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Stan Albeck, longtime NBA coach, dies at 89 in hospice care

Albeck coached for both the University of Denver and the ABA's Denver Rockets.
Credit: AP
Wilt Chamberlain, right, coach, of the San Diego conquistadors, shares the enthusiasm of assistant coach Stan Albeck, left, in the opening minutes of their game against the New York Nets, Friday, March 1, 1974. (AP Photo/Riuchard Drew)

SAN ANTONIO — Stan Albeck, the former San Antonio, Cleveland, New Jersey and Chicago head coach during a long NBA career, died Thursday in hospice care at son John’s home. He was 89.

John Albeck told the San Antonio Express-News his father entered hospice care Thursday after having a stroke March 14. He also had a stroke in 2001 while an assistant coach with Toronto.

Albeck coached the ABA’s Denver Rockets in 1970-71, then directed Cleveland in 1979-80, San Antonio from 1980-83, New Jersey from 1983-85 and Chicago in 1985-86 — with Michael Jordan in his second season.

He took the Spurs to consecutive Western Conference Finals in 1982 and 1983. Albeck grew up in Chenoa, Illinois, and starred at Bradley.

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