Sherman Douglas
Encyclopedia
Sherman Douglas is a retired American
professional basketball
player from Syracuse University
who played for the Miami Heat
, Boston Celtics
, Milwaukee Bucks
, New Jersey Nets
and the Los Angeles Clippers
from 1989 to 2001. His nickname, The General, is a play on his first name and his position as a point guard (as a floor general). He was known for revolutionizing the running "floater" shot in the lane.
Sherman Douglas set the all time NCAA assist record with the Syracuse Orangemen in 1989 before becoming the Heat's first starting point guard
. Although he was only a second-round draft
choice in 1989, his strong campaign (14.3 ppg and 7.6 apg) earned him a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team. He bettered that campaign in 1990-91
, when he led the Heat in scoring (18.5) and assists (8.5) and was named the team's most valuable player.
After holding out before the 1991-92 season
, Douglas played five games with Miami before being dealt to the Boston Celtics
for Brian Shaw on January 10, 1992. Douglas would play the best basketball of his career for the Boston Celtics, managing to pilot the team to the playoffs in 1994-1995 season despite their 35-47 record in the final season of the Boston Garden
. Douglas averaged 14.7 points and 6.9 assists per game that year.
He played for the Los Angeles Clippers
in the 1998-99 season and then was traded back to the Nets the season after.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
who played for the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
from 1989 to 2001. His nickname, The General, is a play on his first name and his position as a point guard (as a floor general). He was known for revolutionizing the running "floater" shot in the lane.
Sherman Douglas set the all time NCAA assist record with the Syracuse Orangemen in 1989 before becoming the Heat's first starting point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
. Although he was only a second-round draft
1989 NBA Draft
The 1989 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1989 in New York City, New York, USA. It has been regarded as one of the worst drafts in NBA history, along with the 1986 NBA Draft and the 2000 NBA Draft. Though the draft produced talented players such as Shawn Kemp, Glen Rice, Sean Elliott, Nick...
choice in 1989, his strong campaign (14.3 ppg and 7.6 apg) earned him a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team. He bettered that campaign in 1990-91
1990-91 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...
, when he led the Heat in scoring (18.5) and assists (8.5) and was named the team's most valuable player.
After holding out before the 1991-92 season
1991-92 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets*Defensive Player of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs...
, Douglas played five games with Miami before being dealt to the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
for Brian Shaw on January 10, 1992. Douglas would play the best basketball of his career for the Boston Celtics, managing to pilot the team to the playoffs in 1994-1995 season despite their 35-47 record in the final season of the Boston Garden
Boston Garden
The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
. Douglas averaged 14.7 points and 6.9 assists per game that year.
He played for the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in the 1998-99 season and then was traded back to the Nets the season after.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 20 or more assists in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career assists leaders