As my memory takes me back I recall being a young girl watching a short fast player playing in the NBA, and was appalled at how good he was skill wise. How could he dribble around 6 foot tall NBA players with ease? Guard Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues, a 5 foot 3 player was one of the best point guards the game has ever seen. Bogues played for 14 years in the NBA and did it with grace, respect, and dignity. The team I remember him the most with is the Charlotte Hornets. He played with the Hornets from 1989-1998.
The Underdog of the NBA
Bogues started his NBA career with the Washington Bullets in 1988. Has anyone else seen a short player dominate as Bogues did? I would say no. He amazed everyone in the league, fans, and the media with his killer moves, faking and shaking everyone in his way including the goat Michael Jordan. The keenest part of his game was watching him create defense into offensive plays. Watching old videos like the one below amazes me how taller players couldn’t even see the 5 foot 3 Bogues as he would steal the ball and score on the other end of the court.
Charlotte Hornets
Muggsy Bogues played with the Hornets for 10 seasons. The 1989-1990 season with the Hornets he averaged 9.4 points, averaged 8.2 field goal attempts and 2.0 steals. Muggsy Bogues wasn’t known as a 3-pointer shooter, however, he was a facilitator who helped his teammates get open shots with 7.8 assists per game in the 1988-1989 season. His assist and points percentage rose the following year averaging 10.7 assists, and 2.0 steals. During the 1994-1995 season, he averaged 11.1 points per game and his assists game was right on point with 8.7 per game. Making it his best season with the Hornets.
Muggsy Bogues in my book was a true point guard facilitating and helping his teammates score. Even though he wasn’t a scorer or a go-to guy to shoot the winning shot. he foresaw open teammates. Muggsy last year with the Hornets, in 1998, averaged 3.0 points per game.
Honoring Muggsy In Toronto
Bogues finished his 14th NBA season with the Toronto Raptors at the age of 36. Former Raptors were recognized on court during Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals and Muggsy was one of the honorees. He played two seasons with Toronto from 2000-2001 and to be in front of a huge crowd in Game 1 of the finals must have been extraordinary. I am sure reminiscing of his days as a Raptor.
Fun Fact
The play that ruined Muggsy Bogues confidence and career was by the goat himself Jordan. It was during the 1995 NBA playoffs when the Hornets met the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. The series was tied at 2, therefore, Game 5 is the game that ruined his career, as per Bogues. The Hornets were down by one and Muggsy had the winning shot but came short(no pun intended). In that particular play, Michael Jordan trolled him and told him ” Shoot it you f*%*#@!$ midget”
In conclusion, that was the play that ruined his confidence and as a result, he is often overlooked.
To sum up, Bogues was an incredible feisty player who surpassed obstacles and proved everyone wrong. The 5 foot 3 player showed everyone he can play professional basketball. It didn’t hinder his ability to play in the NBA. Most importantly, he honed his skills and in no shape or form stopped him from playing the sport he loved.
