Nate Thurmond obit

In era of great centers, Nate Thurmond was among the best

He was not on the list.

Nate Thurmond, who recorded the NBA’s first official quadruple-double and locked horns with some of the best centers in league history, died of leukemia Saturday at 74. He played for the San Francisco - Golden State Warriors and had a brief time with the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Thurmond -- whose playing career overlapped with those of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, Wes Unseld, Walt Bellamy, Bob Lanier and others -- was named an NBA All-Star seven times. He was a first- or second-team all-defensive team member five times. Abdul-Jabbar called the 6-foot-11 Thurmond the best defender he faced.

Exclusive club

NBA players who have averaged at least 15 points and 15 rebounds a game in their careers

PTS         REB

Wilt Chamberlain              30.1       22.9

Bob Pettit            26.4       16.2

Jerry Lucas          17.0       15.6

Bill Russell           15.1       22.5

Nate Thurmond 15.0       15.0\

Thurmond is one of five players in NBA history to average at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in his career. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team in 1996.

The third pick in the 1963 NBA draft, Thurmond played the first 11 of his 14 seasons with the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors, averaging 17.4 points and 16.9 rebounds. He finished his career with the Bulls and Cavaliers.

In 1967-68, Thurmond averaged 20.5 points and 22.0 rebounds. Chamberlain (who did it six times) is the only other Warriors player to reach the 20-20 threshold in a season.

With the Bulls, on Oct. 18, 1974, Thurmond had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks against the Hawks. It was the first official quadruple-double in NBA history. (Blocked shots became a recognized statistic in 1973-74.)

Quadruple-Doubles In NBA History

TEAM    DATE     PTS         REB        AST        BLOCKS/STEALS

David Robinson  Spurs     Feb. 17, 1994      34           10           10           10

Hakeem Olajuwon            Rockets March 29, 1990  18           16           10           11

Alvin Robertson Spurs     Feb. 18, 1986      20           11           10           10

Nate Thurmond Bulls       Oct. 18, 1974      22           14           13           12

On Nov. 9, 1965, Thurmond had 42 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons. The only players in NBA history to record more rebounds in a game are Chamberlain and Russell.

Thurmond’s team made the postseason in nine of his 14 seasons, including reaching the NBA Finals in 1964 and 1967.

Thurmond ranks first on the Warriors’ franchise list for defensive win shares (52.8). He is second to Chamberlain on the team leaderboard for rebounds per game and minutes per game (40.6).

The Warriors retired Thurmond’s No. 42 jersey in 1978. He is among six players so honored by the franchise, a list that includes Chamberlain and Chris Mullin.

R.I.P Akron's own Nate Thurmond. Knowing u played in the same rec league as me growing up gave me hope of making it out! Thanks! – Lebron James

Rest In Peace to Nate Thurmond, one of the best that's ever played in the NBA. My prayers and best wishes go out to his family. – Earvin Magic Johnson

Thoughts and Prayers to The Family, Friends, and Fans of the Great Nate Thurmond. – Mark Jackson

So sad to hear of the passing of my good friend, #warriors legend Nate Thurmond. A Hall of Famer on and off the court. #ripbignate – Larry Beil

A true @Warriors legend ... #RIPNateThurmond – Adonal Foyle

Thurmond was acquired by the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Clifford Ray and $100,000 prior to the 1974–75 season on September 3, 1974. The Bulls had felt a need for one starting center rather than continue with a three-man rotation of Ray, Tom Boerwinkle and Dennis Awtrey. The Warriors added more fiscal stability when completing the deal. On October 18, 1974 against the Atlanta Hawks, in his debut as a Bull, he recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots, becoming the first player in NBA history to officially record a quadruple-double (blocked shots were not counted before 1973–74).

Thirteen games into the 1975–76 season, Thurmond was traded along with Rowland Garrett to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Steve Patterson and Eric Fernsten on November 27, 1975. Thurmond's mobility on the court failed to mesh with an offense built for a more stationary center, resulting in diminished playing time on a team enduring a nine-game losing streak at the time of the deal. In Cleveland, the now 35-year-old Thurmond came off the bench for the injured Jim Chones to lead Cleveland's "Miracle at Richfield" team to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals before the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in 1976.

After retirement, Thurmond returned to San Francisco and opened a restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ. He sold the restaurant after 20 years, while living in San Francisco with his wife, Marci. As of 2019, the Chase Center, home venue for the Golden State Warriors, features a Big Nate's BBQ kiosk with dishes that pay homage to his career.

He was given the title "Warriors Legend & Ambassador" by the Warriors organization.

Some of his notable teammates, coaches, club owners and managers include: Al Attles, Wilt Chamberlain, Alex Hannum, Franklin Mieuli, Wayne Hightower, Kenny Sears, Guy Rodgers, Tom Meschery, Connie Dierking, Rick Barry, Fred Hetzel, Clyde Lee, Rudy LaRusso, Jeff Mullins, Joe Ellis, Jim King, Bill Sharman, Adrian Smith, Jerry Lucas, George Lee, Cazzie Russell, George T. Johnson, Butch Beard, Dick Motta, Bob Love, Jerry Sloan, Matt Guokas, Chet Walker, Norm Van Lier, Mickey Johnson, John Block, Dick Klein, Ed Badger, Jack Marin, Bill Fitch, Austin Carr, Jim Brewer, Campy Russell, Jim Cleamons, Dick Snyder,  and Bingo Smith.