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Rio Grande Valley's Chris Finch Earns 2010 Dennis Johnson Coach Of The Year Award

April 19, 2010 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


NEW YORK, April 19, 2010 - Chris Finch, the head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, was today named the winner of the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award as voted by his fellow NBA Development League head coaches. NBA D-League President Dan Reed will present Finch with his award prior to tonight's semifinal matchup between the Vipers and the Austin Toros in McAllen, TX.

"Under Chris' guidance, Rio Grande Valley asserted itself as a presence in the Western Conference and remained one of the NBA D-League's top teams all season," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. "Not only were his Vipers successful as a team, but he also produced an NBA D-League record 10 GATORADE Call-Ups this season, proving his commitment to developing the NBA's top prospects. This commitment, coupled with a tremendous knowledge of and passion for the game has made him a valuable asset to the Vipers, and I congratulate him on this honor."

In his first season as head coach, Finch immediately left his mark in Rio Grande Valley, leading the team to its first 30-win season and serving as Western Conference head coach at the 2010 NBA D-League All-Star Game in Dallas. Additionally, he guided five Vipers to GATORADE Call-Ups: Antonio Anderson (Oklahoma City), Will Conroy (Houston), Mike Harris (Houston, Washington), Kenny Hasbrouck (Miami), and Garrett Temple (Houston, Sacramento, San Antonio).

"As an organization we are very fortunate to have Chris as our head coach, and we appreciate his commitment and dedication to the success of this team. We would like to congratulate him as the NBA D-League Coach of the year," said Gersson Rosas, Vipers General Manager. "Chris and his staff served as the foundation for the most successful season in Viper's brief history, as they led the team to its first Western Conference title and its first playoff season. Chris was one of the key reasons why the Hybrid Relationship between the Rockets and the Vipers was such a great success, and we look forward to greater results in the future with Chris leading the way!"

The award is named in honor of the late Dennis Johnson, NBA Legend and former Austin Toros head coach who is set to be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in August. In his playing career, Johnson won three NBA titles with the Boston Celtics and Seattle SuperSonics, played in five NBA All-Star games and was named to the All-Defensive First Team six times. He served as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002 and was in his third season coaching in the NBA D-League when he passed away.

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