Muggsy Bogues believes he can fly — and you know what? He’s absolutely right. The former Charlotte Hornets point guard* is most famously known for being all of 63 inches tall, but anyone who knows anything else about Bogues knows that the man could soar among the giants.
*Bogues made stops in Golden State and Toronto at the end of his career, and he started life in the NBA in Washington, D.C., but Bogues will always be a Hornet. This is not up for debate.
#TBT I believe I can fly.... http://t.co/JJIQF1A0v3
— Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues) September 18, 2014
Full disclosure: I am an avowed Muggsy Bogues fan. I loved everything about him when he was in the league. I love his twitter account. I love when he takes pictures with Yao Ming. Growing up, the day that I finally measured over 5’3″ tall was a crowning moment — it meant that I was as tall as one of my favorite athletes, that I was as tall as an honest-to-goodness NBA player.
And while it’s not nearly as prolific or as long as a Magic Johnson mixtape, this Muggsy highlight reel has a distinctly Magic feel to it. It doesn’t hurt that Bogues gets to throw an alley-oop to Mr. Vince Carter:
For those too young to have appreciated Muggsy Bogues in his time, check out this clip from a Hardwood Classics episode of “Below the Rim”:
My favorite Muggsy memory, though, is all about the man’s tenacious defense and willingness to check anyone. Anyone!