969.
Barry later saw action for the Washington Capitols and New York Nets before making an NBA comeback with the Warriors in 1972. His best season came during the 1974-75 campaign when he led the Warriors to a big upset win over the Washington Bullets, sweeping the finals in four games. He scored at 30.6 ppg, led the league in free throw percentage at .904 and ranked sixth in assist with 6.2 per game.
Barry later saw action for the Houston Rockets during the twilight years of his career from 1978 to 1980.
During his pro career, Barry was widely criticized for his being outspoken. “There’s no doubt Rick’s on-court demeanor hurt his image,” said Butch Beard, point guard on the 1975 Warriors championship team. But his winning attitude cannot be denied. Barry’s longtime Warrior teammate Clifford Ray (now an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics) said it all, “Rick may not be the kind of guy to say please, but he’s in it to win.”
After retirement, Barry spent his time coaching in the minor leagues like the USBL and has some TV stint as an NBA analyst. It is still puzzling to many why Barry was never considered for any NBA coaching job after a distinguished NBA career.
Barry later on passed the baton to his four sons Scooter, Jon, Brent, and Drew, all of whom are or have been professional basketball players.
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Christopher Paul Mullin was born on July 30, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. Mullin saw action for Power Memorial Academy, Christ the King RHS and Catholic Xaverian HS during his prep days. He later starred for St. John’s University during his outstanding collegiate career. He set a Red Storm freshman record in scoring with his 16.6 points per game. Over the remaining three years of his college career, Mullin was named Big East Player of the Year and All-American. He was also selected to play for the USA team in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. But the best was yet to come for the sweet-shooting lefty. In 1985, he led St. John’s to the US NCAA final four. He was the recipient of the 1985 John Wooden award as the most outstanding college player in the country. He also bagged the USBWA College Player of the Year honors. Mullin ended his career in St. John’s as the all-time leader in points scored.
Mullin was selected seventh over-all by the Golden State Warriors in the 1985 NBA draft. He finished his rookie season averaging 14.0 points on .463 shooting and made 89.6 percent of his free throws. His FT accuracy netted him the second-best mark by a rookie in league history since Ernie DiGregorio shot .902 from the line in 1973-74.
Mullin’s best season in the NBA came during his second year when he led the Warriors to the 1987 Western Conference semis against the eventual champs Los Angeles Lakers. Mullin was soon considered one of the game’s most versatile players, inspiring comparisons to Larry Bird.
But everything was not rosy for Mullin during his bay area days. He turned to alcohol addiction during his third year mainly due to homesickness being someone from the east coast. That same year also saw the Warriors being beset by turmoil, causing trades and suspensions to ensue, culminating with the firing of head coach George Karl after 64 games. In 1988, Don Nelson was named as head coach of the Warriors. It was Nelson who convinced him that he needed treatment for his alcoholism.
Mullin spent 48 days during the season in a treatment facility, then returned to the team a changed man. He came back to average 20.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Mullin had his career year the following campaign when posted norms of 26.5 points (fifth in the league), 5.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team, and became only the third player in Warriors history — joining Wilt Chamberlain and Barry – to total 2,000 points, 400 rebounds, and 400 assists in a season.
For his all-around brilliance, Mullin was named anew to his second Olympic stint with Team USA in the 1992 Barcelona games.
Mullin will later teamed up with Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway to form the Warrior’s dreaded trio called “Run TMC”. During the 1996-97 season, Mullin was traded by the Warriors to the Indiana Pacers. He saw action for the Pacers in three seasons. Mullin played his final NBA season with the Warriors in 2000-01.
After spending two years as a special assistant with the Warriors, Mullin was named Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Warriors on April 22, 2004. However, everything came to an end between him and Golden State when his contract was not renewed prior to the start of the current season.
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Herewith are the completed transactions for the period February 23 to March 1:
Monday, March 1
Minnesota waived center Mark Blount.
Washington waived guard Mike James.
San Antonio waived guard Michael Finley.
Indiana waived guard Travis Diener.
Friday, February 26
Washington signed guard Shaun Livingston to a 10-day contract.
Thursday, February 25
Washington waived center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Wednesday, February 24
Washington signed forward Mike Harris to a 10-day contract.
Dallas signed guard Von Wafer to a 10-day contract.
Tuesday, February 23
Sacramento waived guard Larry Hughes.
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