La Crosse Catbirds

Last updated
La Crosse Catbirds
League CBA 1990–2008
Founded1983
Folded1995
History Louisville Catbirds
1983–1985
La Crosse Catbirds
1985–1994
Pittsburgh Piranhas
1994–1995
Arena La Crosse Center
Location La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States
Head coach Flip Saunders [1]
Championships2 (1990, 1992)

The La Crosse Catbirds was an American basketball team based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and member of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). [2] The Catbirds were the 1990 and 1992 CBA champions. The team moved to La Crosse from Louisville in 1985, and left La Crosse for Pittsburgh in May 1994. [1] La Crosse would see the CBA return in 1995 when the La Crosse Bobcats took to the court.

Contents

Widely known as the training ground for future NBA coach Flip Saunders, who led the team to both championships. [3]

Several future and previous NBA players played for the Catbirds, including Andre Turner, David Rivers, Mark Davis, Derrick Gervin, Elliot Perry, Jaren Jackson, Kevin Lynch, Dennis Nutt and Kenny Battle.[ citation needed ]

Season By Season

SeasonDivisionFinishWinsLossesPct.Postseason Results
La Crosse Catbirds
1985–86Western4th2424.500Won Division Semifinals (Detroit) 4-3
Won Division Finals (Cincinnati) 4-2
Lost Championship Series (Tampa Bay) 4-1
1986–87Western1st2820.583Lost Division Semifinals (Rockford) 4-3
1987–88Western1st4014.741Lost Division Semifinals (Wyoming) 4-2
1988–89Western5th1935.352
1989–90Central1st4214.750Won Conference Semifinals (Quad City) 3-0
Won Conference Finals (Albany) 4-3
Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-1
1990–91Central2nd3224.571Lost Conference First Round (Quad City) 3-2
1991–92Midwest2nd4016.714Won Conference Second Round (Grand Rapids) 3-1
Won Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-2
Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-3
1992–93Mideast3rd3224.571Lost Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-2
1993–94Mideast1st3521.625Won Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-0
Lost Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-0
Regular season total292192.6031985–1994
Playoffs total4236.5381985–1994

Notable players

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References

  1. 1 2 "La Crosse Catbirds". Archived from the original on 2016-05-15. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  2. ↑ Bradley, Robert. "History of the Continental Basketball Association". www.apbr.org. Retrieved 2021-04-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ "Flip Saunders". NBA . Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
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