NBA’s shortest player coming to town

Basketball is said to be a tall man’s game and, unfortunately for us Filipinos, who are generally considered little men in the basketball world, even the best coaches cannot coach height. It’s either you have it or you don’t. On the playground, or even in the NBA draft, a highly skilled “little man” (nowadays that means somebody below six feet tall) would probably be picked after a giant with little basketball skills, simply because the latter is closer to the hoop even while just standing.

Basketball history has its share of “short people” who did well on the court, who excelled in a so-called big man’s game, and left huge marks despite their lack of stature. As far as the NBA is concerned, nobody has ever been smaller than Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues who, at just 5’3” went on to play fourteen seasons beginning 1987, mostly as a productive starting point guard for the then Charlotte Hornets.

And now, local NBA fans will get a chance to see the smallest player in NBA history. Bogues will be in town from April 26 to 28 as an ambassador for the Junior NBA program, presented by the Alaska National Training Camp.

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Bogues’ story is one of hard work and perseverance, determination and toughness. He overcame obvious obstacles to carve out an impressive, although not overly exceptional, NBA career, inspiring many along the way. Children loved him, and he loved them back, as he conducted clinics and interacted with them. They were never intimidated by him, the way they were with the tall trees that populated the league, since they could literally see him eye to eye. He will be working with young men here, from all over the Philippines, who have been identified as having stand-out basketball talent, and Bogues will surely have a lot to share with them about hoops and about life.

In 1985, 5’7” Anthony “Spud” Webb entered the NBA and wowed audiences with his speed and leaping ability. He won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1986 against his Atlanta Hawks teammate, the Human Highlight Film, Dominique Wilkins, and looked spectacular doing it, simply because of how high he got off the ground and how seemingly long it took him to land. For many, the mere fact that this little fellow, who could not even palm the ball, could even dunk, was enough to make them his fans. Winning the dunk contest assured him of a starring role in NBA tales forever.

While Webb was already making an impact in the NBA, Bogues, who was four inches smaller than Webb and not the high-flying type, was disrupting defenses in the US NCAA, where he played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He was highly touted, a projected first round draft pick, and his skills were good enough for people to look beyond his lack of height.

When the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) picked him 12th overall in 1987, he was determined to continue his success in the NBA, but his career did not start out the way he had wanted. His lack of size was repeatedly exploited, and his outside shot was suspect. While not expected to score much, he was looked at to orchestrate the offense of a struggling team. He averaged five assists his rookie year, but many felt he was just somewhat of a sideshow together with the late 7’7” Manute Bol on the Bullets roster to help boost attendance at Bullets games. Yes, they did pose for a picture together showing the more than two foot height difference.

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Exposed to the expansion draft after his rookie year, the Hornets picked the Baltimore native and his career blossomed, as he was given a free rein to run the team. In almost a decade of action with Charlotte, he scored in double figures in three seasons (1992 to 1995), averaged more than seven assists per game in eight seasons (1988 to 1995, 1997), and is still among the career leaders for the franchise in several statistical categories. He also led the team to some memorable playoff victories, one of which had the Hornets defeating the Boston Celtics on an Alonzo Mourning jumper almost at the buzzer. After he left the Hornets, Bogues played briefly with Golden State and Toronto before finally retiring in 2001.

He did not leave the basketball spotlight, however, having stayed primarily in the Charlotte area where he coached in the WNBA for the now defunct Charlotte Sting and thereafter opted to coach a high school team in the area. He also regularly appears at NBA games and events, where he is still widely recognized and fondly remembered.

In the press release for the 2013 Junior NBA event, Muggsy, now 48, is referred to as “the fourth NBA Legend to be part of the JR NBA Philippines Program, following BJ Armstrong, AC Green, and Luc Longley.” While none of these four players can even remotely be referred to as NBA legends (maybe “former NBA players”, or in the case of Armstrong and Green, “former NBA All-Stars”, but not legends), the experience of having these legitimate NBA alumni who competed at the highest level for many years come over and share their experiences in person will surely give the participants in the Junior NBA program invaluable lessons and lasting memories.

Muggsy gave hope and encouragement to countless little players all over the world, which surely includes so many Filipinos who love the game but lack the height usually required of would-be cagers. Aside from sharing his skills with the Junior NBA campers by conducting clinics and workouts with my colleague on the AKTV network, PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa, Bogues will participate in NBA Cares programs as well. We look forward to this little man leaving a huge mark on those who encounter him while he is here.

(We send our deepest sympathies to the family of the late, great Bobby Parks, 7-time PBA Best Import and PBA Hall of Famer. RIP)

You can follow Charlie on Twitter @CharlieC

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.