James M. O'Brien (born November 7, 1951) is an American former professional basketball player.[1] O'Brien played college basketball at the University of Maryland and at the time he left Maryland he was the team's 6th all-time leading scorer.[2] O'Brien was selected in both the 1973 ABA draft and 1973 NBA draft.[1][3] The Indiana Pacers, then of the ABA, selected him in the third round,[3] while the Cleveland Cavaliers chose him in NBA's third draft round as well.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1951 Falls Church, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | J. E. B. Stuart (Falls Church, Virginia) |
| College | Maryland (1970–1973) |
| NBA draft | 1973: 3rd round, 37th overall pick |
| Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| Playing career | 1973–1975 |
| Position | Small forward, guard |
| Number | 44, 15 |
| Career history | |
| 1974 | New York Nets |
| 1974–1975 | Memphis Sounds |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
The New York Nets acquired O'Brien's ABA rights from Indiana in June 1973 and signed him to a one-year guaranteed contract for $100,000.[2][4][5] He was cut by the Nets in training camp as Nets' coach Kevin Loughery felt he was too heavy and too slow.[5] He played semi-pro ball for Trenton in the Eastern League for a few months while getting paid by and practicing with the Nets.[4] He was brought back to the Nets in January 1974 while a few Nets' players were injured and Loughery stated at the time that O'Brien was in much better condition than he was during training camp.[4] He won the ABA championship in 1973–74 with the Nets.[1] During the 1974 playoffs he only played in 4 games for a total of less than 10 minutes.[1] In the finals he only played in 1 game for 3 minutes but scored 8 points in that short time.[6]
The Nets cut O'Brien during 1974 training camp and he was signed by the Memphis Sounds.[7] O'Brien said of being cut by the Nets that:
I had the feeling I was going to be cut in camp. I thought it was between Al Skinner and me but when Ed Manning arrived and got the playing time I knew I was gone. I didn't panic though. I thought there was a place for me and I am very happy here in Memphis. I'm getting the playing time and I don't care if it's at guard or forward.[8]
The Sounds folded after the 1974-75 season and O'Brien signed with the Cavaliers of the NBA, despite having an option year left on his ABA contract.[9][10] O'Brien was waived by the Cavaliers before the 1975-76 season started.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Jim O'Brien NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ a b "Nets Sign Jim O'Brien". The Ithaca Journal. June 16, 1973. p. 15. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "1973 ABA Draft". The Draft Review. 6 June 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ a b c Smith, Doug (February 1, 1974). "Nets Finally Giving O'Brien Active Duty". Newsday. p. 109. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Smith, Doug (May 4, 1974). "His Attribute Is His Attitude". Newsday. p. 31. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Utah Stars at New York Nets Box Score, May 4, 1974". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
- ^ "Memphis Sounds acquire O'Brien". The Central New Jersey Home News. November 8, 1974. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ O'Day, Joe (December 31, 1974). "Sounds Muffled by Net Balance, 128-119". Daily News. pp. 38, 44. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Player losses reduce quality of already weak Hustlers' roster". Baltimore Sun. August 29, 1975. p. C7. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cavaliers sign O'Brien, 2 others". The Daily Reporter. August 16, 1975. p. C-1. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Three Cut by Cavs". The Daily Times. October 20, 1975. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-03-03 – via newspapers.com.