Lionel Hollins

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Lore & Background

Hollins was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth pick of the 1975 NBA draft out of Arizona State University. He earned All-Rookie first team honors that season, averaging 10.8 points in 78 games. He was a member of the Trail Blazers' 1976–77 championship team and made his only All-Star Game appearance one year later. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive team twice, in 1978 and 1979. On April 18, 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers retired his #14 jersey. After retiring as a player, Hollins returned to his alma mater to serve as an assistant coach at Arizona State in 1985. He later joined the Phoenix Suns staff under Cotton Fitzsimmons, where the Suns saw a 27-game improvement and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. He then served on the inaugural coaching staff of the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995. He was named interim coach of the Grizzlies on December 16, 1999, following the midseason firing of Brian Hill. Though not retained at season's end, this was the first of three different stints for Hollins as Grizzlies coach.

In Their Own Story

On January 25, 2009, Hollins was named the Grizzlies' head coach for the third time, but the first time not on an interim basis. The Grizzlies were coming off consecutive 22–60 seasons. Hollins focused on retooling the roster with players who play his 'hard nosed' style, ushering in what would be known as the 'Grit and Grind' era. His first move as coach was moving Mike Conley and Marc Gasol to the starting lineup. In his first offseason, Memphis acquired Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, all of whom enjoyed successful runs in Memphis. In 2012–2013, Hollins led Memphis to a franchise record 56-win season. Marc Gasol was named Defensive Player of the Year as the Grizzlies held opponents to 89.3 points per game. The Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in six games in the first round, then the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in five games to advance to their first conference finals in team history. They were swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Hollins' contract was not renewed on June 10, 2013. He stands as the Grizzlies' most successful coach, having led them to three straight playoff appearances, their first playoff win, a franchise best .683 winning percentage, and the first playoff series victory in franchise history.

Reader's Guide

Hollins played for five teams during his ten-year NBA career, averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 assists per game. In 1974, he suffered a serious injury from a moped crash when a bicyclist collided, which did not affect his career, but his left pinky and ring finger never healed correctly. He played two years at Dixie College in St. George, Utah, prior to his two seasons at Arizona State. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1986 with a degree in sociology. On July 2, 2014, Hollins and the Brooklyn Nets reached an agreement for him to serve as head coach. He guided the Nets to the playoffs in his first season. On January 10, 2016, he was relieved of his duties after starting the 2015–16 season with a 10–27 record. On July 31, 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers hired Hollins as an assistant coach. He won his second championship on October 11, 2020, when the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals in 6 games. On July 3, 2022, the Houston Rockets hired Hollins as an assistant coach.

Did You Know?

• Hollins won an NBA championship as a player with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 and as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
• He was named an NBA All-Star in 1978 and was on the NBA All-Defensive team twice, in 1978 and 1979.
• Hollins graduated from Arizona State University in 1986 with a degree in sociology.
• He led the Memphis Grizzlies to their first conference finals in team history in 2013.
• Hollins' son, Austin Hollins, played college basketball for the University of Minnesota and professionally in the EuroLeague.