UPDATED
Maurice Lucas, one of the greatest Warriors ever to play basketball at Marquette University, died Sunday at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.
Lucas played for Marquette for two seasons, 1972-73 and 1973-74, helping the Warriors to their first NCAA championship game appearance in 1974. The Warriors lost to North Carolina State that year, and Lucas left to play professionally in the ABA with the Spirits of St. Louis.
In 1977, he helped lead the Portland Trailblazers to the NBA championship by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers. In that series, Lucas' role as enforcer was center stage for all to see, as he and Darryl Dawkins were involved in a major bench clearing ball. Lucas refused to back down to Dawkins or the Sixers, instilling the team with the courage needed to take home the title.
Lucas was a four-time NBA All-Star and was named as one of the top 30 players in ABA history. Bill Walton later stated that Maurice Lucas was the GREATEST PORTLAND TRAILBLAZER who ever lived. He named his son, Luke Walton, after Lucas.
Maurice Lucas is remembered in many publications today --
UPDATED
Jack Ramsey opines on the Intimidator
The original Cool Hand Luke
GoMarquette.com pays tribute to Lucas
Fox 12 News in Portland
Remembering Maurice Lucas...Yahoo Sports
NY Times....Maurice Lucas, Bruising Forward dies at 58
CBS Sports....Video of the brawl from 1977 NBA Finals
Oregon Live....some great insights into Lucas
Nate McMillan remembers Maurice Lucas
NBA.com remembers Maurice Lucas
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Maurice Lucas
Charlie Pierce provides a unique perspective into Lucas
The Oregonian says, Maurice Lucas will be missed, but his legacy will endure.
Pro statistics
updated: Pierce article; Oregonian article
"My rule was I wouldn't recruit a kid if he had grass in front of his house. That's not my world. My world was a cracked sidewalk."
—Al McGuire
Marquette's Premier Basketball Blog
Monday, November 01, 2010
1 comment:
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One of the greatest Warriors ever. He was fun to watch, especially in our "Made for Color TV" uniforms. Just seeing Maurice Lucas -- the strong arms and intense looks -- struck fear in the hearts of our opponents.
ReplyDeleteMaurice -- we'll miss you.