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Taken In the second round of the 1970 NBA draft (19th overall) , the Cincinnati Royals and Head Coach Bob Cousy took a chance on Nate "Tiny" Archibald, a shy and diminutive scatback guard from the University of Texas-El Paso via the playgrounds and gyms of New York City. Although Archibald had scored more than 20 points a game as a junior and senior, Cousy had hoped the 6-foot-1 Archibald could handle NBA pressure and become the Royals' steady point guard, much like the coach himself had done in Boston. Cincinnati got much more than expected.

Archibald was a playmaking penetrator, a pinpoint passer and an outside shooter with great range. His quickness and swooping passes made him difficult to guard in the open court and he was a potent triple threat with his penetration, passing and shooting. When the Royals moved to Kansas City/ Omaha in 1972 and became known as the Kings, the nickname fit "Nate the Skate" perfectly.

The player who proved the "little man" could excel in professional basketball logged 14 NBA seasons playing for Cincinnati (1970-72), Kansas City-Omaha (1972-76), New York Nets (1976-77), Buffalo (1977-78, injured did not play), Boston (1978-83) and Milwaukee (1983-84) is considered one of the games greatest big little men. His swift drives to the hoop were virtually unstoppable; either "Tiny" scored or was fouled. Consequently, Archibald led the NBA in free throws made three times and free throw attempts twice.

He competed in 876 professional games, scored 16,481 points (18.8 ppg), dished out 6,476 assists, was an All-NBA First Team selection three times (1973, 1975, 1976), an All-NBA Second Team selection twice (1972, 1981). Selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.