His parents were Pentecostal missionaries.An All-American at the University of North Dakota.Won a CBA (Continental Basketball Association) Championship as coach of the Albany (NY) Patroons in 1984.Divorced his wife June when she declined to moved to Los Angeles after he was named head coach of the L.A. Lakers on 16 June 1999. He currently dating Jeanie Buss , the daughter of the Lakers' owner Dr. Jerry Buss .He is considered one of the best coaches in the NBA and has 11 championships to his credit as a coach. Overall, he has 13 NBA championship rings: 2 as a player with the New York Knicks (1 of which he received while inactive, due to spinal surgery), 6 as coach of the Chicago Bulls, and 5 as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.Played for the New York Knicks 1967-1978, and the New Jersey Nets 1978-1980. Was a player/assistant coach combo for the Nets.