Former Lakers champion Michael Cooper to coach WNBA’s Atlanta Dream

In addition to his five NBA championships with the Lakers, Michael Cooper led the Sparks to consecutive WNBA titles as coach in 2001 and 2002.

Cooper will go back to the WNBA sidelines as head coach of the Atlanta Dream.

The Dream have reached the WNBA Finals three times but have yet to win a title.

Cooper was an integral part of the Lakers’ Showtime era, playing with the team from 1978 to 1990. He won defensive player of the year in 1987 and was named to the league’s All-Defensive First Team five times.

While he’s had success in the WNBA, Cooper has only made a brief coaching appearance in the NBA, taking over the Denver Nuggets after Jeff Bzdelik was fired during the 2004-05 season.

Cooper also has an NBA Development League championship on his resume, coaching the Albuquerque Thunderbirds to a title in 2006.

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Minneapolis Lakers Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen dies at 85Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.