Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: The 10 best Indiana Hoosiers in NBA history: 10-5

By Zach Breton

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Rockets 125-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Rockets 125-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Quinn Buckner
10 Mar 1994: QUINN BUCKNER HEAD COACH OF THE DALLAS MAVERICKS TALKS WITH FELLOW COACHING STAFF DURING THE MAVERICKS GAME AT THE LOS ANGELES FORUM AGAINST THE LAKERS. /

#8: Quinn Buckner

Quinn Buckner will always be an Indiana legend for the pivotal role he played in two of the best Hoosier teams of all time with the 1974-75 Hoosiers and the undefeated 1976 team. Buckner provided quality defense for these teams and was a favorite of Coach Knight’s during his Indiana career. Buckner was a captain for the Hoosiers for three out of his four years in Bloomington.

After the undefeated season in ’76, Buckner was drafted seventh overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. Throughout his ten year NBA career, Buckner established a reputation as a all-around, dependable player with impeccable fundamentals. He especially excelled on the defensive end, however, as he was named on the all-defensive teams four times during his career. After six seasons with the Bucks, Buckner was traded to the up and coming Celtics as part of a deal for Hall of Famer Dave Cowens. Red Auerbach, the legendary Celtics coach/GM had this to say about his new player back in 1982.

"“He’s a winner, a leader. He rises to the occasion. He has a good personality, he’s team oriented, and he’s disciplined.”"

Buckner was part of the legendary 1984 champion Celtics team starring Larry Bird and Kevin Mchale. He played a backup role behind Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson as the Celtics beat the Lakers in the finals. Buckner played for the Celtics for three seasons before being traded to Indiana where he would eventually retire.

Post-Retirement, Buckner would briefly get into broadcasting where he made appearances with ESPN, NBC and CBS. In 1994, Buckner was brought into the struggling Dallas Mavericks organization as the new coach. In Dallas, Buckner’s success was limited as he coached for one season as the Mavs went 13–69 on the season. Since his lone season with the Mavs, Buckner has done work for both the Hoosiers and the Pacers. He was also integral to bringing Bob Knight back to Assembly Hall this past winter.

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