Coaches Dedicate Playoffs to Chuck Daly

Take a look at that picture. What do you see? I mean, aside from Doc Rivers' look of abject terror while being subjected to the Derrick Rose Experience. See that thing on his lapel? If you look closely (don't squint, there's a bigger picture after the jump), you'll see it's a pin with the initials "C.D."

The National Basketball Coaches' Association announced last week that they were dedicating the 2009 playoffs to Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer last month, and they're honoring him by wearing a lapel pin featuring his initials. For a coach known for his sartorial elegance (his players nicknamed him "Daddy Rich" for his fine suits), it's only fitting that he's being honored with a fashion accessory.

In addition, the NBCA also announced the creation of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be awarded annually to a current or former head coach or assistant. From Thursday's press release:

"I am pleased to announce that the NBCA is dedicating the 2009 NBA Playoffs to Chuck Daly and we all send our thoughts and best wishes to him and his family," Carlisle said. "Chuck has played such an important role as a friend and mentor to so many NBA coaches, it's only fitting that we develop the 'Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award' in his honor."

In addition to leading the Detroit Pistons to back to back titles in 1989 and 1990 (and coming within a Game 7 in 1988 from winning three in a row), Daly was also the head coach of the original Dream Team men's basketball Olympic team in 1992. Two years later, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Here's a close-up of Rivers' pin:

Chuck Daly lapel pin