Kevin Duckworth

Kevin Jerome Duckworth, aka The Duck (born April 1, 1964 in Harvey, Illinois) was a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association for a number of teams, but most famously for the Portland Trail Blazers. Duckworth attended Eastern Illinois University, and was drafted with the 9th pick in the 2nd round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Later that season, he was traded to Portland for disgruntled rookie Walter Berry.

Related Topics:
April 1 - 1964 - Harvey, Illinois - Basketball - National Basketball Association - Portland Trail Blazers - Eastern Illinois University - 1986 NBA Draft - San Antonio Spurs - Walter Berry

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His rookie season was unspectacular, as Duckworth came of the bench to back up Trail Blazers center Steve Johnson (who in turn got the starting center position when Sam Bowie suffered a broken leg). However, the next season Johnson went down with an injury (in addition; Bowie broke his leg again at the beginning of the season), and Duckworth was pushed into the starting role. Duckworth responded, averaging around 14 points and 7 rebounds per game, sufficient to land him the NBA Most Improved Player award. The following season, Duckworth improved his averages to 18PPG and 8RPG, and was named to the Western Conference All-Star team. After the 88-89 campaign, Vowie was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Buck Williams, Johnson was left unprotected in the expansion draft, and Duckworth thus has the starting center job full-time.

Related Topics:
Steve Johnson - Sam Bowie - NBA Most Improved Player - New Jersey Nets - Buck Williams

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The 1990 and 1991 campaigns were also successful for Duckworth and the Blazers. Although 88-89 was statistically Duckworth's best season; the team enjoyed greater success the in the following years; advancing to the NBA Finals in 1990, and posting a 63-19 record in the 1990-1991 season. The presence of Williams as the starting power forward allowed Duckworth to concentrate on his offensive game. In 1991; Duckworth was also selected as an All-Star.

Related Topics:
NBA Finals - 1990 - 1991

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Duckworth's production began to slip in the 1991-1992 campaign, as his physical conditioning (a problem which dogged him for his entire career--even in his most productive seasons he carried quite a bit of weight) deteriorated somewhat. Duckworth was outplayed in the 1992 NBA Finals, and was even less productive in the following season (in which the Blazers failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs). At the end of the 92-93 season, Duckworth was traded to the Washington Bullets for forward Harvey Grant.

Related Topics:
1992 - Washington Bullets - Harvey Grant

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Duckworth played 4 more seasons in the NBA--two for the Bullets, one for the Milwaukee Bucks (though he missed most of the year due to injury), and one for the Los Angeles Clippers. He retired from professional basketball after the 96-97 season.

Related Topics:
Milwaukee Bucks - Los Angeles Clippers

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As of 2005, Duckworth maintains a home in the Portland area.

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - Portland

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