Hip-hop group Run-DMC were one of the most famous groups of the 1980s thanks to hits like ‘Walk This Way’ - but Chris Mullin, a critical member of the Golden State Warriors’ own iconic trio Run TMC, only moved up and down the court at speed.
Mullin enjoyed a sensational career predominantly with the Warriors, securing five successive All-Star berths while he remains a memorable name in NBA folklore as he was an instrumental member of Run TMC - named after the initials of Mullin, Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway - the trio that dominated scoring in the NBA between 1989 and 1991.
Run TMC only played together for two seasons, but their popularity and fame has stood the test of the time. They helped the Warriors led the NBA in scoring in 1989/90 while they finished second in 1990/91, with all three members scoring at least 20 points in the same game 48 times, going 30-18 in those matches.
As he reflected on playing alongside Richmond and Hardaway in a dominant offensive team, Mullin rued the fact that the trio were together for such a short period of time. However, the 59-year-old still heaped praise on the star duo that joined him in the Bay Area to form an everlasting bond.
“Mitch [Richmond] joined me on the Warriors in 1988 and he was just so ready to be an NBA star - he won Rookie of the Year and averaged over 20 points per game,” Mullin exclusively told Mirror Sport. “He was ready-made and had a huge impact initially.
“Everyone in the Bay Area was so excited. Then the following year, we got Tim Hardaway - and that really put it over the top. Again, he came in day one dominating with his quickness, shot-making ability, toughness, overall game and competitive spirit. It’s unfortunate we only got to play two seasons together, but we created a lot of excitement - and 37 years later, we’re really close friends.”
Mullin spoke passionately about a period of his career that was ‘by far the most fun’ he had. He referred to the bond between the three of them due to their shared love of the sport and admitting they thrived thanks to the competitive nature of one another.
He praised the mastermind behind Run TMC - Don Nelson - even though his former head coach broke the trio up when he traded Richmond in November 1991. However, the five-time All-Star understood the move as he lamented the lack of a big man that ultimately derailed their championship hopes.
“Ironically, the way we played back then is the way the game is played now 30 years later,” Mullin added with a smile. “Don Nelson was a visionary, way ahead of his time. He did it in Milwaukee and then came here. We played almost exclusively small ball and had some upsets in the playoffs, but we always ran into trouble in the second round. Back then when there was a bunch of dominant centers, whether it be David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing - big players that would dominate offensive rebounding or just post up.”
The lack of a dominant front court presence perhaps explains why Mullin overlooked Steph Curry when asked which all-time Warriors player he would add to Run TMC, going instead for Wilt Chamberlain - “I think he’d be the perfect fit.”
Fast forward to the present day, and Mullin is in an exclusive group of players to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame on two occasions. Mullin is immortalised thanks to his own accomplishments and career, but also as a member of the Dream Team - the USA’s Olympic basketball team that won the 1992 Barcelona Games and is widely considered the greatest team ever assembled.
Many figures credit the Dream Team and the 1992 Olympics for the explosion in basketball popularity on an international scale - and Mullin was a member of the iconic USA team that stormed to gold. When he looks back on his career, Mullin is proud of the fact his name is among such greats as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on the iconic team.
“It was a blessing to be a part of the Dream Team,” Mullin declared. “It was a truly amazing experience thanks to very fortunate timing’ the timing worked out perfect for me, as I was playing at a very high level at that point in time. All of a sudden NBA players were eligible to play in the Olympics. I had participated with USA basketball throughout college and at the 1984 Games, so I understood how the international game worked.
“It was an amazing experience playing with those legendary players, a lot of whom I looked up to and others I came through college and entered the NBA alongside. To have that success together with all the star players performing as a team was very satisfying. We set a high standard in how to play the game.
“Obviously, we had incredible individual talent but I thought we played great team basketball and conducted ourselves well off the court.”
Watch the Golden State Warriors take on the Minnesota Timberwolves live on Sky Sports Arena and NBA League Pass on Sunday at 8:30pm U.K. time as part of the NBA’s ‘NBA Sundays presented by NBA2K23’ Primetime initiative.
