Former Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks pivot Bob Lanier, one of the most dominant of the 1970s in the NBA, died at the age of 73 following an illness, the North American Basketball League announced on Tuesday evening.
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The nature of his illness was not specified by the NBA, whose boss Adam Silver paid tribute to this "member of the Hall of Fame", the Hall of Fame he joined in 1992, "
and one of most talented interiors in history
,” in a statement.
Drafted in first position by Detroit in 1970, Bob Lanier was a fine left leg who also made his power speak (2.11 m, 113 kg) on the floors, quickly becoming one of the best pivots in the championship, certainly in the shadow of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In ten seasons with the Pistons, his best, he averaged 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2 blocks.
Just as impressive as he was, he couldn't guide them far in the play-offs.
It was with the Bucks, his second club in 14 years in the NBA, for his very last season (1983-1984), that he experienced his first and only conference final.
Eight times selected for the All-Star Game, of which he was named MVP in 1974, Lanier will have played in "double-double" throughout his career (20.1 points, 51.4% shooting success, 10, 1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game).
After a short experience as interim coach of the Golden State Warriors in 1994-1995 for 37 games (12 wins - 25 losses),
"he was for thirty years our global ambassador and special assistant to (the former commissioner) David Stern and then myself, traveling the world teaching the values of the game and having a positive influence on young people around the world
,” said Adam Silver.
“
His impact on the league went way beyond what he accomplished on the pitch.
His considerable influence on the NBA was also evident when he was president of the players' union between 1980 and 1985, playing an important role in the negotiations for a decisive collective agreement
, ”he added.