Brian Winters

Last updated

Brian Winters
Personal information
Born (1952-03-01) March 1, 1952 (age 72)
Rockaway, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school Archbishop Molloy
(Queens, New York)
College South Carolina (1971–1974)
NBA draft 1974: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career1974–1983
Position Shooting guard / point guard
Number20, 32
Coaching career1984–2013
Career history
As player:
1974–1975 Los Angeles Lakers
1975–1983 Milwaukee Bucks
As coach:
1984–1986 Princeton (assistant)
1986–1993 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
1993–1995 Atlanta Hawks (assistant)
1995–1997 Vancouver Grizzlies
1997–1998 Denver Nuggets (assistant)
1999–2002 Golden State Warriors (assistant)
2001–2002 Golden State Warriors (interim)
2004–2007 Indiana Fever
2012–2013 Charlotte Bobcats (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:
Career NBA playing statistics
Points 10,537 (16.2 ppg)
Rebounds 1,688 (2.6 rpg)
Assists 2,674 (4.1 apg)
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Career coaching record
NBA36–148 (.196)
WNBA78–58 (.574)
Record at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Brian Joseph Winters (born March 1, 1952) is an American former basketball player and coach.

Contents

Career

Winters attended academic and athletic powerhouse Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York, graduating in 1970. He then played collegiately with the University of South Carolina, scoring 1,079 points over his career. While playing for South Carolina, Winters was hampered due to both a severe case of mononucleosis and a series of knee injuries. [1] He was the 12th pick in the 1974 NBA draft, taken by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Winters made the NBA All-Rookie Team with the Lakers before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the deal that brought future Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the West Coast, which Abdul-Jabbar had demanded. On April 18, 1976, in the first playoff series of his NBA career, Winters scored 33 points and recorded 5 assists in a 107–104 Game 3 loss against the Detroit Pistons. [2] On November 30, 1976, Winters scored a career-high 43 points in a 115–106 victory over the Trailblazers. [3] The following season, on December 16, 1977, Winters scored 24 points and made a game-winning jumpshot during a 152–150 triple overtime win against the New York Knicks. [4] On March 19, 1978, Winters scored 22 points and recorded a career-high 18 assists in a 117–106 victory against the Washington Bullets. [5]

Overall, he had a productive nine-year career that included two appearances in the NBA All-Star Game and six in the playoffs, and was a fan-favorite during the years that the Bucks struggled through immediately following the aforementioned Abdul-Jabbar trade. Winters averaged 16.2 points and 4.1 assists over his career, with his best years coming from 1975–76 to 1979–80, when he averaged 18.7 points. 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His game declined in the 1982–83 season, however, when he shot a career-worst 43 percent in the field, after which he retired at 31 years of age. The Bucks organization retired his number 32 on October 28, 1983, he was the third player in franchise history to be honored with a jersey retirement. [6] [7]

In a 2005 interview, Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan singled out Winters as the best "pure shooter" in history, claiming that "he had the most beautiful stroke of all the people whom [he could] think of." [8]

After retiring from the NBA, Winters became an assistant coach for two years under legendary coach Pete Carril at Princeton. From there, he moved on to become an assistant coach under Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens with the Cleveland Cavaliers for 7 years and Atlanta Hawks for two more. Next he was the inaugural coach for the Vancouver Grizzlies for a year and a half. Later Winters coached with the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors. He was formerly the head coach of the WNBA's Indiana Fever, leading them to their first ever consecutive-year playoff appearances.

On October 26, 2007, Winters option wasn't picked up by the Indiana Fever, ending his four-year tenure with the club. [9] He compiled a 78–58 record in the regular season to go with a 5–7 playoff record. He was a scout for the Indiana Pacers for several seasons until he was let go during the NBA lockout in August 2011. [10] He spent the 2012–13 season as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats. [11]

Winters has been a talent scout for the Indiana Pacers since 2014. [12] He played a role in convincing the Pacers to draft Myles Turner. [1]

Head coaching record

NBA

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
Vancouver 1995–96 821567.1837th in Midwest————Missed playoffs
Vancouver 1996–97 43835.186(fired)—————
Golden State 2001–02 591346.2207th in Pacific————Missed playoffs
Career18436148.196————

WNBA

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
IND 2004 341519.4416th in East————Missed Playoffs
IND 2005 342113.6182nd in East422.500Lost in Conference finals
IND 2006 342113.6183rd in East202.000Lost in Conference semifinals
IND 2007 342113.6182nd in East633.500Lost in Conference finals
Career1367858.5741257.417

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1974–75 L.A. Lakers 68–22.3.443–.8262.02.91.10.311.7
1975–76 Milwaukee 78–35.8.464–.8293.24.71.60.318.2
1976–77 Milwaukee 78–34.8.498–.8473.04.31.50.419.3
1977–78 Milwaukee 80–34.4.463–.8403.14.91.60.319.9
1978–79 Milwaukee 79–32.6.493–.8562.24.81.10.519.8
1979–80 Milwaukee 80–32.8.479.373.8602.84.51.30.416.2
1980–81 Milwaukee 69–25.7.475.353.8692.03.31.00.111.6
1981–82 Milwaukee 611330.0.501.387.7882.84.10.90.115.9
1982–83 Milwaukee 571223.9.434.324.8591.92.70.80.110.6
Career6502530.7.475.363.8422.64.11.20.316.2
All-Star2115.0.417––3.01.00.50.05.0

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1976 Milwaukee 3–42.0.629–.8002.35.01.70.727.3
1978 Milwaukee 9–33.9.497–.7413.36.41.30.920.4
1980 Milwaukee 7–38.3.460.4291.0003.05.31.60.015.9
1981 Milwaukee 7–25.9.459.333.7503.33.11.40.110.0
1982 Milwaukee 6–38.7.494.500.8332.54.71.30.216.8
1983 Milwaukee 9–26.7.429.273.8242.43.60.70.49.9
Career41–33.0.490.396.8082.94.71.30.415.5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Robinson</span> American basketball player (born 1973)

Glenn Alan Robinson Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Big Dog" and "the Chosen One", he played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1994 to 2005 for the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and San Antonio Spurs. Robinson attended Purdue University and was the first overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft. He is the father of Glenn Robinson III, who played college basketball at the University of Michigan and has also played in the NBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Nelson</span> American NBA player and head coach

Donald Arvid Nelson is an American former professional basketball player and head coach. Nelson is second all-time in regular season wins of any coach in NBA history, with 1,335. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors. After an All-American career at the University of Iowa, Nelson won five NBA championships playing with the Boston Celtics, with his number 19 retired by the franchise in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Cowens</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1948)

David William Cowens is an American former professional basketball player and NBA head coach. At 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), he played the center position and occasionally played power forward. Cowens spent most of his playing career with the Boston Celtics. He was the 1971 NBA Rookie of the Year and the 1973 NBA Most Valuable Player. Cowens won NBA championships as a member of the Celtics in 1974 and 1976. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. Cowens has also held coaching positions in the NBA, CBA, and WNBA.

Robert L. Dandridge Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed the "Greyhound", Dandridge was a four-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion, who scored 15,530 points in his career. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George McGinnis</span> American basketball player (1950–2023)

George F. McGinnis was an American professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers, earning third-team All-American honors in 1971, before starting his pro career in the ABA with the Indiana Pacers. A three-time ABA All-Star with the Pacers, McGinnis was named the ABA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1975 and won two ABA championships with the team. He was a three-time NBA All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was named to the ABA All-Time Team and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herb Williams</span> American basketball player (born 1958)

Herbert L. Williams is an American former basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for eighteen seasons from 1981 to 1999. Williams served as the interim head coach and the assistant coach of the NBA's New York Knicks. He was last an assistant coach for the New York Liberty of the WNBA.

Richard Charles Pierce is an American retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player. Nicknamed "Deuces" and "Big Paper Daddy", he was selected as an NBA All-Star (1991) and was twice the NBA Sixth Man of the Year while with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 1973–74 NBA season was the 28th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Championship, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.

The 1972–73 NBA season was the 27th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the New York Knicks winning the NBA Championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. This would be Wilt Chamberlain's final season playing in the NBA.

The 1969–70 NBA season was the 24th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the New York Knicks winning the NBA Championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent Benson</span> American basketball player (born 1954)

Michael Kent Benson is an American former professional basketball player. He was a two-time All-American for the Indiana Hoosiers, winning the 1976 Helms Foundation Player of the Year and helping lead the Hoosiers to the 1976 NCAA championship with a perfect 32–0 record, with Benson being named the 1976 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Benson was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1977 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, playing 11 seasons in the NBA for Milwaukee (1977–1980), the Detroit Pistons (1980–1986), Utah Jazz (1986–1987) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1988).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinn Buckner</span> American basketball player and coach

William Quinn Buckner is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played collegiate basketball for the Indiana University Hoosiers, and won a national championship in 1976. He was a captain of both the last undefeated NCAA Division I basketball champion and the 1976 Olympics gold medal team. Buckner was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 7th pick of the 1976 NBA draft. He had a ten-year NBA career for three teams. In 1984, he won an NBA title with the Celtics.

The 1974 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1973–74 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeated the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 3 to win the NBA championship. This would mark the last time the Celtics won a playoff game 7 on the road until 2022, when they defeated the Miami Heat in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Pressey</span> American basketball player (born 1958)

Paul Matthew Pressey is an American former professional basketball player who was also an assistant coach for seven different National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. Pressey is widely credited as being one of the initial point forwards, combining the attributes of a point guard and forward.

Ulysses Lee "Junior" Bridgeman is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. Bridgeman played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 years from 1975 until 1987, beginning with the Milwaukee Bucks. Bridgeman is the current owner of Ebony and Jet magazines. Despite never making more than $350,000 a season during his NBA career, Bridgeman has a net worth of over $600 million, making him one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Jennings</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Brandon Byron Jennings is an American former professional basketball player who played 9 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for being the first American high school prospect to bypass college basketball to play professionally in Europe.

The 1971–72 NBA season was the 26th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship, beating the New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Thomas (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1977)

Timothy Mark Thomas is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He was a highly ranked prospect while playing at Paterson Catholic High School in his hometown of Paterson, New Jersey. Thomas played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats and declared for the 1997 NBA draft after his freshman season. He spent thirteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks. Thomas serves as the head coach of the boys basketball team at Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> Greek-Nigerian basketball player (born 1994)

Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo is a Greek and Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His size, speed, strength, and country of origin have earned him the nickname "Greek Freak". He is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time as well as one of the greatest players of all time.

References

  1. 1 2 "South Carolina basketball: Brian Winters still helps in NBA | The State". Archived from the original on January 29, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, April 18, 1976". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Portland Trail Blazers at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, November 30, 1976". Basketball-Reference.com.
  4. ↑ "Bucks Beat Knicks in 3 Overtimes (Published 1977)". The New York Times . Archived from the original on February 15, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Bullets Box Score, March 19, 1978". Basketball-Reference.com.
  6. ↑ "Archived Document". Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Retired Numbers". Nba.com.
  8. ↑ Jordan, Michael (August 2005). "One-on-One with Michael Jordan". Cigar Aficionado (Interview). Interviewed by Marvin R. Shanken. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Fever declines option on Winters contract". Wnba.com, October 26, 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Pacers cut 3 scouts". Indystar.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Charlotte Bobcats Name Assistant Coaches". NBA.com . Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Brian Winters, Indiana Pacers, Scout – RealGM". Basketball.realgm.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.