Hall Of Famer Nate 'Tiny' Archibald hasn't felt this good since leading the Boston Celtics to the NBA Championship 19 years ago. For Archibald, 51, it's the beginning of a new era - both for himself and for the Asian Basketball Association league. Archibald, the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season, has settled in nicely to his new role as head coach of the NBA Ambassadors, the NBA's developmental league's entry in the 2000 Asian Basketball Association league, which tips off today in China, Taipei and Hong Kong. Tonight's action includes a match between the Ambassadors and the Chinese-Taipei Basketball Association All-Star team in Taipei. The Ambassadors are one of six teams competing in a six-week competition against teams from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. 'I feel excited. We anxiously want to play. I am eager for my team to play. Let's get started!,' said Archibald, one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. Archibald's team have both youth and experience on their side and include several players who have played in the NBA, including 27-year-old centre Shawnelle Scott, who once played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Other members include 25-year-old Mike Jones and Muntrelle Dobbins plus former Regal Hong Kong star Wayman Strickland. Jones, Dobbins and Strickland used to play for the Shanghai Sharks in the Hilton Chinese professional league in China. 'Sure, there's a lot of talent in our team, but no, I don't think we are going to outplay everybody. We have never looked at it that way. We feel the league is going to be competitive. We want to share our experience both on and off the court,' said Archibald. The NBA legend will share coaching duties with another former NBA star, Tony Campbell, who had a solid 11-year professional career that included three seasons as leading scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves. 'Tony played just after I retired from the game but we have built up an understanding and we have come to respect one another,' said Archibald. Starting his career with the Cincinnati Royals and ending with the Bucks, Archibald has had an illustrious 14-year NBA career. He gained the nickname 'Tiny' because at six-foot-one, he was considered too small among the land of giants in the NBA.
