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Norm Nixon

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Norm Nixon
Nixon in 2014
Personal information
Born(1955-10-11)October 11, 1955(age 68)
Macon, Georgia,U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High schoolSouthwest(Macon, Georgia)
CollegeDuquesne(1973–1977)
NBA draft1977:1st round, 22nd overall pick
Selected by theLos Angeles Lakers
Playing career1977–1989
PositionPoint guard
Number10
Career history
1977–1983Los Angeles Lakers
1983–1989San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers
1989Scavolini Pesaro
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points12,065 (15.7 ppg)
Assists6,386 (8.3 apg)
Steals1,187 (1.5 spg)
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat NBA.com
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat Basketball-Reference.com

Norman Ellard Nixon(born October 11, 1955) is an American former professionalbasketballplayer who played for theLos Angeles Lakersand theSan Diego/Los Angeles Clippersof theNational Basketball Association(NBA). He also played withScavolini Pesaroin Italy. Nicknamed "Stormin' Norman",he is a two-timeNBA All-Star.He won twoNBA championshipswith the Lakers in 1980 and 1982, at the beginning of theirShowtimeera.

Early life

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Norm Nixon was born the third of three sons to Mary Jo and Elmer Nixon, inMacon, Georgia.His mother contractedmyasthenia graviswhen Norm was a baby, and his parents divorced when he was two years old. The three boys were raised with the help of their maternal grandmother and great-aunt. Norm and his two brothers, Ken and Ron, were raised in theMethodistchurch, where he became an usher.[1]

A gifted athlete, Nixon played basketball andfootballin high school atSouthwest High Schoolin Macon. He was named to all-state in both sports. In football, he playeddefensive backandtailback.He was offered a free-agent tryout by both thePittsburgh SteelersandDallas Cowboys.[2]He was senior class president and named as the starting guard on the Georgia All-State team for 1973. He had also led Southwest to the 1973 state high school basketball championship under coachDonald "Duck" Richardson.He was on the track team, where he ran the440 yard dash,and won a regional title in thehigh jumpat 6 feet, 5 inches. Nixon also played the trumpet and was on the yearbook staff.[1]

College

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In college Nixon played four full seasons of basketball atDuquesne UniversityinPittsburgh,Pennsylvania. While there, he averaged 17.2 points, 5.5assists,and 4.0rebounds,scoring 1,805 points and adding 577 assists in 104 games for his career with theDuquesne Dukes.[3]Nixon was named first-team All-Eastern Eight Conference,and left holding the record for career assists.[1]

On January 27, 2001, during the halftime of a game againstXavier University(Cincinnati), the Duquesne University Department of Athletics retired the jerseys of five of its all-time greatest players. These included Nixon's #10 (also retired wereChuck Cooper,Sihugo Green,Dick Ricketts,andWillie Somerset).[4]

In 2019, Nixon approved his retired number 10 being worn by sophomore point guardSincere Carry.The young Carry asked to wear it to honor a friend who wore number 10 in high school, and who had died that spring from gun violence.[5]

NBA career

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Los Angeles Lakers

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Nixon was selected in the first round of the1977 NBA draftby theLos Angeles Lakerswith the 22nd overall pick.[6]They had already picked anotherpoint guard,Brad Davis,earlier in that draft.[7]Nixon played for the Lakers for six successful seasons. For the 1978–79 season, Nixon tiedEddie Jordanof theNew Jersey Netsfor the NBA lead in steals with 201,[8]and total games (82 regular season + 23 playoffs = 105). The next season (1979–80), he led the league in minutes played (3,226), minutes-per-game (39.3), and was third in assists with 642.[9]In1979–80,Lakers coachJack McKinneyhad the 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 m) rookieMagic Johnson,who some analysts thought should playforward,be a point guard, even though Nixon was already one of the best in the league.[10][11]In his four years sharing play-making responsibilities with Johnson, Nixon averaged at least seven assists each season.[12]

In the 1978 (Seattle SuperSonics), 1979 (Seattle), and 1981 (Houston Rockets) playoffs, the Lakers were eliminated by the eventual Western Conference champion. But Nixon helped theShowtime Lakerswin NBA championships in1980(4–2) and1982(4–2), both against thePhiladelphia 76ers.Nixon led the team in scoring in the 1982 playoffs,[1]averaging 20.4 points per game.[12]

The Lakers lost in the1983 NBA Finals,in which Philadelphiaswept4–0. In game one of the 1983 finals, Nixon had a violent collision withAndrew Toneyof the 76ers early in the first quarter. He continued to play in games one and two despite a separated shoulder.[1]

San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers

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Prior to the start of the1983–84 season,Nixon was traded to theSan Diego Clippersin exchange for the draft rights to guardByron Scottand backup centerSwen Nater.Lakers general managerJerry Westmade the deal to free Johnson from sharing the ball with Nixon.[13]In his first year with the Clippers, Nixon led the league in total assists with 914, and regular season games played (82).[3]He made the All-Star team for the second time in the 1984–85 season.[14]

After the 1985–86 season, he spent much of his later career on the injured list, spending more than two full seasons on the injured list before retiring for good at the end of the1988–89 season.During his time with the Clippers, the team never made the playoffs.

Nixon missed the 1986–87 season after stepping into a hole during a softball game inCentral Parkon July 23, 1986. He suffered severe damage to the tendon just above his left knee. Nixon ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a pre-season practice on November 4, 1987; the injury caused him to miss the entire 1987–88 season.[15]Before his injuries, he played in 715 of 725 games available in his first nine seasons.[1]

Career accomplishments

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During his NBA career, Nixon scored 12,065 points (15.7 points per game) and had 6,386 assists (8.3) in 768 games played. He was also remembered for faking afree throwat the end of a Lakers-San Antonio Spursgame on November 30, 1982, which caused a double lane violation.[16]The referees erroneously ordered a jump ball, instead of requiring Nixon to re-shoot the free throw. The Lakers got the ball and Nixon made a field goal to tie the game, where they prevailed in overtime. The last three seconds of the game were later replayed in April 1983.

Post-playing career

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Nixon in 2010

After retiring from the NBA in March 1989, Nixon played forScavolini Pesaroof the Italian major-leagueSerie Ain April and May.[17]In August 1989 Valerio Bianchini (who had coached Pesaro the previous season) head coach ofMessaggero Romatried to get Nixon to come play for the 1989–90 season.[18]

Nixon participated in some of the NBA'sLegends Classicgames that took place during All-Star Weekend in the late 80s and early 90s, before a leg injury forced him out of a game.[19]The league later ended these games due to fear of injuries among veteran players.

Nixon became asports agentat Premier Management Group Inc. He later established his own firm, Norm Nixon & Associates, representing such clients asDoug Edwards,[20]Samaki Walker,Jalen Rose,Maurice Taylor,Teddy Dupay,Gary Grant,Gerald Fitch,theNFL'sPeter Warrick,Larry Smith,andAl Wilson,and entertainers such asLL Cool JandTLC.[21][22]

With his wife, Nixon founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) inCulver City, California.[21]

In his retirement years, Nixon concentrated on several business ventures. He served one season asradio commentatorfor the Clippers (2004–05), and was an analyst forKABC-TV's NBA post-game shows during the mid-2000s.

Subsequently, he was hired byFox Sports Westto take overJack Haley's position as studiocolor analystfor all Lakers home games. He worked alongside studio host Bill McDonald during pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage.[23]

Personal life

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Nixon has been married to actress/producer/director/dancerDebbie Allensince 1984. They have three children,DeVaughn Nixon(son of Nixon), and two together:Vivian Nichole Nixon,who became a dancer and Norman Ellard Nixon Jr., who became a basketball player (he attendedWofford CollegeandSouthern University).[24][25][26]Nixon's sister-in-law isPhylicia Rashad/ actress/director/singer. His biological sister is Tracy Nixon-Moore. His biological brothers are Larry Nixon, Ronald Nixon, Kenneth Nixon, and David Jackson.

Before they were married, both Nixon and Allen appeared in the 1979 filmThe Fish That Saved Pittsburgh,which also featured NBA starsJulius ErvingandKareem Abdul-Jabbar.[27]

Nixon's son DeVaughn portrayed him in theHBOdrama seriesWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.[28]

NBA career statistics

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Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field goalpercentage 3P% 3-point field goalpercentage FT% Free throwpercentage
RPG Reboundsper game APG Assistsper game SPG Stealsper game
BPG Blocksper game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
† Won anNBA championship * Led the league

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1977–78 L.A. Lakers 81 – 34.3 .497 – .714 3.0 6.8 1.7 0.1 13.7
1978–79 L.A. Lakers 82 – 38.4 .542 – .775 2.8 9.0 2.5 0.2 17.1
1979–80† L.A. Lakers 82 – 39.3* .516 .125 .779 2.8 7.8 1.8 0.2 17.6
1980–81 L.A. Lakers 79 – 37.5 .476 .167 .778 2.9 8.8 1.8 0.1 17.1
1981–82† L.A. Lakers 82 82 36.9 .493 .250 .808 2.1 8.0 1.6 0.1 17.6
1982–83 L.A. Lakers 79 79 34.3 .475 .000 .744 2.6 7.2 1.3 0.1 15.1
1983–84 San Diego 82 82 37.2 .462 .239 .760 2.5 11.1 1.1 0.0 17.0
1984–85 L.A. Clippers 81 81 35.7 .465 .333 .780 2.7 8.8 1.2 0.0 17.2
1985–86 L.A. Clippers 67 62 31.9 .438 .347 .809 2.7 8.6 1.3 0.0 14.6
1988–89 L.A. Clippers 53 30 24.9 .414 .276 .738 1.5 6.4 0.9 0.0 6.8
Career 768 416 35.5 .483 .294 .772 2.6 8.3 1.5 0.1 15.7
All-Star 2 0 19.0 .571 – .500 1.0 5.0 1.0 0.0 12.5

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1978 L.A. Lakers 3 – 30.7 .458 – .667 3.0 5.3 1.3 0.3 8.0
1979 L.A. Lakers 8 – 40.9 .471 – .733 3.5 11.8 1.4 0.0 15.4
1980† L.A. Lakers 16 – 40.5 .477 .200 .804 3.5 7.8 2.0 0.2 16.9
1981 L.A. Lakers 3 – 44.3 .510 – .800 3.7 8.7 0.3 0.3 19.3
1982† L.A. Lakers 14 – 39.2 .478 .333 .754 3.1 8.1 1.6 0.1 20.4
1983 L.A. Lakers 14 – 38.4 .477 .429 .740 3.4 6.4 1.3 0.1 19.0
Career 58 – 39.4 .478 .333 .763 3.4 8.0 1.5 0.1 17.7

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefHoward-Cooper, Scott (December 24, 1988)."Return to Norm".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  2. ^Livingston, Bill. "Little Guy Nixon Doesn't Fear Contact, Especially in Playoffs",The Philadelphia Inquirer,May 24, 1983.
  3. ^abNorm Nixon.– Basketball-Reference.com.
  4. ^Duquesne University Men's Basketball History:"Retired Jerseys"ArchivedDecember 6, 2007, at theWayback Machine.– Duquesne University Athletics. – Retrieved: September 17, 2007.
  5. ^"Sincere to Carry on the Legacy of No. 10".Duquesne University Athletics.October 9, 2019.RetrievedOctober 20,2019.
  6. ^McGregor, Gilbert (March 8, 2022)."Who is Norm Nixon? All-Star guard more than footnote in 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty'".Sporting News.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  7. ^Newman, Bruce (November 21, 1983)."NO GLITZ, BUT MAYBE GLORY".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  8. ^"1978-79 NBA Expanded Leaders"– Basketball-Reference.com
  9. ^"1979-80 NBA Expanded Leaders".– Basketball-Reference.com.
  10. ^Helin, Kurt (March 5, 2014)."The Extra Pass: Talking" Showtime "Lakers with author Jeff Pearlman".NBC Sports.RetrievedSeptember 29,2018.
  11. ^Ramsay, Dr. Jack (2004).Dr. Jack's Leadership Lessons Learned From a Lifetime in Basketball.John Wiley & Sons. p. 98.ISBN978-0-471-46929-2.
  12. ^abKamenetzky, Andy; Kamenetzky, Brian (May 16, 2020)."If the Lakers had a Ring of Honor for second-tier greats, who would get in?".The Athletic.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.He averaged at least seven assists per game four times while sharing play-making duties with Magic Johnson, and during the 1982 title run (one of his two championships in purple and gold), his playoff averages were fantastic: 20.4 points, 8.1 assists, 1.6 steals.
  13. ^Schrader, Steve (March 23, 2014)."Ticker: Jerry West still fielding Magic Johnson-Norm Nixon questions".Detroit Free Press.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2014.
  14. ^"Norm Nixon player page".Basketball-reference.com.RetrievedJanuary 19,2013.
  15. ^Zeigler, Mark. – "After two career-threatening injuries, the Clippers' Norm Nixon still is planning to... BOUNCE BACK". –San Diego Union.– March 23, 1988.
  16. ^Swansburg, John. –"The NBA dares to trifle with the sports-time continuum".–Slate Magazine.
  17. ^SPORTS: "Update". –USA Today.– April 11, 1989.
  18. ^Voisin, Ailene. – "Soviet Finds Summer League Hard, but He's Living NBA Dream – Volkov a Sign of Changing Times". –The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.– August 4, 1989.
  19. ^"Thompson, Nixon Injured In Legends Classic - tribunedigital-sunsentinel".Archived fromthe originalon March 1, 2016.
  20. ^Voisin, Ailene. – "Hawks' No. 1 choice makes a good first pick". –The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.– July 9, 1993.
  21. ^abWertheim, L. Jon. – "Norm Nixon: An original Showtimer, he hasn't mellowed or slowed down". –Sports Illustrated.– July 11, 2005.
  22. ^Broussard, Chris. – "PRO BASKETBALL – Nixon Is Still Giving Assists as an Agent". –New York Times.– February 29, 2004.
  23. ^Melissa Rohlin (February 12, 2011)."Norm Nixon".Los Angeles Times.
  24. ^PEOPLE: "AND BABY MAKES FOUR". –The Dallas Morning News.– September 2, 1987.
  25. ^Mackall, Dave. – "Nixon fondly remembers Duquesne". –Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.– May 31, 2007.
  26. ^Schiefelbein, Joseph. – "Spivery, Jaguars to begin practice". –The Advocate.– October 17, 2008.
  27. ^Full cast and crew for:The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh(1979).–IMDb.
  28. ^Coley, Jordan (March 29, 2022)."DeVaughn Nixon on Playing His Dad on Winning Time and Smoking Cigars With Michael Jordan".gq.com.RetrievedSeptember 4,2023.
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