Rick Sund
Encyclopedia
Rick Sund is an NBA executive who is the current GM of the Atlanta Hawks
, replacing Billy Knight
in 2008.
with the Milwaukee Bucks
after graduating from Ohio University
with a degree in sports administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University where he was a two-sport athlete, twice named academic All-Big Ten on the basketball squad, while also seeing action as a tight end and wide receiver on the football team. At Northwestern, he joined Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
Source
The expansion Dallas Mavericks
hired him in 1979
at 28 years of age, making him the youngest general manager in the NBA's history. He helped assemble the first ever Mavericks roster, and for the remainder of his multiple-year tenure around the organization, brought in Brad Davis
, Rolando Blackman
, Mark Aguirre
and others. His 1986-87 Mavericks won a then-franchise record 55 games and took home the Midwest division crown. SourceMavericks history
They reached the Western Conference Finals the next year
, but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers
in seven games.
He aided the then-rookie general manager of the former Seattle SuperSonics
, Wally Walker
in 1994. Source
He moved on to the Detroit Pistons
in 1995-96
, a rollercoaster five seasons at the helm of a talented team holding a young Grant Hill
. They made the playoffs four of six seasons Sund ran the front office, and while they did so, Sund traded Hill, Allan Houston
(to New York
), and acquired Ben Wallace
, setting up a pillar for Joe Dumars
to build the team on in 2001
.
Sund then left for the Seattle SuperSonics, running the team for six seasons. During his tenure, Sund traded for Ray Allen
(using franchise figure Gary Payton
), drafted talented young players such as Nick Collison
, and built his Sonics around Allen and fellow sharpshooter Rashard Lewis
. Unfortunately, the SuperSonics made the playoffs but twice, although they did capture the inaugural Northwest Division crown in the 2004-05 NBA season
.
After his firing, Sund was hired by the Hawks, who had fired Billy Knight
. Prior to the season's start, sixth man Josh Childress
bolted for Europe. Sund acquired Maurice Evans and Ronald "Flip" Murray to fill Childress' vacancy. The Hawks clinched the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2008-09 NBA season, and beat the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Over the summer 2009, Sund's Hawks drafted Jeff Teague (and Sergei Gladyr), resigned free agents Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia, and Marvin Williams at affordable rates, acquired Jamal Crawford via trade for Speedy Claxton and Acie Law, and signed free agents Joe Smith and Jason Collins.
Mavericks history
Sonics fire coach Hill, remove GM Sund in shakeup
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, replacing Billy Knight
Billy Knight
William R. "Billy" Knight is an American former professional basketball player who most recently served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Basketball Association's Atlanta Hawks from 2003–08.Knight grew up in Braddock, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where he...
in 2008.
Managerial career
Sund began his managerial career in 19741974-75 NBA season
The 1974–75 NBA season was the 29th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA Championship, sweeping the Washington Bullets 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
with 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....
after graduating from Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
with a degree in sports administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University where he was a two-sport athlete, twice named academic All-Big Ten on the basketball squad, while also seeing action as a tight end and wide receiver on the football team. At Northwestern, he joined Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
Source
The expansion 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...
hired him in 1979
1979-80 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Coach of the Year: Bill Fitch, Boston Celtics*All-NBA First Team:**Paul Westphal, Phoenix Suns...
at 28 years of age, making him the youngest general manager in the NBA's history. He helped assemble the first ever Mavericks roster, and for the remainder of his multiple-year tenure around the organization, brought in Brad Davis
Brad Davis (basketball)
Bradley Ernest Davis is a retired professional basketball player who spent the bulk of his National Basketball Association career with the Dallas Mavericks.-Biography:...
, Rolando Blackman
Rolando Blackman
Rolando Antonio Blackman is a retired professional basketball player. He was an All-Star who spent most of his career with the Dallas Mavericks...
, Mark Aguirre
Mark Aguirre
Mark Anthony Aguirre is a retired American basketball player in the National Basketball Association. Aguirre played from 1981–1994 and won two championships with the Detroit Pistons after being sent to Detroit from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Adrian Dantley...
and others. His 1986-87 Mavericks won a then-franchise record 55 games and took home the Midwest division crown. SourceMavericks history
They reached the Western Conference Finals the next year
1987-88 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Mark Jackson, New York Knicks*Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls...
, but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in seven games.
He aided the then-rookie general manager of the former Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, Wally Walker
Wally Walker
Walter Frederick Walker is an American former professional basketball player. Walker is best known for his National Basketball Association career - both as a player and as a front office executive - for the Seattle SuperSonics....
in 1994. Source
He moved on to the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
in 1995-96
1995-96 NBA season
The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association , although the league didn't celebrate this anniversary until the following season...
, a rollercoaster five seasons at the helm of a talented team holding a young Grant Hill
Grant Hill
Grant Hill is the name of:* Grant Hill, American basketball player* Grant Hill , Canadian politician* Grant Hill, San Diego, California, an urban neighboorhood in central San Diego...
. They made the playoffs four of six seasons Sund ran the front office, and while they did so, Sund traded Hill, Allan Houston
Allan Houston
Allan Wade Houston is a retired American professional basketball player for the NBA, and currently the Assistant General Manager for the New York Knicks. He was one of the top 3-point shooters in the NBA until a knee injury forced him to retire...
(to New York
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
), and acquired Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
, setting up a pillar for Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
to build the team on in 2001
2001-02 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs*Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies*Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons...
.
Sund then left for the Seattle SuperSonics, running the team for six seasons. During his tenure, Sund traded for Ray Allen
Ray Allen
Walter Ray Allen is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. He has played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Boston Celtics; and collegiately for the University of...
(using franchise figure Gary Payton
Gary Payton
Gary Dwayne Payton is a former American professional basketball point guard. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds Seattle franchise records in points, assists, and steals...
), drafted talented young players such as Nick Collison
Nick Collison
Nicholas John Collison is an American professional basketball player, currently a power forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, and well known in basketball circles for his accomplishments at the University of Kansas.- Early life and high school career :Nick Collison was born in Orange...
, and built his Sonics around Allen and fellow sharpshooter Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis
Rashard Quovon Lewis is an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Washington Wizards as a small forward and a power forward.-Seattle SuperSonics:...
. Unfortunately, the SuperSonics made the playoffs but twice, although they did capture the inaugural Northwest Division crown in the 2004-05 NBA season
2004-05 NBA season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association . It began on November 2, 2004 and ended June 23, 2005. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs defeating defending champion Detroit Pistons 4–3 in the NBA Finals....
.
After his firing, Sund was hired by the Hawks, who had fired Billy Knight
Billy Knight
William R. "Billy" Knight is an American former professional basketball player who most recently served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Basketball Association's Atlanta Hawks from 2003–08.Knight grew up in Braddock, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where he...
. Prior to the season's start, sixth man Josh Childress
Josh Childress
Joshua Malik Childress is an American professional basketball player with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He previously played with the pro club Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek A1 League and the Euroleague, as well as the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.-High school career:Childress attended Mayfair High...
bolted for Europe. Sund acquired Maurice Evans and Ronald "Flip" Murray to fill Childress' vacancy. The Hawks clinched the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2008-09 NBA season, and beat the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Over the summer 2009, Sund's Hawks drafted Jeff Teague (and Sergei Gladyr), resigned free agents Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia, and Marvin Williams at affordable rates, acquired Jamal Crawford via trade for Speedy Claxton and Acie Law, and signed free agents Joe Smith and Jason Collins.
Sources
HAWKS: Rick Sund BioMavericks history
Sonics fire coach Hill, remove GM Sund in shakeup