HoopsAnalyst
@hoopsanalyst.bsky.social
Doing deep dives on NBA, past & present
www.hoopsanalyst.com
contact: harlanhoops at yahoo dot com
www.hoopsanalyst.com
contact: harlanhoops at yahoo dot com
Hollander POTD Mike Newlin. Utah G was drafted 24th by HOU in 72. Spent 8 yrs there as scrappy hustler. Traded to NJ at age-30 & had 20+ ppg 2x. Still never made all-star. Retired in 82 at age 33. Per bio: "both an outdoorsman and an intellectual."
January 2, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Hollander POTD Mike Newlin. Utah G was drafted 24th by HOU in 72. Spent 8 yrs there as scrappy hustler. Traded to NJ at age-30 & had 20+ ppg 2x. Still never made all-star. Retired in 82 at age 33. Per bio: "both an outdoorsman and an intellectual."
Hollinger POTD Kirk Hinrich. Kansas PG was drafted 7th in 2003 by CHI. Was a solid pro who defended well. Peaked at 16.6 ppg in 2006-07. More of a 10 ppg 5 apg afterwards. Bounced between CHI & ATL thru 2016 (not counting brief stint in WAS). Sometimes wore memorable goggles.
January 2, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Hollinger POTD Kirk Hinrich. Kansas PG was drafted 7th in 2003 by CHI. Was a solid pro who defended well. Peaked at 16.6 ppg in 2006-07. More of a 10 ppg 5 apg afterwards. Bounced between CHI & ATL thru 2016 (not counting brief stint in WAS). Sometimes wore memorable goggles.
Visual chart of the Nets' conversion of KD into subsequent assets. We shall see what they do with them...
January 1, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Visual chart of the Nets' conversion of KD into subsequent assets. We shall see what they do with them...
Bonus Hollander POTD Jimmy Jones. Grambling SG stated w/NO of ABA & was a big time scorer peaking at 27 ppg in 68-69. Was a 6x ABA All-Star. After 74, signed w/WAS of NBA but skillset didn't translate and only had 6 ppg for 3 yrs before retiring in 77.
January 1, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Jimmy Jones. Grambling SG stated w/NO of ABA & was a big time scorer peaking at 27 ppg in 68-69. Was a 6x ABA All-Star. After 74, signed w/WAS of NBA but skillset didn't translate and only had 6 ppg for 3 yrs before retiring in 77.
Hollander POTD Mike Mitchell. Auburn SF drafted by CLE in 78, peaked at 24.5 ppg. Given away to SA in 82 + continued to score in bunches thru 86. Drug issues slowed him & went to Italy + starred from 89-99. Dubbed "Mitch the Stitch," made his own clothes. Passed in 2011. RIP.
January 1, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Hollander POTD Mike Mitchell. Auburn SF drafted by CLE in 78, peaked at 24.5 ppg. Given away to SA in 82 + continued to score in bunches thru 86. Drug issues slowed him & went to Italy + starred from 89-99. Dubbed "Mitch the Stitch," made his own clothes. Passed in 2011. RIP.
Most points in a game played on 12/31...quite an eclectic list: www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tin...
January 1, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Most points in a game played on 12/31...quite an eclectic list: www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tin...
Bonus Hollander POTD Brent Barry. Oregon St G was drafted 15th by LAC in 95. Established himself as a solid pro. Became a very good 3-pt guy in SEA & SA (led NBA in 00-01 at .476%). Per Rick, "Brent can do some things I never dreamed of doing." Retired in 09 & did some TV work.
December 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Brent Barry. Oregon St G was drafted 15th by LAC in 95. Established himself as a solid pro. Became a very good 3-pt guy in SEA & SA (led NBA in 00-01 at .476%). Per Rick, "Brent can do some things I never dreamed of doing." Retired in 09 & did some TV work.
Hollander POTD Tyrone Corbin. Undersized F & hustle guy from DePaul was drafted 35th in 86 by SA. Was role player for a few years, then went to expansion MIN & had 18 ppg. Traded to UTA + reverted to solid reserve. Despite bio, he lasted quite a while in NBA, playing thru 2001.
December 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Hollander POTD Tyrone Corbin. Undersized F & hustle guy from DePaul was drafted 35th in 86 by SA. Was role player for a few years, then went to expansion MIN & had 18 ppg. Traded to UTA + reverted to solid reserve. Despite bio, he lasted quite a while in NBA, playing thru 2001.
Hollinger POTD LeBron James. This bio notes the huge leap he made in year: "the incredible thing about LBJ is that he has almost no weaknesses and he's still just scratching the surface....if continues to improve comparisons to Oscar & MJ might not do him justice."
December 31, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Hollinger POTD LeBron James. This bio notes the huge leap he made in year: "the incredible thing about LBJ is that he has almost no weaknesses and he's still just scratching the surface....if continues to improve comparisons to Oscar & MJ might not do him justice."
Bonus Hollander POTD Loren Meyer. Iowa St big drafted 24th by DAL in 95 to solve the center hole w/Cherokee Parks. Meyer was perimeter big but didn't shoot well enough to play big minutes. Traded in 96 to PHO then had back injury & retired by 2000.
December 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Loren Meyer. Iowa St big drafted 24th by DAL in 95 to solve the center hole w/Cherokee Parks. Meyer was perimeter big but didn't shoot well enough to play big minutes. Traded in 96 to PHO then had back injury & retired by 2000.
Hollander POTD Don Reid. Georgetown big was 58th pick by DET in 95. Hustler started 46 gms as rook. Couldn't score (peak of 5.1 ppg in 98-99) but coaches loved his work ethic & toughness. Also played w/ORL thru 03. Now runs a youth program.
December 30, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Hollander POTD Don Reid. Georgetown big was 58th pick by DET in 95. Hustler started 46 gms as rook. Couldn't score (peak of 5.1 ppg in 98-99) but coaches loved his work ethic & toughness. Also played w/ORL thru 03. Now runs a youth program.
Bonus Hollander POTD Steve Mix. Hustling Toledo F hung around fringe of NBA/CBA from 69-73. In 73, established himself as key player for PHI (15.6 ppg 10.9 rpg + was an all-star in 74-75). Became bench guy behind Dr. J til 82. Final yr in 82-83 w/LAL, had to watch PHI win ring.
December 30, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Bonus Hollander POTD Steve Mix. Hustling Toledo F hung around fringe of NBA/CBA from 69-73. In 73, established himself as key player for PHI (15.6 ppg 10.9 rpg + was an all-star in 74-75). Became bench guy behind Dr. J til 82. Final yr in 82-83 w/LAL, had to watch PHI win ring.
Hollander POTD DeWayne Scales. LSU dunker nicknamed The Astronaut was drafted 36th by NY in 80. Barely played as a rookie & cut early 2nd yr. Played in CBA & briefly returned to NBA w/WAS in 83-84. Trail of what happened after 84 is light.
December 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Hollander POTD DeWayne Scales. LSU dunker nicknamed The Astronaut was drafted 36th by NY in 80. Barely played as a rookie & cut early 2nd yr. Played in CBA & briefly returned to NBA w/WAS in 83-84. Trail of what happened after 84 is light.
Hollinger POTD Michael Dickerson. Arizona SG was drafted 14th in 98 by HOU. Athletic & started as a rook for a good team. Traded after 1 yr to VAN. Scored 17 ppg for bad teams but was less efficient. In 01-02, had a serious groin injury that essentially ended his career by 03.
December 29, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Hollinger POTD Michael Dickerson. Arizona SG was drafted 14th in 98 by HOU. Athletic & started as a rook for a good team. Traded after 1 yr to VAN. Scored 17 ppg for bad teams but was less efficient. In 01-02, had a serious groin injury that essentially ended his career by 03.
Bonus Hollander POTD Keith Lee. Memphis PF was drafted 11th in 85 by CHI but traded to CLE for Oakley. Problem was Lee's knees were shot. OK as rook (7 ppg 6 rpg) but barely played in yr 2. Missed 87-88 w/injuries + had one last yr w/NJ before retiring. Became a HS coach.
December 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Keith Lee. Memphis PF was drafted 11th in 85 by CHI but traded to CLE for Oakley. Problem was Lee's knees were shot. OK as rook (7 ppg 6 rpg) but barely played in yr 2. Missed 87-88 w/injuries + had one last yr w/NJ before retiring. Became a HS coach.
Hollander POTD Mel Turpin. Kentucky C was 4th pick in 84 by CLE. Started 1st 2 yrs (peak 13 ppg 7 rpg) but lost job due to Daugherty & weight issues. The airplane food quote is real & was clearly sarcastic. Played for UTA, & WAS before retiring in early 90s. Died in 2010 RIP.
December 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Hollander POTD Mel Turpin. Kentucky C was 4th pick in 84 by CLE. Started 1st 2 yrs (peak 13 ppg 7 rpg) but lost job due to Daugherty & weight issues. The airplane food quote is real & was clearly sarcastic. Played for UTA, & WAS before retiring in early 90s. Died in 2010 RIP.
From "Wait 'Til Next Year," in 1987, William Goldman deals w/the problems of comparing eras & predicts that superstars Bird & Magic will be dismissed by future generations. Not sure I agree on his Mikan analysis but he correctly captures the debate to come....
December 28, 2025 at 2:12 AM
From "Wait 'Til Next Year," in 1987, William Goldman deals w/the problems of comparing eras & predicts that superstars Bird & Magic will be dismissed by future generations. Not sure I agree on his Mikan analysis but he correctly captures the debate to come....
Bonus Hollander POTD Bob Bigelow. Penn SF from Boston was drafted 13th by KC in 75. Barely played in 2 yrs, mostly as D hustler before having cameo w/BOS in 77-78. Played 78-79 w/SD before becoming a coach/motivational speaker known as "The Mayor." Passed suddenly in 2020 RIP.
December 27, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Bob Bigelow. Penn SF from Boston was drafted 13th by KC in 75. Barely played in 2 yrs, mostly as D hustler before having cameo w/BOS in 77-78. Played 78-79 w/SD before becoming a coach/motivational speaker known as "The Mayor." Passed suddenly in 2020 RIP.
Hollander POTD Kent Benson. Indiana star was drafted 1st in 77. Didn't live up to expectations & was just a guy. Traded to DET for Lanier in 1980. 1st full yr in DET was best (16 ppg 7 rpg). Settled into bench guy. Finished up w/UTA + CLE (86-88). Played a final yeawr in Italy.
December 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Hollander POTD Kent Benson. Indiana star was drafted 1st in 77. Didn't live up to expectations & was just a guy. Traded to DET for Lanier in 1980. 1st full yr in DET was best (16 ppg 7 rpg). Settled into bench guy. Finished up w/UTA + CLE (86-88). Played a final yeawr in Italy.
Hollinger POTD Dahntay Jones. Duke SG/SF was 20th pick in 03 by MEM. Started slowly but had a long career as a good defender & leaper. Peaked at 10 ppg in 09-10 for IND. Gutted out a 13 yr career 8 teams. Had some chippy plays as well. Now in player development.
December 27, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Hollinger POTD Dahntay Jones. Duke SG/SF was 20th pick in 03 by MEM. Started slowly but had a long career as a good defender & leaper. Peaked at 10 ppg in 09-10 for IND. Gutted out a 13 yr career 8 teams. Had some chippy plays as well. Now in player development.
From Dave Heeren's 1990-91 Basketball Abstract, revisiting the 89-90 MVP vote:
-Heeren laments the politicking
-NY put out promo for Ewing
-Barkley promoted himself constantly
-LA said Magic was destined to win
-Heeren's rank: (1) MJ, (2) Hakeem, (3) DRob, (4) KMalone
-Heeren laments the politicking
-NY put out promo for Ewing
-Barkley promoted himself constantly
-LA said Magic was destined to win
-Heeren's rank: (1) MJ, (2) Hakeem, (3) DRob, (4) KMalone
December 26, 2025 at 10:42 PM
From Dave Heeren's 1990-91 Basketball Abstract, revisiting the 89-90 MVP vote:
-Heeren laments the politicking
-NY put out promo for Ewing
-Barkley promoted himself constantly
-LA said Magic was destined to win
-Heeren's rank: (1) MJ, (2) Hakeem, (3) DRob, (4) KMalone
-Heeren laments the politicking
-NY put out promo for Ewing
-Barkley promoted himself constantly
-LA said Magic was destined to win
-Heeren's rank: (1) MJ, (2) Hakeem, (3) DRob, (4) KMalone
Bonus Hollander POTD Rich "House" Jones. Memphis forward signed w/DAL of the ABA. Played for DAL/SA for years. Was 2x All-Star, peaking at 22 ppg & 10 rpg in 71-72. Traded to Nets in 75 where he finished up in 77.
December 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Bonus Hollander POTD Rich "House" Jones. Memphis forward signed w/DAL of the ABA. Played for DAL/SA for years. Was 2x All-Star, peaking at 22 ppg & 10 rpg in 71-72. Traded to Nets in 75 where he finished up in 77.
Hollander POTD Glenn "Smiles" Mosley. Seton Hall F was drafted 20th in 77 by PHI but was cut 2 months into his rookie year. Signed w/SA in 78 & was deep bench player before being waived. Played abroad & in minors thru the mid-80s.
December 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Hollander POTD Glenn "Smiles" Mosley. Seton Hall F was drafted 20th in 77 by PHI but was cut 2 months into his rookie year. Signed w/SA in 78 & was deep bench player before being waived. Played abroad & in minors thru the mid-80s.
From Ebony in January 1968, a look at the newly formed ABA. They took a chance on players like Hawkins and Moe who were blacklisted but promised to poach NBA stars next year. Ironically, they were the top 2 scorers in the 67-68 season. More familiar names below....
December 26, 2025 at 2:50 AM
From Ebony in January 1968, a look at the newly formed ABA. They took a chance on players like Hawkins and Moe who were blacklisted but promised to poach NBA stars next year. Ironically, they were the top 2 scorers in the 67-68 season. More familiar names below....
Fun under-the-radar notes about Bernard's 60-pt game from Christmas 84:
-Cummings & Sparrow tied for 2nd most NY pts (13)
-Sparrow hit the games only 3 (NJ 0-5, NY 1-1)
-Ransey had sneaky good game for NJ (24 pts on 7-12 shooting, 10-10 FT%
www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/19...
-Cummings & Sparrow tied for 2nd most NY pts (13)
-Sparrow hit the games only 3 (NJ 0-5, NY 1-1)
-Ransey had sneaky good game for NJ (24 pts on 7-12 shooting, 10-10 FT%
www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/19...
Nets vs Knicks, December 25, 1984 | Basketball-Reference.com
NJN (120) vs NYK (114). Get the box score, shot charts and play by play summary of the Nets vs Knicks, December 25, 1984.
www.basketball-reference.com
December 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Fun under-the-radar notes about Bernard's 60-pt game from Christmas 84:
-Cummings & Sparrow tied for 2nd most NY pts (13)
-Sparrow hit the games only 3 (NJ 0-5, NY 1-1)
-Ransey had sneaky good game for NJ (24 pts on 7-12 shooting, 10-10 FT%
www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/19...
-Cummings & Sparrow tied for 2nd most NY pts (13)
-Sparrow hit the games only 3 (NJ 0-5, NY 1-1)
-Ransey had sneaky good game for NJ (24 pts on 7-12 shooting, 10-10 FT%
www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/19...