Bob Lanier, a left-handed, muscular big man who ranked alongside Kareem Abdul Jabbar among the NBA’s greatest players in the 1970s, passed away Tuesday. He was 73 years old.
The NBA released a statement saying that the legend NBA center, who had been ill for a while, died Tuesday. The Hall of Famer was also an eight-time NBA All-Star. He had been a global ambassador for the league.
Lanier played 14 seasons for the Detroit PistonsAnd Milwaukee BucksHis career averaged 20.1 rebounds and 20.1 points. He is the third most successful Pistons player in terms of both points and rebound. Lanier was the No. After he was a leader, he was the No. 1 overall pick in 1970. St. BonaventureThe Final Four.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, stated that Lanier’s achievements were far more than what he did on court.
Silver stated that Bob served as our global ambassador, as well as special assistant to David Stern. Silver also traveled around the world to share the game’s values with young people. It was a labor-of-love for Bob, who was one the most kindest and genuine people I’ve ever met.
In 1992, Lanier was inducted into the Hall of Fame. His boat-sized shoes won the race, and he was able to display his bronzed sneakers at the shrine.
His size 22 shoe size was well-known, but a Converse representative refuted this in 1989 to The Atlanta Constitution.
Gary Stoken, a shoe rep, stated that the 22 he was reputedly to have worn was of Korean size.
It was undisputed that his feet were large.
Lanier stated to HOOP magazine, “A lot people can put both their feet in one of my shoes.”
Born Sept. 10, 1948 in Buffalo, New York. Lanier was a star at St. Bonaventure College, where he averaged 27.6 point and 15.7 rebounds over three seasons. Lanier injures his knee during the regional final and the Bonnies reached the Final Four in 1970. However, St. Bonaventure lost the national semifinals to Jacksonville.
Lanier suffered from a variety of orthopedic injuries during his career, including shoulder, elbow, elbow, elbow, hand, and toe issues. However, that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the most respected NBA centers in his era. He averaged at most 21 points and 11 boards for seven more seasons after being named to the 1971 all-rookie team. Lanier was named MVP of the 1974 All-Star Game.
Lanier was able to beat both insiders and outsiders while dominating the boards. Abdul-Jabbar was famous for his sky hook but Lanier’s hook shot was more of a weapon.
Lanier explained to NBA.com that in 2018, “Guys didn’t change their teams as much so when you were faced with the Bulls or New York, all these rivalries existed.” Jabbar against Lanier! Jabbar against Willis Reed! And then (Wilt?) Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore,, and Bill Walton! All these men were great and the game was played inside out.
Despite being exceptional, Lanier’s performance was not enough to win the Pistons a playoff series. In his four last full seasons with Detroit, Lanier played 64 games or less. He was traded from Detroit to Milwaukee in February 1980.
Lanier spent less time with the Bucks than he did with them, but he was part the Milwaukee teams that made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the second and third times in his career.
During his last years of career, he was also president of the Players’ Union.
Lanier was Detroit’s most successful player in career points and rebounds, before being passed by Bill Laimbeer. His single-game franchise record for 33 rebounds was also set by Dennis Rodman.
Lanier served as an assistant coach to the 1995 Olympic team. Golden State WarriorsAfter Don Nelson’s resignation, he was replaced by, who took over as interim coach. Lanier finished the season with 12-25 and the Warriors hired another coach.
Lanier received the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1977-78) for his outstanding community service. He was a player and helped establish the NBA’s Stay in School campaign.
Lanier stated that there is so much need in the country. “You can see that there are so many people in desperate straits when you travel around different cities and countries. The NBA can only do so much, Lanier said. While we have made a tremendous, huge difference, there’s still so much to do.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.