Coach and assistant coach in the NBA since the 1970s, and recognized by the Hall of Fame in 2019, Del Harris will be awarded the prestigious Chuck Daly Award this year, succeeding legends like Pat Riley, Hubie Brown and Jerry Sloan.
Landed in the Big League in Houston in 1976 after starting his career at a small university (Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana) and a stint through the ABA (in Utah) and Puerto Rico, Harris then went on to work on the circuit.
Promoted head coach with the Rockets in 1979, Coach Harris brought the Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981, in his second campaign. He will also experience a glorious period with the Lakers, notably being elected coach of the year in 1995 before the start of the Shaq / Kobe era in Los Angeles. Harris will then continue his career in Dallas, where he will spend 7 years as an assistant.
“Del is a basketball encyclopedia. I always went to see Del to see what he thought because he has such knowledge, ”recalls Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavs site. “He’s been around basketball forever. He gave so much to the sport. It’s always a pleasure to chat with him and I could do it for hours. He is an admirable person, who has coached a lot of great players. He has done so much for our sport and for the league. I am a huge fan of Del and congratulate him on this award. “
A life in basketball
Intended for a religious career, Del Harris ended up following his passion for the orange ball all around the world, also participating in international basketball by becoming an assistant to the Canadian team at the 1994 World Championships before being Rudy’s assistant. Tomjanovich (his former player in Houston) for the 1998 World Cup – for which Team USA was made up of university players and players playing in Europe, lockout requires.
Harris will also coach China for the 2004 Olympics, with Yao Ming and John Calipari’s assistant with the Dominican Republic in 2011.
“He’s one of the most brilliant minds in basketball in terms of technique,” says Don Nelson. “He’s one of the best coaches in the league for me. I learned a lot from him. He’s like a basketball diplomat. He really enjoys teaching and helping people learn basketball. And he’s a very good communicator. “
After a final lap with the Texas Legends in 2011-12, Del Harris became vice president of the G-League franchise where Jaylen Hoard was playing this year. At 83, Harris is what we call a “lifer”, a game enthusiast to whom he has dedicated his life and whom this award comes to salute.
NBCA Chuck Daly Award winners
2020 – Del Harris
2019 – Frank Layden
2018 – Doug Moe
2017 – Hubie Brown
2016 – Jerry Sloan
2015 – Dick Motta
2014 – Bernie Bickerstaff
2013 – Bill Fitch
2012 – Pat Riley
2011 – Lenny Wilkens
2010 – Tex Winter, Jack Ramsay
2009 – Tom Heinsohn
