Portland Trail Blazers former forward, Maurice Lucas passes away
Maurice Lucas, known as “The Enforcer” has died at the age of 58 at his home in Portland. He passed away after his long fight with bladder cancer. He had surgery for bladder cancer in spring 2009, but was hospitalized in the fall for a recurrence of cancer.
The team announced his death on the official website.
Maurice was a man of achievements; he was a three-time All-Star. At public appearances, fans often greeted Lucas with cries of “Luuuuuuke!”
Lucas was a tough defender and an outstanding rebounder, capable of a bulky pick and a timely basket on offense. Possessing a glare that presumably intimidated many of the opposing players; he became the prototype power forward when he emerged as a star
for the Trail Blazers in the late 1970s.
Lucas served Trail Blazers in a very fantastic way. He is the one who helped lead the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 National Basketball Association (NBA) title. The legendary was a central figure in the Trail Blazers in the NBA 1976-1977. He had a record
of averaging 15.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.72 blocks in five seasons in Portland.
“The Enforcer” was also known to serve American Basketball Association (ABA). Lucas joined Portland in the 1976 ABA dispersal draft, averaged a team-high 20.2 points, and grabbed 11.2 rebounds per game in the 1976-77 championship seasons. Lucas was an ABA
All-Star for the 1975-76 seasons.
He records further consist of averaged 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds in 12 NBA seasons with Portland, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, and Seattle.
He played 12 seasons in the NBA and four in the American Basketball Association.
Lucas bestowed Blazer with his expertise as an assistant coach since 2005. He served as an assistant coach with the Blazers for six seasons, but last year he left the team to undergo surgery before suffering a setback last November. He did not return to
coaching this season.
Marquette University is also very proud of him, as he played college basketball at Marquette University for two years, leading to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship game in 1974. Although Marquette did not win the title; he
had the honour to play the full 40 minutes of the game, leading his team with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Marquette also retired his No. 20 and inducted him into its Hall of Fame.
The Portland Trail Blazers have declared the death of the basketball legend as a great loss.
Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said in a statement that the team had lost a champion of a man. He said, “Maurice was a great man and a great friend. He battled his illness like the warrior he was on the basketball court.”
The owner of Trail Blazers, Paul Allen also showed deep concern on his death and said that he was an amazing man and he considered himself as a lucky person having known him. He further praised him “he was one of the greatest Blazers ever.”
Allen also showed deep concern towards Lucas family. He said he himself along with the entire Blazer family send their condolences to Luca’s family.
Marquette also retired his No. 20 and inducted him into its Hall of Fame, and Walton named his son Luke, a player for the Lakers, after him.
He left behind a grieving wife Pamela, two sons named as David and Maurice II and a daughter Kristin. Funeral arrangements of Luca are yet to be determined.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Tags: