Former Blazers F Maurice Lucas, an imposing force in the paint, and a member of Portland’s only NBA title squad, has succumbed to cancer at the age of 58. From the Oregonian’s Jason Quick :
Lucas had battled bladder cancer for the past two years. He was an assistant coach for the Blazers when he had surgery in April of 2009, then appeared to be recovering when he suffered a relapse that hospitalized him in November of 2009.
Lucas was a five timeAll-Star, three times in Portland, during his 14-year career (2 in the ABA and 12 in the NBA). Portland has his No. 20 retired by the team. He was the team™s second-leading scorer and rebounder to Bill Walton on the 1976-1977 NBA Championship team. Walton has called Lucas œThe greatest Trail Blazer of All-Time.™™
i met him, 3 years ago at nba pre draft camp, for the 1st time, i heard of him growing up ,but never seen him play as he was in small media market, but knew of him well. i know and heard bill walton love him and name his son luke after him. even in orlando when i went to aks him a job about a scouting position he was short with me and intimadated me, but i knew that was his personallity a bit, sad to see him go that way. follow me on twitter@coachacieearl
My sincere condolence to the family of one of the best ABA and NBA basketball player to step on a basketball court. He always played hard and did the little things on the court that coaches try to teach to young kids. Block out, fight for the rebound, dive on the floor for the ball, protect the lane. That was Maurice Lucas. May God rest his soul.
Remember you always as a spirit of st louis. loved you then – love you now. (even thought you beat the sixers in 77)
I met Maurice briefly about 8 years ago, and shared that I was also from Pittsburgh. He was engaging to talk to, if only for a minute. I do remember some of his playing career, and he was the player that people like Karl Malone and Bill Lambeer aspired to be. There is always a player that shows us how to play a position, and play it right. Maurice Lucas was a fine power forward, and a good guy. May God bless and keep his family at this time of loss
I, too, met Mr. Lucas while filming a commercial in Portland. Really great, humble, funny guy. While Walton’s quote reeks of hyperbole, it was playing next to Maurice that Bill had his best years. It also says something that Lucas was about the only likable Blazer player in Halberstam’s, Breaks of the Game. Don’t get me started on Lionel Hollins.
Lucas was a man.
No tattoos.
No nonsense.
Lebron should look at film of this guy…he might learn how to play the game.