American · Brooklyn, New York · Born 21 March 1954American basketball player and coach who won an NBA championship as a player with Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 and coached multiple NBA teams over two decades.
Michael Joseph Dunleavy Sr. was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1954. He won an NBA championship with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979 as a reserve guard. His 11-season playing career produced 8.5 points per game across several franchises. His coaching career was considerably more impactful — he coached the Los Angeles Lakers (1990-1992), Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets across a 17-year coaching tenure, reaching the playoffs multiple times with teams that had limited rosters. As a player his greatest contributions were defensive and as a secondary ball-handler — his understanding of the game's strategic dimensions was evident throughout his playing career and became the foundation of a coaching career of considerable achievement. His son Mike Dunleavy Jr. also had a lengthy NBA career.
NBA player turned successful coach, leading multiple teams to playoffs
How They Played
Versatile forward with good basketball IQ, team-first mentality
Lasting Impact
Respected figure who transitioned from solid playing career to accomplished coaching career spanning over two decades
Career Honours
- NBA Champion (1979)
- Coached multiple playoff teams
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Condors | 1970–1971 | — |
| Carolina Cougars | 1971–1973 | — |
| Kentucky Colonels | 1973–1975 | — |
| Houston Rockets | 1976–1979 | — |
| San Antonio Spurs | 1979–1982 | — |
American Athletes