Dave Twardzik
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David John Twardzik (born September 30, 1950 in Hershey, Pennsylvania) is a former professional basketball player, and is currently the assistant General Manager for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association. As a player he was a point guard in both the American Basketball Association and the NBA; and is best known for being a starter on the Portland Trail Blazers team that won the 1977 NBA Finals.
Twardzik grew up in Middletown, Pennsylvania, and played collegiately at Old Dominion University, where he was a two-time All American and led the Monarchs to the 1971 NCAA Division II title game. He was drafted by the Trail Blazers in 1972, but elected to play for the Virginia Squires of the ABA. When the ABA folded in 1976, he was selected by the Blazers in the ABA dispersal draft, and would be the starting point guard of the Blazers team which won the NBA title in 1977. He played for three more seasons in Portland, retiring at the end of the 1979-1980 season. His jersey number (13) was retired by the team.
After his retirement from playing, he began an NBA coaching and front-office career. He served in Portland's front office through 1985, and worked as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers from 1986 through 1989. He has also worked for the Detroit Pistons, the Charlotte Hornets, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Golden State Warriors, and the Denver Nuggets. In 2003 he became Director of Player Personnel for the Magic, and was promoted to assistant General Manager in 2005.
