By Gary Norris Gray, Staff Reporter
The National Basketball Association moved into the 8th decade of history. In 1949 no African Americans were on the floor or on the bench, they were not allowed to be there. That has changed drastically in the past 30 years. This year over half of the head coaching positions are Black men leading their teams to a potential championship. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers are vying for their 18th title with Black men leading them on the floor. It is noted that this year the NBA signed its 80th African American Head Coach as the league nears the 80-year mark still meaning one Black coach per year.
Question have we improved the NBA hiring practices?, It’s all in the eyes of the beholder as more then half of the head coaching positions are minority-owned in 2023. When owners, vice presidents, presidents, and general managers are people of color too then we are on the right road to progress.
There is an equal number of women owners as minority owners. Ann Walton-Kroenke-Denver Nuggets and Jody Allen-Portland Trail Blazers and Jeanie Buss-Los Angeles Lakers.
So far only Michael Jordan of the Charlotte Hornets, the lone African American, Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks, the lone Latin American, Joseph Tsai Brooklyn Nets, the lone Asian American, with Joe Lacob and Peter Guber-Golden State Warriors representing the LGBTQ- American community.
There have been two Black father-son head coaching teams, Wesley Unseld and Wesley Unseld Jr. of the Washington Bullets/Wizards organization and Bernie Bickerstaff- with five teams and B.J. Bickerstaff of the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Currently, there is one head coaching position open as the Milwaukee Bucks start their search for another leader after the release of Mike Budenholzer on May 4th, 2023. The Milwaukee job is not a glamorous or attractive position because of the geographical position, the division, the weather, and the organization at the salary cap limit so there will be very few changes in personal. Center/power forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo has to do it alone AGAIN. More head coaching shoes may fall after the NBA Finals are finished in June.
In this year’s NBA Conference semi-finals, Four African Americans will lead their teams, Darvin Ham-Los Angeles Lakers, Monty Williams– Phoenix Suns, Doc Rivers-Philadelphia 76ers, and Joe Mazzulla-Boston Celtics. Mr. Williams was released by the Suns’ organization after their quick exit from the Denver Nuggets on May 13th. Doc Rivers followed suit after Philadelphia lost to Boston in another game seven.
There have been six African American Head Coaches that have won the Championship. Bill Russell-Boston Celtics, Al Attles-Golden State Warriors, K.C. Jones- Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers Boston Celtics, Lenny Wilkens-Seattle SuperSonics, Tyronn Lue-Cleveland Cavaliers.
It is very interesting to note that Steve Kerr is still with the Golden State Warriors the only head coach in the playoffs with his original team since 2017. Ty Lue now with the Los Angeles Clippers and Doc Rivers now with the Philadelphia 76ers and both push their new teams to the playoffs this year.
The Gray Leopard Cove has gotten so many requests for an updated list of African American head coaches. The last list was posted in 2017.
HERE IT IS:-
* End or start coaching in midseason
Bold lettering current head coach
1.Al Attles-S.F./Golden State Warriors 1969-70*-1982-83
2.Randy Ayers-Philadelphia 76ers 2003-04*
3. Elgin Baylor-New Orleans Jazz 1974-75; 1976-77-1978-79
4. Butch Beard-New Jersey Nets 1994-1996
5. Bernie Bickerstaff-Seattle SuperSonics 1985-1990, Denver Nuggets 1994-1997, Washington Wizards 1996-97, to 1998-99, Charlotte Bobcats 2004-2010 Los Angeles Lakers 2012*
6. J.B. Bickerstaff- Memphis Grizzlies – 2017-2019, Cleveland Cavaliers-2020-PRESENT
7. Mike Brown-Cleveland Cavaliers 2005-2010 Los Angeles Lakers 2010-2012* Cleveland Cavaliers 2013-2014-Sacramento Kings-PRESENT
8. Quinn Buckner-Dallas Mavericks 1993-94
9. Chauncy Billups- Portland Trailblazers- 2021-PRESENT
10. Mack Calvin-Los Angeles Clippers 1991-92*
11.M. L. Carr-Boston Celtics 1995-1997
12. Butch Carter-Toronto Raptors 1997-98* to 1999-2000
13.Fred Carter-Philadelphia 76ers-1992-93* to 1993-94
14. Bill Cartwright-Chicago Bulls 2001-02* to 2003-04*
15. Dwayne Casey-Minnesota Timberwolves 2005-06 to 2006-07*, Toronto Raptors 2011- 2018, Detroit Pistons 2018- 2023
16. Don Chaney-Los Angeles Clippers 1984-85* to 1986-87, Houston Rockets 1988-89 to 1991-92, Detroit Pistons 1993-94 to 1994-95, New York Knicks 2001-02* to *2003-04
17. Maurice Cheeks-Portland Trail Blazers 2001-02 to *2004-05, Philadelphia 76ers 2005-2008, Detroit Pistons 2013-2014
18. Jim Cleamons-Dallas Mavericks 1996-97 to 1997-98
19. Michael Cooper-Denver Nuggets 2004-05*
20. Tyrone Corbin-Utah Jazz- 2011- 2014, Sacramento Kings 2015,
21. Mel Daniels-Indiana Pacers 1988-89*
22. Johnny Davis-Philadelphia 76ers 1996-97, Orlando Magic 2003-04* to 2004-05*
23. Larry Drew-Atlanta Hawks 2010- 2013, Milwaukee Bucks 2013
24. Mike Evans-Denver Nuggets 2001-02*
25. Derrick Fisher– New York Knicks 2014-2016
26. Willie Green- New Orleans Pelicans-2021-PRESENT
27. Alvin Gentry-Miami Heat 1994-95* Detroit Pistons 1997-98 to 1999-2000* Los Angeles Clippers 2000-01 to 2002-03* Phoenix Suns 2008- 2013, New Orleans Pelicans 2015-2022
28. David Fizdale- Memphis Grizzlies-2016-2017, New York Knicks 2018-2019
29. Leonard Hamilton-Washington Wizards 2000-01
30. Gar Heard-Dallas Mavericks 1992-93* Washington Wizards 1999-2000*
31. Lionel Hollins-Vancouver Grizzlies 1999-2000*, Memphis Grizzlies 2009-2013, Brooklyn Nets 2014-2016
32. Bob Hopkins-Seattle SuperSonics 1977-78
33. Melvin Hunt– Denver Nuggets- 2015*
34. Darvin Ham- Los Angeles Lakers-2022-PRESENT
35. Mark Jackson – Golden State Warriors 2011-2014
36. Stu Jackson-New York Knicks 1989-90 to 1990-91 Vancouver Grizzlies 1996-97*
37. Avery Johnson-Dallas Mavericks 2004-05*-2008 New Jersey-Brooklyn Nets 2010-2013
38. Dennis Johnson-Los Angeles Clippers 2002-03*
39. Frank Johnson-Phoenix Suns 2001-02* to 2003-04*
40. Earvin Magic Johnson-Los Angeles Lakers 1993-94*
41. K. C. Jones-Capital/Washington Bullets 1973-74, to 1975-76, Boston Celtics 1983-84 to 1987-88, Seattle SuperSonics 1990-91 to 1991-92
42. Eddie Jordan-Sacramento Kings 1996-97* to 1997-98, Washington Wizards 2003-2008, Philadelphia 76ers 2009-2010
43. Jason Kidd-Brooklyn Nets 2013-2014, Milwaukee Bucks 2014-2018, Dallas Mavericks 2021-PRESENT
44. Bob Lanier-Golden State Warriors 1994-95*
45. Gene Littles-Cleveland Cavaliers 1985-86*, Charlotte Hornets 1989-90* to 1990-91, Denver Nuggets 1994-95*
46. Earl Lloyd-Detroit Pistons 1971-72* to 1972-73
47. Sidney Lowe-Minnesota Timberwolves 1992-93* to 1993-94, Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies 2000-01 to 2002-03
48. Tyronn Lue- Cleveland Cavaliers 2016-2018, Los Ang. Clippers 2020-PRESENT
49. John Lucas-San Antonio Spurs 1992-93* to 1993-94, Philadelphia 76ers 1994-95 to 1995-96, Cleveland Cavaliers 2001-02 to 2002-03*
50. Nate McMillan-Seattle SuperSonics 2000-01* to 2004-05, Portland Trailblazers 2005-2012, Indiana Pacers 2016-2021, Atlanta Hawks 2021-2023
51. Sam Mitchell-Toronto Raptors 2004-2008,
52. Pete Myers-Chicago Bulls 2003-04*
53. Jamahl Mosley- Orlando Magic- 2021-PRESENT
54. Joe Mazzulla- Boston Celtics 2023-PRESENT
55. Kenny Nat-Sacramento Kings 2008-2009
56. Terry Porter-Milwaukee Bucks 2003-04
57. Willis Reed-New York Knicks 1977-78 to 1978-79, New Jersey Nets 1987-88* to 1988-89
58. Glenn “Doc” Rivers-Orlando Magic 1999-2000 to 2003-04*, Boston Celtics 2004-05 – 2013, Los Angeles Clippers 2013-2020, Philadelphia 76ers 2020-2023
59. Bill Russell-Boston Celtics 1966-67 to 1968-69, Seattle SuperSonics 1973-74 to 1976-77, Sacramento Kings 1987-88
60. Tom Sanders-Boston Celtics 1977-78* to 1978-79
61. Byron Scott-New Jersey Nets 2000-2004*, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets2004-2009, Cleveland Cavaliers 2009- 2013, Los Angeles Lakers 2014-2015
62. Ray Scott-Detroit Pistons 1972-73* to 1975-76
63.Brian Shaw-Denver Nuggets- 2013- 2015
64. Paul Silas-San Diego Clippers 1980-81 to 1982-83, Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets 1998-99* to 2002-03, Cleveland Cavaliers 2003-04 to 2004-05*, Charlotte Bobcats 2010-2012
65. Keith Smart-Cleveland Cavaliers 2002-03*, Golden State Warriors 2010-2011, Sacramento Kings 2012- 2013
66. Stephen Silas-Houston Rockets- 2020-2023
67. Isiah Thomas-Indiana Pacers 2000-01 to 2002-03, New York Knicks 2006-2008
68. Reggie Theus-Sacramento Kings 2007-2008
69. Wes Unseld-Washington Bullets 1987-88* to 1993-94
70. Wes Unseld Jr. Washington Wizard- 2021- PRESENT
71. Ime Udoka- Boston Celtics- 2021-2023- Houston Rockets 2023-PRESENT
72. Jacques Vaughn-Orlando Magic 2012- 2015 Brooklyn Nets 2022- PRESENT
73. Sam Vincent-Charlotte Bobcats 2007-2008
74. Darrell Walker-Toronto Raptors 1996-97 to 1997-98, Washington Wizards 1999-2000*
75. Earl Watson- Phoenix Suns 2016- 2017
76. Lenny Wilkens-Seattle SuperSonics 1969-70 to 1971-72, Portland Trail Blazers 1974-75 to 1975-76, Seattle SuperSonics 1977-78* to 1984-85, Cleveland Cavaliers 1986-87 to 1992-93, Atlanta Hawks 1993-94 to 1999-2000, Toronto Raptors 2000-01 to 2002-03
77. Monty Williams-New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans 2010- 2015, Phoenix Suns 2019-2023
78. Herb Williams-New York Knicks 2003-04*; 2004-05*
79. Mike Woodson-Atlanta Hawks 2004-2010, New York Knicks 2010-2014
80. Draff Young-Kansas City/Omaha Kings 1973-74*
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©Copyrighted Gary Norris Gray @ Gray Leopard Prod
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