NBA Coaches Trivia

1. The Chicago Bulls' 1990-91 season saw the team win 61 games. What seed were they in the Eastern Conference when the playoffs started?

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: 1

Under Phil Jackson's coaching and Michael Jordan's transcendent talent, the Chicago Bulls emerged as a force to be reckoned with during the regular season. They finished the season 61-21. In the NBA Finals, they faced the formidable Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson. In a series that would become iconic, the Bulls prevailed in five games, winning the championship on their home court.

From Quiz Don Nelson: Super Coach

Answer: 5

Nelson was on 5 NBA championship teams with the Boston Celtics. He also played for the Chicago Zephyrs and the LA Lakers prior to coming to Boston.

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Portland

All four were teams the Bulls beat in the finals in the 1990s. With a balanced supporting cast behind Michael Jordan including Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and B.J. Armstrong, the Bulls finished the regular season with a stellar record of 67 wins and 15 losses. The Bulls emerged victorious in six games against Portland, clinching their second consecutive championship.

From Quiz Don Nelson: Super Coach

Answer: Red Auerbach

Nelson is quoted as saying, "When I was playing, I always came early and talked philosophy and game situations with Red. I don't even know if he was aware of what he was doing for me. But I probably picked up more things from him than anybody else during my 14 years in the league."

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Charles Barkley

None of the wrong answers ever played for the Suns organization. With Michael Jordan leading the charge as the league's top scorer, Scottie Pippen's all-around contributions and the strong supporting cast, including Horace Grant and B.J. Armstrong, the Bulls finished the regular season with a record of 57 wins and 25 losses. At the end of the finals, a victory over the Phoenix Suns, Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the first time.

From Quiz Don Nelson: Super Coach

Answer: Sixth man

Despite playing as a sixth man, his value to the team was recognized in 1978, when his jersey number was raised to the rafters along with those of Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and the other Celtic greats.

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: 72

Key players like Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Toni Kukoč were all in their primes, Michael Jordan was back for a full season after a near two-year layoff, and the Bulls also featured future Hall of Famer Robert Parrish as the Bulls won the 1995-96 championship. Rodman was the league's leading rebounder, Jordan was the leading scorer, and Kukoč was the sixth man of the year. The Bulls beat the Sonics in the finals. The Bulls finished the regular season 72-10 (the previous record was 69-13 by the LA Lakers in 1971-72). Steve Kerr, who was a 3-point specialist on that team would later be the coach of the 2015-16 San Francisco Warriors who finished the regular season at 73-9, making him a part of two 70 win teams.

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Utah Jazz

The Suns, Blazers and Lakers were the three teams that the Bulls beat in the finals to win their first three-peat. They beat the Sonics, and then the Jazz twice for their second trio of titles. In 1996-97, the Bulls had the second best record in league history at 69-13, second only to their own record of 72-10 the previous year. Michael Jordan won his 9th regular season scoring title, and Dennis Rodman won his 6th consecutive rebounding title.

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Tex Winter

Fred "Tex" Winter, creator of the triangle offense that Phil Jackson used to win 9 titles as a coach, was Jackson's longest-tenured assistant. He also won an additional title as a consultant with Jackson and the Lakers. Winter was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2011. As a head coach, Winter lead Kansas State to two final fours, and two more as an assistant. Following the 1997-98 season when the Bulls won their sixth title in eight years, Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the second time and Phil Jackson retired as well. Jim Cleamons, who played on the New York Knicks with Jackson, served as his assistant for 17 seasons in Chicago and Los Angeles, including 9 championships. Brian Shaw played for Jackson for three championships before becoming an assistant coach for him for two more. Doug Collins was the Bulls coach before Jackson.

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Lakers

Jackson returned to coaching to take on a team with Shaquille O'Neil and Kobe Bryant that had underperformed for the couple of seasons before his arrival. The Lakers went 67-15 during the regular season, the best record in the league. Shaq's scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking capabilities made him a central figure in the Lakers' success. A rising star, Kobe showcased his versatility, scoring ability, and defensive prowess throughout the season and playoffs. For the Lakers, it was their first time in the finals since the 1990 series, when they lost to Jackson's Bulls.

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson, or AI, was also known as the Answer. While his 76ers team managed to steal game one of the finals from the previously unbeaten (in the playoffs) Lakers, they lost the series 4 games to 1. Continuing to evolve as a superstar, Kobe Bryant showcased his scoring ability, versatility, and clutch performances throughout the season and playoffs. That wasn't enough to be the true star though, as regular season MVP Shaquille O'Neal was once again named the Finals MVP.

From Quiz Don Nelson: Super Coach

Answer: Passing an open shot

Latrell Sprewell was valued principally as a defensive player in college. In the author's opinion, he would never have averaged higher than 10 points per game had he started with any other coach (with the possible exception of George Karl).

From Quiz Another Case of History Three-Peating

Answer: Continental Basketball Association (CBA)

In the 1983-84 season the Albany Patroons beat the Wyoming Wildcatters 3-2 in the finals of the Continental Basketball Association. Jackson was the coach of the team from 1982-87. He also coached Piratas de Quebradillas to the Baloncesto Superior Nacional finals in 1984, and the Gallitos de Isabela team to the playoffs for three seasons from 1984-86, before returning to the Piratas de Quebradillas for 1987. He was able to coach in the CBA and BSN at the same time as they played different times of the year.

From Quiz Don Nelson: Super Coach

Answer: 60

Failure to win the ring is the cardinal sin in the NBA. It is my fond hope that Don Nelson will get his championship, which is probably the only mechanism by which he will ever receive the recognition that he deserves.

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Last Updated Apr 13 2024 5:46 AM

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