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Terry Cummings

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For the politician, seeTerry Cummings (politician).

Terry Cummings
Personal information
Born(1961-03-15)March 15, 1961(age 63)
Chicago, Illinois,U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolCarver(Chicago, Illinois)
CollegeDePaul(1979–1982)
NBA draft1982:1st round, 2nd overall pick
Selected by theSan Diego Clippers
Playing career1982–2000
PositionPower forward
Number34, 35
Career history
1982–1984San Diego Clippers
1984–1989Milwaukee Bucks
1989–1995San Antonio Spurs
1995–1996Milwaukee Bucks
1996–1997Seattle SuperSonics
1997–1998Philadelphia 76ers
1998New York Knicks
1999–2000Golden State Warriors
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points19,460 (16.4 ppg)
Rebounds8,630 (7.3 rpg)
Steals1,255 (1.1 spg)
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat NBA.com
Statsat Basketball-Reference.com

Robert Terrell Cummings(born March 15, 1961) is an American former professionalbasketballplayer who played 18 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA). Cummings was votedRookie of the Yearand was a two-timeAll-Star,a two-timeAll-NBAselection and was a lead player on several postseason teams while in Milwaukee and San Antonio.

College Years

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Born inChicagoand a graduate ofCarver High School,Cummings attendedDePaul Universityfrom 1979 to 1982. He averaged 16.4points per gameover 85 games and entered the1982 NBA draftafter departing from school.

NBA

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San Diego Clippers

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He was selected in the first round by theSan Diego Clippersas the second overall pick, right afterJames Worthywas by the Clippers’ eventual crosstown-rivals, the Lakers. Before the season even began, Cummings’ bumped heads with San Diego's now-infamous owner,Donald Sterling.While Sterling had training camp conducted at a naval base, he made all players do their own laundry. As a result of that, and other tense exchanges, Cummings’ agent tried to negotiate a one-year deal to get his client away from the Clippers as soon as possible, however, the two sides eventually agreed to a four-year contract during the preseason.[1]

In his inaugural 1982–83 season, he won theNBA Rookie of the Year Awardafter putting up 23.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. These figures would turn out to be the highest of his career in those categories. On March 9, 1983, Cummings scored a then career best 39 points, along with grabbing 18 rebounds, during a 119–114 loss to theLos Angeles Lakers.[2]Late in his rookie season, Cummings suffered from heartbeat irregularities, which would keep him out the remaining two weeks of the season. The team lost every game without him.

Milwaukee Bucks

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After the next season (1983–84), he was traded to theMilwaukee Bucks,where he would continue to post above 20 points and 8 rebound averages for four out of his five years on the team.

In the1985 NBA playoffs,Cummings (29.5 points) averaged more points than then-rookieMichael Jordan(29.3 points) in a 3–1 series victory for Milwaukee. It would be the only time Jordan would not lead all scorers in a postseason series he participated in during his career.[3]The Bucks would lose in the next round in an upset to the lower seededPhiladelphia 76ersin a 4–0 sweep.[4]

The following season, Cummings and now hall of fame-enshrined teammateSidney Moncriefled the Bucks to a 57–25 record and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.[5]On January 6, 1986, Cummings scored 16 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and recorded 4 assists in a win against theCleveland Cavaliers.[6]During that season'spostseason run,on April 22, 1986, Cummings scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and recorded a playoffs career-high 3 blocks in the final game of a 3–0 first round sweep of theNew Jersey Nets.[7]In the following round, Cummings played the lead role in the Bucks advancing pastJulius Ervingand the 76ers in a contested seven games series, while his co-star Moncrief missed four games due to injury. Cummings led all scorers with 27 points in Milwaukee's 113-112 Game 7 win over Philadelphia, despite playing through a dislocated finger.[8][9]However, in a familiar pattern for the 1980s Bucks, they would ultimately fail to reach theNBA Finals,this time losing to theBoston Celtics.

On January 9, 1987, Cummings grabbed a career high 24 rebounds, alongside scoring 28 points, in a 100–92 loss to theWashington Bullets.[10]On January 16, 1987, in what was arguably the best game of his career, Cummings recorded a triple double with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, while adding a career-high 6 steals in a 124–122 loss versus theDallas Mavericks.[11]BothSidney MoncriefandPaul Presseywere out with injuries, and only one teammate of Cummings’ (Ricky Pierce,27 points) scored more than 14 points. That postseason, Cummings and the Bucks again advanced past Philadelphia, as he averaged 21.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.[12]On May 10, 1987, Cummings scored 31 points in an Eastern Semifinals Game 4 138–137 overtime loss against theBoston Celtics.[13]The Bucks would eventually lose the series in 7 games.

On March 1, 1989, Cummings scored 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 121–111 win against theNew York Knicks.[14]

As a Buck, Cummings was selected to play in the 1984–85 and 1988–89NBA All-Star Games.

San Antonio Spurs

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He was traded to theSan Antonio Spurson May 28, 1989. He was sent with a 1990 2nd round draft pick (Tony Massenburgwas later selected) forCadillac Anderson,Alvin Robertsonand a 1989 2nd round draft pick (Frank Kornetwas later selected).[15]

His first season in San Antonio, alongsideDavid RobinsonandMaurice Cheeks,brought a remarkable turn around, the Spurs surged from 21 wins in 1989 to 56 wins in 1990.[16]That season, Cummings set a career high in points scored in a single game, with 52 in a 129–95 win over the Charlotte Hornets.[17]

He would remain in San Antonio for six years. His scoring and rebounding averages for the 1989–90 through 1991–92 seasons were close to 20 and 8, respectively, and he helped his team to consecutive 50-win seasons and playoff appearances. By this time, he was recognized as a reliablepower forwardin the league.

Cummings suffered a serious knee injury in the summer of 1992 in a casual pickup game. He would miss the first 74 regular-season games. Upon his return to the lineup, he could no longer put up near-All-Star numbers, and from then on he was used in a more suitable role as a reserve. Cummings would play in San Antonio until 1994–95.

Return to Bucks

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In November 1995, he joined the Milwaukee Bucks again. He played 81 games averaging 8.0 points per game in 21 minutes of work.

Seattle Supersonics

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In January 1997 he signed with theSeattle SuperSonicsas a free agent. He contributed as a role player helping the Sonics reach the Western Conference Semi-finals where they lost to theHouston Rocketsin 7 games.

Philadelphia 76ers

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He signed with thePhiladelphia 76ersin September 1997. He played in 44 games averaging 5.3 points per game.

New York Knicks

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Just before the trade deadline in February 1998, he was traded to theNew York KnicksforHerb Williamsand Ron Grandison. For theNew York Knickshe played in 30 games to finish the 1997–98 season and a total of 74 games combined between Philadelphia and New York.

Golden State Warriors

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Before the lockout ending in 1999, he was traded by the Knicks along withJohn StarksandChris Millsto theGolden State WarriorsforLatrell Sprewell.He managed to play 2 seasons for the Warriors, then retired from basketball after the 1999–2000 season.

In his final season, despite serious injuries and then being 38 years old, he averaged 8.4 PPG and 4.9 RPG in just 18 minutes a night.[18]

Career summary

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In 18 seasons, Cummings scored 19,460 points, placing him 57th on the list of NBA all-time regular-season scoring leaders, as of December 2022.[19]He finished with averages of 16.4 points per game and 7.3reboundsper game. He also played in 1,183 games, had 33,898 minutes, a.484 field goal percentage (8,045 for 16,628),.706 free throw percentage (3,326 for 4,711), 8,630 total rebounds (3,183 offensive, 5,447 defensive), and 1,255 steals.

Personal life

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Cummings wanted to be a professional hockey player growing up, and had not attempted playing competitive basketball until an unexpected high school growth-spurt.[20]

On April 4, 1985, Cummings sang the national anthem in Milwaukee before playing in a home game versus theDetroit Pistons.He received a standing ovation.[21]Granted, it was the National Anthem, everyone was already standing. In December 1989, Cummings and several Spurs teammates released a Christmas song.[22]

Cummings has been an ordainedPentecostalminister since 1977[23]and performed the wedding of former teammateSean Elliott.He has three sons, Antonio,T. J.,and Shawn.

In a creative turn of his career, Cummings released an album,T.C. Finallyin early 2007, of songs which he wrote, sang, and played keyboards. The album is reminiscent of theR&B/soulstylesof musicians such asMarvin Gaye,Al Green,andSam Cooke.

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
* Led the league

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1982–83 San Diego 70 69 36.2 .523 .000 .709 10.6 2.5 1.8 .9 23.7
1983–84 San Diego 81 80 35.9 .494 .000 .720 9.6 1.7 1.1 .7 22.9
1984–85 Milwaukee 79 78 34.5 .495 .000 .741 9.1 2.9 1.5 .8 23.6
1985–86 Milwaukee 82 82 32.5 .474 .000 .656 8.5 2.4 1.5 .6 19.8
1986–87 Milwaukee 82 77 33.8 .511 .000 .662 8.5 2.8 1.6 1.0 20.8
1987–88 Milwaukee 76 76 34.6 .485 .333 .665 7.3 2.4 1.0 .6 21.3
1988–89 Milwaukee 80 78 35.3 .467 .467 .787 8.1 2.5 1.3 .9 22.9
1989–90 San Antonio 81 78 34.8 .475 .322 .780 8.4 2.7 1.4 .6 22.4
1990–91 San Antonio 67 62 32.8 .484 .212 .683 7.8 2.3 .9 .4 17.6
1991–92 San Antonio 70 67 30.7 .488 .385 .711 9.0 1.5 .8 .5 17.3
1992–93 San Antonio 8 0 9.5 .379 – .500 2.4 .5 .1 .1 3.4
1993–94 San Antonio 59 29 19.2 .428 .000 .589 5.0 .8 .5 .2 7.3
1994–95 San Antonio 76 20 16.8 .483 – .585 5.0 .8 .5 .3 6.8
1995–96 Milwaukee 81 13 21.9 .462 .143 .650 5.5 1.1 .7 .4 8.0
1996–97 Seattle 45 3 18.4 .486 .600 .695 4.1 .9 .7 .2 8.2
1997–98 Philadelphia 44 2 14.9 .458 .000 .672 3.4 .5 .5 .1 5.3
New York 30 1 17.6 .477 – .700 4.5 .9 .5 .2 7.8
1998–99 Golden State 50* 0 20.2 .439 1.000 .711 5.1 1.2 .9 .2 9.1
1999–00 Golden State 22 0 18.1 .429 – .821 4.9 1.0 .6 .4 8.4
Career 1,183 815 28.7 .484 .295 .706 7.3 1.9 1.1 .5 16.4
All-Star 2 0 17.5 .423 – .833 6.0 .5 1.5 1.0 13.5

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1985 Milwaukee 8 8 38.9 .577 .000 .828 8.8 2.5 1.5 .9 27.5
1986 Milwaukee 14 14 36.4 .514 – .694 9.9 3.0 1.4 1.1 21.6
1987 Milwaukee 12 10 36.9 .488 – .687 7.9 2.3 1.0 1.1 22.3
1988 Milwaukee 5 5 38.6 .562 – .659 7.8 2.6 1.8 .6 25.8
1989 Milwaukee 5 4 24.8 .362 .000 .875 6.6 1.4 .6 .0 12.8
1990 San Antonio 10 10 37.5 .528 .200 .808 9.4 2.2 .7 .4 24.9
1991 San Antonio 4 4 31.0 .510 .000 .500 9.3 1.0 .8 .5 14.8
1992 San Antonio 3 3 40.7 .515 .000 .500 11.3 2.3 1.3 1.3 26.0
1993 San Antonio 10 0 13.8 .443 .000 .625 3.9 .5 .3 .1 6.7
1994 San Antonio 4 1 18.0 .500 – .833 6.3 .5 1.3 .8 8.0
1995 San Antonio 15 2 9.0 .375 .000 .733 2.1 .3 .3 .1 3.9
1997 Seattle 12 6 24.3 .489 – .667 6.0 1.2 .9 .5 8.8
1998 New York 8 1 15.0 .441 – .250 4.4 .6 .5 .3 4.0
Career 110 68 26.9 .502 .091 .706 6.7 1.6 .9 .6 15.1

See also

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References

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  1. ^"The best Clipper to wear no. 34".May 4, 2020.
  2. ^"Terry Cummings Rookie High 39 Points".Statmuse.
  3. ^"The only man to outscore Michael Jordan in a playoff series".Basketball Network - Your Daily Dose of Basketball.May 8, 2020.
  4. ^"Team Rivalry Finder".
  5. ^"1985–86 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats".
  6. ^"Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, January 7, 1986".
  7. ^"Milwaukee Bucks at New Jersey Nets Box Score, April 22, 1986".
  8. ^"GETTING A MONKEY OFF THEIR BUCKS".Sports Illustrated Vault | Si.com.
  9. ^"1986 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7: Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks".Basketball Reference.
  10. ^"Washington Bullets at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, January 9, 1987".
  11. ^"Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, January 16, 1987".
  12. ^"1987 NBA Eastern Conference First Round 76ers vs. Bucks".Basketball Reference.
  13. ^"Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, May 10, 1987".
  14. ^"New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, March 1, 1989".
  15. ^"Terry Cummings Stats".
  16. ^"Terry Cummings".March 29, 2020.
  17. ^"Terry Cummings Career High 52 Points".Statmuse.
  18. ^"Terry Cummings".March 29, 2020.
  19. ^"All Time Leaders".NBA.com.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  20. ^"Terry Cummings".March 29, 2020.
  21. ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"Terry Cummings Sings the Pre-Game National Anthem".YouTube.
  22. ^"TERRY & THE SPURS CROON A HOLIDAY TUNE – Chicago Tribune".Chicago Tribune.December 19, 1989.
  23. ^Rzeppa, Brian."Inside The League (6): A TLN Exclusive Interview With Future Hall Of Famer Terry Cummings".Interview.The League News.RetrievedJuly 2,2013.
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