As Sales space writes, Wilkens was one in every of solely 5 folks inducted to the Corridor of Fame as each a participant and coach.
A 6-foot-1 level guard, Wilkens made 9 All-Star appearances in his 15 years as a participant, holding profession averages of 16.5 factors, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 1077 video games (35.3 minutes per contest). He completed second in MVP voting throughout the 1967-68 season, Sales space notes.
Wilkens’ illustrious teaching profession started whereas he was nonetheless an lively participant with Seattle, the town he referred to as dwelling for greater than 50 years. He led the SuperSonics to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances within the late Seventies, claiming the membership’s lone championship in 1979.
“It lets folks know Seattle has wealthy historical past,” Wilkens instructed the Instances in 2022 on what was proclaimed “Lenny Wilkens Day.”
“I’m so blissful to be part of that historical past. That is basketball nation. We must always have by no means misplaced our crew and I hope that this helps ultimately get one other crew again. All over the place I’m going, folks discuss in regards to the Sonics and about that point once we received a championship. I don’t assume that crew will get the credit score that it deserves. Gus (Williams), Fred (Brown), Jack (Sikma) and all of these guys grew to become part of this neighborhood and most of them nonetheless reside right here. It was an exquisite time.”
Wilkens, who additionally coached Portland, Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and New York, compiled a 1,332-1,155 common season report (.536 successful proportion) over 32 years on the bench. Wilkens holds the third-most teaching victories in league historical past, in addition to the NBA report for many video games coached (2,487). Wilkens’ golf equipment made the playoffs in 20 of his 32 seasons as a head coach, in line with Sales space.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement after studying of Wilkens’ demise (Twitter link).
“Lenny Wilkens represented the perfect of the NBA — as a Corridor of Fame participant, Corridor of Fame coach, and one of many sport’s most revered ambassadors,” Silver stated. “A lot in order that, 4 years in the past, Lenny acquired the distinctive distinction of being named one of many league’s 75 best gamers and 15 best coaches of all time.
“However much more spectacular than Lenny’s basketball accomplishments, which included two Olympic gold medals and an NBA championship, was his dedication to service — particularly in his beloved neighborhood of Seattle the place a statue stands in his honor. He influenced the lives of numerous younger folks in addition to generations of gamers and coaches who thought-about Lenny not solely an excellent teammate or coach but in addition a rare mentor who led with integrity and true class.
“I ship my heartfelt condolences to Lenny’s spouse Marilyn; their kids, Leesha, Randy and Jamee; and all these all through the NBA neighborhood who have been lucky to be touched by Lenny’s management and generosity.”
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