Dale Ellis

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13 Mar 2024

Dale Ellis

Dale Ellis, born on August 6, 1960, is a retired American professional basketball player renowned for his tenure in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ellis made significant contributions throughout his career, particularly in his proficiency in shooting three-pointers. At different junctures in his playing days, Ellis held the record for the most career 3-point field goals made, a testament to his exceptional shooting ability. His mark of 1,719 career made three-pointers ranked second in NBA history at the time of his retirement, a testament to his sharpshooting prowess and longevity in the league. Although his record was later surpassed by Reggie Miller, Ellis's impact on the game and his legacy as a prolific long-range shooter remain noteworthy.

After being selected ninth overall in the 1983 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks, Dale Ellis initially struggled to find his footing in the league. His time as a shooting guard with the Mavericks was characterized by limited playing time and benchwarming duties.
However, Ellis's fortunes took a turn for the better when he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics for Al Wood on July 23, 1986. This move proved to be a game-changer for Ellis, as his role and playing time expanded significantly with the SuperSonics. Consequently, his regular-season scoring average skyrocketed from 7.1 points per game with the Mavericks to an impressive 24.9 points per game with the SuperSonics.
Ellis made an immediate impact in his Seattle debut, scoring 23 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in a decisive 127–110 victory over the Trail Blazers. His remarkable rise with the SuperSonics did not go unnoticed, earning him the prestigious NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1987. This accolade served as a testament to Ellis's dedication, hard work, and remarkable improvement during his time with the SuperSonics.

During his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics in the late 1980s, Dale Ellis continued to shine on the basketball court. He achieved a notable feat on January 26, 1988, when he made four-point plays in a game against the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first player in NBA history to complete two four-point plays in a single game. This impressive performance highlighted Ellis's scoring prowess and ability to convert under pressure.
Ellis's scoring average reached its peak at 27.5 points per game during the 1988–89 season, marking a career high for him. In a memorable game against the Kings on January 5, 1989, Ellis poured in 49 points to lead the SuperSonics to a 120–106 victory. His remarkable scoring output that season, totaling 2,253 points, broke Spencer Haywood's franchise record of 2,251 points. Ellis's stellar performance earned him a selection to the NBA All-Star Game that same season, where he contributed 27 points for the Western Conference team.

Despite his on-court success, Ellis's time in Seattle was marked by off-court challenges and controversies. These included a drunk driving incident that resulted in hospitalization, a physical altercation with teammate Xavier McDaniel, and a bizarre altercation involving his wife and the wife of teammate Alton Lister. Despite these tumultuous moments, Ellis remained a key player for the SuperSonics.
After four and a half seasons with the SuperSonics, Ellis was traded once again, this time to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Ricky Pierce. Although he assumed a bench role with the Bucks, Ellis continued to play significant minutes and make substantial contributions to the team with his scoring ability. Following the conclusion of the 1991–92 season, Ellis was traded to the San Antonio Spurs for Tracy Murray. With the Spurs, Ellis found himself back in the starting lineup and playing slightly more minutes than during his time with the Bucks. While his production remained consistent, Ellis improved his efficiency, shooting nearly 50% from the field compared to 46% during his stint with the Bucks.

After his stints with various teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Seattle SuperSonics (for the second time), Orlando Magic (although he never played for them), Milwaukee Bucks (again), and Charlotte Hornets, Dale Ellis found himself in a reduced playing role towards the latter part of his career. Despite this, he continued to contribute whenever called upon.
Following the 1999–2000 season, Ellis was traded to the Miami Heat by the Charlotte Hornets. However, he was waived by the Heat before the start of the next season, signaling the end of his playing career in the NBA.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ellis appeared in 1,209 games and maintained impressive career averages of 15.7 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game. He boasted a remarkable .479 field goal percentage and a stellar .403 three-point field goal percentage, showcasing his scoring efficiency and long-range shooting prowess.

One of Ellis's notable achievements was setting the NBA record for most minutes played in a single game. He achieved this feat on November 9, 1989, during a marathon contest between the SuperSonics and the Bucks. Despite his incredible effort of scoring 53 points in 69 minutes of play (out of a possible 73), the SuperSonics fell short in a quintuple-overtime loss to the Bucks.
At the time of his retirement, Ellis ranked second in NBA history for career made three-pointers with 1,719, a testament to his sharpshooting ability from beyond the arc. His impact on the game of basketball, particularly as a prolific scorer and three-point shooter, remains significant in NBA history.