While the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 110-95 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Monday night, veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton scored 22 points and in the process became just the 120th player in NBA history to reach the 15,000 point mark over a career. Hamilton is now one of 20 active players that have exceeded the 15,000 point plateau, and is among a list of current players that includes Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Jason Terry.
Hamilton's 15,000th point game on a fairly routine fastbreak in a career otherwise filled with sharp cuts around screens for beautiful mid-range jumpshots, but the honor did receive immediate recognition from the Bulls TV crew. He said after the game he didn't know he was so close to the honor, but did add:
"I owe it to all the great teammates I have played with over my career. All the bigs setting screens and things like that. I think I need to take them all out to eat. It's a great accomplishment. It wouldn't be possible without all the great teammates I've had."
Rip is 33 years old and in his 12th NBA season. He has been named an NBA All-Star three times -- 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- all as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Here is a look at the play that marked the milestone:
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