John Lucas II
Encyclopedia
John Harding Lucas II is a retired American professional basketball
player and a current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers
.
where he was an all-American in basketball, and also in tennis
. Lucas was a Second-team All-American for the excellent Terrapins team in 1973 - 74, along with his teammates Len Elmore
and Tom McMillen. The Terrapins has a record of 23 - 5 in the regular season, and 9 - 3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC). However, they lost during the ACC Tournament, and they could not go to the NCAA Tournament. Elmore and McMillan graduated in 1974, but in the following 1974 - 75 season, Lucas was a First-team All-American. The Terrapins recorded a 24 - 5 regular season record, 10 - 2 in the ACC, and they won the ACC regular season crown. However, they lost to NC State in the semifinals of the ACC tournament. The NCAA tournament, however, had been expanded to include 32 teams. Also, for the first time, more than one team per conference was allowed into the tournament. Maryland gained entry and advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to Louisville.
In the in 1975 - 76 season, Lucas was a First-team All-American once again. The Terrapins recorded a 22 - 6 regular season record, 7 - 5 in the ACC, but they lost out in the ACC Tournament and did not make the NCAA Tournament. Then, following this senior season, Lucas was the first choice in the first round of the NBA Draft, selected by the Houston Rockets
team. He was also drafted by the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association
.
Lucas played for the US national team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship
, winning the bronze medal.
Lucas played in the NBA
for fourteen years and was a member of the 1986
Houston Rockets
team that made it to the NBA Finals
, where they lost to the Boston Celtics
.
However, the following off-season, Lucas's basketball career took a turn for the worse when longstanding problems with illegal drugs became public. Several of his teammates with the Rockets, including Mitchell Wiggins
and Lewis Lloyd
, were banished from the NBA due to positive tests for cocaine
usage. Lucas, who was also a cocaine user (and an alcoholic
), submitted voluntarily to anti-drug and anti-alcohol treatment in order to stay in the league.
Lucas played four more years in the NBA, scoring at age 33 a career-high 17.5 points in 1986-87, before settling into a reserve role the next three years.
After successfully undergoing drug rehabilitation, and starting programs of his own to help other athletes rehabilitate, Lucas returned to the NBA as a coach, eventually becoming a head coach.
, Philadelphia 76ers
and Cleveland Cavaliers
, each for less than two seasons, compiling a 174 - 258 overall coaching record. His most successful stint was with the Spurs. In 1992-93, he took over from Jerry Tarkanian
(9-11) and went 39-22 the rest of the season, and reached the Western Conference semi-finals. The next year the Spurs finished 55-27 but lost in the first round of playoffs.
Prior to accepting the head coaching position for the Cavs, he was assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets
for three seasons.
Lucas worked with Indiana Pacers guard T.J. Ford in Houston after the guard sustained a neck injury from a hard foul from Atlanta
's Al Horford
.
Lucas has been hired for the 2009–10 NBA season as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers under head coach Mike Dunleavy
.
Lucas began working with former NFL first round pick JaMarcus Russell
in 2010 as a life coach, but ceased this role in April of 2011.
player. An All-American in the sport while at Maryland, Lucas competed in two Grand Prix tennis tournaments in 1973, another in 1979, and a challenger event in 1979. His best result was reaching the semi-finals of the challenger in Raleigh, NC, partnering Fred McNair
. He won one other tour match, by default in doubles in 1973 in Merion, PA while partnering Vic Seixas
. He lost all four of the singles first round matches which he contested, and in straight sets. His best singles result was a 4-6, 4-6 loss to John Austin
. Lucas's career high ranking was becoming World No. 579 in singles in December, 1979. (Doubles computer rankings were not officially kept until the early 1980s.)
Lucas also played World Team Tennis
.
In 2005 Lucas was the head coach of the Houston Wranglers
, which featured Steffi Graf
and Mardy Fish
.
, attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas
and now plays college basketball
at The University of Texas.
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 a current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Basketball playing career and substance abuse
Lucas attended the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
where he was an all-American in basketball, and also in tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
. Lucas was a Second-team All-American for the excellent Terrapins team in 1973 - 74, along with his teammates Len Elmore
Len Elmore
Leonard J. "Len" Elmore is an American sportscaster, lawyer and former National Basketball Association player....
and Tom McMillen. The Terrapins has a record of 23 - 5 in the regular season, and 9 - 3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC). However, they lost during the ACC Tournament, and they could not go to the NCAA Tournament. Elmore and McMillan graduated in 1974, but in the following 1974 - 75 season, Lucas was a First-team All-American. The Terrapins recorded a 24 - 5 regular season record, 10 - 2 in the ACC, and they won the ACC regular season crown. However, they lost to NC State in the semifinals of the ACC tournament. The NCAA tournament, however, had been expanded to include 32 teams. Also, for the first time, more than one team per conference was allowed into the tournament. Maryland gained entry and advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to Louisville.
In the in 1975 - 76 season, Lucas was a First-team All-American once again. The Terrapins recorded a 22 - 6 regular season record, 7 - 5 in the ACC, but they lost out in the ACC Tournament and did not make the NCAA Tournament. Then, following this senior season, Lucas was the first choice in the first round of the NBA Draft, selected by the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
team. He was also drafted by the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
.
Lucas played for the US national team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship
1974 FIBA World Championship
The 1974 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Puerto Rico from July 3 to 14, 1974.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:...
, winning the bronze medal.
Lucas played in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
for fourteen years and was a member of the 1986
1985-86 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Rookie of the Year: Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks*Defensive Player of the Year: Alvin Robertson, San Antonio Spurs...
Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
team that made it to the NBA Finals
1986 NBA Finals
The 1986 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1985-86 NBA season. It pitted the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics against the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets. The Celtics defeated the Rockets four games to two to win their 16th NBA championship. The championship would...
, where they lost to the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
.
However, the following off-season, Lucas's basketball career took a turn for the worse when longstanding problems with illegal drugs became public. Several of his teammates with the Rockets, including Mitchell Wiggins
Mitchell Wiggins
Mitchell Lee Wiggins is a retired American professional basketball player, in the shooting guard position.-High school/college career:...
and Lewis Lloyd
Lewis Lloyd
Lewis Kevin Lloyd is a retired American basketball player. A 6'6" swingman, he played most of his professional career for the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets.-High school and college:...
, were banished from the NBA due to positive tests for cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
usage. Lucas, who was also a cocaine user (and an alcoholic
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
), submitted voluntarily to anti-drug and anti-alcohol treatment in order to stay in the league.
Lucas played four more years in the NBA, scoring at age 33 a career-high 17.5 points in 1986-87, before settling into a reserve role the next three years.
After successfully undergoing drug rehabilitation, and starting programs of his own to help other athletes rehabilitate, Lucas returned to the NBA as a coach, eventually becoming a head coach.
Coaching
He has coached the San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
and 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...
, each for less than two seasons, compiling a 174 - 258 overall coaching record. His most successful stint was with the Spurs. In 1992-93, he took over from Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
(9-11) and went 39-22 the rest of the season, and reached the Western Conference semi-finals. The next year the Spurs finished 55-27 but lost in the first round of playoffs.
Prior to accepting the head coaching position for the Cavs, he was assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
for three seasons.
Lucas worked with Indiana Pacers guard T.J. Ford in Houston after the guard sustained a neck injury from a hard foul from Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
's Al Horford
Al Horford
Alfred Joel Horford Reynoso is a Dominican professional basketball player who is a center and power forward for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association...
.
Lucas has been hired for the 2009–10 NBA season as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers under head coach Mike Dunleavy
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Michael Joseph Dunleavy is a retired American professional basketball player, former head coach, and former general manager of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He is the father of Indiana Pacers player Mike Dunleavy, Jr.-Early life:...
.
Lucas began working with former NFL first round pick JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Trenell Russell is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Russell played college football for the LSU Tigers where he finished 21–4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the first overall pick of the 2007...
in 2010 as a life coach, but ceased this role in April of 2011.
Tennis
Lucas was not only a standout basketball player, but also a standout tennisTennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player. An All-American in the sport while at Maryland, Lucas competed in two Grand Prix tennis tournaments in 1973, another in 1979, and a challenger event in 1979. His best result was reaching the semi-finals of the challenger in Raleigh, NC, partnering Fred McNair
Fred McNair
----Frederick V. McNair, IV is a former professional tennis player from the United States who reached the World No. 1 doubles ranking in 1976. That year, he teamed up with Sherwood Stewart to capture the men's doubles titles at French Open, the German Open and the Masters...
. He won one other tour match, by default in doubles in 1973 in Merion, PA while partnering Vic Seixas
Vic Seixas
Elias Victor Seixas, Jr. is an American former tennis player.Seixas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Portuguese Sephardi Jewish ancestry. After serving in World War II, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , where he was a member of Alpha Sigma of the Chi Psi...
. He lost all four of the singles first round matches which he contested, and in straight sets. His best singles result was a 4-6, 4-6 loss to John Austin
John Austin (tennis)
John Austin is an American former professional tennis player born in Long Beach, California. He won the Wimbledon mixed doubles championship with his sister, Tracy Austin, in 1980....
. Lucas's career high ranking was becoming World No. 579 in singles in December, 1979. (Doubles computer rankings were not officially kept until the early 1980s.)
Lucas also played World Team Tennis
World Team Tennis
World TeamTennis is a coed professional tennis league played with a unique team format in the United States. Each match consists of five sets. Each set features a different configuration . Coaches, before the match, decide the order in which the sets will be played...
.
In 2005 Lucas was the head coach of the Houston Wranglers
Houston Wranglers
The Houston Wranglers was a tennis team based in Houston, Texas, United States, in the World TeamTennis League.After many years of supporting and sponsoring local sports teams in Houston, Jim and Linda McIngvale, owners of Gallery Furniture and Westside Tennis Club, purchased the franchise rights...
, which featured Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf is a former World No. 1 German tennis player.In total, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court's 24...
and Mardy Fish
Mardy Fish
Mardy Simpson Fish is an American professional tennis player, and Olympic silver medalist. He is a hardcourt specialist...
.
Personal
Lucas's eldest son John Lucas, after finishing his college basketball career at Oklahoma State, played with the Rockets, while his younger son, JaiJai Lucas
Jai Lucas is a NCAA college basketball player for the Texas Longhorns. He was a McDonald's All American and was rated 20th by ESPN class of 2007. Lucas previously played for the University of Florida, but decided to transfer from the Florida Gators men's basketball team, due to lack of playing...
, attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas
Bellaire, Texas
Bellaire is a city in southwest Harris County, Texas, United States, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 15,642 and is completely surrounded by the cities of Houston and West University Place....
and now plays college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at The University of Texas.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game