"When you're 6'1'', 165, and your nickname is Chibbs, you learn to do your intimidating in other ways" - Kenny Anderson on how he made it in the NBA

When talking about the 90s era of NBA basketball, there are so many good players to mention that sometimes certain names get overlooked and forgotten. Former point guard Kenny Anderson definitely falls into that category.

Nicknamed 'Mr. Chibbs', Kenny came out of the elite crop of NYC point guards into the NBA with high expecations, despite his small stature. In a 1998 edition of SLAM Magazine , Anderson shared how he found his niche at the highest level.

"When you're 6'1'', 165, and your nickname is Chibbs, you learn to do your intimidating in other ways," Anderson explained.

Promising career start in NJ

After a great collegiate career at Georgie Tech, the New Jersey Nets selected Kenny with the #2 pick in the 1991 Draft. Anderson would quickly be given a significant role as the starting point guard and prove his worth.

After an up-and-down rookie season, Anderson stepped up in his second year and became the undisputed starting point guard of the team, finishing third in the MIP race. Then, in his third campaign, Kenny would reach his apex, getting selected and starting in the All-Star game.

'Mr. Chibbs' was averaging 18.8 ppg and 9.6 apg in the 1993-94 season for a surprisingly good 45-37 Nets team. Ultimately, they would lose to the New York Knicks in the first round, but Chuck Daly's team, led by Anderson and Derrick Coleman, was showing promise with their playmaker on the rise.

Lousy exit with the Nets

Unfortunately, the Nets office let go of Coach Daly, with whom Kenny formed a great relationship. That would be the beginning of Anderson's end in New Jersey, as his play and morale slowly went down with time before ultimately refusing to re-sign there after his rookie contract.

"They offered me a lot of money, but it was about me being happy in an environment I could blossom," Kenny said about his decision not to re-sign with New Jersey.

To get something for Anderson, NJ traded him to the Charlotte Hornets. However, Kenny didn't stick long there, as he became quite a journeyman, representing the Blazers, Celtics, Sonics, Pacers, Hawks, and Clippers. 'Mr. Chibbs' would eventually call it a career in 2006 at 36 years old without ever replicating the individual or team success he had with the Nets.

Related: “We were better than Malone and Stockton" - Derrick Coleman's Bold Claim on Partnership With Kenny Anderson