When Bubba Wells' resume as a basketball player was read during his
induction ceremonies into the
Russellville High School Athletic
Hall of Fame recently, the stats
were impressive. He's one of the
most prolific scorers in college basketball history.
What wasn't mentioned is the NBA record he holds. Although his NBA career lasted only one season and two preseasons, he holds a mark that could last forever.
Bubba Wells fouled out from an NBA game quicker than anyone ever had before or since. On Dec. 29, 1997 against the Chicago Bulls, Mavericks coach Don Nelson inserted the rookie from Austin Peay into the game to try to slow down the offense of the powerful Bulls, who were on their way to their fifth of six NBA championships, led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Nelson, who was a rugged, tough-nosed player on six NBA championship teams himself as a member of the Boston Celtics, was in his first year as general manager and coach of the Mavericks. He had already been head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. It was his decision to make Bubba his first number two pick as the Mavs' head man. Currently the coach of the Warriors again, Nelson is the second winningest coach in NBA history.
Wikipedia also credits Nelson for the the introduction of the "Hack-a-Shaq" defense to the NBA. The idea is to foul poor free throw shooters before they have a chance to hit an easy field goal. Shaq, of course, is Shaquille O'Neal... Read More...
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