Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Tiny Archibald, Sacramento Kings
Tiny Archibald, Sacramento Kings (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best Sacramento Kings Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Tiny Archibald

Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald’s immense level of play tends to get overshadowed given the legends whose careers happened to intertwine with his. Point guards may not have been the rage when he came into the league in 1970, but the New York-bred floor general certainly did his part to add a level of excitement to the position.

Archibald was a phenomenal creator for both himself and teammates. Listed at a generous 6’1”, he couldn’t muscle his way to the basket, instead, having to maneuver around defenders with every trick in his bag.

In playing six seasons for the Sacramento Kings franchise — formerly the Cincinnati Royals followed by the Kansas City Kings — Archibald’s style was as balanced as could be for his position, a feat no more evident than for his efforts during the 1972-73 season.

That year — only his third in the league — Archibald averaged 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game. Both of those figures led the league, the first time such a feat had been accomplished in a record that stands to this day.

His unparalleled level of play had him rack up three All-Star appearances during his time with the Kings, but it didn’t translate to much success on a team level. The Kings won no more than 44 games and qualified for the playoffs just once in what would be an uneventful opening-round loss.

Some point guards score. Others prefer to dish. Archibald did both at a high level in certain ways never before seen. His numbers took a dip upon leaving the Kings, but those six years stack up nicely against plenty of contemporaries at the point guard position.