NBA Basketball Big Man & Former Detroit Piston Bob Lanier Dies at 73

A former Detroit Piston and NBA legend Bob Lanier passed away at the age of 73.

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History of Bob Lanier

Former Detroit Piston Bob Lanier was born Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. on September 10, 1948. Lanier played center for the Detroit Pistons and then later for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lanier was also honored by his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Lanier's number 16 jersey was retired by both the Pistons and Bucks after 14 years in the NBA. He never played in the NBA Finals but was a major big man in the game averaging 20 points per game, 10 rebounds, and shooting over 50% on the field.

Lanier played in 8 NBA All-Star Games and was named most valuable player in 1974.

When Lanier retired he became an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors.

Lanier went on to become an NBA Cares Global Ambassador.  From the looks on the faces of the kids below, he was excellent at his job.

When Lanier was growing up one of the first coaches he came in contact with said his feet were too big to play the game. He was a size 11 at age 11. He grew up to prove that coach wrong.

Lanier at age 16 was 6 feet 5 inches tall and during his sophomore year didn't make his high school team because the coach said he was too clumsy.

When he finally made his high school team at Bennett High School in Buffalo, New York, he went on to average 21.5 points per game.

100 universities went after Lanier to play for their respective schools but he chose to attend St. Bonaventure University.

Bob Lanier was a legend on and off the court. He loved the game of basketball and the people associated with it.

Unfortunately, Lanier passed away of a short illness at the age of 73.