Lionel hollins biography

American basketball player and coach

Lionel Eugene Hollins (born Oct 19, 1953) is an Earth professional basketball coach and previous player who most recently served as an assistant coach intend the Houston Rockets of significance National Basketball Association (NBA). Top-hole point guard, Hollins played result in the Portland Trail Blazers, amiable an NBA championship in 1977 and named an NBA All-Star in 1978. The Trail Blazers retired his No. 14.

Playing career

During his ten-year NBA life playing as a point defend he played for five teams, averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 assists per game. In 1974 Lionel suffered a serious harm from a moped crash during the time that a bicyclist collided. Fortunately that did not affect his occupation, but ultimately his left pinkie and ring finger never recovered correctly.

Drafted by the City Trail Blazers with the 6th pick of the 1975 NBA draft out of Arizona Affirm University, Hollins was bestowed All-Rookie first team honors that period, averaging 10.8 points in 78 games for the Blazers. Foregoing to his two seasons unexpected result Arizona State, he played link years^[1] at Dixie College call a halt St. George, Utah.^[2]

He graduated diverge Arizona State University in 1986 with a degree in sociology.

He was a member worm your way in Trail Blazers' 1976–77 championship body, and made his only All-Star Game appearance one year subsequent. He was a member position the NBA All-Defensive team be reluctant, in 1978 and 1979.

On April 18, 2007, the City Trail Blazers retired his #14 jersey.

Coaching career

After retiring whereas a player, Hollins returned brand his alma mater to foster as an assistant coach doubtful Arizona State in 1985, innermost stayed until 1988,^[1] when Material Fitzsimmons brought him on in his new staff with depiction Phoenix Suns.

In his rule season with Phoenix, the Suns saw a 27-game improvement do too much their previous year, as they advanced to the Western Forum Finals and Fitzsimmons was dubbed Coach of the Year. Kevin Johnson, who won Most Outstrip Player that season, credited Hollins with his development into double of the all-time great Suns players.^[3]

Hollins assistant coach tenure was during arguably the most thriving affluent time period for the Suns; joining a team that esoteric missed the playoffs three strung out years, the Suns exceeded 53 wins and only failed scan get out of the leading round of the playoffs previously at once dir in his seven seasons respecting. His run in Phoenix was highlighted by a 62–20 term in 1992–93, led by pristine head coach Paul Westphal beam league MVP Charles Barkley, chief in an NBA Finals take shape where they would lose nip in the bud the Chicago Bulls.

In 1995, Hollins was named to character inaugural coaching staff of position expansion Vancouver Grizzlies. On Dec 16, 1999, Hollins was christian name interim coach of the Grizzlies following the midseason firing break into Brian Hill.^[4] Despite popularity go one better than the players,^[5] Hollins was beg for retained as coach at season's end. Though not a jam-packed season and on an fugacious basis, this was the have control over of three different stints detail Hollins as Grizzlies coach.

In 2000, Hollins served as attitude coach the Las Vegas Argent Bandits of the International Sport League (IBL) in the league's second season. Despite the more best record in the IBL at 20–11 at the patch, on March 13, 2001, rank Bandits folded^[6] (and following righteousness conclusion of the 2000–01 course, the IBL did too).

Hollins next served as an contributory coach for the Harlem Globetrotters during their 2001 Fall Institution Exhibition Series. He served brand head coach for the March. Louis SkyHawks of the Pooled States Basketball League (USBL) hurt 2002.^[7]

In 2002, Hollins returned make available the Grizzlies as an ancillary coach, though the team was now located in Memphis. Powder served in this role awaiting 2007, including a four-game bit as interim coach in 2004. On May 14, 2008, Hollins was hired as one wait Milwaukee Bucks head coach General Skiles' assistants.^[8]

On January 25, 2009, Hollins was named the Grizzlies' head coach; this would engrave his third time as greatness Grizzlies' head coach, but probity first time that was put together on an interim basis.^[9] Jar the Grizzlies were coming inhibit consecutive 22–60 seasons, Hollins focussed on retooling the roster zone players who play his "hard nosed" style, ushering in what would be known as distinction "Grit and Grind" era.

His first move as coach was moving Mike Conley and Marc Gasol to the starting arrangement. In his first offseason, City would acquire Zach Randolph good turn Tony Allen, both of whom Hollins saw as perfect fits for his brand of sport. All four players would talk big successful runs in Memphis.

On February 11, 2011, Hollins won his 100th career victory, translation coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, in an 89–86 victory stagger the Milwaukee Bucks.^[10] That edible, he led his team journey a 46–36 record, earning high-mindedness eighth seed in the playoffs. The Grizzlies defeated the number-one seed San Antonio Spurs, entreat their first playoff series magnify in franchise history and applicable just the fourth eighth tuber in league history to carry all before one a playoffs series against great number one seed. They would lose to the Oklahoma Ambience Thunder in seven games seep in the Western Conference semifinals.

In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 NBA term, Hollins' Grizzlies finished the ready with a 41–25 record delighted the best winning percentage exertion franchise history (.621). After teaching the Grizzlies to a 13–3 record during the month penalty April, Hollins was named April's Coach of the Month.^[11] That streak helped the Grizzlies give the four seed in representation Western Conference, with home mindnumbing advantage for the first previous in franchise history. They missing in the first round collection the Los Angeles Clippers comic story seven games.

In 2012–2013, Hollins led Memphis to a privilege record 56-win season, breaking birth winning percentage record they difficult to understand set the previous season (now at .683). Marc Gasol was named Defensive Player of rectitude Year as the Grizzlies spoken for opponents to 89.3 points outlandish game.^[12]

The Grizzlies avenged the past playoffs and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in six boisterousness in the first round. Problem the second round, they shamefaced the top-seeded and defending Legend Conference champion Oklahoma City Reverberation in five games. Though attributed to Oklahoma City being shun superstar point guard Russell Westbrook for the series, Memphis fresh to their first conference finals in team history. However, excellent four-game sweep to the competent San Antonio Spurs ended primacy Grizzlies' season and playoff stateowned.

It was announced that Hollins' contract would not be hip by the team on June 10, 2013. He stands in that the Grizzlies' most successful lecturer, having improved the team's create almost every season. He blunted them to three straight playoff appearances, their first playoff conquer, a franchise best .683 captivating percentage, and the first playoff series victory in franchise history.^[13] As of 2024, the Grizzlies have not been back differ the conference finals since Hollins departure.

On July 2, 2014, Hollins and the Brooklyn Nets reached an agreement for him to serve as the team's head coach for the closest four seasons.^[14][15] On July 7, 2014, he was officially naturalized by the Nets at trim press conference.^[16] In his control season as head coach, recognized guided the Nets to representation playoffs. On January 10, 2016, he was relieved of rule head coaching duties by authority Nets after starting the 2015–16 season with a 10–27 record.^[17]

On July 31, 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers hired Hollins likewise an assistant coach.^[18][19] Hollins won his 2nd championship on Oct 11, 2020, when the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat rework the 2020 NBA Finals discern 6 games.

On July 3, 2022, the Houston Rockets chartered Hollins as an assistant coach.^[20]

Personal life

Hollins's son, Austin Hollins, influenced college basketball for the Home of Minnesota's men's basketball team.^[21] His son has also laid hold of professionally in the EuroLeague.

His other son, Anthony, played Split III basketball for the at-the-time top-ranked team in the sovereign state, Washington University in St. Prizefighter Bears. He's now an orthopedical surgeon.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Head coaching record

See also

References

External links