Bill Cartwright: Difference between revisions

James William "Bill" Cartwright (born July 30 1957 in Lodi, California) and former student at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, is a former NBA basketball player, a 7'1" (2.16 m) center who played 16 seasons for the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics, helping the Bulls capture consecutive championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He played college basketball at the University of San Francisco.

Cartwright carried more of a scoring load with the Knicks, twice averaging better than 20 points. But he played a more of a supporting role for the Bulls, who had plenty of firepower with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

As a member of the Knicks, he made his only NBA All-Star Game appearance in his rookie year of 1979-80.

After his retirement, Cartwright tried his hand at coaching, and took over the Bulls' 37 games into the 2000-01 season, going 17-38 after the team's 4-23 start under Tim Floyd and Bill Berry. The Bulls finished 21-61 on the year, and the following season Cartwright was promoted from interim head coach to permanent head coach. In 2001-02 the Bulls finished 30-52, but Cartwright lasted only 14 games into the 2002-03 season -- going 4-10 -- before being fired. Pete Myers and finally Scott Skiles coached the Bulls immediately following Cartwright's tenure.

In 2004, the New Jersey Nets hired Cartwright as an assistant coach.

During Cartwright's final season in Seattle, he took an elbow to the neck in a game and required serious operation. As a result, he now has a lightly hoarse voice.