BOB LANIER R.I.P.

[Liftee]

For the OFC's in our midst, you probably remember Bob Lanier. A huge but kind man with excellent big man skills.

I was lucky enough to see him play in college in the NIT. He had soft hands, great footwork and a soft shot. He was one of the most dominant college players I ever saw. He was also a great pro although he was stuck on mediocre Detroit teams.

We have lost a great man from the basketball past and I didn't want his passing to go unrecognized.

 

[christophero]

Plus the pilot from Airplane had to drag him and Laimbeer up and down the court.

 

[johnl1219_]

Plus the pilot from Airplane had to drag him and Laimbeer up and down the court.

Hahaha, it was actually dragging Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes, but a very funny line.

 

[geddoughton23]

I've only heard great things about Lanier. He sent my friend who had size 23 feet many of his old shoes and clothes. We never figured out how Lanier heard about my friend. The shoes were always delivered care of our school principal's office

 

[dukebluesTX]

Just read about him. Size 22 shoe... Helluva big foot. Sounded like a nice man and a great player too.

 

[youngman42]

For the OFC's in our midst, you probably remember Bob Lanier. A huge but kind man with excellent big man skills.

I was lucky enough to see him play in college in the NIT. He had soft hands, great footwork and a soft shot. He was one of the most dominant college players I ever saw. He was also a great pro although he was stuck on mediocre Detroit teams.

We have lost a great man from the basketball past and I didn't want his passing to go unrecognized.

I was a big Lanier and St. Bona fan as a young man growing up in Buffalo. I remember watching Lanier and Calvin Murphy battle it out when Niagara played the Bonnies. Also remember how St. Bonaventure went to the FF but Bob broke his ankle or foot and could not compete. Would have been an amazing matchup against Artis Gilmore. I think the Bonnies would have won that but likely not beaten the UCLA machine. Still, what might have been …

There was also a sporting goods store in Buffalo that had a pair of his used basketball shoes under glass (I always remember reporta he wore as size 21. That was what those were. Some reportedsize 22 or 18. I don’t think the latter were accurate).

Lanier was a class act. Thanks for posting this.
RIP.


OFC