Nate Thurmond, R.I.P. [View all]
(cross-posted from LBN)
Nate Thurmond, an NBA Hall of Famer and seven-time All-Star who was a dominant force in the middle for most of the Warriors’ first decade on the West Coast, died Saturday after a battle with leukemia. He was 74.
The 6-foot-11 Mr. Thurmond, voted one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996, played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Warriors and had been a Community Ambassador for the team for decades. He also worked as an analyst on postgame broadcasts for KGO (Channel 7) in recent years, but his health had deteriorated in recent weeks and, according to people close to him, Mr. Thurmond recently began calling friends to say his final goodbyes.
“We lost one of the most iconic figures in the history of not only our organization, but the NBA in general,” Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob said. “Without a doubt, he is one of the most beloved figures ever to wear a Warriors uniform.”
Hall of Famer Rick Barry said “Nate was one of the greatest centers to ever play the game and I was privileged to call him a teammate and dear friend. He battled his illness until the very end, like a true Warrior. His legacy is one of passion, fierce competitiveness, a love of basketball and selfless devotion to others. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.”
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-great-Nate-Thurmond-dead-at-74-8382124.php?t=dd49b242861210a92f&cmpid=twitter-premium
I worked with him on an advertising promotion for PG&E years ago. Real nice guy and good to work with. On any given day you could spot him working behind the counter of his restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ, at Folsom Street and 12th in San Francisco. Spiciest sausage and ribs I ever ate. Though at the end of his career when he was with the Cavs in 1976, his off-the-bench play for an injured Jim Chones helped the team make it to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the fucking Celtics.
Bye Nate. Thanks for the memories.
