Jim Paxson

Last updated

Jim Paxson
Jim Paxson.jpg
Personal information
Born (1957-07-09) July 9, 1957 (age 67)
Kettering, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Archbishop Alter (Kettering, Ohio)
College Dayton (1975–1979)
NBA draft 1979: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Playing career1979–1990
Position Shooting guard / small forward
Number4
Career history
19791988 Portland Trail Blazers
19881990 Boston Celtics
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points 11,199 (14.3 ppg)
Rebounds 1,593 (2.0 rpg)
Assists 2,300 (2.9 apg)
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

James Joseph Paxson Jr. (born July 9, 1957) is an American former professional basketball player. A 1st round selection (12nd pick overall) of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1979 NBA draft, Paxson played for Portland and the Boston Celtics of the NBA from 1979 to 1990 and was twice an All-Star. Paxson served as general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers for six years and now works as a consultant with the Chicago Bulls where his brother John Paxson is an executive.

Contents

Pre-NBA

Paxson, a guard-forward born in Kettering, Ohio and the son of former NBA player Jim Paxson Sr., played college basketball at the University of Dayton. When the older Paxson tried out for the Dayton Flyers, he couldn't afford to buy athletic shoes, so athletic director Thomas Frericks loaned him a pair. [1] Paxson was a three-time team MVP and earned All-America honors as a senior after averaging more than 23 points per game. He also averaged 17 points as a junior and 18 points as a sophomore at Dayton.

Career

The 6-foot-6 Paxson was an NBA All-Star in 1983 and 1984. He also earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1984 after averaging 21 points per game. He spent nine seasons with Portland (1979–1988) and, after being traded to Boston in February 1988, spent two full seasons with Boston (1988–1990). When he was traded from Portland, he left as the team's all-time leading scorer.

Post-playing career

After retiring in 1990 at the age of 32, Paxson joined Portland's front office as assistant general manager. In September 1998, he was named vice president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was promoted to general manager in 1999, serving in that position until he was fired in April 2005. [2] The Cavaliers won 185 games and lost 307 games in the six years Paxson was general manager. [2]

In July 2006, Paxson, the older brother of former Chicago Bulls guard and former Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of basketball operations John Paxson, was hired as a consultant for the Bulls. [2] Paxson was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. [3] In 2004, he was named to the University of Dayton's All-Century Team.

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1979–80 Portland 7217.6.411.045.7111.52.0.7.16.2
1980–81 Portland 7934.2.536.067.7342.73.81.8.117.1
1981–82 Portland 828233.6.526.229.7672.73.41.6.118.9
1982–83 Portland 818133.8.515.160.8122.12.91.7.221.7
1983–84 Portland 818133.2.514.288.8412.13.11.5.121.3
1984–85 Portland 685733.1.514.154.7903.33.91.5.117.9
1985–86 Portland 753125.7.470.323.8892.03.71.3.113.1
1986–87 Portland 72125.0.460.265.8061.93.31.1.212.1
1987–88 Portland 17115.5.402.375.7781.11.6.4.16.1
1987–88 Boston 28219.2.492.154.8851.01.8.8.18.7
1988–89 Boston 57720.0.454.167.8161.31.9.7.18.6
1989–90 Boston 722517.8.453.250.8111.11.9.5.16.4
Career78436827.2.498.225.8072.02.91.2.114.3
All-Star2015.5.625.5001.51.51.0.010.5

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1980 Portland 314.7.3131.0001.31.0.7.35.3
1981 Portland 14.0.000.0.0.0.00.0
1983 Portland 737.1.586.500.7582.12.61.3.123.3
1984 Portland 534.4.513.200.8253.82.4.4.022.8
1985 Portland 9023.6.465.300.7922.22.3.7.012.9
1986 Portland 4017.8.378.333.8001.03.8.8.010.5
1987 Portland 4023.5.406.000.8892.33.31.3.08.5
1988 Boston 15012.5.288.000.800.6.7.4.13.3
1990 Boston 5012.4.500.000.750.01.41.0.03.8
Career53020.9.463.267.8081.51.9.7.110.5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Bulls</span> National Basketball Association team in Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16, 1966, and played its first game during the 1966–67 NBA season. The Bulls play their home games at the United Center, an arena on Chicago's West Side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Paxson</span> American basketball player

John MacBeth Paxson is an American basketball administrator and former player who was vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2009 to 2020. He was their general manager from 2003 to 2009. Paxson played eleven NBA seasons for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls, winning three championships as a member of the Bulls. He was an All-American college player at the University of Notre Dame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Kerr</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1965)

Stephen Douglas Kerr is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the U.S. national team. He is known as one of the most accurate three-point shooters in NBA history and holds the record for highest three-point percentage. Kerr is also a nine-time NBA champion, having won five titles as a player and four as head coach of the Warriors. He was named one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Dunleavy Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1980)

Michael Joseph Dunleavy Jr. is an American professional basketball executive and former player who is the general manager for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, earning consensus second-team All-American honors in 2002. Dunleavy was selected by Golden State with the third overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft. He played in the NBA for the Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. He is the son of former NBA player and head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Harper</span> American basketball player (born 1964)

Ronald Harper Sr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played for four teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 1986 and 2001 and is a five-time NBA champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 NBA Finals</span> 1993 basketball championship series

The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1992–93 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. It featured the two-time defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, and the Western Conference playoff champion Phoenix Suns, winners of 62 games and led by regular season MVP Charles Barkley. The Bulls became the first team since the Boston Celtics of the 1960s to win three consecutive championship titles, clinching the "three-peat" with John Paxson's game-winning 3-pointer that gave them a 99–98 victory in Game 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stu Inman</span> American coach in the National Basketball Association

Stuart Kirk Inman was an American basketball player, coach and executive. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1950 NBA draft from San Jose State University by the Chicago Stags; however, he did not play in the NBA.

Ronnie Lester is a retired American basketball player and basketball executive. Lester was an NCAA All-American at the University of Iowa, leading Iowa to the 1980 NCAA Final Four. Lester was a member of the 1979 USA Basketball team that won the gold medal in the 1979 Pan-American Games. Lester was the No. 10 overall selection in the first round of the 1980 NBA draft. After an injury-filled career, which included winning an NBA title with the 1985 Los Angeles Lakers, Lester worked as a scout for the Lakers, and eventually became the team's assistant general manager. After 24 years in the Lakers organization, with seven NBA titles, Lester served as a scout for the Phoenix Suns from 2011 to 2015.

Steve Colter is an American former professional basketball player who played in eight NBA seasons for six different teams. He played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Bullets, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. A 6'3" guard from New Mexico State, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 1984 NBA draft.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Bulls' 27th season in the National Basketball Association. The Bulls entered the season as the back-to-back defending NBA champions, having defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1992 NBA Finals in six games, winning their second NBA championship. In the off-season, the team acquired Rodney McCray from the Dallas Mavericks, and signed free agent Trent Tucker. At mid-season, the team signed Darrell Walker, who was previously released by the Detroit Pistons.

The 1991–92 NBA season was the 22nd season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. During the off-season, the Cavaliers signed free agent John Battle, then later on re-signed former Cavs forward Mike Sanders in March after being released by the Indiana Pacers. After two straight seasons of injuries, the Cavaliers would finally play the entire season without any significant loss of manpower. After a 13–9 start to the season, the team posted an 11-game winning streak, and held a 31–14 record at the All-Star break. The Cavaliers finished the season 2nd in the Central Division with a 57–25 record, and tying the franchise high set in the 1988–89 season. On December 17, 1991, the Cavaliers set an NBA record by winning with the second largest margin of victory of any game defeating the Miami Heat at home, 148–80.

The 1970–71 NBA season was the Buffalo Braves inaugural season in the NBA. With a roster made up primarily of castoffs, the Braves got off on the right foot by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 107–92 at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on October 14. However, the Braves would drop their next nine as they took on established NBA teams on the way to finishing in last place in the Atlantic Division. The Braves' record was 22–60, which was 7 games better than the Cleveland Cavaliers, their partners in expansion.

James Edward Paxson Sr. was an American professional basketball player.

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Bulls' 37th season in the National Basketball Association. In the 2002 NBA draft, the Bulls selected Jay Williams out of Duke University with the second overall pick. During the off-season, the team signed free agent Donyell Marshall. After a 4–6 start to the season, the Bulls went on a nine-game losing streak between November and December. The Bulls finished sixth in the Central Division with a 30–52 record. They also posted a franchise worst road record of 3–38. Jalen Rose led the team in scoring with 22.1 points per game, while Marshall provided the team with 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Williams averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Following the season, Williams suffered a career-ending motorcycle accident, while guards Trenton Hassell and Fred Hoiberg both signed as free agents with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 1971–72 NBA season was the 26th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship, beating the New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Flyers</span> Intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Dayton in Ohio, U.S.

The Dayton Flyers are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Dayton of Dayton, Ohio. All Flyers intercollegiate sports teams participate at the NCAA Division I level. The football team competes in the Division I FCS non-scholarship Pioneer Football League, and women's golf plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while all other sports compete in the non-football Atlantic 10 Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Nance Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Larry Donnell Nance Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wyoming Cowboys, where he was considered one of the best big men in the Mountain West Conference after leading the 2014–15 team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002. Nance was drafted 27th overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He became part of the team's roster rebuild focusing around younger players. During the 2017–18 season, Nance was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom he reached the 2018 NBA Finals. During the 2021 offseason, he was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, who traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans midway through the 2021–22 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Cleveland Cavaliers</span>

The Cleveland Cavaliers first began play in the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team under the ownership of Nick Mileti. Jerry Tomko, the father of future Major League Baseball pitcher Brett Tomko, submitted the winning entry to name the team the "Cavaliers" through a competition sponsored by The Plain Dealer; supporters preferred it to "Jays", "Foresters" and "Presidents". Playing their home games at Cleveland Arena under the direction of head coach Bill Fitch, they compiled a league-worst 15–67 record in their inaugural season. The team hoped to build around the number one 1971 draft pick Austin Carr, who had set numerous scoring records at Notre Dame, but Carr severely injured his leg shortly into his pro career and never was able to realize his potential.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Strus</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Max Strus is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Lewis Flyers and the DePaul Blue Demons. Prior to the Cavaliers, Strus played two games for the Chicago Bulls in his rookie season before signing with the Miami Heat, with whom he reached the NBA Finals in 2023.

References

  1. Bausch, Alex (September 24, 2009). "Frericks 5k Race Offers Fun For Family Weekend". Flyer News . Dayton, Ohio . Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 "Jim Paxson joins brother John's Bulls as consultant". Associated Press. July 5, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  3. "Six new inductees join Oregon Hall of Fame". Eugene Register Guard. June 30, 1998.