These “Top 50 NBA Players of All Time” Will Coach in the BIG3 This 2019 Season

June 15, 2019 | CBN

Here’s what set these Legends apart from the rest

Rick Barry

Rick Barry

BIG 3 TEAM: Ball Hogs

Famous for his signature underhand free throw shooting style, Rick Barry is the only NBA player to ever lead the NCAA, NBA, and ABA in scoring. The relentless Barry scored a combined total of 25,279 points over the course of his professional career, and averaged more than 30 points in four ABA seasons. At times, his highly competitive playing style would irk his opponents (and even his teammates). In his 10 NBA seasons and 14 total seasons of professional basketball, Barry had played in over 1,000 games; never missing more than four consecutive NBA games until his final season. By the time Barry retired after the 1979-80 season, he was the most accurate free-throw shooter in NBA history – hitting 90% of his attempted shots. Barry was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.

After winning an NBA Championship in 1989 with the Pistons, Mahorn joined the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 1991-92 season, he participated in the Italian Serie A, then made a comeback to the NBA – playing for the New Jersey Nets, and again for Philadelphia and Detroit.

Julius Erving

Julius Erving

BIG 3 TEAM: Tri State

Popularly known as “Dr. J”, Julius Erving was one innovative, powerful and gracious player of his time. As the ABA’s top superstar, Erving was no stranger to swooping dunks. He scored a combined total of 30,026 points in his career – placing him among NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan. Erving scored an average of 22.0 points per game during his 11 NBA seasons with Philadelphia, and averaged 28.7 points per game in his 5 ABA seasons with Virginia and New York. Over the course of his five ABA seasons, Erving won three scoring titles, three MVP awards and two champions. Erving was also an All-Star for each season of his NBA career spanning 11 years, was the MVP in 1981 and also a five-time member of the All-NBA First Team. Erving was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

George Gervin

Geroge Gervin

BIG 3 TEAM: Ghost Ballers

One of the greatest pure scorers in NBA history; George "The Iceman" Gervin was one to never hold back from attempting difficult shots – making over half of his NBA field-goal attempts. Gervin had an impressive career-scoring average of 26.2 points per game and a combined total of 26,595 in his NBA and ABA career. This top former NBA player was also the first guard ever to win three consecutive titles, with only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan winning more league-scoring championships than “The Iceman”’s four. During his career, Gervin recorded a remarkable streak of scoring double figures in 407 consecutive games, and averaged at least 21 points spanning 12 straight All-Star Games. Out of his nine years with the Spurs, nine division titles were won. Gervin was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

Nate Archibald

Nate Archibald

BIG 3 TEAM: Aliens

Despite standing at just 6-foot-1 among his gigantic-by-comparison opponents and teammates, the unstoppable Nate “Tiny” Archibald was undeniably swift and powerful on the court. During his 14 years in the NBA, Archibald contributed a total of 16,481 points, 6,476 assists and played in six NBA All-Star Games. He was also an essential part of the Celtics' 1980-81 championship team. Before his retirement at the end of the 1983-84 season, Archibald became the only player ever to lead in both scoring and assists in a season – with a 34.0 points per game and 11.4 assists per game average spanning 1972-73. To be frank, Archibald was a shy kid who no one expected to one day become a basketball legend – and it’s thanks to a man named Floyd Layne who believed in him from early on and encouraged coach DeWitt Clinton to give him a shot. Archibald was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.


Watch these chart-topping players coach in the BIG3 starting June 22nd

Excited to watch these legends make another return to basketball this year on BIG3? Season Three is certainly a season not to miss, and you can bet we’ll be watching every moment.

 

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