Michael Cooper: One of the Greatest NBA Players of All Time

Michael Cooper was not only one of the greatest NBA players but he was also a great person. He always had a smile on his face and was always willing to help out anyone who needed it.

Michael Cooper: The Early Years

Michael Cooper was born on March 6, 1956 in Los Angeles California. He grew up in Pasadena, where he attended John Muir High School From a young age, Cooper had a passion for basketball. He played on his high school’s varsity team and was coached by Paul Westphal, who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career himself. Cooper was an All-American in high school and was recruited by multiple colleges. He ultimately decided to stay close to home and attend the University of New Mexico.

Cooper had a successful college career, averaging 17 points per game and leading his team to the NCAA tournament four times. He was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 1978 and graduated with a degree in sociology.

After college, Cooper was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the fifth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft He would go on to have a legendary career with the Lakers, winning five championships alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Cooper was an excellent defender and an adept shooter, making him one of the most well-rounded players of his era. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987. Cooper also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA in 1984 and 1992.

Upon his retirement from basketball in 1990, Cooper became a Head Coach at his alma mater, John Muir high school He led the team to four straight conference championships before returning to coaching at the collegiate level with Occidental College in 2004. In 2007, he joined forces with Jerry West again, this time as an Assistant Coach for the Memphis Grizzlies He has since retired from coaching but remains involved with basketball as a television analyst.

Michael Jordan once said that Cooper was “the best Defensive Player [he] ever played against.” High praise indeed from one of the greatest players ever! Michael Cooper is without question one of the greatest players in Lakers history and one of the best defenders of all time

Michael Cooper: The Lakers Years

Michael Cooper is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He played for the Lakers for 12 years, winning five championships. He was a six-time All-Star and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1987. He is also one of the top three-point shooters in NBA history knocking down 1,726 three-pointers during his career.

Michael Cooper: The Later Years

Michael Cooper was drafted in the fifth round of the 1979 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers He would go on to have a huge impact on the team, and would later be considered one of the greatest players in franchise history. In his twelve seasons with the Lakers, Cooper won five championships, and was named to the All-Defensive First Team eight times. He was also a key player on the “Showtime” Lakers teams of the 1980s that were known for their high-flying style of play.

In retirement, Cooper has remained close to the game of basketball He has served as a head coach and assistant coach at both the collegiate and professional levels, and is currently an analyst for Spectrum SportsNet which broadcasts Lakers games.

Michael Cooper: The Legacy

Michael Cooper was not only one of the greatest players to ever grace an NBA court but he was also one of the league’s most respected men. A five-Ime Nba champion with the Los Angeles Lakers Cooper was known for his intensity on both ends of the floor. On offense, he was a gifted scorer and playmaker; on defense, he was a master of the steal and an expert at shutting down opponents’ top scorers

Cooper’s legacy extends far beyond his on-court accomplishments. He is widely credited with helping to transform the Lakers into a championship-caliber team during his eight seasons with the franchise. He is also held in high regard for his work as a coach, first leading the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks to two league titles and then serving as an assistant coach with the NBA’s Miami Heat for several years.

Michael Cooper will always be remembered as one of the greatest players and most respected men in NBA history

Michael Cooper: The Stats

Michael Cooper was born on October 15th, 1956, in Los Angeles California. He played college basketball at the University of New Mexico from 1974 to 1978. From 1978 to 1983 he played for the Lakers, and then again from 1983 to 1990. After his playing career ended, he became an assistant coach for the Lakers until 2014. In total, he spent 26 years with the organization.

As a player, Michael Cooper was an 8-time NBA All-Defensive team member, a 5-time All-Star, and a 2-time NBA Champion In his 12 season career, he averaged 11.7 points per game 4.4 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. He is currently 8th all time in steals per game and 19th all time in total steals. He is also the Lakers franchise leader in both of those categories. His number 12 was retired by the Lakers in 2019.

Michael Cooper: The Awards

Michael Cooper is one of the Greatest NBA Players of all time. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1983 to 1990, and was a part of five NBA Championship teams. Cooper was also a two-time defensive player of the Year, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times. In addition to his individual awards, Cooper helped lead the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances, and is one of only four players in NBA history to have won at least four championships with one team.

Michael Cooper: The Highlights

Arguably one of the best Defensive Players in history, Michael Cooper was a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. A versatile player, he could play both guard positions and was often matched up against the opposing team’s best player. On offense, he was an excellent shooter and lane driver. He was also an accomplished passer and was known for his no-look passes.

During his 12-year NBA Career Cooper averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game He was a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team five times. He was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987. After retiring from playing in 1988, Cooper went on to have a successful coaching career, leading the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks to two championships.

Michael Cooper: The Stories

Michael Cooper is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. He was a 5-time NBA champion a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a 9-time All-Star. He was also one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the stories that made Michael Cooper one of the most loved and respected players in NBA history

Michael Cooper: The Quotes

“Michael Cooper is one of the greatest players of all time.”

” Michael Cooper is the best player I’ve ever seen.”

“Michael Cooper is the best player in the world.”

Michael Cooper: The Michael Cooper Way

Michael Cooper is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. A defensive specialist, Cooper was a five-time All-Star and a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, playing alongside Magic Johnson Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy In addition to his defensive prowess, Cooper was also an excellent three-point shooter and an excellent passer. He is one of only two players in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award and be named to an All-NBA team

Cooper was born and raised in Los Angeles California. He played college basketball at the University of New Mexico, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Lakers in 1978 and went on to have a decorated career with the franchise. After retiring from basketball, Cooper became a coach and has helped lead several teams to success, including the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

Michael Cooper is a Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the best players in NBA history If you’re looking to learn more about this legend, check out “The Michael Cooper Way.”