One of the NBA's top players of the 1970s, Bob Lanier, died Tuesday. He was 73.
The NBA said in a statement that the legendary NBA center died Tuesday after a short illness. The eight-time NBA All-Star worked for the league as a global ambassador.
He played 14 seasons with the Pistons and Bucks, and averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebound. He is third on the Pistons career list in both points and rebound.
Adam Silver said that the accomplishments of Lanier went far beyond what he did on the court.
For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game's values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere.
The Hall of Fame had a member in 1992. His bronzed sneakers were on display in the shrine.
He was known for his size 22 shoes, but that was disputed in 1989 by a Converse representative, who told The Atlanta Constitution that he wore size 18 1/2.
The 22 he was said to wear was a Korean size, according to a shoe rep.
His feet were big.
A lot of people can put their feet in one of my shoes.
He was born in Buffalo, New York, and starred in college at St. Bonaventure, where he averaged 28.6 points and 15.7 boards in three seasons. The Bonnies made it all the way to the Final Four in 1970, but Lanier injured his knee in the regional final and St. Bonaventure lost in the national semifinals to Jacksonville.
During his career, he dealt with a lot of injuries, including shoulder, back, elbow, hand and toe. He earned his place among the top NBA centers of his era despite that. After being named to the all-rookie team in 1971, he averaged at least 21 points and 11 rebound for the next seven seasons. The 1974 All-Star Game was won by Lanier.
While ruling the boards, Lanier could beat opponents from the inside and outside. The sky hook was very much a weapon, even though Abdul-Jabbar had a more famous hook shot.
When you were facing the Bulls or the New York, you had all these rivalries, because guys didn't change teams as much. It was a fight against Willis Reed. Artis Gilmore, and Bill Walton were added to the list. The game was played from the inside out, because you had all the big men.
The Pistons did not win a playoff series with him. He played fewer than 64 games in each of the last four seasons. He was traded to Milwaukee in February 1980.
The final two seasons of his career were spent on Milwaukee teams that reached the Eastern Conference finals.
He was the president of the players union during the final years of his career.
Before Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer overtook him in points and rebound categories, he was Detroit's career leader in both categories, and his single-game franchise record of 33 rebound was topped by Dennis Rodman.
After Don Nelson resigned as coach of the Golden State Warriors, Lanier took over as coach on an interim basis. The Warriors found a new coach after the season.
The NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award was won by Lanier. He helped start the NBA's Stay in School campaign after his playing career.
The NBA can only do so much because there are so many people in dire straits. We make a huge difference, but there is always more to be done.
The report was contributed to by the Associated Press.
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