Almost a year ago, NBA teams filled seven of the eight head coaching vacancies with Black coaches.
The Hawks officially named Nate McMillan their head coach after his amazing run in the playoffs. The Mavericks and Blazers hired former points guards Jason Kidd and Chancey Billups, respectively. The Celtics hired Ime Udoka, the Magic went with Jamahl Mosley, the Pelicans signed Willie Green and the Wizards brought back Wes Unseld Jr., this time as their head coach.
It was another defining moment for a league, and sport, that fearlessly leads in the fight for diversity, social justice, and civil and equal rights.
And those coaches have, most importantly and impressively, generally rewarded their teams with success.
Udoka and Kidd have produced the most immediate success. Their teams are in the Conference Finals after soundly thrashing their opponents in their respective Game 7s on Sunday.
McMillan and Green also led their teams to the Playoffs, both winning their play-in games to advance to the postseason.
In the 2021-22 season, there were 14 Black head coaches in the NBA. It was the highest number since the 2012-13 season, which also had 14.
In addition to the aforementioned seven, this season also featured Monty Williams (Suns), Doc Rivers (76ers), Tyronn Lue (Clippers), J.B. Bickerstaff (Cavaliers), Dwane Casey (Pistons), Alvin Gentry (Kings) and Stephen Silas (Rockets).
Most of the 14 had prior head coaching experience, demonstrating that NBA teams are willing to give Black head coaches second and third opportunities.
And so far, they’re providing dividends for their organizations.
The Suns, Mavericks, Celtics, Sixers, Hawks and Pelicans all made the playoffs while the Cavaliers and Clippers qualified for the play-in tournament.
11 of the 14 teams improved on their win totals from the 2020-21 season.
The most impressive were the Cavaliers (+22), Celtics (+15), Suns (+13) and Mavericks (+10).
If the Celtics and Mavericks advance to the NBA Finals, it will be the second time that two Black full-time head coaches face off in NBA Finals history.
In the 1975 NBA Finals, Al Attles led the Warriors against KC Jones and the Celtics (Mike Brown of the Warriors and Tyronn Lue of the Cavaliers did battle for a game during the 2017 NBA Finals but Brown was an assistant coach subbing in for head coach Steve Kerr, who hurt his back).
The NBA’s successful track record in hiring Black coaches is in stark contrast to the NFL, which appears to have a Black head coach phobia.
Fortunately, the NBA doesn’t share the NFL’s hiring bias or reluctance to hire Black head coaches.
And not only do NBA teams hire Black coaches, but they also invest in their chances of success by providing them coaches with the necessary players.
“We really have a lot of guys and there’s still a lot more that are very capable of the opportunity when you present it and you give them a fair chance — a fair shot — as far as not just the opportunity to coach, but the players to give them a chance to win games,” said Hawks coach Nate McMillan.
As we approach the NBA Finals, it’s refreshing to see the talents of Black head coaches on full display, particularly when many doubted that coaches like Ime Udoka and Jason Kidd would be successful.
Now let’s see if NBA history can be made a second time starting on June 2nd.
