Jim Cleamons
Encyclopedia
James Mitchell "Jim" Cleamons (born September 13, 1949 in Lincolnton, North Carolina
) is a retired American professional basketball
player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University
, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft
. He had a nine-year NBA career for four different teams (the Los Angeles Lakers
, the Cleveland Cavaliers
, the New York Knicks
, and the Washington Bullets
). In 1976, Cleamons was selected to the NBA All-Defense 2nd team.
In addition to his playing career, Cleamons was the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks
for slightly over one year, from 1996 to 1997. He was then the head coach of the Chicago Condors
, and he has served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls
, Los Angeles Lakers
, and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
. He was hired as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers on July 19, 2006.
For a few games during his tenure with the Lakers, he has served as acting head coach while Phil Jackson
was absent.
In 2011, Cleamons became a coach in the Chinese Basketball Association
.
Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
) is a retired American professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft
1971 NBA Draft
The 1971 NBA Draft was the 25th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 29, 1971 before the 1971–72 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. He had a nine-year NBA career for four different teams (the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, and the Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
). In 1976, Cleamons was selected to the NBA All-Defense 2nd team.
In addition to his playing career, Cleamons was the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
for slightly over one year, from 1996 to 1997. He was then the head coach of the Chicago Condors
Chicago Condors
The Chicago Condors was a very short-lived member of the American Basketball League . Its hometown was much larger than usual for the ABL, which mainly targeted mid-market cities, and initial team merchandising was successful....
, and he has served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association. The franchise began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as the Charlotte Hornets, based in Charlotte,...
. He was hired as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers on July 19, 2006.
For a few games during his tenure with the Lakers, he has served as acting head coach while Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
was absent.
In 2011, Cleamons became a coach in the Chinese Basketball Association
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association , often abbreviated to the CBA, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in China.The league is commonly known as the CBA, and this acronym is often used even in Chinese...
.