On This Date in Sports December 29, 1997: Quick Foul Out
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
Frustrated by an 11-game losing streak, Don Nelson, coach of the Dallas Mavericks, decides to play Bubba Wells for the express purposes of fouling Dennis Rodman in a game against the Chicago Bulls. Rodman was the game’s best rebounder but struggled at the free-throw line. Wells would quickly get six fouls in less than three minutes on the floor, setting a new NBA record. The strategy does not work as Dennis Rodman hits 9-of-12 free throws as the Bulls win 111-105 at the United Center.
While the Chicago Bulls were dominating the NBA in the 1990s, with six NBA Championships in eight years, the Dallas Mavericks had a decade to forget. After being swept out of the playoffs in 1990, Dallas did not reach the playoffs again until 2001. In that period, they were among the worst teams in the NBA, topping 30 wins just once. Along the way, they had four 60-loss seasons, including a two-year stretch where they won just 24 games.
After a bit of a sluggish start, the Phil Jackson led Bulls seeking a second three-peat were hitting their stride as the New Year approached with a seven-game winning streak and held a record of 19-9. The Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, were back in last place. Jim Cleamons was fired after a 4-12 start. The Mavericks won their first game for Don Nelson but went on an 11-game losing streak and held a record of 5-23 as they went into the Windy City to face the World Champions.
Despite the wide gulf in talent, the Mavericks proved quite plucky and played the first half to a 54-54 draw on a Monday night in Chicago. Hoping to keep his team in the game, Don Nelson sent Bubba Wells into hack Dennis Rodman. Wells was a rookie out of Austin Peay. He was drafted in the second round with the 34th pick. Playing just 2:43, Bubba Wells quickly fouled out. All six fouls were used to get Dennis Rodman to the free-throw line, but the enigmatic Bulls rebounder made nine of his 12 free throws blowing the strategy up. The Bulls would win the game 111-105.
Bubba Wells was seldom used in his lone NBA season. The 2:43 foul-out set a new NBA record breaking the record set Dick Farley of the Syracuse Nationals on March 12, 1956, when he fouled out after five minutes of a game against the St. Louis Hawks. Wells appeared in 39 games with Dallas in his only NBA season. He later spent years playing minor league basketball and playing overseas before spending a season with the Harlem Globetrotters. Bubba Wells has since served as an assistant coach in the NCAA.