Jack Mckinney Death is one of the devastating losses in the world of basketball. Jack was a legendary player for the Lakers until the time of his death. He became famous for his up-tempo style of play that aided the Lakers in the 1980 NBA championship. Jack was also the Lakers head coach 13 times in a row while his playing style, “ up-tempo style,” became the famous Showtime today.
Before Jack McKinney death, his NBA career in the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 thrived a great deal. He served in a couple of teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Kansas City Kings, and Indiana Pacers, where he bagged the title of NBA Coach of the Year in 1981.
Unfortunately, his career came to a hard stop following a bike accident from which he sustained a terrible head injury and went into a coma. And eventually, the complications from the brain injuries and surgeries led to his death. Following the release of the HBO documentary Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, On March 26, 2022.
The curiosity levels around Jack Mckinney death and his NBA career have risen drastically. To this end, this article will give an explicit account of Jack Mckinney death. Kindly read till the end.
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The Cause Of Jack McKinney’s Bike Accident
Contrary to the diluted depiction of Jack’s bike accident in the closing scenes of the HBO documentary Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. The cause of Mckinney’s bike accident is different. The unfortunate incident happened on 8th November 1979. Jack was riding his bicycle in Los Angeles to play tennis with his friend, Paul Westhead.
The bike’s gears locked before approaching a stop sign, with the twinkle of an eye, resulting in a ghastly accident. He lost control over the handlebars and landed headfirst onto the concrete pavement. As a result of the bike accident, Jack suffered a severe concussion and was in a coma for three days. Though he made a swift recovery from his injuries, Jack never coached the Lakers again, regrettably. In an interview, Pat Riley told The Los Angeles Times That :
“If he hadn’t had the accident, he might have won five or six titles for the Lakers in the ‘80s”
Is the Cause Of Jack Mckinney Death Still Unknown?
After the unfortunate incident, Jack became a coach in decline. Perhaps the multiple brain surgeries from the brain injury sustained in the bike accident affected him greatly. He suffered severe memory losses and some other neurological damages.
Basically, his life never remained the same again until his death on September 25, 2018. Jack died at the age of 83 in hospice care in Bonita Springs, Florida. Though the exact cause of Jack Mckinney death is yet to be ascertained. His daughter, Susan McKinney, his daughter opines that he died of complications from a brain injury.
Jack Mckinney Is Survived By His Wife And Children
Before Jack died, shortly after he had recovered from the accident. His health wasn’t so balanced. He confided his plans of retirement to his wife, Claire. It is quite unfortunate that he never got to live the retirement dreams he might have had planned. As of today, Jack Mckinney is currently survived by his wife, Claire Mckinney, daughters Susan and Anne Mckinney, and sons John and Dennis Mckinney.
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Conclusion
Though it’s four years and counting, the impact of Jack Mckinney death is still felt by his immediate family, loved ones, friends, and the entire world of basketball. Nevertheless, we send our heartfelt condolences and pray for his soul and for the lord to continue keeping him.
