Welcome to Throwback Thursday here on A Royal Pain! The first player we will reminisce is former guard Doug Christie! Hope you enjoy!
Welcome all Kings fans or if you’re reading this for fun to Throwback Thursday, A Royal Pain style! Within this series, we will go back and visit a certain Kings player from the past and talk about what they contributed to the team! For the first article, there was obviously a plethora of people to pick from. Vlade Divac, Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, the list goes on and on but I’m not choosing any of them for this article. Instead, I’m going with one of the best people to listen to on the radio and former Kings guard, Doug Christie! I’ll wait for a round of applause…and let’s begin!
The Player
In Seattle, Washington on May 9, 1970, Doug Christie was born and attended Pepperdine University in 1989, where he eventually became the 17th pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Fun fact, he was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), but was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and never got a chance to play with the team that drafted him. The shooting guard also played for the New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and of course, the Sacramento Kings.
The Numbers
Christie played in 827 games where he averaged 31.5 minutes per game.
Career Averages: 11.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 43% FGP, 35% 3P, 82% FT
Career Totals: 9,301 points, 3,382 rebounds, 2,992 assists, 1,555 steals
Christie was a very durable athlete and here’s proof:
00-01 season with Sacramento: 81 games played, 81 games started
01-02 season with Sacramento: 81 games played, 81 games started
02-03 season with Sacramento: 80 games played, 80 games started
03-04 season with Sacramento: 82 games played, 82 games started
And when he returned to Sacramento in the 04-05 season, he played 31 games and started all 31. It doesn’t get much durable than that!
When you take a look back, you realize that Christie was the perfect definition of a 3-and-D player. He could hit the three at a consistent level while his 6’6″ height allowed him to be a solid defender at the two-guard position. What current Kings player reminds you of him? For me, he reminds me of Garrett Temple!
""
Awards
Do you want more proof that Christie was an impactful defensive player? Well, here ya go!
2000-01: All-Defensive Second Team
2001-02: All-Defensive Second Team
2002-03: All-Defensive First Team
2003-04: All-Defensive Second Team
The Wrap-Up
Doug Christie is the prime example of a 3-and-D player, a type of player that is so vital in today’s league. Kings fans were able to witness Christie on the court and now have the opportunity to listen to him on the radio with Grant Napier!
So, folks, that concludes the first article on the “Throwback Thursday” series! If there is anyone you may want to revisit, let me know through social media or the comment section!
Here’s to hope that we can use social media so that Doug may see this!