The Rise of Mitch Kupchak: Unveiling the Lakers' New Player's Remarkable NBA Career
Mitch Kupchak, a basketball veteran, played a pivotal role in the Lakers' success during the 1980s, including a victory over the Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals Furthermore, he served as the Lakers' General Manager for over three decades, solidifying his legacy in the organization
Summary
Mitch Kupchak played a crucial role in the success of the Showtime Lakers, contributing to their two NBA championships in 1982 and 1985.
Kupchak's playing career was shortened due to injury, but he made a comeback and assumed a supportive role for the team. Subsequently, after retiring as a player, Kupchak embarked on a prosperous career as the Lakers' general manager, playing a crucial role in the team's success during the 2000s.
HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty delves into the real-life story of Mitch Kupchak's acquisition by the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Kupchak, a standout college basketball player for the esteemed Tar Heels at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1972 to 1976, was drafted as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 1976 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets. Throughout his career, Kupchak achieved great heights, winning three NBA Championships - one with the Bullets and two as a significant member of the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, led by Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Additionally, Kupchak was a pivotal part of the gold-medal-winning 1976 Olympic U.S. men's basketball team.
However, within Winning Time season 2, episode 3, an important detail regarding Mitch Kupchak's inclusion on the 1980s Showtime Lakers roster is misrepresented. The series wrongly portrays Coach Paul Westhead as the primary force behind Kupchak's addition to the Lakers. It suggests that Coach Westhead willingly traded Jim Chones to the Washington Bullets in exchange for the impressive and physically imposing power forward. In actuality, it was Magic Johnson who proposed the idea to Lakers owner Jerry Buss during the 1981 off-season. Johnson believed that acquiring a player like Kupchak would propel the Lakers towards another NBA championship title.
Mitch Kupchak Played On The Lakers From 1981–1986
Kupchak arrived on the Lakers roster in the 1981-82 season, joining from the Washington Bullets. Unfortunately, his time with the Lakers was marred by a severe injury that limited him to just 26 regular season games. It wasn't until the 1983-84 season, after signing a long-term contract with the Lakers, that Kupchak was able to fully recover and return to the court. This contract entitled him to an average compensation of $325,000 over seven seasons. Despite the setback, Kupchak played a crucial role in the success of the Showtime Lakers, contributing to their NBA Championships in 1982 against the Philadelphia 76ers and in 1985 against the Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird.
When Kupchak first joined the Lakers in 1981, he had an outstanding statistical impact. Prior to his injury, he averaged nearly 32 minutes of playing time per game, scoring an impressive 14.3 points and grabbing 8.1 rebounds. This quickly established him as one of the Lakers' most valuable offensive assets. However, upon his return from injury in the 1983-84 season, Kupchak's performance declined significantly. He took on a more supportive role within the team, focusing on playing positions. During the Lakers' victorious 1985 championship season, Kupchak's contributions were more modest, as he averaged 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game over 58 games.
Mitch Kupchak Helped The Lakers Beat The Celtics In The 1985 NBA Finals
With a star-studded lineup comprising of players like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and Byron Scott, Kupchak did not bear the burden of being the primary offensive force on the iconic 1985 Lakers championship team. Despite this, Kupchak played a crucial role as a substitute during the playoffs, averaging 4.7 points per game. He participated in 16 of the team's 19 playoff games, ultimately helping the Showtime Lakers secure their ninth NBA championship in franchise history. As Kupchak's offensive output declined in the latter part of his career, his leadership abilities and the support he received from Magic Johnson positioned him for potential management roles with the Lakers following his retirement in 1986.
Mitch Kupchak Became The Lakers General Manager From 1986–2017
Mitch Kupchak had always envisioned transitioning to the management side of the NBA even while he was still an active player for the Lakers. Upon retiring, he swiftly embarked on an apprenticeship under the guidance of General Manager and former NBA player Jerry West. In 1986, Kupchak assumed the role of the Lakers Assistant General Manager and eventually rose to succeed Jerry West himself. However, it was not until the year 2000, when West joined the Memphis Grizzlies, that Kupchak obtained full control as the Lakers' GM. Despite some of his decisions drawing disapproval from Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant, Kupchak forged a strong bond with Lakers owner Jerry Buss.
Kupchak's NBA management career has surpassed his playing career and still thrives to this day. He played a key role in bringing incredible talents to the Lakers during the 2000s, notably Hall of Famer Pau Gasol in 2008. Under his leadership, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals five times from 2000 to 2008. Kupchak's tenure as GM continued when ownership transitioned from Jerry Buss to his daughter Jeanie after Jerry's passing in 2013. However, Jeanie ultimately fired Kupchak in 2017 and appointed Magic Johnson as the head of all Lakers basketball operations. Currently, Kupchak serves as the GM of the Charlotte Hornets and will be featured in upcoming episodes of HBO's Winning Time.
