Bobby Leonard obit

Pacers legend Bobby “Slick” Leonard, dead at 88

The Pacers former coach reportedly passed away at his home.

 

 He was not on the list.

Indiana Pacers Hall of Fame coach, Bobby “Slick” Leonard passed away on Tuesday at age 88, according to multiple reports.

Simply put, the Indiana Pacers would not exist without the legendary life and accomplishments of Slick. While his passing marks a sad and solemn time in team history, his life’s impact on the franchise and city of Indianapolis will remain for many generations to come.

Leonard grew up in Terre Haute and played for Indiana University in the early 1950’s, highlighted by making the game-winning free throws to lock up IU’s 1953 NCAA championship.

After an eight year professional playing career (that included surviving a plane crash), Slick turned to coaching where he would deliver a Hall of Fame impact on the game in general and Indiana in particular. His ABA teams were legendary both on and off the court, winning three ABA championships in 1970, 1972 and 1973. His 529 wins will always be remembered in the rafters at the Fieldhouse.

When the Pacers’ transition from the ABA to NBA stalled the franchise Slick teamed up with his wife Nancy to hold a local telethon (check out the 30 for 30 short). They were able to sell over 8,000 tickets and keep the franchise afloat.

After Slick was done coaching, he turned into one of the most colorful color radio commentators in NBA history. As Reggie Miller’s Hall of Fame career ascended, radio listeners knew his three-point shot splashed when Mark Boyle would lay out for Slick to exclaim, “Boom, baby!”

RIP, Slick.

Leonard was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.  

He was selected with the first pick of the second round of the 1954 NBA draft. He spent most of his seven-year professional playing career with the Lakers (four years in Minneapolis, and one year following the team's move to Los Angeles), followed by two years with the Chicago Packers/Zephyrs). In his final season as a player, he also coached the Zephyrs. The next year, the team moved to Baltimore Bullets; Leonard coached them for one more year. 

Five years after coaching the Bullets, Leonard became the coach of the American Basketball Association's Indiana Pacers, a position he held for nearly 12 years – the last four after the franchise moved to the NBA.

Leonard returned to the Pacers in 1985 as a color commentator, first for television with Jerry Baker, then on radio, where he remains alongside Mark Boyle on WFNI 1070 AM. His trademark phrase is "Boom, baby!" for a successful three-point shot by a Pacers player.

Pacers player Mark Jackson tweeted Absolute Legend!!! Total Class! Praying for the Family, Friends, and Fans of Slick. He was the Best!

Leonard coached future NBA great such as Alex English, Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, Bob Netolicky, Rick Mount, Freddie Lewis, Billy Knight, Don Buse, Rick Robey and Roger Brown.Adrian Dantley, John Williamson and James Edwards.