For the gray-haired legend in the blue blazer and shimmering khaki slacks, basketball is as straightforward as it can be.
It comes easily to him öö obviously, considering he has more than 600 career wins.
For everything he has done in his 29-year career as a head coach, it will all come together tomorrow when Lute Olson will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame ÷ on tape because he is in Italy for his son's wedding.
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Tomorrow, the Basketball Hall of Fame will welcome six new members into its family. Joining UA head coach Lute Olson will be five other legends, including players, a coach and an entire team.
Earvin ÎMagic' Johnson
As a 6-foot-9 point guard, Earvin "Magic" Johnson had the ability to confuse defenses in a way no one else could. Every game was a personal highlight reel for the "Magic Man." Whether it was his patented baby hook shot, behind-the-back passes that seemed to be generated from nowhere or his clutch ability whenever the game relied on him, Magic delivered.
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The legendary coach who turned the UA basketball program into a national powerhouse finally gets his place in the Hall
He needed a change. After a Final Four appearance and nine successful seasons at the helm, something was still missing. He soon found it in Tucson, of all places.
He left his statewide celebrity status that didn't allow him to enjoy a restaurant dinner without interruption.
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Lute Olson: A Timeline
· 1973 ö Begins coaching career at Long Beach State. Finishes first season with 24-2 record.
· 1979 ö Leads Iowa to Big Ten title, and NCAA Tournament (First Round).
· 1980 ö Iowa reaches Final Four öö Olson's first.
· 1983 ö Last postseason appearance with Iowa (Midwest Regional).
· 1983 ö First season at Arizona ö Team finishes 11-17 (eighth in Pac-10).
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Career Record: ð663-235 (.738) in 29 years overall
ð471-143 (.767) in 19 years at Arizona
ð167-91 (.647) in nine years at Iowa
ð24-2 (.923) in one year at Long Beach St.
ðPac-10 Championships ö 9 (1986, 1988, 1989,1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000)
ðFinal Four Appearances ö 5 (1980- Iowa, 1988, 1994, 1997, 2001)
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