Naismith Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens passed away on November 9. The NBA community has mourned the loss of a legendary player and coach who impacted the lives of many during his basketball career.
Wilkens played in the NBA for 15 seasons and coached for 30 more, making him a bridge between generations and a true pioneer for the sport. In exclusive interviews with reporter Landon Buford, both Doc Rivers and Jason Kidd offered their thoughts on Wilkens' passing.
Lenny Wilkens left a lasting legacy
For Rivers, Wilkens was a personal mentor who helped him get his start in coaching. Doc himself played 13 seasons in the NBA before beginning his head coaching career in 1999 and is now on his 27th season of coaching with his fifth team. He referred to Wilkens as "a pioneer" and someone who "never got the full credit he truly deserved". Like Wilkens, Rivers himself has become one of the most underrated coaches in NBA history and found ways to succeed in various situations.
As Rivers noted, Wilkens was able to lead winning teams without the most talented superstars during his coaching run spanning from 1969 to 2005. The highlight of his coaching career was winning the 1979 NBA championship with the Seattle Supersonics on a roster without household names. The only Hall of Famer on that team was Dennis Johnson, who is more remembered for his contributions as a third or fourth options on the Celtics with Larry Bird.
The Bucks face a similar challenge this season in competing for a championship with only one bonafide superstar - Giannis Antetokounmpo - on the team. They are lacking in top-end talent around him, but great coaching can help make up the difference in the playoffs. Rivers will need to channel his mentor's success for the Bucks to make a deep postseason run.
Giannis' first NBA coach Jason Kidd also offered his thoughts on Wilkens. He referred to Wilkens as "a pioneer" and "a legend" for being inducted into the Hall of Fame three separate times: as a player, as a coach and as part of the 1992 Dream Team (he was an assistant coach). Kidd faces his own struggles now coaching in Dallas after disastrous front office decisions, but he will need to make the most of his own roster as well.
Lenny Wilkens was a trailblazer and changed the NBA forever with his long-lasting impact. He was just the second Black coach in league history, and his connections to future coaches will continue to have profound effects now and into the future.