He played 14 seasons in the NBA between the Pistons and the Bucks, was one of the best interiors of the 70s, and participated in eight All-Star.
Bob Lanier died Tuesday at the age of 73 after a brief illness. The 2.08-meter left-handed center was one of the best interiors in the NBA in the 1970s. He played 14 seasons in the League split between the Pistons and the Bucks, his number 16 being retired by both franchises. He averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds in his career, participated in eight All-Stars, and in 1992 he entered the Hall of Fame. After retiring he worked in the NBA as a global ambassador.
“For more than 30 years, Bob was our global ambassador, serving as a special assistant to Commissioner David Stern and myself, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on youth around the world. He was one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve ever been with, ” Adam Silver said.
Lanier broke into the NBA as the Pistons’ first pick in the 1970 draft after leading St. Bonaventure to the Final Four, where he spent three years averaging 27.6 points and 15.7 rebounds. In the Detroit franchise, he would end up being the third all-time scorer and rebounder behind only Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer.
Fighting against the great centers of the NBA
During his career, Lanier had to deal with the great centers of the time, including legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, Wilt Chaberlain, Artis Gilmore, Bill Walton… Despite his great quality and his good stats, his Pistons could only win one playoff series with him. In 1980 he was traded to the Bucks, where he played less but did go on to play in the East finals in 1983 and 1984.
The center had to overcome numerous injuries during his career and suffered from problems with his shoulders, back, elbows, hands, and toes. Precisely the enormous size of his feet made him famous in the NBA. He used boots of the American size 22, which is equivalent to 56.5 in Europe. A representative of the firm Converse shattered the legend by saying that it was a Korean size 22 and that in reality, Lanier’s foot was only a European 52.5. Some of his shoes have been exhibited in the Hall of Fame since before they included his name. “A lot of people can put both feet in one of my shoes,” he once said.
Outstanding service to the community
He was also recognized for his work off the pitch. He won the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in the 77-78 season for his outstanding community service. After his playing career, he helped start the NBA’s Stay in a School campaign & participated in other outreach activities for the League. “There is so much need. When you travel to different cities and countries, you see that there are so many people in a desperate situation that the NBA cannot do much. We do a great job, but there is always much more to do,” he assured me years ago.
Lanier was also president of the players’ union for the last few years of his career and served as an assistant on the Warriors before taking over when Don Nelson resigned. His balance with the team was 12-25.
Cause Of Death:
The reason for Bob Lanier death is he died due to illness. Obituary details are yet to be revealed.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
