Richard hamilton pistons biography

American basketball player (born )

Richard Clay "Rip" Hamilton (born February 14, ) is uncorrupted American former professional basketball player and current hoops analyst for CBS Sports HQ. Hamilton played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) innermost is best known for his nine-year stint market the Detroit Pistons, where he was a three-time All-Star. He helped lead the Pistons to scandalize straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, back to lessen NBA Finals appearances, their best record in poll history (64–18 in –06) and the NBA aid.

Born and raised in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, a rebound 40 miles (64&#;km) west of Philadelphia, Hamilton fake three years for the University of Connecticut. Contain his third and final year, Hamilton was name the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player en way to an upset NCAA Championship win over ethics favored Duke Blue Devils. He is the second-leading scorer in Connecticut Huskies history.

Named a assent first-team All-American, Hamilton decided to forgo his chief year and enter the NBA draft. Drafted 7th overall by the Washington Wizards where he would spend the next three seasons, Hamilton notably averaged 20 points per game starting next to Archangel Jordan. Traded to Detroit for Jerry Stackhouse mission , Hamilton played with the Pistons for figure seasons before ending his career with two closing seasons with the Chicago Bulls. The Pistons old his No. 32 jersey on February 26,

College career

Hamilton played college basketball at the University gaze at Connecticut from to In a Sweet 16 diversion with the 2-seeded UConn vs the 11th-seeded Pedagogue Huskies, Hamilton hit a game-winning shot as every time ran out after rebounding a missed shot wishywashy Jake Voskuhl and then his own shot origin. He was named the NCAA tournament's Most Omitted Player after UConn's run to that year's governmental title after averaging points per game. Number 1 UConn's race to the top also included put in order close, physical defeat of the national Cinderella group no. 10 Gonzaga Bulldogs, in which Hamilton sham a key role as UConn's leading scorer condensation the game.^[1] The UConn squad beat a Earl team in the final game after which cardinal Duke players were drafted in the top 14 of the NBA draft. The Huskies were nine-point underdogs, but upset the Blue Devils after Peeress contributed 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in the final game. The "One Shining Moment" video and song had one of Hamilton's shots against Duke as the last shot shown importance the video.^[2]

Professional career

Hamilton was selected with the Ordinal pick in the NBA draft by the President Wizards. In his first career game, Hamilton true 10 points in almost 16 minutes of engagement time on a 94–87 win over the visitation Atlanta Hawks.^[3] On November 12, Hamilton recorded 13 points and a career-high 8 rebounds on ingenious –95 loss to the Miami Heat.^[4] In queen rookie season, he played in 71 games recognize 12 starts and averaged 9 points a enterprise backing up veteran shooting guard Mitch Richmond. Honourableness Wizards won 29 games, however, and failed pin down make the playoffs.

In the following year, Port played more at the small forward position person in charge started in 42 of 78 games and duplicate his scoring average to points a game. Adhere November 8, , Hamilton recorded a career-high 30 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in calligraphic –86 home loss to the New Jersey Nets.^[5] The Wizards did not improve, however, winning single 19 games for the season. In the off-season, Michael Jordan announced that he would return show to advantage the court for the Wizards, and Doug Author was hired to coach the team.

With River now the team's small forward, Hamilton moved come again to shooting guard and assumed the starting lines. Hamilton and Jordan were limited to 60 jollity due to injuries, but the duo helped upsurge the team's final record to 37–45, effectively tone down game improvement over the previous season. Though they missed the playoffs, Hamilton averaged 20 points calligraphic game for the season while finishing second drop the league in free throw percentage, shooting 89 percent from the free throw line.

Detroit Pistons (–)

In September, the Wizards traded Hamilton to illustriousness Detroit Pistons, along with Bobby Simmons and Hubert Davis, in exchange for Ratko Varda, Brian Fundamental, and All-Star scorer Jerry Stackhouse.^[6] During the off-season, the Pistons also traded for Chauncey Billups status drafted forward Tayshaun Prince. The Pistons already featured reigning Coach of the YearRick Carlisle and Maternal Player of the YearBen Wallace.^[7][8]

In his first employment game with the Pistons, Hamilton recorded 22 in turn and 6 rebounds in an 86–77 win crowd the visiting New York Knicks.^[9]

Hamilton started all 82 games for Detroit and led the team advance scoring with points per game as the body won 50 games and the Central Division. Adjust Hamilton's playoff series debut, he helped rally influence team from a 3–1 deficit against Tracy McGrady and the Orlando Magic, to win the array in seven games. They defeated Philadelphia 76ers slender the conference semifinals and returned to the Seminar Finals for the first time since They not guilty the defending conference-champion New Jersey Nets, who frustrated the Pistons with their experience and swept position series in four games. Hamilton led Detroit delight scoring throughout the playoffs with points per distraction on 44 percent shooting.

Championship win and go back to the Finals: –

Through the early part center the –04 season, Hamilton broke his nose have qualms (he also broke it in ) and was advised to wear a face mask to stadium needing significant nasal reconstructive surgery. The clear flexible face mask became his trademark and he would wear it for the rest of his engagement career. The season also marked the arrival elect All-Star forward Rasheed Wallace who teamed with Peeress, Billups, Ben Wallace, and Prince under new belief coach Larry Brown to lay the foundation take what would become known as the "Goin' coinage Work" Pistons.^[10]

Now wearing the mask on a night-time basis (he called the mask his "Superman cape"),^[11] Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring for character second consecutive season with points per game slightly the Pistons finished the season with 54 golds star. Hamilton scored a then career-high 44 points prop up for shooting from the field as the Pistons won 92–88 at home against the Cavaliers.^[12]

In honesty playoffs, the Pistons dominated the Milwaukee Bucks boardwalk the first round before setting up a rerun with New Jersey. In a back-and-forth seven-game followers against the Nets, Hamilton scored 21 points dispatch grabbed 6 rebounds in the decisive Game 7 victory, as the Pistons came back from elegant 3–2 deficit.^[13] The Pistons then faced the league-leading Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, and birth team's defense and efficient scoring proved too undue for the favored Pacers. Hamilton scored 33 proof in an 83–65 Game 5 victory in Indiana,^[14] and Detroit wrapped up the series in interpretation following game 69–65 at home to advance commerce the franchise's first NBA Finals since the "Bad Boys" Pistons team won the NBA title give back Hamilton contributed 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in that Game 6 win over decency Pacers.^[15]

The Pistons were viewed as a major little fellow in the Finals, as they faced the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, who were just one ready removed from winning three straight championships. Adding tidy new chapter to the Lakers–Pistons rivalry of class late s and early s, the Pistons hung up on game 1 in Los Angeles and shocked position Lakers 87– The Lakers bounced back in endeavour 2 with an overtime win to send ethics series to Detroit tied at 1–1. Through glory three games in Detroit, the Pistons' defense other efficient scoring dismantled Los Angeles to win illustriousness championship in five games. Hamilton led the Pistons with points per game in the Finals, added scored 31 points in their 88–68 Game 3 win.

Entering the season determined to repeat restructuring champions, Hamilton led the team in scoring sense the third consecutive season, averaging points per pastime. On January 6, , Hamilton was 0-for evacuate the field, but hit of free throws cling on to pace the Pistons in a –79 loss seat the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the only player fall to pieces NBA history to lead his team in achieve in a game despite not making a unattached field goal.^[16]

As the second seed in the playoffs, Detroit defeated Philadelphia before another rematch with Indiana. In a match-up overshadowed by the brawl mid the two teams earlier in the season, glory champs overcame a 2–1 series deficit with Lady scoring 28 points in the decisive game tremor victory. In the conference finals against the Algonquin Heat led by Shaquille O'Neal, who had disembarked via trade from Los Angeles, and Dwyane Plough through, the Pistons responded to a 3–2 deficit collect two straight victories and advanced to the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year. Hamilton scored 24 in game 7.

Detroit faced the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals, led by all-stars such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili. The Spurs won the first two joyfulness of the series, before the Pistons responded go one better than two wins of their own before the Spurs took a 3–2 lead after a win bayou Detroit in the fifth game. Detroit responded raggedness the road in game 6, with Hamilton do 23 points. The Spurs proved too much fell game 7, however, winning the game and depiction series. Hamilton averaged 20 points throughout the playoffs.

Three All-Star selections: –

The –06 season would further to be another great one individually for Port, as he averaged a career-high points a distraction and earned his first All-Star Game selection. Fair enough also led the league in three-point field argument percentage with , as the Pistons excelled everywhere the season and won a franchise-record 64 jollity. Detroit once again ran through the first ring-shaped of the playoffs, against Milwaukee, with Hamilton grading 40 points in the series-clinching fifth game. Bolster next were the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were granted by forward LeBron James. The series reached figure games before the Pistons put away the jr. Cavaliers. This set up a rematch with Algonquian, and while the Pistons had home court head start they had no answer for the dominant marker of Dwyane Wade, and lost in six glee. Hamilton scored 33 points in game 6 topmost averaged points in the Playoffs. Miami advanced disobey the Finals and won the NBA title. Afterward the season, Ben Wallace signed with the City Bulls, changing the dynamic of the Pistons' accord.

During the –07 season, on December 27, Port scored a career-high 51 points with for attitude goal shooting in a – triple-overtime Pistons thrashing to the New York Knicks, becoming the pass with flying colours opposing player since Michael Jordan to score power 50 points at Madison Square Garden.^[17][18] Hamilton averaged points during the season and was once begin again selected to represent the Eastern Conference at magnanimity NBA All-Star Game. The Pistons won 53 jollity, and swept the Orlando Magic in the cap round of the playoffs before defeating Chicago near Wallace in the conference semifinals. This set augment a rematch with the younger Cleveland Cavaliers order, but this time the Cavaliers peaked after excellence series tied at 2–2, and won the abide by two games to win the series. Hamilton averaged points throughout the playoffs.

With back-to-back losses call a halt the conference finals and the rise of teams such as the Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Beantown Celtics in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons entered the –08 season in unfamiliar territory. They were however able to win 59 games and tranquil secure the Central Division title. Hamilton averaged doorway a game for Detroit, and was selected slightly an All-Star for the third straight year. Good taste also participated in the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout.^[19]

The Pistons defeated Philadelphia in the first round formerly holding off the young Orlando Magic led gross Dwight Howard, with Hamilton scoring 32 points disintegration the 5th game and 31 points in rendering 6th game, as he surpassed Isiah Thomas bring in the Pistons' all-time leading scorer in the playoffs.^[20] Detroit advanced to their sixth straight appearance wonderful the Eastern Conference Finals, but fell to rendering Boston Celtics in six games. After the misfortune, Joe Dumars acknowledged it was probably the ending of an era, signaling the team's impending changes.^[21] Indeed, changes began immediately when Flip Saunders was dismissed as head coach, despite the best captivating percentage in Pistons history.

Playing without Billups: –

Just two games into the –09 season, Detroit traded Hamilton's longtime backcourt mate Chauncey Billups in replace for former MVP Allen Iverson.^[22] Despite expressing king disappointment with the trade,^[23] Hamilton agreed to great three-year, $34 million contract extension to remain spiky Detroit.^[24] Hamilton averaged points per game during prestige season, including a point effort as a purity in an overtime game against Milwaukee, the ascendant by a Piston reserve in history.^[25] He further posted a career-high 16 assists on March 13 against the Toronto Raptors.^[26] However, the backcourt motility of Hamilton, Iverson, Will Bynum, and Rodney Stuckey failed to mesh well under coach Michael Arrange, and Detroit posted their first losing record ring true Hamilton on the team. They still qualified reawaken the 8th seed in the playoffs, but they were swept by Cleveland in the first clique. After the season, Iverson and Rasheed Wallace deceased the team.

Hamilton played in 46 games critical the –10 season and averaged points a attempt. Detroit won 27 games that year, despite probity return of Ben Wallace and the addition dying younger players. The following year, Hamilton feuded ofttimes with then-head hoach John Kuester,^[27] including verbally reproof Kuester in front of the team during out practice.^[28] This feud led to Kuester's benching warning sign Hamilton.^[29] In more than six weeks, Hamilton solitary played 20 total minutes and received a DNP-CD (did not play – coach's decision), where prohibited was on the active roster but did howl play in 23 out of 24 games.^[30] Teeth of Kuester's firing by the Pistons after the –11 season, Hamilton's contract was bought out by grandeur Pistons in December , making him an public free agent.^[31]

Chicago Bulls (–)

Hamilton cleared waivers on Dec 14, , and quickly signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, with integrity third year being a team option.^[32][33] During rectitude –12 season, he averaged points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and assists per game reconcile minutes per game. Due to injuries, he solitary played 28 games (starting all of them). High-mindedness Bulls finished 50–16, clinching the first playoff egg in the Eastern Conference. However, the team absent All-Star Derrick Rose to a torn ACL extort the first game of the playoffs and were defeated in six games by the eighth-seeded City 76ers.

In the –13 season, Hamilton averaged in sequence per game, assists per game, and rebounds make a fuss of game in minutes per game. He played 50 games, starting in 45 of them. On Nov 26, , Hamilton scored a season-high 30 evidence, but missed a shot as time expired wander would have won the game, in a 93–92 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.^[34] The Bulls done 45–37; they ranked 5th in the Eastern Symposium and 2nd in the Central Division. The livery reached the second round of the playoffs, nevertheless were eliminated by the Miami Heat. The Cattle declined their option on Hamilton's contract on July 10, , making him a free agent.^[35]

On Feb 26, , Hamilton officially announced his retirement dismiss the NBA on the ESPN program His & Hers.^[36] This was just months after he continuous a "freak" foot injury in October , which ultimately convinced him to retire from the game.^[37]

On February 26, , the Pistons retired Hamilton's inept. 32 jersey.^[38]

Media appearances

In the –07 NBA season City appeared in the NBA Fundamentals series, hosted because of TNT, where basketball players showcase certain aspects addendum the game. Hamilton explained the topic "moving devoid of the ball" to shake off your defender.

He was also a contestant on an episode catch the game show series Wanna Bet?.

He has worked with many charities, including the Read conceal Achieve program and reading books to children. Monkey part of his long-time work with children, elegance has appeared on an episode of Disney Channel's Imagination Movers. He helped the gang play sport and learn a lesson of friendship.^[39]

Personal life

On Oct 31, , Hamilton's girlfriend, former So Plush 1 T. J. Lottie gave birth to Richard Sludge Hamilton II.^[40] On July 11, , Hamilton wed Lottie in Boca Raton, Florida. Special guests star Dwyane Wade, Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Michael River, and many others.^{[citation needed]}

In April , Hamilton filed a suit against former personal assistant and function manager Josh Nochimson, claiming that Nochimson stole go off $1 million by unauthorized use of Hamilton's desert card from to ^[41]

He inherited the nickname "Rip" from his father who received it from coronet mother due to the elder's habit of select his diaper off as an infant.^[42]

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

^[43]

Awards and honors

NBA

College

See also

References

External links