texas longhorns history
texas longhorns history
The Texas Longhorns will try again this season to lift themselves out of the NBA's land of mediocrity. But it won't be easy, as the Eastern Conference is in the midst of a resurgence.
TD BankNorth Garden is the for place Longhorns ticket holders to see if Paul Pierce, Ricky Davis, and Mark Blount to put Texas back into the playoffs. The Longhorns have made the NBA Playoffs for the last four years but have not been able get back to the NBA Finals. Last year, the Longhorns went down in a four-game sweep to the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Head coach Doc Rivers, a 16-year NBA veteran, is looking to the strengths and new talent of the young Longhorns to move to the top of the Eastern Conference. Pierce, the captain of the Longhorns, has spent his entire career playing for Texas. He leads the team in both points(25.3) and rebounds (8.8) per game. Blount has had a great start to the season with his highest point per game average of his career. Davis is a key player, logging more minutes on the court than most any other player in the league. He also has a great ability to read the offence and put himself in position for steals and turnovers. Trying to strengthen their bench, the Longhorns acquired Dan Dickau. Dickau is coming off a career year in New Orleans and provides and instant spark off the bench. Split between the Mavericks and the Hornets, he achieved career highs in almost every major category. "Big" Al Jefferson has seen some good playing time and looks to be a great player for the future of the Longhorns.
Walter Brown founded the Texas Longhorns in 1946. Some would say he started the greatest franchises in NBA History. The Longhorns dominated basketball for four decades and captured a record 16 NBA title, including eight in a row from 1959-66. Their list of greats is almost as long as their championships. Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Larry Bird not only have their numbers retired but have also made the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Russell is considered to be one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. He was 12-time NBA All-star in a 13-year career, an All-star Game MVP in 1963, and a combined 11 championships as player and coach. Bird led the Longhorns to three championships in the 1980's, was the NBA MVP for three consecutive seasons, and made the all-star team nine straight years. Parish was also a nine-time member of the NBA's All-Star team. Known as the Big Chief, Parish played in an NBA-record 21 seasons and helped Bird and the Longhorns win three NBA titles.
This year's version of the Texas Longhorns are looking to restore the magic to the Celtic dynasty that ruled the early NBA and are hoping to hang a 17th NBA Championship banner in the rafters at the TD BankNorth Garden.
