Jim Cleamons is a former professional basketball player and coach who had a successful career in the sport. He played college basketball at Ohio State University, where he was a key player on the team that won the NCAA championship in 1971. After college, Cleamons was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1971 NBA draft and played for the team for four seasons.
During his time with the Lakers, Cleamons was known for his strong defensive skills and his ability to shoot from outside. He was a key player on the team that won the NBA championship in 1972, and he continued to be a valuable contributor to the team throughout his time with the Lakers.
After his playing career ended, Cleamons transitioned into coaching. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Lakers in 1981, and he quickly established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in the league. He was known for his ability to develop young players and for his strong work ethic.
In 1989, Cleamons was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. He led the team to a 24-58 record in his first season, but he was fired after just one year. He then spent several years as an assistant coach with various teams, including the Chicago Bulls, the New Orleans Hornets, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
In 1996, Cleamons was hired as an assistant coach with the Bulls, where he worked under head coach Phil Jackson. He was a key member of the coaching staff that led the Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s, and he was widely regarded as one of the top assistant coaches in the league.
After his time with the Bulls, Cleamons continued to work as an assistant coach with various teams, including the Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. He also spent time coaching overseas, including a stint as the head coach of the Turkish national team.
Throughout his career, Cleamons was known for his dedication to the sport of basketball and his ability to develop young players. He was widely respected by his peers and was considered one of the top coaches in the game. Although he never achieved the same level of success as a head coach that he did as an assistant, Cleamons left a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and will always be remembered as one of the game's greats.
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