Baller of the Day: Joe Dumars

Joe Dumars

Career Statistics

16.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 4.5 APG, 46 FG%, 38 3PFG%, 84 FT%

“One of the top shooting guards of his era, Joe Dumars was a consistent all-around player throughout his 14-year NBA career. He played his entire career with the Detroit Pistons and was a six-time All-Star, the owner of two NBA Championship rings, a defensive standout and a clutch shooter. Dumars quickly earned the reputation of being a defensive stalwart and a serious offensive threat but it was cemented with his 1989 NBA Finals MVP performance. Dumars was also well-respected for his sportsmanship that belied his intensity and toughness and for being a true leader in the NBA.

Dumars went from a small town in Louisiana to the top of the Motor City and the basketball world, as both a player and later as an executive as the architect of the 2004 NBA World Champion Detroit Pistons.

Dumars’ road began in tiny Natchitoches, Louisiana (population 18,337). The cornerstones of hard work and dedication were put in place at a young age. Joe’s mom, Ophelia, was a custodian at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches while his father, Joe (Big Joe), was a truck driver.

Dumars grew up in an athletic family, but, surprisingly, basketball was not his favorite sport as a child. Football was more popular in the region and all five of his brothers were defensive standouts at Natchitoches Central High. His brother David later played professional football in the USFL. Dumars followed in his brothers’ footsteps playing defensive back on the football team until junior high school when a big hit on the field directed him toward basketball. Ever the supportive father, Big Joe built a hoop, made of an old bicycle wheel and half of a wooden door, in the Dumars backyard. Little Joe spent hours practicing his jumper.” [Read]

[Note: RSS readers, there is a video within this blog]

[Sources: NBA.com, YouTube, Basketball-Reference.com]