Paul Pressey
Encyclopedia
Paul Matthew Pressey is an American former professional basketball
player. Pressey is widely, though unofficially, credited with being the originator of the point forward
position, combining the attributes of a point guard
and forward
. While playing small forward for the Milwaukee Bucks
in the 1980s, Pressey took on many of the ball handling duties, even leading the team in assists for five straight years. He participated in the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing in 6th place out of 8.
Pressey, along with John Johnson
, served as a model for later players taking on the point forward role.
In 1992-93 he came out of retirement while an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors
to help the team deal with many injuries to other players. He played 18 games before getting injured too.
His daughter attended the University of California, Berkeley
and was a member of the Golden Bear volleyball squad that was a semifinalist at the women's 2007 NCAA Final Four
. His sons play basketball at the University of Missouri
, playing for his Tulsa
teammate Mike Anderson.
In 2010, Pressey became an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers
.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Pressey is widely, though unofficially, credited with being the originator of the point forward
Point forward
Point forward is an unofficial playing position in basketball for those who share the attributes of both a point guard and a forward.A point forward is usually described as a forward who possesses the ball handling skills and court vision to bring the ball up the court and to initiate the team's...
position, combining the attributes of a point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
and forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
. While playing small forward for the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in the 1980s, Pressey took on many of the ball handling duties, even leading the team in assists for five straight years. He participated in the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing in 6th place out of 8.
Pressey, along with John Johnson
John Johnson (basketball)
John Howard Getty "J.J." Johnson is a former American basketball player.Johnson was a 6’7” small forward who played high school basketball at Messmer High School, and collegiately for Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming and for the University of Iowa...
, served as a model for later players taking on the point forward role.
In 1992-93 he came out of retirement while an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
to help the team deal with many injuries to other players. He played 18 games before getting injured too.
His daughter attended the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and was a member of the Golden Bear volleyball squad that was a semifinalist at the women's 2007 NCAA Final Four
2007 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament
The 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament began on November 29, 2007 with 64 teams and concluded on December 15, 2007 when Penn State defeated Stanford 3 games to 2 in Sacramento, California for the program's second NCAA title....
. His sons play basketball at the University of Missouri
Missouri Tigers men's basketball
The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011. The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games at...
, playing for his Tulsa
Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball
The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball team represents the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team participates in Conference USA. The men’s team is currently coached by Doug Wojcik....
teammate Mike Anderson.
In 2010, Pressey became an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
.
External links
- Player profile @ tulsahurricane.cstv.com
- College & NBA statistics @ basketball-reference.com
- Coach file @ nba.com