Willem Hendrik "Butch" Van Breda Kolff (born October 28, 1922 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey) is a former pro basketball player and coach. He spent four seasons playing with the New York Knicks of the NBA (1946-50). In 1967 he became head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, and guided them to the NBA finals in 1968 and 1969, but losing twice to the Boston Celtics. Van Breda Kolff also coached the Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Jazz, compiling an 266-256 record overall. October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Map of Glen Ridge in Essex County Glen Ridge is a borough located in Essex County, New Jersey, USA. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough had a total population of 7,271. ... Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005 Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls attempts to score. ... The New York Knicks (or New York Knickerbockers) are a National Basketball Association team based in New York, New York. ... The National Basketball Association, more commonly referred to as the NBA, is the worlds premier mens professional basketball league and one of the major professional sports leagues of North America. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association team based in Los Angeles, California. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association team based in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area. ... The Phoenix Suns are a National Basketball Association team based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... Dixieland music is a style of jazz. ...
Beyond the NBA, the coach known as "VBK" and "Bill" by the fans had two tenures at the head men's basketball coach at Hofstra University on New York's Long Island, in the 1950s-60s and the 1980s-90s. Hofstra University is a coeducational institution located in Hempstead, Long Island, New York (USA) founded in 1935 on the basis of the estate of William and Kate Hofstra. ...
However, when Chamberlain's teammate Jerry West heard of VanBredaKolff's decision, he was utterly disgusted, and passionately defended Chamberlain [2].
Furthermore, even VanBredaKolff, who never got along with Chamberlain (a factor that some speculate may have played a part in his decision to not put Chamberlain back in--a desire by VanBredaKolff to prove he could win without Chamberlain), has always himself defended Chamberlain's injury as being fully legitimate.
Bill Russell, Chamberlain's friend and on-court rival for most of Chamberlain's career, won 11 titles with a team that dominated Chamberlain's in the playoffs.
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