Heart and Hustle leader Darrell Armstrong is born
Darrell Armstrong brought a dose of Magic to Orlando.
Armstrong, a point guard who was undrafted after his college career at Fayetteville State, joined the Magic as a free agent late in the 1994–95 season.
He was born on this date in 1968 and became a invaluable contributor for the Magic franchise. During his nine years in Orlando, the team never posted a losing record, making the postseason seven times.
Armstrong won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1999, becoming the first player in NBA history to win both awards simultaneously.
Arguably his greatest feat was serving as team captain for the 1999-00 Magic squad of filled with castoffs to an unlikely 41-41 finish that helped rookie Doc Rivers earn NBA Coach of the Year honors. Armstrong averaged 16.2 points per game for the Heart and Hustle squad.
“This means the world,” said Armstrong, who was overcome with emotion and tears throughout his induction into the Magic Hall of Fame in February. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you I wasn’t waiting on this call. I was waiting on this call, but I knew there would be people before me. From Nick Anderson, to Shaq who took [the Magic] to a championship [round], to Penny, who took them to a championship [round], to T-Mac and myself — that’s amazing to me, especially being that I was undrafted, and all of those guys were drafted. I’ve just always been proud and honored to represent
Magic.”
Armstrong has been an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks since 2009.
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