Kevin Loughery's journey in professional basketball began when he was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 1962 NBA Draft. However, his playing career truly took off when he joined the Baltimore Bullets in 1963. As a guard, Loughery quickly established himself as a reliable player, known for his scoring ability and leadership on the court. Over the course of his playing career, he also spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls, where he continued to demonstrate his skills and basketball acumen.
Loughery's transition from player to coach was a natural progression. He first took on the role of player-coach for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1972-73 season. This dual role allowed him to gain valuable experience and insight into coaching, setting the stage for his future endeavors on the sidelines. After retiring as a player, Loughery fully embraced coaching, taking the helm of the New York Nets in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
Under Loughery's guidance, the New York Nets achieved considerable success. He coached the team to two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976, with the help of star player Julius Erving. These victories solidified his reputation as a capable coach who could lead a team to victory. When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, Loughery continued to coach the Nets, now part of the NBA, until 1981.
Loughery's coaching career in the NBA saw him take on various roles with different teams. He served as the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Bullets. Each of these positions presented unique challenges and opportunities, allowing Loughery to further hone his coaching strategies and philosophies. His time with the Chicago Bulls was particularly noteworthy, as he played a role in the early development of a young Michael Jordan, who would go on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
In 1986, Loughery became the head coach of the Washington Bullets, where he remained until 1988. His tenure with the Bullets was marked by efforts to rebuild and strengthen the team, although it did not result in significant playoff success. Loughery's final coaching position was with the Miami Heat, an expansion team that he led from 1991 to 1995. During his time with the Heat, Loughery focused on developing young talent and establishing a competitive team in the league.
Throughout his coaching career, Loughery was known for his ability to adapt to different team dynamics and his emphasis on teamwork and discipline.
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