The Nate Archibald Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Friday, November 6th, 2004
You
reached the NBA Promised Land one series later, defeating Moses Malone and
the Houston Rockets for the 1981 NBA championship. What was it like to
finally win basketball’s ultimate prize, and do you think you appreciated it
more after having been through so much?
It was like
Christmas. There are probably a lot of guys who’ve had a much better career
than myself, guys who haven’t won a championship. You look at players like
Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing and you feel for them, and at the same
time you realize how lucky you were to win it all. I was fortunate and
lucky to get to play early on, and to learn how the game was supposed to be
played. I was able to persevere through the injuries and keep learning the
game. I was just thankful to be a part of that team, and to have the ball
in my hands. Everything that Cooz talked to me about as a rookie ended up
coming true. I was the quarterback on a championship team. I accepted my
role and I did the things that made my teammates better, and we were able to
run the table.
You have
been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and have
been recognized as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players. What do these
honors mean to you?
They are
the ultimate honors. Red and Cooz were right there at my induction
ceremony, and just having them as a part of it made me relax. I was able to
take the podium and speak about my career. I had been so nervous
beforehand, but they helped me keep it together. Afterwards they told me
that I stole the show, and that I’d talked about everything.
In 1993,
you were honored for your work with New York City’s youth by then-Mayor
David Dinkins. You’ve always gone back home – coaching clinics, donating
equipment, giving your time. How have these experiences enriched your life,
and how have they impacted the lives of others?
I love
teaching. When I look at my childhood, I realize how important it was to
have safe havens to keep kids away from drugs and gangs. Activities such as
basketball are so important in that regard. League play teaches kids the
importance of sportsmanship and discipline, things that I learned early on
because of the people who donated their time and energy to make a
difference. And education stands out above all. It’s the foundation that
helps to keep kids from doing crazy stuff. It’s important to help these
kids understand that they lose out if they don’t have an education. That’s
why I keep going back. I want to help instill the values of sportsmanship
and education in children at the earliest age possible.
Final Question: You’ve achieved great success in your life. You are universally respected and admired by many people, both inside and outside of the NBA. If you could offer one piece of advice on life to others, what would that be?
Live life to the fullest, and remember that a rich life is not one measured by money or material possessions.
