The history of the NBA and ABA
June 6, 1946: The league that became the NBA, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) is formed with Maurice Podoloff as its first president.
November 1, 1946: The first game in BAA history is played in Toronto, Onterio, Canada. The New York Knicks defeat the Toronto Huskies 68-66, with Ossie Schectman scoring the league's first ever field goal.
January 11, 1947: In the first major variance from the rules of college basketball, the BAA outlaws zone defenses. These defenses remain "illegal" until 2002.
April 22, 1947: The Philadelphia Warriors become the first ever BAA champions when they beat the Chicago Stags 83-80 to win the Finals 4 games to 1.
1948-49 season: The BAA adds four teams, three of which remain members: The Indianapolis Jets (folded after one season), the Fort Wayne Pistons, the Rochester Royals, and the Minneapolis Lakers. The Lakers win the BAA title in their first season, beating the Washington Capitols 4 games to 2.
August 3, 1949: The BAA absorbs six teams from the National Basketball League (NBL) and becomes the 17-team National Basketball Association (NBA). The Lakers become the first repeat NBA/BAA champions when they beat the Syracuse Nationals in game 6 of that year's Finals 110-95.
November 22, 1950: The Pistons beat the Lakers 19-18 in what remains the lowest scoring game in NBA history. George Mikan scores 15 of the Lakers' 18, including all four of their field goals. The two teams combine for just eight field goals the entire game.
March 2, 1951: The first All-Star game is held in Boston Garden. The East defeats the West 111-94, and hometown Celtics C Ed Macauley wins game MVP by scoring a game-high 20 points and six rebounds.
April 12, 1954: The Lakers complete the league's first three-peat when they defeat the Nationals 87-80 in game seven of the Finals. The victory marks the Lakers' fifth title in their first six years in the league.
1954-55 season: The league adopts two huge rule changes: it adopts the 24-second clock (proposed by Nationals owner Dan Biasone) and limiting team fouls per quarter to five before free throws are awarded. Scoring goes up from about 79 PPG in 1954 to 93.1 in 1955. Also, the Baltimore Bullets fold after 14 games; they are the last NBA team to fold.
1956 draft: The Celtics trade C Ed Macauley and F Cliff Hagan to the St. Louis Hawks for rookie C Bill Russell, who would become the anchor of a dynasty in Boston.
1957-58 season: The Pistons move to Detroit, and the Royals move to Cincinnati. Pistons F George Yardley becomes the first player in league history to score 2,000 points in a season (27.8 PPG).
April 9, 1959: With a 118-113 victory completing a four-game sweep of the Lakers, the Boston Celtics win the first of their league-record eight straight NBA titles.
1959-60 season: Warriors C Wilt Chamberlain wins both Rookie of the Year and league MVP in the same season, the first NBA player to do so.
October 19, 1960: The Lakers make their debut in Los Angeles after moving from Minneapolis. They lose to the Cincinnati Royals 140-123.
November 24, 1960: Warriors C Wilt Chamberlain sets a league record with 55 rebounds in a game, but the Warriors lose to the Celtics 132-129.
1961-62 preseason: The Chicago Packers are the league's first expansion team added since 1949. They move to Baltimore two years later.
March 2, 1962: Wilt Chamberlain of the Warriors scores a league record 100 points as they beat the Knicks 169-147 in Hershey, PA.
March 10, 1962: Oscar Robertson of the Royals finished the season with averages of 30.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 11.4 APG; he remains the only player to average a triple-double for an entire season.
1962: The Warriors leave Philadelphia and move to San Francisco.
September 3, 1963: Walter Kennedy succeeds Maurice Podoloff as league president (in 1967, his title becomes commissioner). Also, the Syracuse Nationals move to Philadelphia and becomes the 76ers.
April 28, 1966: The Celtics complete their run of eight straight titles with a 95-93 win over the Lakers in Boston. Coach Red Auerbach coaches his last game in the victory, finishing with 9 titles as a coach.
1966: The newest Chicago expansion team, the Bulls, debut. This time, unlike the previous two teams, they stay in Chicago.
February 1, 1967: The American Basketball Association (ABA) is announced to the public. The league, which planned to begin play in October 1967, names former Lakers C George Mikan as its first commissioner.
1967: The NBA adds two expansion teams; the Seattle Supersonics, and the San Diego Rockets.
February 17, 1968: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opens in Springfield, MA, the site of the first basketball game ever played.
May 4, 1968: The Pittsburgh Pipers become the first ever ABA champions when they beat the New Orleans Buccaneers 122-113 in game seven of the Finals.
1968: The NBA adds two more expansion teams: the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Phoenix Suns.
May 5, 1969: The Celtics defeat the Lakers 108-106 to win game seven of the Finals. It marks the Celtics' 11th title in 13 seasons, and it also marks Bill Russell's final game. Despite the loss, Lakers G Jerry West is named the first ever Finals MVP; he remains the only player on the losing team to win the award.
1970: The NBA adds three expansion teams; the Buffalo Braves, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Portland Trail Blazers. This results in the league shifting from two divisions to two conferences with two divisions each.
1971: The Warriors move from San Francisco to Oakland and become the Golden State Warriors, while the Rockets move from San Diego to Houston.
January 9, 1972: The Lakers beat the Hawks 134-90 to win their 33rd straight game. The mark remains the best in NBA history.
1972: In the NBA, the Cincinnati Royals become the regional Kansas City/Omaha Kings, while in the ABA, the league loses its Miami and Pittsburgh franchises, while adding its first expansion team, the San Diego Conquistadors.
1972-73 season: The Philadelphia 76ers set a league worst record with a mere 9-73 record. The Sixers also finish the furthest back in their division, as they finish 59 games behind Boston.
1973: The Bullets move from Baltimore to Washington D.C. and become the Capital Bullets. They become the Washington Bullets the season after that.
March 7, 1974: The NBA adds its 18th team with the inclusion of the New Orleans Jazz.
April 30, 1975: Larry O'Brien succeeds Walter Kennedy to become the NBA's third commissioner.
June 17, 1976: The NBA and ABA officially merge. Four teams are absorbed from the league; the New York Nets, the San Antonio Spurs, the Indiana Pacers and the Denver Nuggets.
1977: The Nets move from New York to New Jersey.
June 17, 1978: The NBA approves a unique franchise swap by allowing Braves owner John Y. Brown to trade them to Irv Levin for the Celtics. Levin then moves the Braves to San Diego to become the Clippers.
1979: The NBA adds the three-point shot that was popular in the ABA, and the Jazz move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Utah.
May 1, 1980: The league adds its 23rd team by admitting the Dallas Mavericks.
December 13, 1983: In the highest scoring game in NBA history, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. Four players scored at least 41 points, led by Kiki Vandeweghe's 51.
February 1, 1984: David Stern succeeds Larry O'Brien to become the league's fourth commissioner.
April 5, 1984: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Lakers breaks Wilt Chamberlain's career scoring mark of 31,419 points with a sky-hook against the Jazz in Las Vegas, Nevada. Abdul-Jabbar finishes his career in 1989 with 38,387 points.
June 9, 1985: For the first time in their storied rivalry, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics for the NBA title with a 111-100 victory in game 6 of the NBA Finals. The Lakers had lost eight previous times to the Celtics in the Finals. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the oldest player (at 38 years of age) to win Finals MVP.
1985: The draft position is determined by a lottery for the first time. The Knicks win the first lottery and draft C Patrick Ewing with the #1 pick.
1985: The Kings move from Kansas City to Sacramento. The previous year, the Clippers moved from San Diego to Los Angeles.
1985-86 season: The Celtics finish the regular season with a 40-1 record, the best record at home ever. They also win their 16th title over Houston in six games, without dropping a single game at home throughout the playoffs.
April 20, 1986: Michael Jordan of the Bulls scores a playoff-record 63 points against the Celtics in game 2 of their first-round matchup. Despite this, Boston wins 135-131 in double overtime.
April 27, 1987: The NBA grants franchises to Charlotte, Minnesota, Miami and Orlando, the first expansion since 1980. The Hornets and Heat debut in the 1988-89 season, and the Timberwolves and Magic follow the next season.
April 8, 1989: FIBA (the international governing body of basketball) votes 56-13 to allow professional basketball players to play in all international competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.
November 2, 1990: The first NBA regular season game played outside North America takes place between the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz in Tokyo, Japan.
October 1991: Earvin "Magic" Johnson retires from the Los Angeles Lakers after he reveals he has the HIV virus. He does return briefly for the 1995-96 season before retiring for good after that season.
August 8, 1992: The U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" defeats Croatia 117-85 to win the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games. To date, six members of that team (including coach Chuck Daly) are in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
November 4, 1993: The NBA awards a franchise to Toronto, Canada, increasing the size of the league to 28 teams.
April 27, 1994: The NBA awards a franchise to Vancouver, Canada, increasing the size of the league to 29 teams.
January 6, 1995: Atlanta Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens surpasses Red Auerbach as the NBA's all-time winningest coach with his 939th victory as the Hawks defeat the Washington Bullets 112-90.
February 1, 1995: John Stockton surpasses Magic Johnson as the NBA's all-time assists leader as the Jazz defeat the Denver Nuggets 129-88.
April 21, 1996: The Chicago Bulls set a new NBA record by winning their 72nd game as they defeat the Washington Bullets 103-93. They break the previous mark of 69 wins by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
June 14, 1998: The Chicago Bulls end their run of dominance in the 90s as they defeat the Utah Jazz 87-86 to claim their sixth title in eight years. Michael Jordan seals the win by hitting a jumper after stealing the ball the previous possession. Shortly thereafter, Jordan retires for the second time.
1998-99 season: The NBA suffers through a lockout until February of 1999, shortening the season to 50 games. In addition, for the first time since the NBA/ABA merger, an old ABA team wins the NBA title, as the San Antonio Spurs defeat the New York Knicks 78-77 on June 25th to win the NBA Finals 4 games to 1.
2001: The Vancouver Grizzlies move to Memphis, Tennessee, becoming the first team since the Kings in 1985 to relocate.
June 12, 2002: The Los Angeles Lakers win their third straight title by sweeping the Nets with a 113-107 victory in game 4 in New Jersey. Phil Jackson ties Red Auerbach with his 9th title as a coach, and Shaquille O'Neal joins Michael Jordan as the only players to win three straight Finals MVPs.
2002 offseason: The Hornets move from Charlotte to New Orleans. Charlotte gets assurance from the NBA that a new expansion team will be added in the future.
June 2004: The Pistons stun the Lakers with a five-game victory in the NBA Finals. The Pistons are the first team since the NBA shifted to a 2-3-2 Finals format to take all three middle games as the home team. Shortly thereafter, coach Phil Jackson retires and the team trades Shaquille O'Neal to Miami for three players.
2004 offseason: The Charlotte Bobcats, the NBA's most recent expansion team, joins the league, forcing the Hornets to switch from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference and expand the conferences from two divisions each to three divisions each.
January 22, 2006: Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scores 81 points in a victory over the Toronto Raptors, the most ever by a guard and the second highest in a game in NBA history (behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 in 1962).
June 17, 2008: The Boston Celtics win their first NBA title in 22 years with a dominant 131-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in game six of the NBA Finals, their first win over the Lakers in the Finals since 1984.
2008 offseason: After a messy legal battle that lasts throughout the 2007-08 season, the Seattle Supersonics are permitted to move to Oklahoma City, becoming the most recent team to relocate. Oklahoma City had served as a surrogate home for the New Orleans Hornets from 2005-07 after Hurricane Katrina; the newly christened Thunder are the first pro team in Oklahoma.
April 16, 2009: Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors sets a new NBA record for free throw shooting percentage in a season with a 98.1 success rate. Calderon breaks the old record of 95.8% set by Houston Rockets guard Calvin Murphy in 1980-81.
NBA Coaching History
Atlanta Hawks
Roger Potter and Arnold "Red" Auerbach, 1949-50; Dave McMillan, John Logan and Marke Todorovich, 1950-51; Doxie Moore, 1951-52; Andrew Levane, 1952-53; Andrew Levane and William "Red" Holzman, 1953-54; Red Holzman, 1954-55 to 1955-56; Red Holzman, Slater Martin and Alex Hannum, 1956-57; Alex Hannum, 1957-58; Andy Phillip and Ed Macauley, 1958-59; Ed Macauley, 1959-60; Paul Seymour, 1960-61; Paul Seymour, Andrew Levane and Bob Pettit, 1961-62; Harry Gallatin, 1962-63 to 1963-64; Harry Gallatin and Richie Guerin, 1964-65; Richie Guerin, 1965-66 to 1971-72; Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1972-73 to 1974-75; Cotton Fitzsimmons and Gene Tormohlen, 1975-76; Hubie Brown, 1976-77 to 1979-80; Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello, 1980-81; Kevin Loughery, 1981-82 to 1982-83; Mike Fratello, 1983-84 to 1989-90; Bob Weiss, 1990-91 to 1992-93; Lenny Wilkens, 1993-94 to 1999-2000; Lon Kruger, 2000-01 to 2001-02; Lon Kruger and Terry Stotts, 2002-03; Terry Stotts, 2003-04; Mike Woodson, 2004-05 to present
Boston Celtics
John Russell, 1946-47 to 1947-48; Alvin Julian, 1948-49 to 1949-50; Arnold "Red" Auerbach, 1950-51 to 1965-66; Bill Russell, 1966-67 to 1968-69; Tom Heinsohn, 1969-70 to 1976-77; Tom Heinsohn and Tom Sanders, 1977-78; Tom Sanders and Dave Cowens, 1978-79; Bill Fitch, 1979-80 to 1982-83; K.C. Jones, 1983-84 to 1987-88; Jimmy Rodgers, 1988-89 to 1989-90; Chris Ford, 1990-91 to 1994-95; M.L. Carr, 1995-96 to 1996-97; Rick Pitino, 1997-98 to 1999-2000; Rick Pitino and Jim O'Brien, 2000-01; Jim O'Brien, 2001-02 to 2002-03; Jim O'Brien and John Caroll, 2003-04; Glenn "Doc" Rivers, 2004-05 to present
Charlotte Bobcats
Bernie Bickerstaff, 2004-05 to 2006-07; Sam Vincent, 2007-08; Larry Brown, 2008-09 to present
Chicago Bulls
John "Red" Kerr, 1966-67 to 1967-68; Dick Motta, 1968-69 to 1975-76; Ed Badger, 1976-77 to 1977-78; Larry Costello and Scotty Robertson, 1978-79; Jerry Sloan, 1979-80 to 1980-81; Jerry Sloan, Phil Johnson and Rod Thorn, 1981-82; Paul Westhead, 1982-83; Kevin Loughery, 1983-84 to 1984-85; Stan Albeck, 1985-86; Doug Collins, 1986-87 to 1988-89; Phil Jackson, 1989-90 to 1997-98; Tim Floyd, 1998-99 to 2000-01; Tim Floyd, Bill Berry and Bill Cartwright, 2001-02; Bill Cartwright, 2002-03; Bill Cartwright, Pete Myers and Scott Skiles, 2003-04; Scott Skiles, 2004-05 to 2006-07; Scott Skiles, Pete Myers and Jim Boylan, 2007-08; Vinny Del Negro, 2008-09 to present
Cleveland Cavaliers
Bill Fitch, 1970-71 to 1978-79; Stan Albeck, 1979-80; Bill Musselman and Don Delaney, 1980-81; Don Delaney, Bob Kloppenburg, Chuck Daly and Bill Musselman, 1981-82; Tom Nissalke, 1982-83 to 1983-84; George Karl, 1984-85; George Karl and Gene Littles, 1985-86; Lenny Wilkens, 1986-87 to 1992-93; Mike Fratello, 1993-94 to 1998-99; Randy Wittman, 1999-2000 to 2000-01; John Lucas, 2001-02; John Lucas and Keith Smart, 2002-03; Paul Silas, 2003-04; Paul Silas and Brendan Malone, 2004-05; Mike Brown, 2005-06 to present
Dallas Mavericks
Dick Motta, 1980-81 to 1986-87; John MacLeod, 1987-88 to 1988-89; John MacLeod and Richie Adubato, 1989-90; Richie Adubato, 1990-91 to 1991-92; Richie Adubato and Garfield Heard, 1992-93; Quinn Buckner, 1993-94; Dick Motta, 1994-95 to 1995-96; Jim Cleamons, 1996-97; Jim Cleamons and Don Nelson, 1997-98; Don Nelson, 1998-99 to 2003-04; Don Nelson and Avery Johnson, 2004-05; Avery Johnson, 2005-06 to 2007-08; Rick Carlisle, 2008-09 to present
Denver Nuggets (NBA and ABA)
Bob Bass, 1967-68 to 1968-69; John McLendon and Joe Belmont, 1969-70; Joe Belmont and Stan Albeck, 1970-71; Alex Hannum, 1971-72 to 1973-74; Larry Brown, 1974-75 to 1977-78; Larry Brown and Donnie Walsh, 1978-79; Donnie Walsh, 1979-80; Donnie Walsh and Doug Moe, 1980-81; Doug Moe, 1981-82 to 1989-90; Paul Westhead, 1990-91 to 1991-92; Dan Issel, 1992-93 to 1993-94; Dan Issel, Gene Littles and Bernie Bickerstaff, 1994-95; Bernie Bickerstaff, 1995-96; Bernie Bickerstaff and Dick Motta, 1996-97; Bill Hanzlik, 1997-98; Mike D'Antoni, 1998-99; Dan Issel, 1999-2000 to 2000-01; Dan Issel and Mike Evans, 2001-02; Jeff Bzdelik, 2002-03 to 2003-04; Jeff Bzdelik, Michael Cooper and George Karl, 2004-05; George Karl, 2005-06 to present
Detroit Pistons
Carl Bennett and Paul Armstrong, 1948-49; Murray Mendanhall, 1949-50 to 1950-51; Paul Birch, 1951-52 to 1953-54; Charles Eckman, 1954-55 to 1956-57; Charles Eckman and Ephraim "Red" Rocha, 1957-58; Red Rocha, 1958-59; Red Rocha and Dick McGuire, 1959-60; Dick McGuire, 1960-61 to 1962-63; Charles Wolf, 1963-64; Charles Wolf and Dave DeBusschere, 1964-65; Dave DeBusschere, 1965-66; Dave DeBusschere and Donnis Butcher, 1966-67; Donnis Butcher, 1967-68; Donnis Butcher and Paul Seymour, 1968-69; Bill Van Breda Kolff, 1969-70 to 1970-71; Bill Van Breda Kolff, Terry Dischinger and Earl Lloyd, 1971-72; Earl Lloyd and Ray Scott, 1972-73; Ray Scott, 1973-74 to 1974-75; Ray Scott and Herb Brown, 1975-76; Herb Brown, 1976-77; Herb Brown and Bob Kauffman, 1977-78; Dick Vitale, 1978-79; Dick Vitale and Richie Adubato, 1979-80; Scotty Robertson, 1980-81 to 1982-83; Chuck Daly, 1983-84 to 1991-92; Ron Rothstein, 1992-93; Don Chaney, 1993-94 to 1994-95; Doug Collins, 1995-96 to 1996-97; Doug Collins and Alvin Gentry, 1997-98; Alvin Gentry, 1998-99; Alvin Gentry and George Irvine, 1999-2000; George Irvine, 2000-01; Rick Carlisle, 2001-02 to 2002-03; Larry Brown, 2003-04 to 2004-05; Phil "Flip" Saunders, 2005-06 to 2007-08; Michael Curry, 2008-09; John Kuester, 2009-10
Golden State Warriors
Eddie Gottlieb, 1946-47 to 1954-55; George Senesky, 1955-56 to 1957-58; Al Cervi, 1958-59; Neil Johnston, 1959-60 to 1960-61; Frank McGuire, 1961-62; Bob Feerick, 1962-63; Alex Hannum, 1963-64 to 1965-66; Bill Sharman, 1966-67 to 1967-68; George Lee, 1968-69; George Lee and Alvin Attles, 1969-70; Alvin Attles, 1970-71 to 1978-79; Alvin Attles and John Bach, 1979-80; Alvin Attles, 1980-81 to 1982-83; John Bach, 1983-84 to 1985-86; George Karl, 1986-87; George Karl and Ed Gregory, 1987-88; Don Nelson, 1988-89 to 1993-94; Don Nelson and Bob Lanier, 1994-95; Rick Adelman, 1995-96 to 1996-97; P.J. Carlesimo, 1997-98 to 1998-99; P.J. Carlesimo and Garry St. Jean, 1999-2000; Dave Cowens, 2000-01; Dave Cowens and Brian Winters, 2001-02; Eric Musselman, 2002-03 to 2003-04; Mike Montgomery, 2004-05 to 2005-06; Don Nelson, 2006-07 to present
Houston Rockets
Jack McMahon, 1967-68 to 1968-69; Jack McMahon and Alex Hannum, 1969-70; Alex Hannum, 1970-71; Tex Winter, 1971-72; Tex Winter and John Egan, 1972-73; John Egan, 1973-74 to 1975-76; Tom Nissalke, 1976-77 to 1978-79; Del Harris, 1979-80 to 1982-83; Bill Fitch, 1983-84 to 1987-88; Don Chaney, 1988-89 to 1990-91; Don Chaney and Rudy Tomjanovich, 1991-92; Rudy Tomjanovich, 1992-93 to 2002-03; Jeff Van Gundy, 2003-04 to 2006-07; Rick Adelman, 2007-08 to present
Indiana Pacers (NBA and ABA)
Larry Staverman, 1967-68; Larry Staverman and Bob "Slick" Leonard, 1968-69; Bob "Slick" Leonard, 1969-70 to 1979-80; Jack McKinney, 1980-81 to 1983-84; George Irvine, 1984-85 to 1985-86; Jack Ramsay, 1986-87 to 1987-88; Jack Ramsay, Mel Daniels, George Irvine and Dick Versace, 1988-89; Dick Versace, 1989-90; Dick Versace and Bob Hill, 1990-91; Bob Hill, 1991-92 to 1992-93; Larry Brown, 1993-94 to 1996-97; Larry Bird, 1997-98 to 1999-2000; Isiah Thomas, 2000-01 to 2002-03; Rick Carlisle, 2003-04 to 2006-07; Jim O'Brien, 2007-08 to present
Los Angeles Clippers
Dolph Schayes, 1970-71; Dolph Schayes and John McCarthy, 1971-72; Jack Ramsay, 1972-73 to 1975-76; Tates Locke, Bob MacKinnon and Joe Mullaney, 1976-77; Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1977-78; Gene Shue, 1978-79 to 1979-80; Paul Silas, 1980-81 to 1982-83; Jim Lynam, 1983-84; Jim Lynam and Don Chaney, 1984-85; Don Chaney, 1985-86 to 1986-87; Gene Shue, 1987-88; Gene Shue and Don Casey, 1988-89; Don Casey, 1989-90; Mike Schuler, 1990-91; Mike Schuler, Mack Calvin and Larry Brown, 1991-92; Larry Brown, 1992-93; Bob Weiss, 1993-94; Bill Fitch, 1994-95 to 1997-98; Chris Ford, 1998-99; Chris Ford and Jim Todd, 1999-2000; Alvin Gentry, 2000-01 to 2001-02; Alvin Gentry and Dennis Johnson, 2002-03; Mike Dunleavy, 2003-04 to present
Los Angeles Lakers
John Kundla, 1948-49 to 1956-57; George Mikan and John Kundla, 1957-58; John Kundla, 1958-59; John Castellani and Jim Pollard, 1959-60; Fred Schaus, 1960-61 to 1966-67; Bill Van Breda Kolff, 1967-68 to 1968-69; Joe Mullaney, 1969-70 to 1970-71; Bill Sharman, 1971-72 to 1975-76; Jerry West, 1976-77 to 1978-79; Jack McKinney and Paul Westhead, 1979-80; Paul Westhead, 1980-81; Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, 1981-82; Pat Riley, 1982-83 to 1989-90; Mike Dunleavy, 1990-91 to 1991-92; Randy Pfund, 1992-93; Randy Pfund, Bill Bertka and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, 1993-94; Del Harris, 1994-95 to 1997-98; Del Harris, Bill Bertka and Kurt Rambis, 1998-99; Phil Jackson, 1999-2000 to 2003-04; Rudy Tomjanovich and Frank Hamblen, 2004-05; Phil Jackson, 2005-06 to present
Memphis Grizzlies
Brian Winters, 1995-96; Brian Winters and Stu Jackson, 1996-97; Brian Hill, 1997-98 to 1998-99; Brian Hill and Lionel Hollins, 1999-2000; Sidney Lowe, 2000-01 to 2001-02; Sidney Lowe and Hubie Brown, 2002-03; Hubie Brown, 2003-04; Hubie Brown, Lionel Hollins and Mike Fratello, 2004-05; Mike Fratello, 2005-06; Mike Fratello and Tony Barone, 2006-07; Marc Iavaroni, 2007-08; Marc Iavaroni, Johnny Davis and Lionel Hollins, 2008-09; Lionel Hollins, 2009-10
Miami Heat
Ron Rothstein, 1988-89 to 1990-91; Kevin Loughery, 1991-92 to 1993-94; Kevin Loughery and Alvin Gentry, 1994-95; Pat Riley, 1995-96 to 2002-03; Stan Van Gundy, 2003-04 to 2004-05; Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley, 2005-06; Pat Riley, 2006-07 to 2007-08; Erik Spoelstra, 2008-09 to present
Milwaukee Bucks
Larry Costello, 1968-69 to 1975-76; Larry Costello and Don Nelson, 1976-77; Don Nelson, 1977-78 to 1986-87; Del Harris, 1987-88 to 1990-91; Del Harris and Frank Hamblen, 1991-92; Mike Dunleavy, 1992-93 to 1995-96; Chris Ford, 1996-97 to 1997-98; George Karl, 1998-99 to 2002-03; Terry Porter, 2003-04 to 2004-05; Terry Stotts, 2005-06; Terry Stotts and Larry Krystkowiak, 2006-07; Larry Krystkowiak, 2007-08; Scott Skiles, 2008-09 to present
Minnesota Timberwolves
Bill Musselman, 1989-90 to 1990-91; Jimmy Rodgers, 1991-92; Jimmy Rodgers and Sidney Lowe, 1992-93; Sidney Lowe, 1993-94; Bill Blair, 1994-95; Bill Blair and Phil "Flip" Saunders, 1995-96; Flip Saunders, 1996-97 to 2003-04; Flip Saunders and Kevin McHale, 2004-05; Dwane Casey, 2005-06; Dwane Casey and Randy Wittman, 2006-07; Randy Wittman, 2007-08; Randy Wittman and Kevin McHale, 2008-09; Kurt Rambis, 2009-10
New Jersey Nets (NBA and ABA)
Max Zaslofsky, 1967-68 to 1968-69; York Larese, 1969-70; Lou Carnesecca, 1970-71 to 1972-73; Kevin Loughery, 1973-74 to 1979-80; Kevin Loughery and Bob MacKinnon, 1980-81; Larry Brown, 1981-82; Larry Brown and Bill Blair, 1982-83; Stan Albeck, 1983-84 to 1984-85; Dave Wohl, 1985-86 to 1986-87; Dave Wohl, Bob MacKinnon and Willis Reed, 1987-88; Willis Reed, 1988-89; Bill Fitch, 1989-90 to 1991-92; Chuck Daly, 1992-93 to 1993-94; Butch Beard, 1994-95 to 1995-96; John Calipari, 1996-97 to 1997-98; John Calipari and Don Casey, 1998-99; Don Casey, 1999-2000; Byron Scott, 2000-01 to 2002-03; Byron Scott and Lawrence Frank, 2003-04; Lawrence Frank, 2004-05 to present
New Orleans Hornets
Dick Harter, 1988-89; Dick Harter and Gene Littles, 1989-90; Gene Littles, 1990-91; Allan Bristow, 1991-92 to 1995-96; Dave Cowens, 1996-97 to 1997-98; Dave Cowens and Paul Silas, 1998-99; Paul Silas, 1999-2000 to 2002-03; Tim Floyd, 2003-04; Byron Scott, 2004-05 to 2008-09; Byron Scott and Jeff Bower, 2009-10
New York Knicks
Neil Cohalan, 1946-47; Joe Lapchick, 1947-48 to 1954-55; Joe Lapchick and Vince Boryla, 1955-56; Vince Boryla, 1956-57 to 1957-58; Andrew Levane, 1958-59; Andrew Levane and Carl Braun, 1959-60; Carl Braun, 1960-61; Eddie Donovan, 1960-61 to 1963-64; Eddie Donovan and Harry Gallatin, 1964-65; Harry Gallatin and Dick McGuire, 1965-66; Dick McGuire, 1966-67; Dick McGuire and William "Red" Holzman, 1967-68; Red Holzman, 1968-69 to 1976-77; Willis Reed, 1977-78; Willis Reed and Red Holzman, 1978-79; Red Holzman, 1979-80 to 1981-82; Hubie Brown, 1982-83 to 1985-86; Hubie Brown and Bob Hill, 1986-87; Rick Pitino, 1987-88 to 1988-89; Stu Jackson, 1989-90; Stu Jackson and John MacLeod, 1990-91; Pat Riley, 1991-92 to 1994-95; Don Nelson and Jeff Van Gundy, 1995-96; Jeff Van Gundy, 1996-97 to 2000-01; Jeff Van Gundy and Don Chaney, 2001-02; Don Chaney, 2002-03; Don Chaney and Lenny Wilkens, 2003-04; Lenny Wilkens and Herb Williams, 2004-05; Larry Brown, 2005-06; Isiah Thomas, 2006-07 to 2007-08; Mike D'Antoni, 2008-09 to present
Oklahoma City Thunder
P.J. Carlesimo and Scott Brooks, 2008-09; Scott Brooks, 2009-10
Orlando Magic
Matt Guokas, 1989-90 to 1992-93; Brian Hill, 1993-94 to 1995-96; Brian Hill and Richie Adubato, 1996-97; Chuck Daly, 1997-98 to 1998-99; Glenn "Doc" Rivers, 1999-2000 to 2002-03; Doc Rivers and Johnny Davis, 2003-04; Johnny Davis and Chris Jent, 2004-05; Brian Hill, 2005-06 to 2006-07; Stan Van Gundy, 2007-08 to present
Philadelphia 76ers
Al Cervi, 1949-50 to 1955-56; Al Cervi and Paul Seymour, 1956-57; Paul Seymour, 1957-58 to 1959-60; Alex Hannum, 1960-61 to 1962-63; Dolph Schayes, 1963-64 to 1965-66; Alex Hannum, 1966-67 to 1967-68; Jack Ramsay, 1968-69 to 1971-72; Roy Rubin and Kevin Loughery, 1972-73; Gene Shue, 1973-74 to 1976-77; Gene Shue and Billy Cunningham, 1977-78; Billy Cunningham, 1978-79 to 1984-85; Matt Guokas, 1985-86 to 1986-87; Matt Guokas and Jim Lynam, 1987-88; Jim Lynam, 1988-89 to 1991-92; Doug Moe and Fred Carter, 1992-93; Fred Carter, 1993-94; John Lucas, 1994-95 to 1995-96; Johnny Davis, 1996-97; Larry Brown, 1997-98 to 2002-03; Randy Ayers and Chris Ford, 2003-04; Jim O'Brien, 2004-05; Maurice Cheeks, 2005-06 to 2007-08; Maurice Cheeks and Tony DiLeo, 2008-09; Eddie Jordan, 2009-10
Phoenix Suns
John "Red" Kerr, 1968-69; Red Kerr and Jerry Colangelo, 1969-70; Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1970-71 to 1971-72; Bill Van Breda Kolff and Jerry Colangelo, 1972-73; John MacLeod, 1973-74 to 1985-86; John MacLeod and Dick Van Arsdale, 1986-87; John Wetzel, 1987-88; Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1988-89 to 1991-92; Paul Westphal, 1992-93 to 1994-95; Paul Westphal and Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1995-96; Cotton Fitzsimmons and Danny Ainge, 1996-97; Danny Ainge, 1997-98 to 1998-99; Danny Ainge and Scott Skiles, 1999-2000; Scott Skiles, 2000-01; Scott Skiles and Frank Johnson, 2001-02; Frank Johnson, 2002-03; Frank Johnson and Mike D'Antoni, 2003-04; Mike D'Antoni, 2004-05 to 2007-08; Terry Porter and Alvin Gentry, 2008-09; Alvin Gentry, 2009-10
Portland Trail Blazers
Roland Todd, 1970-71; Roland Todd and Stu Inman, 1971-72; Jack McCloskey, 1972-73 to 1973-74; Lenny Wilkens, 1974-75 to 1975-76; Jack Ramsay, 1976-77 to 1985-86; Mike Schuler, 1986-87 to 1987-88; Mike Schuler and Rick Adelman, 1988-89; Rick Adelman, 1989-90 to 1993-94; P.J. Carlesimo, 1994-95 to 1997-98; Mike Dunleavy, 1998-99 to 2000-01; Maurice Cheeks, 2001-02 to 2003-04; Maurice Cheeks and Kevin Pritchard, 2004-05; Nate McMillan, 2005-06 to present
Sacramento Kings
Les Harrison, 1948-49 to 1954-55; Bob Wanzer, 1955-56 to 1957-58; Bob Wanzer and Tom Marshall, 1958-59; Tom Marshall, 1959-60; Charles Wolf, 1960-61 to 1962-63; Jack McMahon, 1963-64 to 1966-67; Ed Jucker, 1967-68 to 1968-69; Bob Cousy, 1969-70 to 1972-73; Bob Cousy, Draff Young and Phil Johnson, 1973-74; Phil Johnson, 1974-75 to 1976-77; Phil Johnson and Larry Staverman, 1977-78; Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1978-79 to 1983-84; Jack McKinney and Phil Johnson, 1984-85; Phil Johnson, 1985-86; Phil Johnson and Jerry Reynolds, 1986-87; Bill Russell and Jerry Reynolds, 1987-88; Jerry Reynolds, 1988-89; Jerry Reynolds and Dick Motta, 1989-90; Dick Motta, 1990-91; Dick Motta and Rex Hughes, 1991-92; Garry St. Jean, 1992-93 to 1995-96; Garry St. Jean and Eddie Jordan, 1996-97; Eddie Jordan, 1997-98; Rick Adelman, 1998-99 to 2005-06; Eric Musselman, 2006-07; Reggie Theus, 2007-08; Reggie Theus and Kenny Natt, 2008-09; Paul Westphal, 2009-10
San Antonio Spurs (NBA and ABA)
Cliff Hagan, 1967-68 to 1968-69; Cliff Hagan and Max Williams, 1969-70; Max Williams and Bill Blakely, 1970-71; Tom Nissalke, 1971-72; Babe McCarthy and Dave Brown, 1972-73; Tom Nissalke, 1973-74; Tom Nissalke and Bob Bass, 1974-75; Bob Bass, 1975-76; Doug Moe, 1976-77 to 1978-79; Doug Moe and Bob Bass, 1979-80; Stan Albeck, 1980-81 to 1982-83; Morris McHone and Bob Bass, 1983-84; Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1984-85 to 1985-86; Bob Weiss, 1986-87 to 1987-88; Larry Brown, 1988-89 to 1990-91; Larry Brown and Bob Bass, 1991-92; Jerry Tarkanian, Rex Hughes and John Lucas, 1992-93; John Lucas, 1993-94; Bob Hill, 1994-95 to 1995-96; Bob Hill and Gregg Popovich, 1996-97; Gregg Popovich, 1997-98 to present
Seattle Supersonics (1967-2008)
Al Bianchi, 1967-68 to 1968-69; Lenny Wilkens, 1969-70 to 1971-72; Tom Nissalke and Bucky Buckwalter, 1972-73; Bill Russell, 1973-74 to 1976-77; Bob Hopkins and Lenny Wilkens, 1977-78; Lenny Wilkens, 1978-79 to 1984-85; Bernie Bickerstaff, 1985-86 to 1989-90*; K.C. Jones, 1990-91; K.C. Jones, Bob Kloppenburg and George Karl, 1991-92; George Karl, 1992-93 to 1997-98; Paul Westphal, 1998-99 to 1999-2000; Paul Westphal and Nate McMillan, 2000-01; Nate McMillan, 2001-02 to 2004-05; Bob Weiss and Bob Hill, 2005-06; Bob Hill, 2006-07; P.J. Carlesimo, 2007-08
Toronto Raptors
Brendan Malone, 1995-96; Darrell Walker, 1996-97; Darrell Walker and Butch Carter, 1997-98; Butch Carter, 1998-99 to 1999-2000; Lenny Wilkens, 2000-01 to 2002-03; Kevin O'Neill, 2003-04; Sam Mitchell, 2004-05 to 2007-08; Sam Mitchell and Jay Triano, 2008-09; Jay Triano, 2009-10
Utah Jazz
Scotty Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Bill Van Breda Kolff, 1974-75; Bill Van Breda Kolff, 1975-76; Bill Van Breda Kolff and Elgin Baylor, 1976-77; Elgin Baylor, 1977-78 to 1978-79; Tom Nissalke, 1979-80 to 1980-81; Tom Nissalke and Frank Layden, 1981-82; Frank Layden, 1982-83 to 1987-88; Frank Layden and Jerry Sloan, 1988-89; Jerry Sloan, 1989-90 to present
Washington Wizards
Jim Pollard, 1961-62; Jack McMahon and Bob "Slick" Leonard, 1962-63; Bob Leonard, 1963-64; Harry "Buddy" Jeannette, 1964-65; Paul Seymour, 1965-66; Mike Farmer, Buddy Jeannette, 1966-67; Gene Shue, 1967-68 to 1972-73; K.C. Jones, 1973-74 to 1975-76; Dick Motta, 1976-77 to 1979-80; Gene Shue, 1980-81 to 1984-85; Gene Shue and Kevin Loughery, 1985-86; Kevin Loughery, 1986-87; Kevin Loughery and Wes Unseld, 1987-88; Wes Unseld, 1988-89 to 1993-94; Jim Lynam, 1994-95 to 1995-96; Jim Lynam, Bob Staak and Bernie Bickerstaff, 1996-97; Bernie Bickerstaff, 1997-98; Bernie Bickerstaff and Jim Brovelli, 1998-99; Darrell Walker and Garfield Heard, 1999-2000; Leonard Hamilton, 2000-01; Doug Collins, 2001-02 to 2002-03; Eddie Jordan, 2003-04 to 2007-08; Eddie Jordan and Ed Tapscott, 2008-09; Phil "Flip" Saunders, 2009-10
Notes to above records
Atlanta coaches include those who coached Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949-51), Milwaukee Hawks (1951-55) and St. Louis Hawks (1955-68)
Denver coaches include those who coached Denver Rockets (1967-74)
Detroit coaches include those who coached Fort Wayne Pistons (1948-57)
Golden State coaches include those who coached Philadelphia Warriors (1946-62) and San Francisco Warriors (1962-71)
Houston coaches include those who coached San Diego Rockets (1967-71)
L.A. Clippers coaches include those who coached Buffalo Braves (1970-78) and San Diego Clippers (1978-84)
L.A. Lakers coaches include those who coached Minneapolis Lakers (1948-60)
Memphis coaches include those who coached Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-2001)
New Jersey coaches include those who coached New Jersey Americans (1967-68) and New York Nets (1968-77)
New Orleans coaches include those who coached Charlotte Hornets (1988-2002) and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2005-2007)
Philadelphia coaches include those who coached Syracuse Nationals (1949-63)
Sacramento coaches include those who coached Rochester Royals (1948-57), Cincinnati Royals (1957-72), Kansas City/Omaha Kings (1972-75) and Kansas City Kings (1975-85)
Utah coaches include those who coached New Orleans Jazz (1974-79)
Washington coaches include those who coached Chicago Packers (1961-62), Chicago Zephyrs (1962-63), Baltimore Bullets (1963-73), Capital Bullets (1973-74) and Washington Bullets (1974-97)
Defunct NBA and ABA team coaches
Anderson Packers (NBA, 1949-50)
Howie Schultz, Ike Duffey and Doxie Moore, 1949-50
Baltimore Bullets (NBA, 1947-54)
Harold "Buddy" Jeannette, 1947-48 to 1949-50; Buddy Jeannette and Walt Budko, 1950-51; Fred Scolari and Chuck Resier, 1951-52; Chuck Resier and Clair Bee, 1952-53; Clair Bee, 1953-54 to 1954-55 (went defunct during 1954-55 season)
Chicago Stags (NBA, 1946-50)
Harold Olsen, 1946-47 to 1947-48; Harold Olsen and Philip Brownstein, 1948-49; Philip Brownstein, 1949-50
Cleveland Rebels (NBA, 1946-47)
Dutch Dehnert and Roy Clifford, 1946-47
Denver Nuggets (NBA, 1949-50)
Jimmy Darden, 1949-50
Detroit Falcons (NBA, 1946-47)
Glenn Curtis and Philip Sachs, 1946-47
Indianapolis Jets (NBA, 1948-49)
Bruce Hale and Burl Friddle, 1948-49
Indianapolis Olympians (NBA, 1949-53)
Cliff Barker, 1949-50; Cliff Barker and Wally Jones, 1950-51; Herm Schaefer, 1951-52 to 1952-53
Pittsburgh Ironmen (NBA, 1946-47)
Paul Birch, 1946-47
Providence Steamrollers (NBA, 1946-49)
Robert Morris, 1946-47; Nat Hickey and Albert Soar, 1947-48; Ken Loeffler, 1948-49
Sheboygan Redskins (NBA, 1949-50)
Ken Suesens, 1949-50
St. Louis Bombers (NBA, 1946-50)
Ken Loeffler, 1946-47 to 1947-48; Grady Lewis, 1948-49 to 1949-50
Toronto Huskies (NBA, 1946-47)
Dick Fitzgerald, Ed Sadowski, Lew Hayman and Robert Rolfe, 1946-47
Washington Capitols (NBA, 1946-51)
Arnold "Red" Auerbach, 1946-47 to 1948-49; Bob Feerick, 1949-50; Horace "Bones" McKinney, 1950-51 (disbanded during the season)
Waterloo Hawks (NBA, 1949-50)
Charles Shipp and Jack Smiley, 1949-50
The Floridians (ABA, 1967-72)
Jim Pollard, 1967-68 to 1968-69; Jim Pollard and Harold Blitman, 1969-70; Harold Blitman and Bob Bass, 1970-71; Bob Bass, 1971-72
Kentucky Colonels (ABA, 1967-76)
John Givens and Gene Rhodes, 1967-68; Gene Rhodes, 1968-69 to 1969-70; Gene Rhodes, Alex Groza and Frank Ramsey, 1970-71; Joe Mullaney, 1971-72 to 1972-73; Babe McCarthy, 1973-74; Hubie Brown, 1974-75 to 1975-76
Memphis Sounds (ABA, 1967-75)
Babe McCarthy, 1967-68 to 1971-72; Bob Bass, 1972-73; Bill Van Breda Kolff, 1973-74; Joe Mullaney, 1974-75
Pittsburgh Condors (ABA, 1967-72)
Vince Cazzetta, 1967-68; Jim Harding, Vern Mikkelsen and Verl Young, 1968-69; John Clark and Harold "Buddy" Jeannette, 1969-70; Jack McMahon, 1970-71; Jack McMahon and Mark Binstein, 1971-72
San Diego Sails (ABA, 1972-75)
K.C. Jones, 1972-73; Wilt Chamberlain, 1973-74; Alex Groza and Beryl Shipley, 1974-75; Bill Musselman, 1975-76 (folded during the season)
Spirits of St. Louis (ABA, 1967-76)
Slater Martin, 1967-68; Slater Martin, Art Becker and James Weaver, 1968-69; Horace "Bones" McKinney, 1969-70; Horace McKinney and Jerry Steele, 1970-71; Tom Meschery, 1971-72; Larry Brown, 1972-73 to 1973-74; Bob MacKinnon, 1974-75; Rod Thorn and Joe Mullaney, 1975-76
Utah Stars (ABA, 1967-75)
Al Brightman and Harry Dinnel, 1967-68; Bill Sharman, 1968-69 to 1970-71; LaDell Anderson, 1971-72 to 1972-73; Joe Mullaney, 1973-74; Bucky Buckwalter and Tom Nissalke, 1974-75; Tom Nissalke, 1975-76 (folded during the season)
Virginia Squires (ABA, 1967-76)
Bruce Hale, 1967-68; Alex Hannum, 1968-69; Al Bianchi, 1969-70 to 1974-75; Al Bianchi, Bill Musselman, Mack Calvin, Willie Wise, Jack Ankerson and Zelmo Beaty, 1975-76
Note on defunct ABA teams above
Floridians coaches include those who coached Minnesota Muskies (1967-68) and Miami Floridians (1968-70)
Memphis coaches include those who coached New Orleans Buccaneers (1967-70), Memphis Pros (1970-72) and Memphis Tams (1972-74)
Pittsburgh coaches include those who coached Pittsburgh Pipers (1967-68, 1969-70) and Minnesota Pipers (1968-69)
San Diego coaches include those who coached San Diego Conquistadors (1972-75)
St. Louis coaches include those who coached Houston Mavericks (1967-69) and Carolina Cougars (1969-74)
Utah coaches include those who coached Anaheim Amigos (1967-68) and Los Angeles Stars (1968-70)
Virginia coaches include those who coached Oakland Oaks (1967-69) and Washington Capitols (1969-70)
Special Thanks to www.remembertheaba.com for the info on all the ABA team's coaches!