Being Tiny in A Land of Giants Did Not Stop Earl Boykins From Pursuing a Lengthy NBA Career

Earl Boykins / Wikimedia Commons

For Earl Boykins, 1998 marked the beginning of a long journey in the NBA. Although going undrafted, Earl Boykins went on to average 8.9 points, 3.2 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game in his 13 season career. This was not easy for him as he only stood 5’5’ in the land of seven-foot giants. Despite his size disadvantage, Boykins had quite the career.

Boykins attended Eastern Michigan University, where he dominated. He made All Mid-Conference first team in his junior and senior year. He also was second in NCAA scoring in his senior year, averaging 26.8 points per game. Eastern Michigan retired his jersey in 2011.

Earl Boykins signed with the New Jersey Nets for a short time during the 1999 NBA season. He had been an unrestricted free agent since going undrafted. Boykins made his NBA debut with New Jersey, playing only five games (averaging 4.2 points), before the Nets released him. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish the 1999 season.

He went through quite a few teams, but Boykins began to play more when he reached the Los Angeles Clippers. But it wasn't until 2003 with the Denver Nuggets where Boykins had full playing time and was able to display his value. He credited his father for developing his confidence.

“Because of my height, I became very skilled and I always had confidence,” Boykins said to Charles Post of The Eastern Echo. “My dad taught me the game. Growing up, he used to take me to the gym and I played basketball a lot. At an early age he instilled it in me to never be afraid. Never let anyone intimidate me.”

Boykins made a 13- year career going undrafted and getting cut by the Nets after only five games. He learned to work hard to overcome the height difference throughout his career.

”If I was taller, I probably wouldn’t have worked as hard or gotten as far.” Boykins said to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.

Boykins showed that with hard work and talent, nothing will stop you from succeeding. His story continues to be an inspiration to many who believe they aren’t good enough for their career interests.

Little Man in a Big Man's Game

Spud Webb against Manute Bol / Vedia - Flickr

Spud Webb, former Atlanta Hawks' player, was the most unexpected NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner in the history of the NBA. With a 42 inch leap, he managed to beat his team mate Dominique Wilkins in the 1986 contest in Dallas Texas with two perfect 50-point scores in the final round. "I brought back dunks I haven't used since high school," said Webb in a Dallas News interview. His arsenal of dunks included elevator two-handed double pump dunk, the one-handed off the backboard one-handed jam, a 360-degree helicopter one-handed dunk, a 180-degree reverse double-pump slam, and finally, the 180-degree reverse two-handed strawberry jam with a bounce off of the floor. Webb's small hands and inability to palm the ball did not hinder his performance. It just made him work harder, adding alley-oops or a bounce to each dunk. Winning the Slam Dunk contest was the crowning achievement of his 12 year career.

Webb is currently the third shortest person to ever compete in the NBA, behind Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues and Earl Boykins, and the shortest to ever play in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He later trained New York Knicks 5'9" point guard, Nate Robinson, who eventually won three Slam Dunk Contests. Webb also was a judge for the 2010 Dunk contest in Dallas. It was the first time the event has been in Dallas since his win in 1986. Webb enjoyed his stardom of being and coaching a small man in a big man's game.