La Crosse Catbirds

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La Crosse Catbirds
LeagueCBA 1990–2008
Founded1983
Folded1995
HistoryLouisville Catbirds
1983–1985
La Crosse Catbirds
1985–1994
Pittsburgh Piranhas
1994–1995
ArenaLa Crosse Center
LocationLa Crosse, Wisconsin, United States
Head coachFlip Saunders[1]
Championships2 (1990, 1992)

The La Crosse Catbirds was an American basketball team based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and member of the Continental Basketball Association.[2] The Catbirds were the 1990 and 1992 CBA champions. The team moved to La Crosse from Louisville in 1985, and left La Crosse for Pittsburgh in May 1994.[1] La Crosse would see the CBA return in 1995 when the La Crosse Bobcats took to the court.

Widely known as the training ground for future NBA coach Flip Saunders, who led the team to both championships.[3]

Several future and previous NBA players played for the Catbirds, including Andre Turner, David Rivers, Mark Davis, Derrick Gervin, Elliot Perry, Jaren Jackson, Kevin Lynch, Dennis Nutt and Kenny Battle.[citation needed]

Season By Season[]

Season Division Finish Wins Losses Pct. Postseason Results
La Crosse Catbirds
1985–86 Western 4th 24 24 .500 Won Division Semifinals (Detroit) 4-3
Won Division Finals (Cincinnati) 4-2
Lost Championship Series (Tampa Bay) 4-1
1986–87 Western 1st 28 20 .583 Lost Division Semifinals (Rockford) 4-3
1987–88 Western 1st 40 14 .741 Lost Division Semifinals (Wyoming) 4-2
1988–89 Western 5th 19 35 .352
1989–90 Central 1st 42 14 .750 Won Conference Semifinals (Quad City) 3-0
Won Conference Finals (Albany) 4-3
Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-1
1990–91 Central 2nd 32 24 .571 Lost Conference First Round (Quad City) 3-2
1991–92 Midwest 2nd 40 16 .714 Won Conference Second Round (Grand Rapids) 3-1
Won Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-2
Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-3
1992–93 Mideast 3rd 32 24 .571 Lost Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-2
1993–94 Mideast 1st 35 21 .625 Won Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-0
Lost Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-0
Regular season total 292 192 .603 1985–1994
Playoffs total 42 36 .538 1985–1994

Notable players[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "La Crosse Catbirds".
  2. ^ Bradley, Robert. "History of the Continental Basketball Association". www.apbr.org. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  3. ^ "Flip Saunders". NBA. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
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