Kurt Nimphius

Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the third round (1st pick) of the 1980 NBA draft, Nimphius took part in Denver's rookie/free agent camp, but was not invited to return for regular training camp.

Nimphius began the 1980–1981 season playing in Europe for Rodrigo Chieti of the Italian Professional League, averaging 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in ten games. Nimphius then returned to the United States to play with Alberta Dusters of the Continental Basketball Association, playing in 18 games, averaging 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.[12][13][14]

On September 2, 1981 Nimphius was waived by the Denver Nuggets and immediately signed as a free agent by the Dallas Mavericks the same day.[15]

As an NBA rookie in 1981–1982, under Coach Dick Motta in Dallas, Nimphius played in 63 games with 27 starts, as the Mavericks finished 28–54. Mark Aguirre, the number one overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft, Jay Vincent and Rolando Blackman were fellow rookies.[16]

In 1982–1983, Dallas finished 38–44, with Nimphius averaging 18 minutes 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 49% in 81 games. He split time at center with Pat Cummings.[17]

Dallas improved to 43–39 in 1983–1984. Nimphius split time with Cummings and averaged 7.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks in 27 minutes per game. He played in 81 games, starting 47. Dallas made the playoffs, where they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 3 games to 2, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1.[18] Nimphius averaged 3 points and 6 rebounds in the Seattle series and 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the Lakers series.[19][20]

In 1984–1985, Nimphius played in all 82 games for Dallas, starting 40, as the Mavericks finished 44–38. Nimphius averaged 6.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 24 minutes. Dallas was defeated by Portland in the playoffs 3–1 and Nimphius played sparingly in the series.[21]

On November 15, 1984, Hakeem Olajuwon and Nimphius were ejected after a fight in the Mavericks' game against the Houston Rockets.[22]

Nimphius averaged 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds in 13 games with Dallas in 1985, when he was traded to the Clippers.[23]

On November 25, 1985 Nimphius was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Donaldson.[15]

Nimphius became a starter for the Clippers under Coach Don Chaney. He averaged 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 67 games as the Clippers finished 32–50.[24]

In 1986–1987 Nimphius played 38 games for the Clippers, averaging 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds before he was traded to Detroit for two high draft picks.[25]

On January 29, 1987, Nimphius was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Detroit Pistons for a 1987 1st round draft pick (Ken Norman was later selected) and a 1987 2nd round draft pick (Norris Coleman was later selected).[15]

Nimphius played 11 games with the La Crosse Catbirds of the CBA in 1987, while in transition. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.[26]

Playing 28 games for the Pistons and Coach Chuck Daly, Nimphius was used little, averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds. The Pistons, with Isiah Thomas, John Salley, Bill Laimbeer, Adrian Dantley, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Rick Mahorn and Vinnie Johnson advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pistons were defeated 4 games to 3 in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson.[27]

On October 27, 1987 Nimphius signed as a veteran free agent with the San Antonio Spurs. The Detroit Pistons received a 1988 2nd round draft pick (Jeff Moe was later selected) as compensation.[15]

Nimphius played 72 games for San Antonio as a reserve, averaging 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12 minutes.[28]

Nimphius then played for the team Cajacanarias of the Canary Islands in the Spanish league in 1988–1989.

On October 23, 1989, Nimphius signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 38 games with the 76ers, he averaged 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds.[15]

In 1990–1991, Nimphius ended his career overseas, playing for Il Messaggero Roma

In his NBA career, Nimphius played for the Dallas Mavericks (1981–1986), Los Angeles Clippers (1985–1987), Detroit Pistons (1986–1987), San Antonio Spurs (1987–1988) and Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1990) in an NBA career that lasted eight seasons. Nimphius averaged 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and shot 48% in his 564 game NBA career.[2][15]