John Kundla
Inducted:
1995
Coach Stats
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Born
July 3, 1916
Star Junction, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died
July 23, 2017
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
Minnesota (1936–1939)
John Kundla was one of the NBA’s first great dynastic coaches and a foundational figure in professional basketball history. His calm leadership and emphasis on fundamentals allowed the Lakers to become the league’s first true powerhouse. His contributions helped establish professional basketball’s credibility and competitive structure.
Kundla’s achievement is unique in sports history: he led the Lakers to six championships across three different leagues (NBL, BAA, and NBA) between 1948 and 1954. He was the first coach to lead a team to three consecutive NBA titles, a "three-peat" feat that wouldn't be repeated for decades. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Kundla's Awards and Honors
- NBL champion (1948)
- 5× NBA champion (1949, 1950, 1952–1954)
- WPBT champion (1948)
- 4× NBA All-Star Game head coach (1951–1954)
- Top 10 Coaches in NBA History
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team (Top 15 Coaches)
- College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
NBA Teams
Minneapolis Lakers (1947–1959)
NBA Stats
Season:
10 (1949-1959)
Games:
725
Win:
423
Lose:
302
NBA/BAA Regular Season %:
.583 (423–302)
Playoff Winning %:
.632 (60–35)
NBA Finals Appearances:
6
NBA/BAA Championships:
5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
NBL Championships:
1 (1948)
NBA All-Star Head Coach:
4 (1951–1954)