B. J. Armstrong

Infobox NBAretired


width=
caption=
position=Point Guard
height_ft=6 |height_in=2
weight_lbs=175
number=10, 11, 2
birthdate=birth date and age|1967|9|9
Detroit, Michigan
debutyear=1989
finalyear=2000
draftyear=1989
draftround=1
draftpick=18
college=University of Iowa
teams=
* Chicago Bulls (1989-1995, 1999-2000)
* Golden State Warriors (1995-1997)
* Charlotte Hornets (1997-1999)
* Orlando Magic (1999)
stat1label=Points
stat1value=7,319
stat2label=Rebound
stat2value=1,321
stat3label=Assists
stat3value=2,479
stat4label=Steals
stat4value=533
highlights=
* 3x NBA Champion (1991, 1992, 1993)
* 1x NBA All-Star (1994)
HOF=

Benjamin Roy "B.J." Armstrong, Jr. (born September 9 1967 in Detroit, Michigan) is a retired American professional basketball player. As a starting point guard, he was an integral part of the NBA's Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s.

B.J. Armstrong attended Birmingham Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. He graduated in 1985.

B. J. Armstrong had an illustrious career at the University of Iowa as the Hawkeyes' all-time leader in assists with 517. He also ranked third 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.

Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft [ [http://www.nba.com/bulls/history/alltime_transactions.html CHICAGO BULLS: Transaction History] ] , the 6'2" (1.88 m) Armstrong helped the team return to the Eastern Conference Finals after compiling a 55-27 regular season win-loss total in 1989-90. [ [http://www.nba.com/bulls/history/Chicago_Bulls_History-24393-42.html NBA.com - Chicago Bulls History] ]

The following season 1990-91 he helped them win their first NBA title against the Los Angeles Lakers after winning 61 regular season games. In 1991-92 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 1992-93 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. [ [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/bj_armstrong/bio.html B.J. ARMSTRONG - NBA.COM PLAYER BIO] ]

In 1993-94 he emerged as more of a leader in the wake of Michael Jordan's 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 1994-95 as the Bulls posted a 47-35 record, and with Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc, led the team to the second round again.

Armstrong was the first player chosen in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft (via Toronto Raptors) and played for the Golden State Warriors in the 1995-96 and also the 1996-97. Four games into the 1997-98 season, he was acquired by the Charlotte Hornets, playing 62 games that year. He also played 10 games for the Hornets in the 1998-99 season before being signed by the Orlando Magic in March of that year.

On August 30, 1999 he was again signed by the Bulls and played the 1999-2000 season.

He retired at the end of his 11th pro season and 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.

He was employed by ESPN as a basketball analyst in recent years for the 'NBA Fast Break' television series. Since 2006 he has also been employed by a sports marketing and representation group out of Los Angeles, California representing professional athletes and other entertainers.

Armstrong attended high school at Birmingham Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where his jersey can be found on display.

Trivia

*He is the agent for the #1 Draft Pick, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
*He is the last Chicago Bull to wear the number 10 jersey. The jersey was retired in honor of Bob Love after Armstrong left the team after the 1994-1995 season.
*Had a consecutive games played total of 577 until late in the 1996-1997 season, third-longest in the NBA.
*He is the first player in the history of the Toronto Raptors (expansion draft 1996)

Transactions

*Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round (18th pick overall) of the 1989 NBA Draft.
*Selected by the Toronto Raptors (first pick overall) in the NBA expansion draft on 6/24/95.
*Traded by the Raptors to the Golden State Warriors for Victor Alexander, Carlos Rogers and the draft rights to Martin Lewis, Michael McDonald and Dwayne Whitfield on 9/18/95.
*Traded by the Warriors to the Charlotte Hornets for Muggsy Bogues and Tony Delk on 11/7/97.
*Traded by the Hornets with Glen Rice and J.R. Reid to the Los Angeles Lakers for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell on 3/10/99.
*Waived by the Lakers on 3/10/99.
*Signed as a free agent by the Orlando Magic on 3/14/99.
*Signed as a free agent by the Chicago Bulls on 8/30/99.

References

External links

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ARMSTBJ01 Career statistics] databasebasketball.com
* [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/bj_armstrong/index.html NBA Profile] NBA.com
* [http://www.aodonline.org/CHSL/Hall+of+Fame+10692/Hall+of+Fame+-+Athletes+.htm#1984 Catholic High School Hall of Fame Info] aodonline.org
* [http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?page_id=1270 Interview with B. J. Armstrong] SportsAgentBlog.com