Las Vegas, August 12, 2021—Dick Helm, one of the most impactful Assistant Coaches in NBA history, is the recipient o the 2021 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) announced today.
“Throughout his NBA coaching career, Dick Helm embodied everything that a world class Assistant Coach brings to the game. Over a career that spanned several decades, Dick helped countless players and Coaches become their very best while continually helping promote the NBA game. Dick worked with many NBA coaching greats, most notably, longtime former NBCA President Lenny Wilkens. Dick is an extremely fitting recipient for the Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award,” said Indiana Pacers Head Coach and NBCA President, Rick Carlisle.
“I am grateful, honored, and humbled to have been selected by the NBCA Committee for the 2021 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award. One never receives this type of award by oneself. I’d like to thank my wife Andrea and family for all their love and support. I will be forever grateful to Lenny Wilkens who took me on as an Assistant Coach for a fantastic NBA journey together. Thanks also, to the many Coaches, players, general managers, trainers, and individuals who have made an impact on my life both professionally and personally. Truly, I am blessed to have known Tex Winter and to have been a part of this NBA family,” said Coach Dick Helm.
During his 16-year NBA career, Coach Helm was a part of five separate coaching staffs led by Lenny Wilkens. Dick started his career as an Assistant Coach with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1984. Coach Helm then followed Coach Wilkens to the Cleveland Cavaliers for seven seasons (1986-1993) and then the Atlanta Hawks for five seasons (1993-1998). After taking a few years off from NBA coaching, Coach Helm later reconnected with Lenny Wilkens for one season with the Toronto Raptors (2002-2003) and ended his NBA coaching career on a two-year stint with the New York Knicks (2003-2005). Coach Helm finished his coaching career with a regular season record of 583-483. Dick was an integral part of 11 playoff appearances, coaching in a total of 83 playoff games. In addition to his coaching career, Coach Helm has also been a great mentor and educator to many younger Coaches and players. In 2004, Dick joined fellow NBA Coaches Don Casey, Dean Cooper, and former Knick Rolando Blackman in instructing 150 Junior Olympic Coaches. Coach Helm has also conducted basketball clinics in Australia, Argentina, China, Greece, and Spain.
Dick Helm’s contributions to basketball cannot be mentioned without the enormous role he has played in shaping the next generation of NBA players and Coaches. Coach Helm’s impact extends to Vince Carter, Dominique Wilkins, Dikembe Mutombo, Vin Baker, Stephon Marbury, Allan Houston, Steve Kerr, Ron Harper, and many more. Coach Dick Helm also had a tremendous impact on the NBCA’s Executive Committee; Dick held the Association’s Treasurer position for 18 years and was heavily involved with former NBCA President Lenny Wilkens and former NBCA Executive Director, Michael H. Goldberg in securing improvements to Coaches’ retirement and membership benefits.
“The Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award is presented each year to an Assistant Coach who exemplifies the same high level of integrity and excellence that Tex Winter displayed during his highly successful career,” said NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel, David Fogel. “This year’s award recognizes the extraordinary contributions Dick Helm has made to the sport throughout his NBA career through building a body of work that has had a positive and powerful impact on the NBA coaching profession, including his exemplary work for 18 years on the NBCA Executive Committee. Coach Helm exemplifies the high standards and leadership philosophies that Tex Winter brought to the game. Congratulations to Coach Helm, this honor is well deserved.”
The National Basketball Coaches Association Tex Winter Lifetime Impact Award is selected annually by the Award Selection Committee, comprised of some of the most respected coaches and executives in the game, including Rick Adelman, Hubie Brown, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry, Danny Ferry, Mike Fratello, George Karl, Doc Rivers, Rod Thorn and Lenny Wilkens.
This year’s nominees included Assistant Coaches Ron Adams, Dan Burke, Gordon Chiesa, Carroll Dawson, Hank Egan, Jim Eyen, Brian Hill, Jim Lynam, Brendan Malone, Bob McAdoo, Brendan Suhr, and Bob Weiss.
Prior recipients are Bill Bertka (2019), Tim Grgurich (2018), Ron Rothstein (2017), and Phil Johnson (2016).
About the NBCA: The National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) is the labor organization that represents basketball coaches in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1976 by legendary Boston Celtics player and coach, Tommy Heinsohn, the NBCA consists of all NBA Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and alumni, and works closely with the NBA on all matters that pertain to the coaching profession.
Contact: David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel, 212-424-0100 Ext. 28, david.fogel@nbacoaches.com or Brian McIntyre, 201-699-2696, bmcintyre48@gmail.com
For more on the NBA Coaches Association visit: https://nbacoaches.com.