We would go to the Third Street Promenade, and people would say, Hey, how are you doing, Norm? Or talk to my step-mom like they knew them, and I was just so confusedlike, Do you owe all these people money? Big, Stormin' Norman, The Storm, Savoir Faire, Sav, Mr. May are nicknames for Norm Nixon. Early life. A biological sister is Elaine Nixon Blash, Before they were married, both Nixon and Allen appeared in the 1979 film The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, which also featured NBA stars Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[27]. [2] He was senior class president and named as the starting guard on the Georgia All-State team for 1973. On her final year of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance, Nixon was cast as Kalimba in the Broadway production of Hot Feet, the classic storyline of The Red Shoes with a '70s funk facelift, and Kalimba is the ambitious girl at the center of it who can't stop dancing (literally). [12], In the 1978 (Seattle SuperSonics), 1979 (Seattle), and 1981 (Houston Rockets) playoffs, the Lakers were eliminated by the eventual Western Conference champion. Norm Nixon was born the third of three sons to Mary Jo and Elmer Nixon, in Macon, Georgia. Duquesne and coach (John) Cinicola gave me an opportunity to play basketball and get a good education., A post shared by Debbie Allen (@therealdebbieallen). After playing four seasons with Duquesne University, Pennsylvania, Norm was part of the 1977 NBA draft and was the 22nd overall pick by the Lakers. What is Norm Nixon doing now? $1 Million - $5 Million. Duquesne University Men's Basketball History: Zeigler, Mark. How would you say this project has not only deepened your understanding of that era but also strengthened the relationship that you have with your father? Join our linker program. They did such a great job. Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau remain linked. Emmys FYC Season Is Well Underway; How Would a WGA Strike Impact It? What I love about this character is Ive played thugs and things like that before, [but] this was the first time I was like [to the producers], Can I do this? Theyre like, Yeah, dont hold back. [1], In college Nixon played four full seasons of basketball at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We present them here for purely educational purposes. You should play your dad. I read it, I was like, , ? [, ] Man, Im just giving you all the juice! While there, he averaged 17.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, scoring 1,805 points and adding 577 assists in 104 games for his career with the Duquesne Dukes. Post-retirement, Norm explored several avenues. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [. ] "Hawks' No. Norm was instrumental in the Lakers winning the title in 1980 and 1982, beating the Philadelphia 76ers. What can you preview about your character, Kane Hamilton, and how he fits into the world of Snowfall with Franklin (Damson Idris) and Kevin (Malcolm Mays)? I think its always cool for people to not know and just enjoy the story, and then they can go back, because you look at all stories that are based on real thingseverythings not true unless that persons writing an autobiography about themselves. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. During his time there, Norm averaged 13.7 points during his rookie season, vastly improving his stats in the following few years. I took one of his vintage Clipper thingsIm sure hes looking for it, he knows where it is now. What are some of your fondest memories of working with her? WebNorm Nixon is a retired basketball player from the United States. [Laughs.]. Shoots: But if somebody else is telling the story, people embellish, stretch things. Maxwell asked him directly whether or not the 1-on-1 between him and Johnson actually happened. I couldnt be more thrilled, man. But after working as a print model for Mervyns and JCPenney and appearing in James Camerons Terminator 2, Nixon decided to step away from the entertainment industry to pursue other opportunities. He has been married to Debbie Allen since April 27, 1984. WebNorm Nixon Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Los Angeles Lakers Guard Norm Nixon Wow!. But if somebody else is telling the story, people embellish, stretch things. Nixon, who was drafted by the Lakers in 1977, was the incumbent starting point guard when the franchise decided to select Magic Johnson with the No. All-Star guard more than footnote in 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty', "The Extra Pass: Talking "Showtime" Lakers with author Jeff Pearlman", "If the Lakers had a Ring of Honor for second-tier greats, who would get in? And I just worked out in it. I just saw my dad on television and I was like, Oh, thats a regular job. I definitely turned it up a notch. What are Norm Nixon, Mitch Kupchak, Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes and Magic Johnson doing in a classroom with Laker Coach Paul Westhead? We have the premiere tonight, and I asked him, Do you wanna come? And he was like, Ill just watch it with you on Sunday by ourselves. Hes not really into interviews and media, even though hes a television sportscaster and has to be on TV all the time. I was hearing through the grapevine that HBO was gonna make a website so that people can fact check [some details]. Confirm that your trade proposal is valid according to the NBA collective bargaining agreement. My secret was intermittent fasting. Nobodys gonna take me seriously! Hes entertaining people. I didnt understand the concept of celebrity. I couldnt be more thrilled, man. He was about 162, 163; I was about 187, pushing 190. Nixon also played the trumpet and was on the yearbook staff. He continued to play in games one and two despite a separated shoulder. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Both are established actors, so perhaps it was only natural that theyd be the frontrunners for the gig. Norm Nixon | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA.com You also famously worked with Whitney Houston on The Bodyguard. [. ] Hes like a school teacher. Yeah, I kind of know whats real and whats not. I weighed 188-pounds going into this, and I now weigh around 160 pounds, he says. He was on the track team, where he ran the 440 yard dash, and won a regional title in the high jump at 6 feet, 5 inches. Not only because of their overlapping histories, but because of their shared approaches. But DeVaughn says the physical aspect of it was a challenge: I had to drop 30 pounds and had to get shredded, he says. And regardless of the stigma behind their relationship, they were always sweet and kind, and I loved them deeply, and I know how deep their love went. Norm Nixon averaged 15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Select the second team from the drop down menu. Subsequently, he was hired by Fox Sports West to take over Jack Haley's position as studio color analyst for all Lakers home games. Absolutely, it can work there, Nixon told ClutchPoints. Theres obviously a certain level of physicality required, but I always think the best sports stories have a really emotional hook. She performed on the European tour of West Side Story and Harriet. [Laughs.] DeVaughn Nixon: Yeah. I would go in his closetwell, I actually took a couple of things that he doesnt know about either, but now he knows. [Laughs.]. I honestly started the biggest snowball fightlike 100, 200 people. I think it was right before I almost died on the boat, and shes singing Jesus Loves Me, and her sister walks out. In my era, with so much segregation, a way to get out of the neighborhood was through the military or an athletic scholarship. WebBut in order to play Norm authentically, the loving son would have to get into the best shape of his life. Former point guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers from 1977 to 1989; selected to 2 NBA All-Star games and won a pair of NBA Championships with the Lakers in the early 1980s. Norm Nixon was born in Macon on Tuesday, October 11, 1955 (Baby Boomers Generation). He is 67 years old and is a Libra. In a recent interview, Norm talked about how important the sport was to him, saying, Basketball is more than a game to me. [, What I love about this character is Ive played thugs and things like that before, [but] this was the first time I was like [to the producers], Can I do this? Theyre like, Yeah, dont hold back. Who were your best friends on the team? Because when you have a best friend, you talk to them differently rather than somebody whos just an acquaintance. Later, Norm founded Nixon and Associates and became a sports and entertainment agent. I think its always cool for people to not know and just enjoy the story, and then they can go back, because you look at all stories that are based on real thingseverythings not true unless that persons writing an autobiography about themselves. They literally thought I walked off the street, came in and auditioned, and I was my dads son and happened to look like him. But his next role is his most personal: In Winning Time, the new HBO sports drama that is based on Jeff Pearlmans nonfiction book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, Nixon has stepped into the shoes of his father, Norm, in a rare case of art imitating life. I handled basketball in a more businesslike manner. Norm was traded to the San Diego Clippers (now Los Angeles Clippers) at the start of the 1983 season. Since then, Nixon has appeared in Sonny With a Chance, Marvels Runaways and NCIS. Yeah, thats exactly right, man. In 2015, she began appearing as Dr. Hannah Brody in the ABC medical drama series, Grey's Anatomy. Norm and Debbie also set up the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a dance company that produces musicals; he serves as the firms Chief Financial Officer. 10", "Who is Norm Nixon? The next season (197980), he led the league in minutes played (3,226), minutes-per-game (39.3), and was third in assists with 642. home/away, monthly, etc More Norm Nixon Basketball Reference pages. I took a break [from acting] because I was like, Man, am I really gonna make it? I had the privilege of meeting Tom Hanks one time, and I was like, What kind of advice do you have? And he was like, Just never give up. Being an actor, theres 100 Nos before theres a Yes, and psychologically, it messes with you. He admits it was a little surreal to be auditioning opposite his brother, but I wouldnt want anybody else playing my dad except for one of us., Nailing his dads mannerisms, voice and cadence was easy. He served one season as radio commentator for the Clippers (200405), and was an analyst for KABC-TV's NBA post-game shows during the mid-2000s. In 1979, Nixon was featured in the sports film, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, where he met actress Debbie Allen, whom he later married in 1984. Thats the way he is, man. And its really funnymy mom actually got married up there on the set of. DeVaughn Nixon on Portraying Laker Dad, Remembers Costar Whitney Houston | PEOPLE.com "It's the biggest layup I've ever gotten in my entire life," DeVaughn Nixon tells PEOPLE of playing his father Norm Nixon in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Once I stepped into the clothes that our great costume designer provided for all of us, I think I had the best stuff. Vivian Nichole Nixon (born May 31, 1984) is an American actress and dancer. This era of basketball history is so revered in pop culture. I tried to mimic how he shot a basketball. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is a drama series premiering on HBO created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht. "Nixon fondly remembers Duquesne". He worked alongside studio host Bill McDonald during pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage. , Broussard, Chris. I was like, Yo, this is really what they went through? We have the premiere tonight, and I asked him, Do you wanna come? And he was like, Ill just watch it with you on Sunday by ourselves. Hes not really into interviews and media, even though hes a television sportscaster and has to be on TV all the time. All rights reserved. They literally thought I walked off the street, came in and auditioned, and I was my dads son and happened to look like him. He won two NBA championships with the Lakers in 1980 and 1982, at the beginning of their Showtime era. The Lakers got the ball and Nixon made a field goal to tie the game, where they prevailed in overtime. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. The last three seconds of the game were later replayed in April 1983. If Im like, Yo, man, give your money! Theyre like, No, dude.