Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Howard Komives was a skilled NBA point guard and shooting guard whose reliable outside shooting, ball-handling, and playmaking helped the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Buffalo Braves throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His steady backcourt archetype, efficient perimeter offense, and high basketball IQ made him a valuable complementary guard during a fast-evolving era of professional basketball.

Here is the detailed information about Howard Komives, a former NBA player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Howard K. “Butch” Komives
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on May 9, 1941 (passed away on March 22, 2009, at the age of 67)
  • Hometown: Toledo, Ohio, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
  • Weight: 185 pounds (84 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 2 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 11 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 20, 21, and 15
  • Position: Point Guard
  • High School: Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio
  • College: Bowling Green State University (1961–1964)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 2nd round (13th overall pick) in the 1964 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Knicks (1964–1968)
    • Detroit Pistons (1968–1972)
    • Buffalo Braves (1972–1973)
    • Kansas City-Omaha Kings (1973–1974)
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Howard Komives’ player archetype was that of a scoring lead guard, a left-handed backcourt creator who could both run offense and generate his own points, giving teams a blend of playmaking and shot volume from the perimeter. Defensively, his role was more about handling opposing guards and staying solid within the structure than serving as a disruptive stopper, while offensively he operated as a primary or secondary ball-handler who could initiate, pass, and score from the mid-range and foul line. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Komives had ordinary size for an NBA guard but paired it with strong feel, proven production, and enough skill to carve out a decade-long career after leading the NCAA in scoring at Bowling Green. His overall play style reads as poised and functional rather than flashy: control the ball, create in the half court, keep the offense organized, and supply steady scoring from the guard spot. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

Howard Komives wasn’t the kind of guard who overwhelmed defenders with speed, but he consistently controlled possessions because he understood where the next advantage was likely to appear. What stands out is how patient he remained coming off ball screens. He rarely attacked the first opening he saw, preferring to keep his dribble alive until the screener’s defender committed, then threading simple bounce passes to rolling bigs or swinging the ball to shooters as weak-side help collapsed. His jumper was reliable enough to punish defenders who ducked under screens, particularly from the elbows and the top of the floor, yet he never looked obsessed with hunting his own offence. The interesting thing is that he seemed happiest when the ball moved two or three more times after leaving his hands, quietly orchestrating possessions without dominating them. Defensively, Komives relied on anticipation more than exceptional lateral quickness. He worked hard to stay attached navigating screens, rotated on time to discourage easy passing lanes and generally understood when to sink into nail help before recovering to his assignment. Bigger, more explosive guards could create separation against him in space, and he wasn’t the type to erase mistakes with overwhelming physical tools, but his positioning consistently limited clean looks instead of inviting them. That’s where his value settled. He played with a calmness that kept offensive possessions organised while rarely compromising defensive structure at the other end. To me, Komives fit best on a team with multiple scorers who benefited from a steady decision-maker willing to initiate offence, keep the ball moving and take the open jumper when defences overplayed the pass. His overall style shared similarities with Don Buse’s measured approach to running an offence, although with less defensive disruption, while there were also elements of Norm Nixon’s ability to manipulate tempo through patience and timing rather than relying on constant dribble penetration or spectacular individual scoring.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Howard Komives Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
NBA.com — Howard Komives | Guard | New York Knicks | NBA.com
Sports Reference CBB — Howie Komives College Stats
The Blade — Butch Komives, local basketball legend, dies