Lionel Hollins
Lionel Eugene Hollins (* October 19, 1953 in Arkansas City, Kansas ) is a former basketball player and current coach, who most recently held the post of chief coach of the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.
Playing career
In the NBA he played for five teams. As a sixth pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, he was appointed All- Rookie First Team due to his achievements in his rookie season in the NBA. He had been able to achieve an average of 10.8 points per game this season. In the NBA season 1976/77 he won with Portland in the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers in six games and was with the Trail Blazers NBA champion. The next year he was appointed to the All- Star team and the All-Defensive First Team.
When he finished his playing career, he had been able to post 7,809 points, 3,006 assists and 1,053 steals.
Coaching career
He started his coaching career at his old college, Arizona State University, where he was from 1985 to 1986 and from 1987 to 1988 assistant coach of the basketball team. In the NBA season 1999/2000 he was appointed interim coach of the Vancouver Grizzlies. Since the 2008/ 09 NBA season he coaches the Memphis Grizzlies. On 11 February 2011 he celebrated his 100th victory when he defeated the Grizzlies the Milwaukee Bucks with 89:86. In the 2010/11 season his team made it to the playoffs, defeated in the first round, surprisingly, the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 to then subject in seven games in the second round of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after the end of the season gave the Grizzlies announced that Hollins will get a new contract as Head Coach for the 2013/2014 season.
On 18 April 2007 the Trail Blazers retired his number.
Awards and achievements
- NBA champion: 1977
- NBA All-Star: 1978
- NBA All-Defensive Team: First: 1978
- Second: 1979
Swell
- Lionel Hollins - Player profile at NBA.com (English)
- Lionel Hollins - Player Profile on Basketball - reference.com (English)