The National Basketball Coaches’ Association (NBCA) announced today that it will dedicate the 2009 NBA Playoffs to former NBA Head Coach Chuck Daly.
Dallas Mavericks Head Coach and President of the NBCA Rick Carlisle and NBCA Executive Director Michael Goldberg announced that NBA coaches throughout the Playoffs will wear a lapel pin emblazoned with the initials “CD” as a show of support for Daly, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and is currently undergoing treatment.
The Hall of Famer coached the Cavaliers, Pistons, Nets and Magic and led the 1992 Men’s Olympic Dream Team to a Gold Medal.
In addition to honoring Daly throughout the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the NBCA also announced that it is developing the “Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award” to honor a current or former NBA Coach (Head Coach or Assistant).
“I am pleased to announce that the NBCA is dedicating the 2009 NBA Playoffs to Chuck Daly and we all send our thoughts and best wishes to him and his family,” said Carlisle. “Chuck has played such an important role as a friend and mentor to so many NBA coaches, it’s only fitting that we develop the ‘Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award’ in his honor.”
The “Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award” will be awarded yearly to a current or former NBA coach who, throughout an NBA career, has made a special contribution to the sport and whose work has had a positive impact on the NBA coaching profession. The award will be voted upon by the members of the NBA Coaches Association and will be announced at the conclusion of the NBA regular season.
The inaugural award will be presented later this year.
Via Piston Powered: http://www.pistonpowered.com/2009/04/led-by-rick-carslinba-coaches-dedicate-postseason-to-chuck-daly/