The Game I'll Never Forget Terry Cummings - Statistical Data Included

Basketball Digest, Feb, 2001 by Chuck O'Donnell, Terry Cummings'

Retiring from basketball was another wise decision, Cummings says. He was frustrated last season as a series injuries kept him out of the Golden State Warriors lineup. He appeared in just 22 games, sitting out the final 41 with a strained right rotator cuff.

"I've been extremely blessed to play in the NBA for 18 great years," says Cummings, who lives in San Antonio. "Fortunately, the Lord provided me with the talent to play a game that I had passion for, and the wisdom and knowledge to But when I catch a game on TV, I'm sure I'll be sitting there watching in puddles of sweat."

Cummings' basketball career started in Chicago, where he was a high school standout at Carver. He stayed home to attend DePaul, but his career was almost over when the All-American was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Thanks to medication, though, he never missed a beat.

After entering the draft following his junior year, the then San Diego Clippers chose him with the No. 2 overall pick. Cummings made an immediate impact, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1983 after finishing 10th in the league in both scoring (23.7) and rebounding (10.6).

Over the years, Cummings played with the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle SuperSonics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and Golden State, becoming one of only nine players in NBA history to play 18 seasons or more.

When you start putting together some of the numbers and accomplishments, it begs the question: Wilt Terry Cummings be inducted in the Hall of Fame someday?

He was an All-NBA Second Team selection in 1985, an All-NBA Third Team pick in 1989, and played in the 1985 and 1989 NBA All-Star Games, tallying 27 total points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Entering the 2000-01 season, Cummings stood in 29th place on the all-time scoring list (19,460), 17th in games played (1,183), and 22nd in field goals made (8,045). He finished his career with averages of 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds, and averaged 20 points or better in seven seasons.

Cummings also did the little things that you don't see in the boxscores. For instance, in his later years, he was a mentor to younger players, showing them how to conduct themselves on and off the court. That's why the Warriors were sorry to see him retire.

"Terry Cummings leaves the NBA with a legacy as one of the finest players and top power forwards to ever play in the league," says Golden State GM Garry St. Jean, Cummings' coach for his final season. "The incredible numbers he accumulated on the floor over the years were surpassed only by his professionalism, longevity, and desire to be the best. His vast contributions to the game as a player will be greatly missed, but trust me, Terry Cummings will be successful in any of his future endeavors, just as he was for 18 years on the hardwood."