PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers paid tribute Thursday night to Maurice Lucas, remembered as much for the warrior he was off the court as he was on it.
Lucas, the fierce power forward who helped lead the Blazers to the 1977 NBA title, died Sunday after a long fight with bladder cancer. He was 58.
The Trail Blazers were on the road when they heard the news about Lucas, who was an assistant coach with the team until cancer forced him to step away last season.
The team held a moment of silence before their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They will also wear No. 20 on their uniforms this season in memory of Lucas, known as “The Enforcer” during his 12-year NBA career.
