Pat Cummings was a dependable NBA power forward and center whose efficient interior scoring, offensive rebounding, and physical post play made him a reliable frontcourt contributor throughout the 1980s. Thriving in complementary roles for teams including the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets, Cummings provided consistent paint production, toughness, and veteran stability.

Here is the information on Pat Cummings:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Patrick Lawrence Cummings
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born July 11, 1956 – Passed away June 26, 2012
  • Hometown: Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters)
  • Weight: 230 pounds (104 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore #40, #44, and #50 during his career
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Bishop McCort High School (Johnstown, Pennsylvania)
  • College: University of Cincinnati (1974–1978)
  • NBA Draft: 1978 NBA Draft, 3rd Round, 59th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Milwaukee Bucks (1979–1982)
    • Dallas Mavericks (1982–1984)
    • New York Knicks (1984–1988)
    • Miami Heat (1988–1990)
    • Utah Jazz (1990)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Pat Cummings’ player archetype was that of a rugged interior scorer and rebounding forward, a physical frontcourt worker who could also moonlight at center when needed. Defensively, he played as a hard-nosed paint defender and glass cleaner, relying on strength, positioning, and toughness more than shot-blocking flair. Offensively, his role was that of a secondary scoring big, finishing around the basket, hitting short jumpers, and contributing as a dependable inside option rather than as a playmaking hub. Physically, Cummings brought a sturdy 6-foot-9, 230-pound frame that made him well suited to bruising frontcourt play in the 1980s. His overall play style was direct, competitive, and unpretentious, built on rebounding, interior finishing, and the kind of blue-collar physicality that helped him hold down power forward and center minutes across a long NBA career. (UPI)

Scouting Report

Pat Cummings wasn’t the kind of forward who overwhelmed defenders with one elite skill; he gradually wore them down by making the simple read over and over until they had no answer left. What stands out is how often he created his offence before the catch. He worked tirelessly to establish deep post position, ducking in early during transition or after a teammate drove the baseline, and that meant many of his touches came with an immediate path to the rim instead of requiring a series of moves. When he did have to operate one-on-one, he leaned on shoulder fakes, pivots and patient footwork rather than explosive lift, forcing defenders to commit before finishing through contact. He wasn’t someone you’d run offence through at the elbows because the passing could become predictable once help arrived, but he understood spacing well enough to keep the ball moving instead of holding possessions hostage. Defensively, I always liked his discipline more than his physical profile. He stayed attached to bigger forwards, fought to deny post seals and was generally in the right place as the low man, rotating early enough to make drivers reconsider without chasing unnecessary blocks. The trade-off came against quicker frontcourt players who could drag him into repeated screening actions or attack from the perimeter, where his lateral recovery wasn’t quite as convincing. That’s why his best fit is alongside a mobile rim protector who can erase those situations while allowing Cummings to handle the more physical interior work. His game reminds me of a sturdier Cliff Robinson before Robinson expanded his perimeter game, while there are also shades of Truck Robinson in the way he generated scoring opportunities through positioning and persistence rather than creativity. He wasn’t flashy, but possessions tended to become more orderly when he was involved because he consistently put himself where the next play was likely to happen rather than waiting for it to find him.

Sources:

UPI — The Dallas Mavericks, seeking to boost the infant team…
Sports Reference — Pat Cummings College Stats
Basketball-Reference — Pat Cummings Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Cincinnati Bearcats — Cincinnati Basketball Timeline