Marcus Camby

Marcus Camby
Camby with the Clippers
No. 21    Portland Trail Blazers
Center, Power forward
Personal information
Date of birth March 22, 1974 (1974-03-22) (age 36)
Place of birth
Nationality American
High school Conard, Hartford Public
Listed height 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight 235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
College UMass
NBA Draft 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
Selected by the Toronto Raptors
Pro career 1996–present
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Marcus Camby at NBA.com

Marcus D. Camby (born March 22, 1974 in ) is an American professional basketball player, who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. He is a former defensive player of the year during the 2006–07 NBA season, leading the league in blocked shots per game.[1] Camby is also a two-time member of the NBA all-defensive team.

Contents

High school

Camby, a native of Connecticut, began his high school career at Conard High School in West Hartford. He transferred to Hartford Public High School where he finished his High School education.[2]

College career

Camby played three seasons at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is second all-time in total blocked shots (336) at UMass and the fourth-ever college player to have at least 300 total career blocked shots.[3] He had an NCAA freshman record 105 total rejections during his first year at UMass.[3]

Camby won the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award during the 1995–96 season. He led UMass to numerous #1 rankings and the 1996 NCAA Final Four. In the NCAA tournament, Camby set a tourney record of 43 total blocked shots in 11 games.[3] UMass' visit to the Final Four was later officially nullified by the NCAA because Camby had been found to have accepted $28,000 from two sports agents.[4][5] According to a 1997 Sports Illustrated article, the agents, John Lounsbury and Wesley Spears of Connecticut, had hoped that Camby would hire them to represent him when he became a professional. The article reported that Camby had also received "jewelry, rental cars and prostitutes" from the agents.[6]

In 1996, Camby decided to forgo his senior year at UMass and enter the NBA Draft.

NBA career

Toronto Raptors

Camby was selected second overall in the first round of the well-regarded 1996 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. In the 1996-97 season, he made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. The next year, Camby led the league in blocked shots with 3.7 per game.

New York Knicks

He played for the Raptors from 1996–1998, before being traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for longtime popular Knick Charles Oakley; a trade that Knicks fans would heavily criticize initially, but later praise as he would help the Knicks become the first #8th seed to make it to the NBA Finals during the 1998–99 NBA season.[7][8]

Denver Nuggets

Camby played for the Knicks from 1998–2002, before being traded to the Denver Nuggets, in exchange for Antonio McDyess.[9]

Camby has led the NBA in blocked shots for several seasons; however, frequent injuries have limited the impact of his career in the NBA. The 2005–06 season with the Nuggets was one of his most successful, as he had 12.0 rebounds per game, 9.6 defensive rebounds per game and 1.4 steals per game. He also averaged 12.8 points per game and led the league in blocks per game (3.3), while helping Denver earn a playoff berth by winning the Northwest Division.

On December 16, 2006, Camby was involved in the infamous Knicks–Nuggets brawl.[10] He was one of 10 players ejected from the game, but received no suspension.

Camby won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2006–07 season.[11] The honor was the first of Camby's career. He received the actual award from NBA commissioner David Stern during a pregame ceremony at the Nuggets first home 2006–07 playoff game, which was against the San Antonio Spurs on April 28, 2007.[12] During the 2006–07 season, Camby averaged 3.3 blocks per game (first in the league), 11.7 rebounds per game (fifth in the league), 9.3 defensive rebounds per game (second in the league) and 1.24 steals per game (second among centers).[13][14]

2007–2008 season

During the 2007–08 NBA season, Camby continued to make his mark as one of the best defensive players and centers in the game. He finished the season averaging 13.1 rebounds per game (second in the league), 18.1 rebounds per 48 minutes (first in the league), 10.2 defensive rebounds per game (second in the league), 14.1 defensive rebounds per 48 minutes (first in the league), 3.61 blocks per game (first in the league), 4.96 blocks per 48 minutes (first in the league), 285 total blocks (first in the league), 1.06 steals per game (third among centers) and 3.3 assists per game (second among centers). On December 26, 2007, in a Nuggets' home win against the Milwaukee Bucks, Camby posted a triple-double, with 10 points (which included a three-pointer), 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. The triple-double was Camby's third of his career and the first since April 19, 1998, against the Philadelphia 76ers.[15] On January 14, 2008, in a Nuggets' road loss against the Charlotte Bobcats, Camby had a statistically impressive and rare game of 20 points, 23 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 blocks. He became only the fourth player since 1990 to have at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 blocks in one game.[16] On January 17, 2008, in a Nuggets' home win against the Utah Jazz, Camby became just the third player since blocked shots became an official NBA stat in 1973–74 with at least 24 rebounds and 11 blocks in a game.[17] On January 25, 2008, in a Nuggets home win against the New Jersey Nets, Camby blocked 4 shots—and in the process—recorded his 1,000th blocked shot as a member of the Nuggets.[18] On March 16, 2008, in an historic 168–116 home win in regulation over the Seattle SuperSonics (the 168 points were the most points scored in franchise history - fourth most in NBA history - for a non-overtime game), Camby recorded his second triple-double of the 2007–08 NBA season when he had 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.[19] The triple-double was accomplished in a NBA record-tying 27 minutes.

Los Angeles Clippers

On July 15, 2008, Camby was traded from the Nuggets to the Los Angeles Clippers.[20] In exchange, the Clippers gave Denver the option to swap second-round draft picks in the 2010 NBA Draft. In the first part of the 2008–09 NBA season, he started at power forward, with Chris Kaman remaining as the starting center. Then, an injury that occurred to Kaman and the arrival of forward Zach Randolph brought Camby back to the starting center position. Camby said that he was unhappy that he was traded from the Nuggets, essentially being made the scapegoat for their lack of post-season success.[21]

"I thought I had done everything possible that I could do with that team, and just tried to go about things the right way. I just thought the way they went about it was classless; they didn't let me know anything. That's a thing of the past right now, that's something I put behind me and I'm looking forward to embarking on this journey."

On December 17, 2008, Camby pulled down a career-high 27 rebounds in a 109–115 overtime loss against the Chicago Bulls. He also had 19 points, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks.

On February 16, 2010, Camby was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, and cash.[22]

Portland Trail Blazers

Marcus Camby played in 23 games for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2009 - 2010 season. With the Blazers riddled with injuries to their centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, Camby helped the team secure a playoff berth as the Western Conference's six seed. On April 12, 2010 in a game in Portland against the Oklahoma City Thunder Camby had a monstrous game leading the Blazers in scoring with 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. This performance sent the Rose Garden crowd into a hysteria and they began to chant "Marcus Camby" during the final minutes of the game. On April 20, 2010 Marcus Camby signed a two year contract extension to stay in Portland.

Statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1996–97 Toronto 63 38 30.1 .482 .143 .693 6.3 1.5 1.0 2.1 14.8
1997–98 Toronto 63 58 31.8 .412 .000 .611 7.4 1.8 1.1 3.7 12.1
1998–99 New York 46 0 20.5 .521 .000 .553 5.5 .3 .6 1.6 7.2
1999–00 New York 59 11 26.2 .480 .500 .670 7.8 .8 .7 2.0 10.2
2000–01 New York 63 63 33.8 .524 .125 .667 11.5 .8 1.0 2.2 12.0
2001–02 New York 29 29 34.7 .448 .000 .626 11.1 1.1 1.2 1.7 11.1
2002–03 Denver 29 9 21.2 .410 .400 .660 7.2 1.6 .7 1.4 7.6
2003–04 Denver 72 72 30.0 .477 .000 .721 10.1 1.8 1.2 2.6 8.6
2004–05 Denver 66 66 30.5 .465 .000 .723 10.0 2.3 .9 3.0 10.3
2005–06 Denver 56 54 33.2 .465 .091 .712 11.9 2.1 1.4 3.3 12.8
2006–07 Denver 70 70 33.8 .473 .000 .729 11.7 3.2 1.2 3.3 11.2
2007–08 Denver 79 79 34.9 .450 .300 .708 13.1 3.3 1.1 3.6 9.1
2008–09 L.A. Clippers 62 55 31.0 .512 .250 .725 11.1 2.0 .8 2.1 10.3
2009–10 L.A. Clippers 51 51 31.3 .466 .333 .659 12.1 3.0 1.4 1.9 7.7
2009–10 Portland 23 23 31.2 .497 .000 .581 11.1 1.5 1.1 2.0 7.0
Career 831 677 30.7 .471 .195 .680 10.0 1.9 1.0 2.6 10.4

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1998–99 New York 20 3 25.5 .566 .000 .616 7.7 .3 1.2 1.9 10.4
1999–00 New York 16 0 24.1 .337 .000 .613 7.0 .4 .5 1.4 4.8
2000–01 New York 4 4 35.3 .385 .000 .385 8.0 1.8 .5 2.2 6.3
2003–04 Denver 5 5 38.8 .491 .500 .571 11.4 2.4 .8 1.4 12.6
2004–05 Denver 5 5 36.8 .415 .000 .630 11.2 1.8 .6 3.2 10.2
2005–06 Denver 5 5 35.0 .419 .000 .556 11.0 2.2 .8 2.8 11.4
2006–07 Denver 5 5 36.8 .378 .000 .667 14.8 2.0 .8 3.2 7.6
2007–08 Denver 4 4 31.0 .238 1.000 .333 13.3 3.0 1.0 3.0 3.3
2009–10 Portland 6 6 29.7 .421 .000 .500 10.0 2.3 .7 1.2 5.8
Career 70 37 29.7 .441 .333 .584 9.3 1.2 .8 2.0 8.1

Awards and honors

Off the court

Camby tutored South Hadley students while at UMass, and has been active in charities throughout his career. He was active with several Denver-area charities as a Nugget. As a pro he has also toured Africa with Basketball Without Borders.

On June 14, 1997, Camby was arrested on charges of marijuana possession in South Windsor, Connecticut after police stopped him for a driving offense.[24] On July 1, 1997, he agreed to a plea deal that required him to complete 16 hours of community service, in exchange for dismissal of the drug charge. Charges against Camby were dropped after he fulfilled the community service.

Camby received attention in 2005 for making comments regarding the NBA's dress code, implemented during the 2005–2006 season, saying that "I don't see it happening unless every NBA player is given a stipend to buy clothes." He was highly criticized for that quote, in large part because he was scheduled to make $7.5 million that season.[25]

On April 23, 2001, Camby's mother and two sisters were taken hostage in their own home by Hartford resident Troy Crooms. Crooms, who was charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, burglary and possession of a weapon, held the women at knife-point over an eight-hour long stand-off with police.[26] Crooms pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault, second-degree burglary and violating probation.[27] He was sentenced to 18 years in prison. [28]

In 1996, Camby established the Cambyland Foundation, a non-profit organization.[29] Cambyland partners with school and community organizations to provide opportunities for young people.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Spears, Marc J.; "Camby to win defensive award", The Denver Post, April 27, 2007
  2. ↑ http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138286/2/index.htm
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 NBA.com : Marcus Camby Bio Page
  4. ↑ Decourcy, Mike; "An asterisk can't ruin UMass' Final Four dream", "The Sporting News", June 9, 1997
  5. ↑ Vatour, Mark, "Remembering the magical Final Four season: Players and coaches reflect 10 years later" The Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 24, 2005.
  6. ↑ Taylor, Phil, Tangled Web - MARCUS CAMBY WAS BOTH VICTIM AND VILLAIN IN HIS ILLICIT DEALINGS WITH AGENTS WHILE AT UMASS. Sports Illustrated, September 17, 1997
  7. ↑ Undersized and outmanned, the Knicks look to Marcus Camby - 06.21.99 - SI Vault
  8. ↑ CNN/SI - 1999 NBA Playoffs - Looking back, Knicks season better than anyone expected - Saturday June 26, 1999 07:11 PM
  9. ↑ Knicks Acquire NBA All-Star Antonio McDyess
  10. ↑ ESPN - Denver vs. New York - Recap - December 16, 2006
  11. ↑ Camby second Nugget to win top defensive award, published April 28, 2007
  12. ↑ ESPN - San Antonio vs. Denver - Recap - April 28, 2007
  13. ↑ Camby unable to join team due to family matter posted May 17, 2007
  14. ↑ 2007 Award Winners
  15. ↑ ESPN - Milwaukee vs. Denver - Recap - December 26, 2007
  16. ↑ ESPN - Denver vs. Charlotte - Recap - January 14, 2008
  17. ↑ ESPN - Utah vs. Denver - Recap - January 17, 2008
  18. ↑ ESPN - New Jersey vs. Denver - Recap - January 25, 2008
  19. ↑ ESPN - Seattle vs. Denver - Recap - March 16, 2008
  20. ↑ Clippers Acquire Marcus Camby
  21. ↑ Marcus Camby Press Conference
  22. ↑ It's official: Marcus Camby traded to Blazers
  23. ↑ New Haven Register All-State Team (1992-1993)
  24. ↑ Camby Arrested - New York Times
  25. ↑ Stern sure players will comply with dress code
  26. ↑ Mother and Sisters of Knicks Star Held Hostage for Hours - New York Times
  27. ↑ [1]
  28. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/04/nyregion/metro-briefing-connecticut-hartford-prison-in-home-invasion.html
  29. ↑ http://www.cambyland.com/educate02.html

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Ben Wallace		 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
2006–07		 Succeeded by
Kevin Garnett
Portland Trail Blazers current roster

1 Johnson | 2 Matthews | 4 Marks | 5 Fernández | 7 Roy | 8 Mills | 9 Williams | 10 Przybilla | 11 Babbitt | 12 Aldridge | 23 Camby | 24 Miller | 33 Cunningham | 52 Oden | 88 Batum

Head coach: McMillan | Assistant coaches: Bayno | Bickerstaff | Canales | Ociepka | Williams