Des Moines Dragons

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Des Moines Dragons
Image:DesMoinesDragons.GIF
Founded 1997
City Des Moines, Iowa
League International Basketball Association
Team History Des Moines Dragons
(1997-2001)
Arena Veterans Auditorium
Team Colors Green and White
Championships 1 (2000)
Conference Titles 2 (2000, 2001)
Division Titles 2 (2000, 2001)
Owner Dick Giesen
Head Coach Glenn Duhon
1997-2000
Michael Born
2000-2001

The Des Moines Dragons were a minor league basketball team in the International Basketball Association. They were located in Des Moines, Iowa, and played at the Iowa Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The Dragons was owned by Paul Miller and Dick Giesen.[1] The Des Moines Dragons were the International Basketball Association champions in 2000 and the runner-up in 2001 to the Dakota Wizards. They played in the IBA from the 1997-1998 season until the end of the 2000-2001 season. The Dragons were coached by Glenn Duhan from 1997 through 2000 and Michael Born from 2000 through 2001. The Dragons played their home games at Veterans Auditorium from 1997 through 2001. In 2000 Lonnie Cooper received the IBA Playoffs MVP. Lonnie Cooper of the Dragons received the 2001 IBA MVP as well as the IBA Finals MVP award. Also in 2001 Michael Born was named the Coach of the year in the IBA along with Dave Joerger of the Dakota Wizards. The Dragons were the IBA organization of the year in all four years of their existence.[2]

Contents

[edit] Playoffs

In 1998 the Dragons were swept 2-0 by the Fargo-Moorhead Beez in the IBA Semifinals. The Dragons swept Rochester 2-0 in the 1999 IBA Semifinals before losing to Mansfield 1-2 in the IBA Division Finals. In 2000 the Dragons had better luck in the playoffs, they started out by sweeping Billings 2-0 in the IBA Division Semifinals and Fargo-Moorhead 3-0 in the IBA Division Finals before going on to defeat the Magic City Snowbears 3-1 in the IBA Finals for the Dragons only championship. During the Dragons final season they swept Fargo-Moorhead 2-0 in the IBA Semifinals as well as sweeping Souixland 2-0 in the Division Finals. The Dragons took a 2-0 IBA Finals lead against the Dakota Wizards before losing three straight to lose the finals 3-2.

[edit] Dragons Logos

Image:Dmdragons.gif Image:DragonsLogo.gif Image:DesMoinesDragons.GIF

[edit] Year-by-year record

Year GP W L Pct. Finish Playoffs Results
1997-1998 34 22 12 .647 2nd, East Lost Semifinals Fargo-Moorhead 2, Des Moines 0
1998-1999 34 18 16 .529 2nd, East Won Division Semifinals
Lost Divisional Finals
Des Moines 2, Rochester 0
Mansfield 2, Des Moines 1
1999-2000 36 25 11 .694 1st, East Won Division Semifinals
Won Divisional Finals
Won IBA Finals
Des Moines 2, Billings 0
Des Moines 3, Fargo-Moorhead 0
Des Moines 3, Magic City 1
2000-2001 40 28 12 .700 1st, East Won Division Semifinals
Won Divisional Finals
Lost IBA Finals
Des Moines 2, Fargo-Moorhead 0
Des Moines 2, Souixland 0
Dakota 3, Des Moines 2
Totals 144 93 51 .646 N/A N/A N/A
Playoffs 25 17 8 .680 N/A 1 Championship Des Moines 6, Opponents 3


[edit] Former Dragon players

  • Tyrone Barksdale
  • Michael Born
  • Kris Bruton
  • Ron Bayless
  • Lonnie Cooper
  • Ben Ebong
  • Rosell Ellis
  • Chad Faulkner
  • Tye Fields
  • Kirk Ford
  • Edward Johnson
  • Greg Jones
  • Richmond McIver
  • Roland Miller
  • Michael Nurse
  • Carl Pickett
  • Kevin Sams
  • Curt Smith
  • Larry Thompson
  • Johnny Tyson
  • Jason Williams
  • Justin Wimmer
  • Jason Winningham

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] Des Moines Dragons fold, decline CBA's offer. Accessed March 31, 2007.
  2. ^ [2] INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION HISTORY. Accessed March 31, 2007.

[edit] External links

International Basketball Association
Billings RimRockers | Black Hills Gold | Black Hills Posse | Dakota Wizards | Des Moines Dragons | Fargo-Moorhead Beez | Mansfield Hawks | Magic City Snowbears | Rapid City Thrillers | Rochester Skeeters | St. Cloud Rock'n Rollers | St. Paul Slam! | Salina Rattlers | Saskatchewan Hawks | Siouxland Bombers | South Dakota Gold | Winnipeg Cyclone | Wisconsin Blast