B. J. Armstrong

Benjamin Roy "B. J." Armstrong, Jr. (born September 9, 1967) is a retired American professional basketball player. Armstrong won three NBA championships during his career as a point guard for the Chicago Bulls.

Early life

Armstrong was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. He graduated in 1985.

Playing career

College career

Armstrong had an illustrious career at the University of Iowa as the Hawkeyes' all-time leader in assists with 517 upon graduation; and is currently ranked fourth all-time. He also ranked sixth on the school's all-time steals list (178) and fourth in total points (1,705). The 6-foot-2 guard shot .443 (136-of-307) from three-point range over his four-year career and averaged 18.6 points and 5.4 assists as a senior. Armstrong received his bachelor's degree from Iowa in May 1989.

National Basketball Association

Chicago Bulls

Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft,^[1] the 6'2" (1.88 m) Armstrong helped the team return to the Eastern Conference Finals after compiling 55 regular season victories in 1990.^[2]

In 1991, he helped them win their first NBA title against the Los Angeles Lakers after winning 61 games. In 1992, Armstrong averaged double-digit scoring while coming off the bench behind longtime starter John Paxson to help the Bulls win 67 games and their second straight title. In 1993, he locked down the starting job, contributing to a 57–25 record and the Bulls' third straight title. He also claimed the NBA's three-point field goal percentage crown with a mark of .453 on 63-for-139 shooting.^[3]

In 1994, he emerged as more of a leader in the wake of Michael Jordan's abrupt retirement, placing third on the team in scoring. He was voted a starter in the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, finished second in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at .444 while leading the team to a 55–27 record and a second-round exit from the playoffs.

Armstrong finished third in scoring again in 1995 as the Bulls posted a 47–35 record, and with Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoč, led the team to the second round again.

Golden State Warriors

Armstrong was the first player chosen in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft (via Toronto Raptors) but refused to report. He played for the Golden State Warriors in 1996 and in 1997.

Charlotte Hornets

Four games into the 1998 season, he was acquired by the Charlotte Hornets, playing 62 games that year. He also played 10 games for the Hornets in the 1999 season before being signed by the Orlando Magic in March of that year.

Orlando Magic

Armstrong was signed by the Orlando Magic in March of the 1998-1999 NBA season.

Return to Chicago

On August 30, 1999, he was again signed by the Bulls and played the 1999–2000 season and retired at the end of the season, ending it with the team that drafted him and he spent much of his playing career with.

Later endeavors

Armstrong stepped into Chicago's front office as a special assistant to Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause. Having replaced Paxson as the Bulls' starting point guard years before, Armstrong was himself replaced by Paxson as hire to the GM job in Chicago when Krause resigned in 2003. Armstrong remained with the organization as a scout for a couple of seasons, leaving in 2005.

Armstrong served as a basketball analyst for ESPN's NBA Fast Break series. Since 2006 he has also been employed by Wasserman Media Group, a sports marketing and representation group out of Los Angeles, California representing professional athletes and entertainers. He currently serves as an agent for Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who was the first player selected in the 2008 NBA draft. He also serves an agent for Warriors forward Draymond Green.

References

External links

NBA Player Agent, Wasserman Media Group BJArmstrong10.com
Career statistics databasebasketball.com
NBA Profile NBA.com
Catholic High School Hall of Fame Info aodonline.org
Interview with B. J. Armstrong SportsAgentBlog.com

Links to related articles

United States squad – 1987 Summer Universiade – Silver medal

Armstrong Bryant Bullard Elliott Ferry King Leckner Lewis McDonald Richmond Taylor Wilson Coach: Krzyzewski

1989 NBA Draft

First round	Pervis Ellison Danny Ferry Sean Elliott Glen Rice J. R. Reid Stacey King George McCloud Randy White Tom Hammonds Pooh Richardson Nick Anderson Mookie Blaylock Michael Smith Tim Hardaway Todd Lichti Dana Barros Shawn Kemp B. J. Armstrong Kenny Payne Jeff Sanders Blue Edwards Byron Irvin Roy Marble Anthony Cook John Morton Vlade Divac Kenny Battle

Second round	Sherman Douglas Dyron Nix Frank Kornet Jeff Martin Stanley Brundy Jay Edwards Gary Leonard Pat Durham Clifford Robinson Michael Ansley Doug West Ed Horton Dino Rađa Doug Roth Michael Cutright Chucky Brown Reggie Cross Scott Haffner Ricky Blanton Reggie Turner Junie Lewis Haywoode Workman Brian Quinnett Mike Morrison Greg Grant Jeff Hodge Toney Mack

Chicago Bulls 1990–91 NBA Champions

2 Dennis Hopson 5 John Paxson 10 B. J. Armstrong 14 Craig Hodges 23 Michael Jordan (Finals MVP) 24 Bill Cartwright 32 Will Perdue 33 Scottie Pippen 34 Stacey King 42 Scott Williams 53 Cliff Levingston 54 Horace Grant Head coach Phil Jackson Assistant coaches Tex Winter Johnny Bach Jim Cleamons

Regular season Playoffs

Chicago Bulls 1991–92 NBA Champions

5 John Paxson 10 B. J. Armstrong 14 Craig Hodges 20 Bob Hansen 21 Stacey King 23 Michael Jordan (Finals MVP) 24 Bill Cartwright 32 Will Perdue 33 Scottie Pippen 42 Scott Williams 53 Cliff Levingston 54 Horace Grant Head coach Phil Jackson Assistant coaches Tex Winter Johnny Bach Jim Cleamons

Regular season Playoffs

Chicago Bulls 1992–93 NBA Champions

5 John Paxson 6 Trent Tucker 10 B. J. Armstrong 12 Corey Williams 20 Darrell Walker 21 Stacey King 22 Rodney McCray 23 Michael Jordan (Finals MVP) 24 Bill Cartwright 32 Will Perdue 33 Scottie Pippen 42 Scott Williams 54 Horace Grant 55 Ed Nealy Head coach Phil Jackson Assistant coaches Tex Winter Johnny Bach Jim Cleamons

Regular season Playoffs

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