Rumors

The simple fact of being a player-coach alone made Lenny Wilkens an outlier from another age. According to Wikipedia, there have been 40 NBA players who also simultaneously served as their team’s coach, with Richie Guerin being the leader in wins under that arrangement (199) and the great Bill Russell leading in championships with 2 (in 1968 and ‘69). But by the time Wilkens did it, it was already an antiquated strategy — he was the third-to-last person ever to fill both roles at once, with Kevin Loughery and Dave Cowens being the only other player-coaches to serve after Wilkens stopped:

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And to further underscore how much Wilkens’ remaining coaching career after the 1979 Sonics’ title was associated with the abrupt and absolute death of NBA parity: Just 11 of the league’s 30 franchises split up the 39 available titles from 1980 through 2018, with just eight teams — the Lakers, Bulls, Spurs, Celtics, Pistons, Warriors, Heat and Rockets — gobbling up 36 of those titles for themselves. In other words, after a decade of uncharacteristic parity, the NBA spent the next four decades with only about a quarter of the league monopolizing practically all the rings. And as the league suddenly shifted into that new era, Wilkens found himself transformed from the beneficiary of increased parity to the victim of the change away from it.

Neil Paine's Substack

LeBron James: RIP LEGEND!!!!! . You'll be missed! Always was an honor to see you throughout the years

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David Aldridge: To talk with Lenny Wilkens about basketball was to sit in on Ph.D-level discourse, and to revel in his story telling. His Cavs teams were beautiful to watch. And he was, in making the Hall of Fame as a player and a coach, walking history. And a good man. RIP to the legend.

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Atlanta Hawks: We would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the great Lenny Wilkens. Beyond his excellence as a player and a coach, he was an innovator, a trailblazer, a winner and a leader not just in Atlanta but every community in which he played and coached. In addition to his numerous achievements, Lenny always carried himself with a calm dignity and undeniable class and grace. He leaves a tremendous legacy throughout the NBA, within our franchise and in our city.

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Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cleveland Cavaliers are deeply saddened by the passing of Lenny Wilkens, a celebrated and legendary figure whose impact on our franchise and the game of basketball will never be forgotten.

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Portland Trail Blazers: All of Rip City is deeply saddened to hear of Lenny Wilkens passing. Lenny was an incredible person on and off the court, and his impact on the game of basketball will be felt for generations. A Pacific Northwest legend, his two seasons in Portland, as player-coach and then head coach during the early years of Blazer basketball, helped grow the game of basketball in Rip City while his work off the court inspired many. We join the basketball community in mourning the loss of a legend of the game.

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Kevin Johnson: Saddened to hear about the passing of Lenny Wilkens, Hall of Famer and trailblazer on the court and the sidelines, who paved the way for so many of us. Grateful he drafted me and believed in me from the start. His impact on the game will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Coach.

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Seattle Storm: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seattle basketball legend Lenny Wilkens. His legacy and impact, both on the court and throughout our community, will continue to inspire for generations. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and loved ones at this time 💚💛

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Sean Cunningham: Kings head coach Doug Christie, a Seattle native, opens his pregame press conference honoring the memory of Lenny Wilkens, who passed away today at the age of 88. “Without him I’m not here.”

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Dalton Johnson: Steve Kerr reacts to the passing of Lenny Wilkens: “He was an unbelievable man. Just an incredible man.” Kerr played 3+ seasons for Wilkens in Cleveland at the start of his career and didn’t know about his former coach’s death until we broke it to him. Sad day for basketball

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Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle mentions what Lenny Wilkens did as president of the coaches association. "The thing that I'll always remember. He was such a great gentleman."

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NBA Communications: The following has been released by the NBA.

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Dustin Dopirak: Steve Kerr asked about the passing of Lenny Wilkens. He hadn't heard yet and was stunned. He played for Wilkens in Cleveland.

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