Allan Bristow
Encyclopedia
Allan Mercer Bristow Jr. (born August 23, 1951 in Richmond, Virginia
) is a retired American professional basketball
player, coach, and executive. Bristow played college basketball
at Virginia Tech
, and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
in the 2nd round of the 1973 NBA Draft
. A 6'7", 210 lb (95.3 kg) forward, he had a 10-year career in the both the NBA and the ABA
, playing for the Sixers, the San Antonio Spurs
(in both leagues), the Utah Jazz
, and finishing his playing career with the Dallas Mavericks
. His nickname was "Disco".
In 1991, Bristow was hired to be the third head coach for the recently-created Charlotte Hornets
franchise, a position he held for five years. Led by players such as Larry Johnson, the Hornets were the first of the late-1980s expansion teams to be successful, reaching the playoffs
in 1993 and 1995. Bristow resigned in 1996 after becoming unpopular with fans in Charlotte commonly referred to as "Bristow-bashers."
Bristow would become the New Orleans Hornets' general manager in 2004; a position he would relinquish in 2005.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
) is a retired American professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, coach, and executive. Bristow played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at Virginia Tech
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
, and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in the 2nd round of the 1973 NBA Draft
1973 NBA Draft
The 1973 NBA Draft was the 27th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 24, 1973 before the 1973–74 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. A 6'7", 210 lb (95.3 kg) forward, he had a 10-year career in the both the NBA and the ABA
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
, playing for the Sixers, the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
(in both leagues), the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, and finishing his playing career with the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
. His nickname was "Disco".
In 1991, Bristow was hired to be the third head coach for the recently-created Charlotte Hornets
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association. The franchise began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as the Charlotte Hornets, based in Charlotte,...
franchise, a position he held for five years. Led by players such as Larry Johnson, the Hornets were the first of the late-1980s expansion teams to be successful, reaching the playoffs
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
in 1993 and 1995. Bristow resigned in 1996 after becoming unpopular with fans in Charlotte commonly referred to as "Bristow-bashers."
Bristow would become the New Orleans Hornets' general manager in 2004; a position he would relinquish in 2005.