The NBA Coaches Association announced today that legendary Celtics player and coach Tommy Heinsohn will receive the inaugural "Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award." The award carries on the memory of Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly, who died last month after battling cancer.
Daly set a standard of integrity, class and competitive excellence, and his recent passing is mourned by his fellow coaches. The award will recognize a coach who made special contributions to the sport throughout his NBA career and whose body of work had a positive, lasting impact on the NBA coaching profession. It will be presented annually to a current or former NBA head or assistant coach.
Mavericks' coach Rick Carlisle is president of the NBA Coaches Association, and said: "Like Chuck, Tommy Heinsohn has shown a lifetime devotion to improving NBA basketball for all who play, coach and watch the sport. His dedication, drive and vision unified NBA coaches and helped ensure their welfare for decades to come. Tommy helped pave the way for future coaches to make meaningful contributions to the game beyond the locker room and sidelines. All NBA coaches owe Tommy a debt of gratitude for his work and his example."
Following his Hall of Fame playing career, Tommy Heinsohn led the Celtics to two NBA championships as head coach in 1974 and 1976. During eight-plus seasons on the Celtics' sideline, Heinsohn displayed a passion for the game and an unwavering loyalty to the Boston franchise that continues today.
"Chuck Daly was a man and a coach who everyone had great respect for, and to be recognized in his memory is very special,'' Heinsohn said. "I humbly accept this honor on behalf of all those who coach and have coached in the NBA.''
--Eddie Sefko
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