Dick Motta

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Motta replaced Johnny Kerr, whose teams had posted records of 33–48 and 29–53, and immediately instilled a culture of high expectations. From 1970 to 1974, he led the Bulls to four consecutive 50-win seasons, earning him the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 1971. Despite this regular-season dominance, playoff success was scarce; they won just one series during that span until 1974. That year marked a turning point as they advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the 1974–75 season. There, they defeated the Kansas City Kings but fell in seven games against the Golden State Warriors. The team's trajectory shifted sharply afterward, ending with an NBA-worst record of 24–58 in 1975–76 before Motta was replaced by Ed Badger on August 25, 1976.

In Their Own Story

The tension in Chicago peaked during the 1974–75 Western Conference Finals. After beating the Kansas City Kings to reach the series, the Bulls faced the Golden State Warriors. The series stretched to a grueling seven games, with Motta's team ultimately falling short. This moment defined his era: a regular-season powerhouse that struggled to close out the biggest stages. Two seasons later, following an NBA-worst 24–58 finish in 1975–76, Motta's time in Chicago ended. On August 25, 1976, he was replaced by Ed Badger, concluding a run that saw him coach exactly 656 games over eight seasons. Despite the late-season collapse, his work laid the groundwork for the franchise's future competitiveness.

Reader's Guide

Motta's Chicago era (1968–1976) is defined by regular-season excellence that rarely translated to deep playoff runs until 1975. He took over a struggling team and engineered four straight 50-win seasons, a feat unmatched in the franchise's early history. The 1970 Coach of the Year award (awarded in 1971) stands as the only one in Bulls history. His tenure included the team's first playoff series win since his arrival in 1974 and their deepest run to the Western Conference Finals in 1975. However, the era ended abruptly after a 24–58 season in 1976, leading to his replacement by Ed Badger on August 25, 1976. This period remains crucial for establishing the Bulls as a consistent contender rather than an expansion afterthought.

Did You Know?

• Motta replaced Johnny Kerr, who had led the Bulls to two playoff appearances despite losing records of 33–48 and 29–53.
• From 1970 to 1974, Motta led the Bulls to four consecutive 50-win seasons.
• The only playoff series the Bulls won under Motta during his first eight years came in 1974.
• Motta was replaced by Ed Badger on August 25, 1976, following an NBA-worst 24–58 season.