[Cracked Sidewalks] Marquette great Maurice Lucas, the Enforcer - dead at 58

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Marquette great Maurice Lucas, the Enforcer - dead at 58

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (muwarrior92)

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 --


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



http://www.youtube.com/v/XjSa1Np5ab0?fs=1&hl=en_US

updated:  Pierce article; Oregonian article

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2010/11/marquette-great-maurice-lucas-enforcer.html

[Earl Tatum]

I remember seeing Maurice Lucas playing in a freshman game at MU, before the varsity. Sure was a long time ago. Man among boys then. Also, got to see the game winning shot as we beat Wisconsin and McGuire danced on the scorers table. Wisconsin had a good team with height. Thanks "Mo" for some great memories.