R.I.P. Bob Lanier

Bob Lanier, an eight time NBA All Star and Hall of Famer who played center for the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks from 1970-1984, died on May 10th, 2022. The NBA released a statement saying he died after a short illness. He was 73.

Lanier was one of the dominating centers of his era, averaging 20.1 points and 10. 1 rebounds per game over his career. He averaged 23.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per game between 1971-2 and 1978-9. His career numbers would have been better had he not been plagued with injuries to his back, shoulders, knees, and arms. He played more than 70 games just twice in his final nine seasons.

The Pistons drafted Lanier with the #1 overall pick in the 1970 NBA draft. He had played college basketball at St. Bonaventure, leading the Bonnies to their only NCAA Final Four in 1970. However, Lanier injured his knee in the regional final and without him, St. Bonaventure lost to Jacksonville in a national semifinal. Lanier averaged 27.6 points and 15.7 in his time at St. Bonaventure.

Lanier averaged 18.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in 67 NBA post season games, but was never on an NBA champion. In 1977 he averaged 28 points and 16.7 rebounds in three games in what was then a best of three first round of the playoffs, but the Pistons lost the series to the Golden State Warriors. In his final two seasons, he made it to the Eastern Conference Finals with the Milwaukee Bucks who lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 and to the Boston Celtics in 1984. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.