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Lore & Background

Armstrong's path to the NBA was unconventional. After being undrafted in 1991, he honed his skills in minor leagues like the USBL and CBA, and internationally with Pezoporikos Larnaca in Cyprus and Coren Ourense in Spain. He signed with Orlando as a free agent in late 1994, making an immediate splash with a spectacular one-handed reverse windmill dunk against the Indiana Pacers in his second game. A defining moment occurred during a 1999 game against the Philadelphia 76ers, where Armstrong stole an inbounds pass and streaked for a game-winning layup as time expired, cementing his role as the team's starting point guard. His career year followed in 1999–00, averaging 16.2 points per game.

In Their Own Story

Armstrong's journey with the Dallas Mavericks began in December 2004 when he was traded from the New Orleans Hornets for Dan Dickau and a second-round pick. While with the team, he became known for his local fandom; on December 19, 2005, he was fined $1,000 for grabbing a microphone before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves to yell, "How 'bout those Redskins!" after his hometown Washington Redskins routed the Dallas Cowboys. His playing tenure with Dallas concluded in July 2006 when he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Anthony Johnson, just after appearing in the NBA Finals. Armstrong returned to Dallas as an assistant coach on January 26, 2009, focusing on player development. This role culminated in his first NBA championship with the Mavericks in 2011.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking for Darrell Armstrong's contributions can trace a clear timeline of specific achievements and dates. His playing career spans from his USBL debut in 1991 to his final NBA game in 2008 with the New Jersey Nets, where he averaged 2.5 points per game. Key statistical milestones include a career-high 16 assists and 22 points recorded on February 14, 2001, against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the minor leagues, he was a three-time USBL All-Defensive team selection (1992–1994) and a ULEB All-Star in 1994. For those interested in his coaching legacy, his appointment on January 26, 2009, led directly to the 2011 title. Despite his short stature, Armstrong was a dunker, though he famously finished last in the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest after an accidental reverse layup deemed the worst in contest history by Kenny Smith.

Did You Know?

• Darrell Armstrong was a walk-on placekicker and wide receiver for Fayetteville State University before focusing on basketball.
• He became the first player in NBA history to win both the Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year awards in the same season (1999).
• Before his NBA career, Armstrong averaged 32.0 points per game while playing for Pezoporikos Larnaca in Cyprus.
• He was fined $1,000 in 2005 for yelling about the Redskins into a microphone at an American Airlines Center game.
• Armstrong accidentally performed what Kenny Smith called the worst dunk in history during the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest.