General manager (basketball)
Encyclopedia
In the National Basketball Association
and Women's National Basketball Association
, the general manager or GM of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the team during contract negotiations with players.
The general manager is also normally the person who hires and fires the coaching staff, including the head coach
.
The exact title and responsibilities held by a general manager can vary from team to team. Some teams choose to have both a general manager and a President of Basketball Operations. For example, when Red Auerbach
was team president of the Boston Celtics
in the 1980s, Jan Volk
, the team's GM from 1984-1997, reported to Auerbach regarding basketball-related decisions. Others, such as the Minnesota Lynx
of the WNBA, have a general manager who is also Chief Executive Officer
of the organization, effectively reporting only to the owner. Still others will place player personnel decisions in the hands of a head coach
; for example, when Don Nelson
became coach of the Milwaukee Bucks
in 1976, he also became its general manager. In these cases, coaching staffs generally report to a different executive officer within the organization.
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
and Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
, the general manager or GM of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the team during contract negotiations with players.
The general manager is also normally the person who hires and fires the coaching staff, including the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
.
The exact title and responsibilities held by a general manager can vary from team to team. Some teams choose to have both a general manager and a President of Basketball Operations. For example, when Red Auerbach
Red Auerbach
Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach was an American basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Boston Celtics. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death...
was team president of the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in the 1980s, Jan Volk
Jan Volk
Jan Volk is a former basketball executive who served as the General Manager of the Boston Celtics from 1984–1997.Volk joined the Celtics in 1971 after graduating from Columbia Law School. His early work with the team included ticket sales director, manager of equipment purchases, traveling...
, the team's GM from 1984-1997, reported to Auerbach regarding basketball-related decisions. Others, such as the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
of the WNBA, have a general manager who is also Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the organization, effectively reporting only to the owner. Still others will place player personnel decisions in the hands of a head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
; for example, when Don Nelson
Don Nelson
Donald Arvid "Don" Nelson is a former NBA player and head coach. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors....
became coach of the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in 1976, he also became its general manager. In these cases, coaching staffs generally report to a different executive officer within the organization.
See also
- Sports Illustrated Best GM of the Decade (2009)