Lloyd Daniels

Last updated

Lloyd Daniels
Personal information
Born (1967-09-04) September 4, 1967 (age 57)
Brooklyn, New York
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school Andrew Jackson
(Queens, New York)
College Mt. SAC (1986–1987)
NBA draft 1988: undrafted
Playing career1987–2006
Position Shooting guard
Number24, 44, 25
Career history
1987–1988 Topeka Sizzlers
1988 Waitemata Dolphins
1989–1990 Quad City Thunder
1990–1991Miami Tropics
1991–1992Greensboro City Gaters
1991–1992 Long Island Surf
1992–1994 San Antonio Spurs
1994 Philadelphia 76ers
1995 Limoges CSP
1995 Los Angeles Lakers
1995 Fort Wayne Fury
1995–1996 Scavolini Pesaro
1996 Sacramento Kings
1996–1997 New Jersey Nets
1997Fort Wayne Fury
1997–1999Polluelos de Aibonito
1999 Toronto Raptors
1998 Galatasaray S.K.
1998 Idaho Stampede
1998–1999 AEK B.C.
1999 Sioux Falls Skyforce
1999–2000 Baltimore BayRunners
2000 Trenton Shooting Stars
2000–2001Long Island Surf
2001Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs
2001 Panteras de Miranda
2001–2002 Scafati Basket
2002 Shanghai Sharks
2002Panteras de Miranda
2002–2003 Ovarense Basquetebol
2005–2006Strong Island Sound
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Lloyd "Swee'Pea" Daniels (born September 4, 1967) is a former professional American basketball player who played for five seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contents

Early life

The 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) shooting guard was one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation during the 1986–87 recruiting cycle. At the time, he was considered the most talented player from New York City since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and also compared to Connie Hawkins. [1] [2] According to authors John Valenti and Ron Naclerio, Daniels was reputed to combine the passing ability of Magic Johnson with the shooting ability of Larry Bird. [3]

Daniels had a somewhat troubled childhood. He grew up in a very poor area of Brooklyn, and was raised by relatives from the age of three after his mother died and his father abandoned him. [2] By his senior year of high school, he had attended four or five high schools (depending on the source) in three states, and could only read at a third-grade level. [1] [4] [2]

College career

Daniels attended UNLV and was slated to play on the basketball team under coach Jerry Tarkanian. One of Tarkanian's assistants, Mark Warkentien, became Daniels' legal guardian. [5]

Daniels enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College, a junior college near Los Angeles, to improve his academics. He played one game for Mt. San Antonio's basketball team, but later quit to focus on improving his reading proficiency. However, on February 9, 1987, Daniels was arrested for buying crack cocaine from an undercover policeman. [4] [6] Although Tarkanian was known for taking in troubled players, this was too much even for him, and he announced days after the arrest that Daniels would never play for UNLV. [4] It later emerged that Daniels had first been led to UNLV by Richard Perry, who had been convicted twice for sports bribery. [7] Perry's involvement resulted in an NCAA investigation that ultimately forced Tarkanian to resign. [8] [9] [10]

Professional career

Daniels bounced around in the professional ranks for the next six years, and went through drug rehabilitation three times. In 1988, he was kicked off the Continental Basketball Association's Topeka Sizzlers for not staying in shape. He signed in New Zealand with Waitemata shortly after that, [11] only to be thrown off the team for heavy drinking. On May 11, 1989, Daniels was shot three times in the chest and survived. [12] He still has fragments of a bullet lodged in his right shoulder. [13] He also played in the GBA (where he was named MVP in his only season) and the USBL, [14] before playing in Greece with AEK Athens BC and in Turkey with Galatasaray. After Tarkanian was named head coach of the San Antonio Spurs for the 1992–93 season, [15] Daniels signed with the Spurs as a free agent. [16]

Before he signed with the Spurs, the New York Knicks were the first NBA team to express an interest in him, but declined to sign him after flying him in for a tryout during the off-season. Daniels worked hard to get himself into NBA playing shape during the summer league, and was named the Spurs starting point guard during the preseason. Indeed, Daniels had an inspired performance against the Knicks in the preseason, dominating his hometown team with 30 points in his first game on the Spurs home court, and electrifying the crowd. In a New York Times article the next day, Tarkanian noted that a Knick scout had told him after Daniels' tryout with the Knicks that he "can't play." Despite that, Daniels told reporters after the game that he appreciated the opportunity that the Knicks gave him and sounded happy finally to have the opportunity to play in the NBA. In only his second NBA game, he had 26 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 block shots. However, after Tarkanian was fired twenty games into the season, [17] Daniels' playing time diminished, though he did score over 20 points six times during the course of the season. Daniels played one more season with the Spurs before he was let go.

Daniels managed to play intermittently over five seasons for six NBA teams: the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors. He had several shocking comebacks, including a stint with the Lakers for the 1994–95 season. Signed to a 10-day contract, [18] he took over a tight game, scoring 20 points in the second half to lead the Lakers to victory. He ended up in the Lakers starting lineup for 14 games that year after that and finished the season with the team.

Later in his professional career, after dominating play in the CBA, the Raptors signed him to a ten-day contract and he scored 22 points in his first game with the team. [19] Despite his offensive skills, he was considered an off court risk and an undisciplined player, and could not find a permanent home in the NBA. Throughout his career, Daniels played in 200 NBA games and scored 1,411 points.

Then he played in Italy with Scavolini Pesaro in 1995/96 season with an average of 21.6 ppg.

Daniels continued to play exhibition games for charity, joining the Jayson Williams Foundation and its exhibition team which played games across the United States. In these games, he played alongside Jayson Williams, Walter Berry and Vladimir Cuk.[ citation needed ]

In October 2005, Daniels tried to revive his career by trying out with the Strong Island Sound of the American Basketball Association. [20]

His nickname, Swee'Pea, is a reference to the Popeye cartoon character of the same name. He lives in New Jersey where he coaches AAU basketball. [21] [22]

NBA career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1992–93 San Antonio 771020.4.443.333.7272.81.9.5.49.1
1993–94 San Antonio 65515.1.376.352.7191.71.4.4.25.7
1994–95 Philadelphia 5012.6.333.2141.0001.4.8.4.04.6
1994–95 L.A. Lakers 251521.6.390.267.8002.21.4.8.47.4
1996–97 Sacramento 505.6.125.182—.8.2.2.01.2
1996–97 New Jersey 17016.6.330.322.8332.31.5.5.25.4
1997–98 Toronto 6013.7.414.222.8001.2.7.5.35.7
Career2002917.7.403.316.7432.21.6.5.37.1

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1993 San Antonio 809.3.367.143.8331.9.3.4.03.5
1994 San Antonio 4016.5.400.5001.0002.3.8.0.35.5
Career12011.7.380.333.8752.0.4.3.14.2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)</span> American basketball player (born 1969)

Larry Demetric Johnson is an American former professional basketball player who spent his career as a power forward with the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2008, Johnson was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame. He was then inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame on November 24, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Tarkanian</span> American basketball coach (1930–2015)

Jerry Esther Tarkanian was an American basketball coach. He coached college basketball for 31 seasons over five decades at three schools. He spent the majority of his career coaching with the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, leading them four times to the Final Four of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, winning the national championship in 1990. Tarkanian revolutionized the college game at UNLV, utilizing a pressing defense to fuel its fast-paced offense. Overall, he won over 700 games in his college coaching career, only twice failing to win 20 games, while never having a losing season. Tarkanian was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Daniels</span> American basketball player

Antonio Robert Daniels is an American former professional basketball player who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently the television color analyst for the New Orleans Pelicans on Bally Sports New Orleans and co-host/analyst on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stacey Augmon</span> American basketball player and coach

Stacey Orlando Augmon is an American basketball coach and former player. He serves as the player development coach of the Sacramento Kings. He played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He gained the nickname "Plastic Man" due to his athletic ability to contort his body. He was also an assistant coach at his alma mater UNLV under coach Dave Rice. He was previously the head coach of Jeonju KCC Egis of the Korean Basketball League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Butler</span> American basketball player (born 1985)

Jackie Butler is an American former professional basketball player. He attended McComb High School in McComb, Mississippi, and transferred to Coastal Christian Academy in Virginia Beach for his final high school season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 NBA Finals</span> 1999 basketball championship series

The 1999 NBA Finals was the championship round of the shortened 1998–99 NBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs took on the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks for the title, with the Spurs holding home court advantage. The Spurs defeated the Knicks 4 games to 1 to win their first NBA championship. Until 2023, this was the only NBA Finals to feature a #8 seed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 NBA playoffs</span> Postseason tournament

The 1999 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association’s 1998-99 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball</span> Mens basketball team of UNLV

The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are the men's basketball team that represent the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the Mountain West Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); it plays at the Thomas & Mack Center on campus. As of 2023, UNLV has the seventh-highest winning percentage (.687) in Division I history. UNLV is 33–19 all-time in the NCAA tournament with a 63.5 winning percentage. In July 2008, ESPNU named the program the eighth most prestigious collegiate basketball program in the nation since the 1984–85 season.

The 1998–99 NBA season was the San Antonio Spurs' 32nd season as a franchise, the team's 26th season in San Antonio, and the team's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled.

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Spurs' 14th season in the National Basketball Association, and 23rd season as a franchise. This marked the first NBA season for David Robinson, who was selected by the Spurs as the first overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft. In the 1989 NBA draft, the team had the third overall pick, and selected Sean Elliott from the University of Arizona, and acquired All-Star forward Terry Cummings from the Milwaukee Bucks, and acquired All-Star guard Maurice Cheeks and David Wingate from the Philadelphia 76ers during the off-season. The Spurs held a 32–14 record at the All-Star break, finished with a franchise-best 56–26 regular season record, first place in the Midwest Division, and surpassing the 53-win season of 1982–83.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Anthony</span> Canadian basketball player (born 1982)

Joel Vincent Anthony is a Canadian former professional basketball player who played for the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won two championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013. He is the General manager of the Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Previously he was a player consultant for the Hamilton Honey Badgers. He is a former member of the Canada national team.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the fifth season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. In the 1992 NBA draft, the Hornets selected Alonzo Mourning out of Georgetown University with the second overall pick. The team also signed free agent David Wingate during the first month of the regular season, then later on traded J.R. Reid to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Sidney Green in December, and released Tom Hammonds to free agency as he later on signed with the Denver Nuggets. With the addition of Mourning, along with second-year star Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues, the Hornets struggled losing four of their first six games, but then went on a five-game winning streak afterwards, held a 26–23 record at the All-Star break, and won 9 of their final 12 games, finishing their season third in the Central Division with a 44–38 record, and qualified for their first ever playoff appearance.

The 2003–04 New York Knicks season was the 58th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Knicks signed All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo in free agency. The Knicks started the season by losing seven of their first nine games as fans at the Garden chanted "Fire Layden", in reference to general manager Scott Layden. Knicks fans would get their wish as Layden was fired and replaced by former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Spurs' 17th season in the National Basketball Association, and 26th season as a franchise. During the off-season, the Spurs acquired Dale Ellis from the Milwaukee Bucks, signed free agents Vinny Del Negro and undrafted rookie guard Lloyd Daniels, and re-signed Avery Johnson after a brief stint with the Houston Rockets. However, prior to the start of the season, Terry Cummings suffered a serious knee injury during a pick-up game, and only played in the final eight games of the season. Under new head coach, former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, the Spurs struggled with a 9–11 start to the season. Tarkanian was fired, then after playing one game under assistant Rex Hughes, the team hired John Lucas II as their new coach. At midseason, the team traded Sidney Green to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for J.R. Reid. Under Lucas, the Spurs would play solid basketball posting a 10-game winning streak in January, then winning eight straight games in February, as they held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break. However, they would play below .500 for the remainder of the season, finishing second in the Midwest Division with a 49–33 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin Towers (San Antonio Spurs)</span> Basketball duo consisting of Tim Duncan and David Robinson

The Twin Towers was the professional basketball duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, who played for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1997 to 2003. Both players were selected first overall by the Spurs in the NBA draft; Robinson was selected in 1987 and Duncan was selected in 1997. Robinson and Duncan spent their entire careers with the Spurs, and they played together from 1997 to 2003. The Twin Towers were known for their scoring, for their stifling defense, and for helping lead the Spurs to NBA championships in 1999 and 2003.

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Spurs' 20th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season as a franchise. San Antonio hosted the 1996 NBA All-Star Game at the Alamodome. During the off-season, the team signed free agents Carl Herrera, who previously won two championships with the Houston Rockets, former Spurs center Greg Anderson, and three-point specialist Brad Lohaus. Without Dennis Rodman, who was dealt to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Will Perdue during the off-season, the Spurs had a solid team chemistry led by reigning MVP David Robinson and Sean Elliott, who were both selected for the All-Star Game. The team got off to a solid 11–4 start, holding a 31–14 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, they traded Lohaus and J.R. Reid to the New York Knicks in exchange for Charles D. Smith and second-year forward Monty Williams. The Spurs posted a 17-game winning streak in March, where they went undefeated posting a 16–0 record, which matched the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers' record. The Spurs went on to win their second straight Midwest Division title with a 59–23 record.

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the San Antonio Spurs' 24th season in the National Basketball Association, their 27th season as the Spurs, and their 33rd season as a franchise. After having won their first NBA championship in 1999, where they defeated the #8 seed New York Knicks in five games, the Spurs signed free agents Terry Porter, Samaki Walker and Chucky Brown during the off-season. However, prior to the season, Sean Elliott was diagnosed with a kidney disorder, and missed the first four months of the season; he would then receive a kidney transplant from his brother, Noel. The Spurs were originally scheduled to play two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves overseas in Tokyo, Japan in November during the first month of the regular season, but because they won the NBA championship, they were obligated to play in the McDonald's Championship in Milan, Italy in October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk</span> Ukrainian basketball player (born 1997)

Sviatoslav "Svi" YuriyovychMykhailiuk is a Ukrainian professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks and prior to that, he played for Cherkaski Mavpy in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague from 2012 to 2014 and for the Ukraine national team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. As a reserve with the 2023-24 Boston Celtics, Mykhailiuk won a NBA championship.

Khem Xavier Birch is a Canadian professional basketball player who plays for Fenerbahçe Beko of the Turkish BSL and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damyean Dotson</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Damyean Da'Kethe Dotson is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Dotson previously has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for Oregon and Houston before being selected with the 44th pick of the 2017 NBA draft by the Knicks.

References

  1. 1 2 McKinley Jr., James C. (May 13, 1989). "A Star Once, Felled First By Drugs, Now Bullets". The New York Times. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Sad Tale of Sweet Pea". Sports Illustrated. May 22, 1989. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008.
  3. ↑ Valenti, John; Naclerio, Ron (1990). Swee'Pea and Other Playground Legends: Tales of Drugs, Violence and Basketball. M. Kesend Pub. ISBN   0935576398.
  4. 1 2 3 "UNLV's Daniels Arrested on Drug Charges". Los Angeles Times. February 11, 1987. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  5. ↑ Michael Martinez (December 21, 1990). "Confronted With New Charges, U.N.L.V. Braces for Old Battle". The New York Times .
  6. ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (December 13, 2000). "Bayno, Tark deserve same medicine". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Times says UNLV players got gambler's cash". Deseret News. March 29, 1989. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. ↑ Robbins, Danny (June 8, 1991). "Tarkanian to quit UNLV after 1991–92 season". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ Rhoden, William C. (February 24, 1992). "COLLEGE BASKETBALL; Tarkanian Rescinds His Decision to Resign". The New York Times. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  10. ↑ Wojciechowski, Gene (February 24, 1992). "Tarkanian Changes His Mind : Basketball: UNLV coach rescinds resignation, but university president says he will not allow it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  11. ↑ "New Zealand Basketball Federation Ousts Lloyd Daniels". Los Angeles Times. May 20, 1988. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Daniels Critical After Shooting". The New York Times. May 12, 1989. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  13. ↑ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Daniels Is Trying For Another Comeback". The New York Times. July 11, 1989. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  14. ↑ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Lloyd Daniels's Next Stop: Long Island". The New York Times. April 30, 1992. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  15. ↑ "BASKETBALL; Tarkanian Turns Pro as Coach of the Runnin' Spurs". New York Times. April 16, 1992. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Spurs sign Daniels to 2-year deal". UPI.com. July 21, 1992. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Jerry Tarkanian fired as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 9-11 start in 1992". WOAI. December 17, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Lakers sign Lloyd Daniels". Tampa Bay Times. February 23, 1995. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Daniels Tries Again with the Raptors". Los Angeles Times. January 7, 1998. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  20. ↑ "MySA.com: Courtside: The San Antonio Spurs Blog". www.mysanantonio.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  21. ↑ Osborne, Ben (April 2, 2014). "Lloyd Daniels: Born Again". SLAM. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  22. ↑ Martinez, Kiko (July 18, 2016). "Documentary Examines the Downfall of Former Spurs Guard Lloyd Daniels". San Antonio Current. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.