Ricky Blanton was a throwback, spending five years in college at LSU. He even averaged over 20 points and eight rebounds per game during his senior season. He impressed enough that he was drafted in the second round by the Phoenix Suns in 1989. Fun fact, that draft pick originally belonged to the Chicago Bulls but was traded along with Ed Nealy for Craig Hodges. He didn't make the Suns, but he kept on grinding.
He was brought on during the 1992 preseason by the Chicago Bulls, but he failed to make the team. Still, he kept sharp with the Wichita Falls Texans. I checked, and yes, Wichita Falls is in Texas. It paid off for him in February of 1993 when the Chicago Bulls signed him to a 10-day contract.
Blanton made those 10 days count as he got in two games, threw up seven shots, hitting three of them for a total of six points. He also managed three rebounds, an assist, and not one but two steals in his limited time. The Bulls won both games by 18 points, tying him for the greatest winning percentage of any player in NBA history.
Unfortunately, the Bulls hubris got the best of them, and they did not renew his contract. The Bulls would go on to lose games during that season, but they did still manage to win their third title in as many years.
Ricky was the ultimate victory cigar. That's why I call him Ricktory Blunton.
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