Mitch Kupchak

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Mitch Kupchak
Position Power forward/Center
Height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight 230 lb (100 kg)
Born May 24, 1954 (1954-05-24) (age 54)
Hicksville, New York
Nationality USA
College North Carolina
Draft 13th overall, 1976
Washington Bullets
Pro career 1976–1986
Former teams Washington Bullets (1976–1981)
Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1986)
Medal record
Competitor for Flag of the United States United States
Men's Basketball
Olympic Games
Gold Montreal 1976 Team Competition

Mitchell "Mitch" Kupchak (born May 24, 1954 in Hicksville, New York) is a retired American basketball player and current general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers since the 2000-01 NBA season after predecessor Jerry West moved to the Memphis Grizzlies organization.

Kupchak was an All-American on the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team. Kupchak played on the gold medal winning team at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1976, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team.

Kupchak signed with the Lakers in 1981 on the behest of Magic Johnson, who told owner Jerry Buss, "If we could get Mitch Kupchak, I know we could win," after the team's playoff upset.[1] Unfortunately, 26 games into the season, Kupchak injured his knee and did not play again until the 1983-84 season. During his recuperation, Kupchak obtained his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He then retired in 1986 to become West's assistant.

Kupchak took over as general manager in 2000. His first major transaction was the acquisition of former superstars Karl Malone and Gary Payton. After a number of controversial trade transactions over the years, including the trade of Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant, as well as the decision not to trade Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd, Kupchak faced severe criticism from Lakers star Kobe Bryant, although he still had the support of Buss. However, after his 2008 deal to obtain Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for Kwame Brown, other players and draft picks, Bryant conceded, "He goes from an F to an A-plus."[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Springer, Steve. "Lakers' Kupchak can deal with it", Los Angeles Times, April 28, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-30. 

[edit] External links

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Image:Med 1.png 1976 Olympic Champions Men's Basketball team - United States Image:Med 1.png
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Washington Bullets 1977-78 NBA Champions

10 Dandridge | 11 Hayes | 14 Henderson | 15 Johnson | 20 Walker | 25 Kupchak | 32 Wright | 35 Grevey | 41 Unseld (Finals MVP) | 42 Ballard | 44 Pace | 45 Chenier | Coach Motta
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Los Angeles Lakers 1981-82 NBA Champions

5 Jordan | 8 Brewer | 10 Nixon | 11 McAdoo | 21 Cooper | 25 Kupchak | 31 Rambis | 32 E. Johnson (Finals MVP) | 33 Abdul-Jabbar | 34 C. Johnson | 40 McGee | 52 Wilkes | 54 Landsberger | Coach Riley
v • d • e
Los Angeles Lakers 1984-85 NBA Champions

4 Scott | 11 McAdoo | 12 Lester | 21 Cooper | 25 Kupchak | 31 Rambis | 32 Johnson | 33 Abdul-Jabbar (Finals MVP) | 35 Spriggs | 40 McGee | 42 Worthy | 43 Nevitt | 52 Wilkes | Coach Riley
v • d • e
Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers
The Franchise
Arenas
Coaches
D-League Affiliate
Administration
Dr. Jerry Buss (Majority Owner) • Mitch Kupchak (Vice President & GM of Basketball Ops.) • Phil Jackson (Head Coach) • Anschutz Entertainment Group (Minority Owner)
Notable Figures
Retired Numbers
13 • 22 • 25 • 32 • 33 • 42 • 44 • Chick Hearn (Microphone)
Minneapolis Lakers Hall of Famers (Mikan, Mikkelsen, Martin, Lovellette, Pollard, Coach Kundla)
NBA Championships (14)
1949 • 1950 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1972 • 1980 • 1982 • 1985 • 1987 • 1988 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002
Rivals
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